Also in the news / Young fiddler returns, fishing talks, islands debate and more …
THE FISHING industry cannot be sold out to the sector’s foreign competitors to foster closer relationships with the EU, a Highlands and Islands MSP has said.
Tim Eagle, who is the shadow cabinet secretary for rural affairs and fishing, was in Shetland last week to hear of concerns from local fishing leaders as the UK Government negotiates access to UK waters after 2026.
“The message from Shetland is exactly the same as it is from the other fishing communities I have visited in recent weeks: the future is extremely promising so long as the industry is not sold out to our foreign competitors,” Eagle said.
“Access to our waters must not be bartered away in negotiations with other countries over issues which have nothing to do with fishing.”
He added: “It would be absurd to link the European effort to bolster our collective security with arguments about fishing rights.
“I have been really impressed by the positive attitude of the people I have met in fishing communities right around our coast, including here in Shetland. They believe there could be a brighter future and so do I.”
YOUNG musicians are preparing for the 43rd Shetland Young Fiddler of the Year competition in Mareel on 25 and 26 April.
The competition will be judged this year by three well-known Shetland fiddlers who were all prize winners at the competition in their youth.
Mary Rutherford and Barry Nisbet are both returning as judges, and will be joined by Laura Harrington.
Shetland Folk Society secretary Valerie Watt said this year’s prizes will included free fiddle tuition as well as trophies and prize money, something they were “delighted” to do.
Junior fiddlers (P6 and under) will compete on the Friday morning and intermediate fiddlers (P7-S1) compete on the Friday afternoon.
Senior fiddlers (S2-S4) are then next on the Saturday morning.
The public are welcome to drop along the Mareel auditorium at any time to listen to the fiddlers perform, with 72 fiddlers performing 110 entries.
The Shetland Young Fiddler concert will be held at 7pm on Saturday 26 April, where senior finalists will perform for the adjudicators for the final time.
Junior and intermediate winners will then share their prize-winning performances and Kristie Williamson will give her final performance as Shetland Young Fiddler of the Year before the 2025 winners are announced.
HIGHLANDS and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) – which owns Sumburgh Airport – has launched a customer feedback survey as it seeks to improve its airports.
The online questionnaire aims to help HIAL understand how people use its 11 airports and to identify where improvements can be made to the services and facilities provided.
People will be asked questions about the current customer experience, and what they would like to see be introduced.
Questions on flying habits, travel to and from its airports and the demographics of passengers will also be included.
The survey will run across each of its 11 airports, including Sumburgh and Kirkwall, for one month.
It will then be repeated later in the year to provide comparable data between quieter and busier times at the airports.
HIAL chief operating officer Darren MacLeod said: “The customer survey is a great opportunity for anyone using our airports to provide us with a better understanding of their experience at our airports. “
An online version of the survey can be found here.
A DEBATE championing the importance of Scotland’s island communities is to be led by Scottish Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston today (Wednesday).
Halcro Johnston, who is a MSP for the Highlands and Islands and his party’s shadow islands minister, will lead a members’ business debate on Wednesday evening at Holyrood.
He said he would be celebrating the islands’ achievements, but also highlighting the unique challenges they face on several fronts.
A series of cross-party round tables will also take place on Wednesday afternoon, with SNP deputy first minister Kate Forbes expected to attend to hear about the challenges facing residents and businesses.
Halcro Johnston, who is from Orkney, says Scotland’s islands “regularly punch above their weight” but their concerns are also “repeatedly ignored” by SNP ministers.
He said many of these communities are under increasing threat of depopulation, because of the failures to provide lifeline ferries, adequate housing provision and strong connectivity.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead this debate to celebrate and champion Scotland’s island communities,” he said.
“I am acutely aware of what fantastic contributions our islands make to Scotland’s economy and how they regularly punch above their weight.
“However, I also know about the huge challenges facing those living and working on our islands.
“This debate will bring into focus just how challenging the reality of island life is.
“I hope it will herald much needed investment in these communities and for SNP ministers to finally address their needs, which have been neglected for too long.”
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