Showing posts with label Shetland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shetland. Show all posts
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Napier Commission Report
Over the past few months, I have been transcribing the findings of the Napier Commission into the conditions of the crofters and cottars in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. So far I have covered the Western Isles and Skye; I am now going through the evidence for Shetland. Maybe of interest to Island Bloggers out there?
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Inter Island Ferries
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Sound of Harris ferry MV Loch Portain at Leverburgh"]
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Ferry traffic across the Minch has boomed this summer. The customary three-sailings-a-day routine between Ullapool and Stornoway on Wednesdays and Fridays is coming to an end on the 28th, this coming Friday, and on not one day has the service run to timetable on those days, this summer. Reasons for this are the RET-scheme, which has seen fares slashed by half on some routes, and a favourable exchange rate for visitors from the Eurozone. Which in turn made it less attractive for British holidaymakers to go to Europe - so all flocked to the Western Isles.
RET does not apply to the ferry routes between islands in the Western Isles; more specifically, the Leverburgh to Berneray ferry (which links Harris and Uist), and Eriskay to Ardmhor (Barra). It was reported on Hebrides News tonight that fares, already much higher than on the cross-Minch routes, could be increased by another 40%, as a local subsidy scheme comes to a close on August 31st.
It appears that Comhairle nan Eilean Siar had put forward £75k, on the understanding that Highlands and Islands Enterprise would also pay out £75k. HIE have now announced that they will not honour that apparent promise, saying it is no longer part of its remit. The Scottish Government appear to have been less than helpful on their part.
Local businesses have complained that the increased transportation costs between islands could drive them to the wall. It is from my viewpoint rather unfair to have different fare-structures on different routes of the Calmac network. Yes, I know the RET is a pilot-scheme to see how it goes (roaring success), but I am also looking a bit further afield, to the Northern Isles. Orkney and Shetland are excluded from RET, and are complaining bitterly, justifiably so.
In my opinion, the Scottish Government should close the pilot for RET and implement it forthwith on all ferry routes in Scotland, if only for the sake of common fairness and equality to all islanders, irrespective of their location.
[/caption]Ferry traffic across the Minch has boomed this summer. The customary three-sailings-a-day routine between Ullapool and Stornoway on Wednesdays and Fridays is coming to an end on the 28th, this coming Friday, and on not one day has the service run to timetable on those days, this summer. Reasons for this are the RET-scheme, which has seen fares slashed by half on some routes, and a favourable exchange rate for visitors from the Eurozone. Which in turn made it less attractive for British holidaymakers to go to Europe - so all flocked to the Western Isles.
RET does not apply to the ferry routes between islands in the Western Isles; more specifically, the Leverburgh to Berneray ferry (which links Harris and Uist), and Eriskay to Ardmhor (Barra). It was reported on Hebrides News tonight that fares, already much higher than on the cross-Minch routes, could be increased by another 40%, as a local subsidy scheme comes to a close on August 31st.
It appears that Comhairle nan Eilean Siar had put forward £75k, on the understanding that Highlands and Islands Enterprise would also pay out £75k. HIE have now announced that they will not honour that apparent promise, saying it is no longer part of its remit. The Scottish Government appear to have been less than helpful on their part.
Local businesses have complained that the increased transportation costs between islands could drive them to the wall. It is from my viewpoint rather unfair to have different fare-structures on different routes of the Calmac network. Yes, I know the RET is a pilot-scheme to see how it goes (roaring success), but I am also looking a bit further afield, to the Northern Isles. Orkney and Shetland are excluded from RET, and are complaining bitterly, justifiably so.
In my opinion, the Scottish Government should close the pilot for RET and implement it forthwith on all ferry routes in Scotland, if only for the sake of common fairness and equality to all islanders, irrespective of their location.
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
Island fever
Indulged that in a massive way in the summer and autumn of 2004. Here are some more pictures, this time from a visit to Shetland early in September of that year.
The Dim Riv (pic 1) is a replica Viking ship that takes tourists round Lerwick harbour. At the time of my visit, there was no wind, so the vessel drifted round the harbour on the tide.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="On board the Dim Riv in Lerwick Harbour during gale force 0"]
[/caption]
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Sand of Meal near Hamnavoe, West Burra"]
[/caption]
The Dim Riv (pic 1) is a replica Viking ship that takes tourists round Lerwick harbour. At the time of my visit, there was no wind, so the vessel drifted round the harbour on the tide.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="On board the Dim Riv in Lerwick Harbour during gale force 0"]
[/caption][caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Sand of Meal near Hamnavoe, West Burra"]
[/caption]
Tuesday, 3 July 2007
Gloup Disaster
Blogging out of area again, I was listening to a program on BBC Scotland about the Gloup Disaster. This occurred on 20 July 1881, and claimed the lives of 36 fishermen from the Isle of Yell in Shetland. As the 126th anniversary is coming up, I would like to dedicate this entry to their memory. Although I am obviously blogging from Lewis, the theme is common to many island communities.
Following a period of bad weather, a clearance prompted the fishermen of Gloup to take to the fishing grounds, 40 miles out to the west. Unbeknown to them, a summer storm raced towards Shetland and fell ont hem with hurricane force winds. Many boats were found overturned with no sign of life.
Fifty-eight fishermen drowned, 36 of whom came from Gloup. They left 34 widows and 85 orphans.
Following a period of bad weather, a clearance prompted the fishermen of Gloup to take to the fishing grounds, 40 miles out to the west. Unbeknown to them, a summer storm raced towards Shetland and fell ont hem with hurricane force winds. Many boats were found overturned with no sign of life.
Fifty-eight fishermen drowned, 36 of whom came from Gloup. They left 34 widows and 85 orphans.
Monday, 8 January 2007
Earthquake
Read a report that an earthquake, measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale, shook Shetland early on Sunday, with Unst being most affected. Tables rocked back and forth, and the worst rattle someone ever experienced.
Were any of the Unst bloggers wakened by this event? Further info from the British Geological Survey website.
Were any of the Unst bloggers wakened by this event? Further info from the British Geological Survey website.
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