Letters / Community lost major benefits as a result of pressure group’s actions
An incomer, I have now lived in Shetland for over 53 years. It can’t be the climate; it must be the people!
I came to islands where the majority of jobs were dirty, physically demanding and erratically paid, working with sheep and fish.
Those 50 years have seen huge changes. Aquaculture and marine engineering have contributed to a solid core of skilled, tech-savvy and well-paid jobs. Thanks to taking technology on board, Shetland Wool Week attracts visitors from all over the world.
Wind turbines are now forming part of the landscape. Some consider them an eyesore, personally I find them quite attractive. One of the tourist attractions of Holland is the windmills!
What do they contribute to Shetland?
A far more resilient power supply. That and a small but important labour force to operate and maintain them; an educated, skilled and well-paid labour force.
The decision of the Shetland Charitable Trust to withdraw from investing in Viking Energy was in my opinion a bad one, however it was a decision considered at the time to be in the best interests of the people of Shetland and I freely accept it.
I will always have the feeling, though, that the community has lost a major benefit thanks to the actions of a vociferous and not always totally truthful pressure group.
Time will tell.
John Waters
Lerwick
