Also in the news / Shared cabins call, STEM workshops and more…
SNP Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has joined the chorus of calls for the return of shared cabins on the NorthLink ferries.
The ability to book a berth in a shared cabin was suspended during the Covid pandemic and operator Serco NorthLink has repeatedly said this will not return.
Roddick said it remains “completely unclear” to her why shared cabins have not been reintroduced.
“Numerous constituents have contacted my office, expressing their disappointment and concern over the continued absence of what was a popular and cost-effective option for travellers,” she said.
“It is apparent that NorthLink Ferries is facing increasing capacity issues, which present significant inconvenience to passengers. The lack of affordable cabin space directly impacts constituents’ ability to book travel at times that best suit their needs.
“This, in turn, restricts their access to essential services, employment and education.
“Reintroducing shared cabins would help address these capacity challenges, as well as provide a comfortable and affordable travel option for many passengers. I strongly urge NorthLink Ferries to reconsider its current approach and reinstate this valuable service.”
NorthLink boss Stuart Garrett previously said the operator was comfortable with passengers finding fellow travellers to share a cabin as this would then be “their responsibility” rather than that of the company.
THE FIRST series of ‘Industrial Cadet Challenger’ workshops which aim to encourage school pupils to consider a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) has kicked off in Shetland.
More than 320 pupils from across the Anderson, Brae Sandwick, Yell and Aith high schools got involved in the first round of workshops, which were led by education charity EDT (the Engineering Development Trust) and sponsored by SSEN Transmission.
A further six schools across Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highlands and Angus are signed up to take part by Christmas.
The workshops are themed around how energy is moved through transmission networks in the north of Scotland, and what needs to be done to scale up the network to make it fit for net zero.
Nicky Gadsden, early career attraction and engagement lead at SSEN Transmission, said: “We’re thrilled to see the first Industrial Cadets workshops get underway, and what better place to begin with than Shetland, where there has been a whole range of pioneering energy projects taking place.”
FUN activity sessions are being lined up next week to mark the 20th anniversary of the Active Schools programme in Shetland.
Over the last 20 years, Active Schools staff and volunteers have worked with many local sports clubs, schools, parents and community groups to deliver sport and physical activity opportunities.
These have included extra-curricular activities, school competitions and summer programmes.
Activities on offer next week are mainly aimed at primary-aged pupils, including some family sessions, and will vary across locations and by age groups.
The range of activities will include badminton, hockey, netball, pickleball, table tennis, fencing, boccia and more. Information about these sessions is being sent out by schools, directly to parents and guardians.
The SIC’s Active Schools manager Louise Jamieson said: “I’m proud of the impact that the Active Schools team has had in our local communities over the last 20 years, which is a significant milestone. In that time, the team have introduced thousands of children to new activities and opportunities.
“We’re looking forward to seeing plenty of folk at our fun activities next week to mark our special anniversary.”
Chair of the SIC’s education and families committee Davie Sandison said the Active Schools programme is “hugely valued here in the Shetland community”, and he thanked coordinators for their efforts.
MSPs have backed a Conservative motion in the Scottish Parliament calling on the UK Labour government to reverse what is being described as its “family farm tax”.
The Conservatives said it sends a “clear message” to the UK Government.
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said: “Labour’s cuts to Agricultural Property Relief threaten the viability of thousands of family farms, undermining their ability to be passed down to future generations, syphoning off millions of pounds of potential investment from the sector, and jeopardising Scotland’s food security.”
SSE chief executive Alistair Phillips-Davies has confirmed he will be retirning from the company in 2025 after more than 11 years with the energy giant.
Phillips-Davies visited Shetland in August to celebrate the completion of SSE’s 103-turbine Viking Energy wind farm in the central mainland.
However, some of his comments to the media during his visit did not sit too well with parts of the community, with then-Shetland North councillor Tom Morton saying they showed “arrogance and contempt”.
Speaking about his decision to step down, Phillips-Davies said: “Being chief executive of SSE is an immense privilege and I am extremely proud of what we have achieved over the past decade – right across the group – as we have steadily grown into becoming the UK and Ireland’s clean energy champion.”
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