Cullivoe Road contract awarded

Local contractor CW Johnson Plant Ltd will construct the new 6.8 metre wide two-lane B9082 Gutcher to Cullivoe road that will replace the current single-track road.   The work is expected to take two years with initial groundworks expected to begin this summer.   Disruption over this period will be minimal with the 4.5km of new road constructed off the current alignment. 

The total project cost is expected to be around £13.3M, which will be funded from the use of Council reserves and borrowing. 

Shetland Youth Voice are a youth-led group, commited to empowering young people and ensuring their voices are heard in local decision making.

Join the Climate Yarns Team as they find out more about how their priorities for young people relate to climate change.

Click on the image to watch the full video on YouTube ↑

The winners have been announced in our first Climate Change Creative Competition 

Forty-four pupils have been chosen from schools across Shetland, with young people invited to create a drawing, poem, or short story, sharing their views on climate change.

These will be compiled into a book called "Climate Change From a Young Person’s Perspective". It will be launched at the Shetland Climate Festival at the Clickimin on Saturday 13th September. A roadshow film is also being premiered on the day and a visual art piece

The front cover features artwork by Mya Johnson of North Roe Primary School.

Find out more about the Climate Festival, and read one of the winning entires - Help or Run a poem by Cora Grant from Sound Primary School on our website

Following a rescheduling of works, planned maintenance on the linkspans at West Burrafirth and Papa Stour ferry terminals will now take place in the middle of August.

There will be no vehicle access to the Papa Stour ferry at West Burrafirth ferry terminal on Wednesday 13th August, or at the Papa Stour ferry terminal on Wednesday 20th August. The service will operate for foot passengers only, using a gangway from the ferry to the shore. Passengers should be aware that the gangway and the stairs on board the vessel can be steep.

Read more about the planned works on our website

Ready, Set - Read! with Shetland Library's Summer Reading Challenge

The Library Summer Reading Challenge is back and now even better, thanks to your feedback! Pop into the library and pick up your stamp card. 

This is how it works:

• Bairns get a stamp every time they visit
• They can collect extra stamps for reading, doing the scavenger hunt, colouring competition & more!
• Visiting Shetland this summer? You can join in too!
• NEW! Summer Writing Competition with Tesco Lerwick.  Write a short story, poem or diary entry (50 words or less) about your summer!  All entries will be displayed in the library, and 6 winners will be chosen by Tesco to be featured in their Lerwick store.
• There is no need to sign up to the challenge this year, though all participants need to be library members.

There's no need for teens and adults to feel left out either - we've got you covered with our Summer Reading Spree

Booking a car with Shetland Car Club is easy

Click on the thumbnail to watch the video and find out more. 

The Shetland Car Club provides flexible and cost-effective access to vehicles for short-term hires - perfect for running the family to holiday activities, without the commitent of owning a car full time.

Treat your sheep for lice now

The best time to treat your flock for lice is immediately after shearing.

The Shetland Animal Health Scheme is encouraging all crofters to treat their animals now, rather than wait until winter. 

Shearing removes the majority of lice and exposes those that are remaining, making them more vulnerable to the treatments.  This is more effective than treating animals with long wool, which often results in a reduction of lice, but does not eradicate them.

Speak to your vet about treatment now. 

Shetland Climate Festival - Sat 13th September, Clickimin

Join us for the Shetland Climate Festival on Saturday 13th September at the Clickimin in Lerwick.

Young people’s views are the forefront of this year’s event with a book launch, film launch and visual art piece resulting from the Council’s first Schools Climate Roadshow. Come along and hear their thoughts on climate change, as well stalls, workshops, practical advice and children’s activities. This year’s festival runs from 10am to 4pm.

Shetland Islands Council is testing a new way to recruit for care jobs across the isles – focusing on the values and personal qualities people bring, rather than formal qualifications or past experience. If you’re someone who’s compassionate, respectful and enjoys working with others, this could be your opportunity to start a rewarding career in care. Training and support will be provided, and the application process has been simplified to help more people take that first step.

Read the full story on our website

Further Education Bursary.

Further Education (FE) Bursary is a discretionary grant made by Shetland Islands Council to help a student beyond statutory school leaving age, who is undertaking a qualifying course within Shetland or on the Scottish Mainland.

To be eligible for funding, you must:

• Have left school and are beyond statutory school leaving age
• Are studying a full-time, non-advanced course (up to National Certificate level) in Shetland — or elsewhere in Scotland if the course isn’t available locally
• Meet residency rules (usually living in the UK for 3 years before your course starts). If you're moving to Shetland, you must be living here by 30 June before your course begins

When should I apply?
Funding applications should be completed as soon as possible and by 31st July, to ensure funding is in place for the start of your course.