Also in the news / Tae Sup returns, active travel officer, island games preparations and more…
A VARIED mix of musicians and creatives will take to Mareel stage in September as James Yorkston’s Tae Sup wi’ a Fifer tour returns to Shetland.
On the bill will be Orcadian singer-songwriter Kris Drever, who is well known to the local audience through his solo work as well as with folk trio Lau.
He is joined on the line-up at the 12 September event with English musician Rozi Plain, who is also member of This Is The Kit and has toured with US rock icons Paramore.
Edinburgh poet, storyteller and music-maker Iona Lee is also on the bill, as is Yorkston – a distinguished musician himself. Tickets are available online now.
SCOTLAND’S walking charity says it is breaking new ground with the creation of a first-of-its-kind regional development officer position in Shetland.
The role marks a significant step for Paths for All’s commitment to tailoring its initiatives to meet the unique needs of Scotland’s diverse communities.
Aimed at increasing active travel in Shetland, the development officer will spearhead a new project focusing on workplace programmes, in conjunction with the regional transport partnerships ZetTrans.
“By having a dedicated presence in the region, we can better understand and address the specific challenges and opportunities for active travel in island communities,” Paths for All manager Graham McQueen said.
More information can be found here.
WITH next year’s Island Games now just 12 months away, representatives of the competing islands are meeting in Orkney this week to preview the 2025 event.
Two committee members from Shetland Island Games Association will attend – chair Lesley Hutchison and secretary Bob Kerr – alongside representatives of the 24 competing islands.
Delegates will also attend the AGM of the International Island Games Association, due to take place on Saturday.
Next year’s games will take place in Orkney from between 12-18 July 2025.
The 2025 games will include a programme of twelve sports: archery, athletics, badminton, cycling, football, golf, gymnastics, outdoor bowls, sailing, squash, swimming and triathlon.
Hutchison said: “We’re looking forward to 2025 and we hope to hear more from the ‘Orkney 2025’ Organising Committee on their Games plans, including details of the sports programmes, accommodation and local transport.
“It will soon be less than 12 months until the Games and our own planning for the Shetland Team will gather pace in the coming months.”
SHETLAND has ranked lowest in Scotland when it comes to average food hygiene inspection pass rates.
Training provider High Speed Training says Shetland has an average pass rate of 74.71 per cent.
In Scotland food premises are given either a ‘pass’ or an ‘improvement required’ rating by inspectors.
The data however shows that Shetland has the lowest number of premises for a local authority in Scotland, at 87.
THE UNIVERSITY of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) has ranked above the Scottish average in the 2024 National Student Survey.
The UHI achieved an overall satisfaction rate of 81.2 per cent, which is above the benchmark of 80.7 per cent in 2023 and this year’s Scottish sector average of 78.1 per cent.
This places UHI sixth in Scotland for overall satisfaction.
Conducted annually by Ipsos MORI, the NSS gathers feedback from final-year undergraduate students across the UK.
