Good news for Shetland

I will be running more photography courses for Shetland dult education starting 11 September with a beginners - `Get to know your own camera' course (See below). Message me if you need any further information

If you are going to visit Shetland next year then there is good news. The Scottish government is due to look at reducing the ferry fare to Shetland and about time too. With the Outer Hebrides having a 50% cut the other year, Shetland's fares actually increased.

                                            Multi Coloured sheep - a TV star ?

The plan is to reduce the car fare by 30 % and passenger fares by 40% but cabin fares will not be reduced at present. These cuts will come into effect in April 2018. Cabin fares will be looked into when the new Ferries start sometime 2018/2019

While this is good news for some, cabins are somewhat essential, not chance that you will find us laying on the floor or in a seat over night.

                                                   A training ship for school children calls in at Lerwick

Other good news for Shetland is that a decommissioning project , hopefully the first of many has now commence in Lerwick. Around 30 jobs will be created and the first one, the 12,000 tonne the huge oil production vessel Buchan Alpha is starting to be dismantled over the next 17 months.

Another plug for Shetland was the Channel 4 programme on Fair Isle, the Good Shepherd just one way to get to the island for just over £5, however many come back by plane as the sea even on a calm day can be very rough.

No news yet on whether the Shetland webcam's will continue beyond the end of next month. It will be a big loss to many in and outside Shetland if they go. I normally look at Cliff Cam 3 for signs of the Aurora. If you want more information join us on facebook at Shetland Aurora Hunter - send a request to join.

A while ago

Its been a while since my last blog, this has been down mainly to having to develop four illustrated talks to give to the Royal Voluntary Service (2), SWI and Shetland Photographic Society as well as build a new 6 session (3 hours Per session) on Night Sky Photography without a telescope for the Shetland Adult Education.

Storm at Quarff

                                                                    Moon at St Ninian's tombolo

On top of this we have been out at a variety of music events. Having already missed out on two Up Helly Aa events we hope to see our local one down in Cunningsburgh on Friday.

                                                                                                          Cunningsburgh

                                                                                                       Channerwick

The weather has been mixed for the past few weeks with one day of snow which lasted three days due to the cold conditions. This did allow us to get out on a fine day and get some photographs in the south mainland and several storms have passed through.

                                                                                     Spiggie (Foula in background)

It was nearly a tragic day when the Ocean Way sank several miles east of Whalsay in calm conditions. The fishing nets had become fastened on something then it release sending the tackle into the back of the boat causing damage. The Coastguard helicopter and lifeboat arrived just in time as the boat suddenly began to sink so the crew jumped into the sea and within a minute the boat had completely disappeared. The crew got hypothermia but got aboard the lifeboat safely. Its a dangerous job even on calm days.

                                                                                                    Scousbough Bay

                                                                                           Looking west to Spiggie

 

Our new face page  `Shetland Aurora Hunter ' is going well with nearly 700 members joining in the first 3 months. Please send me a request if you want to join . This is not just for Aurora photos but anything in the Night sky.

                                                               Just north of Boddam

 I have had a number of photos published in the Shetland Times recently and I have just found out that two photos have been selected for the Shetland Times Bookshop calendar which should be out soon

                                                                                                 Sandwick

If you are thinking of moving to Shetland here are a few pieces of information that you may be interested in.

Sullom Voe has laid off most of its workforce and is not going ahead with the other gas plant, this has resulted in numerous construction staff leaving. Work is also more or less complete on the new Anderson High School and the new Power Station is yet to start. Most of the Voluntary sector is having funds cut from April but there are a few jobs in the fish processing plant.

The shops down Commercial Street are very quiet and a number such as the Hydro have closed down. The council tax has just gone up by 3% but this is still a lot cheaper than down in England and also includes water rates.

House prices have leveled out and a few properties are on the market but most start being advertised from April when its easier to get up to Shetland to view. Saying that a few people buy off the internet without ever having been to Shetland- a risk if you don't know the Scottish laws. Please let me know if you want any most specific details.

You can view more photos on my website at www.amazingshetland.co.uk

Up Helly Aa and beyond.

January is generally dull, wet and often foggy but in Shetland we have plenty of things to brighten the days.

Apart from the Aurora's which can happen anytime (see- shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk or Shetland Aurora Hunter (face page) which will lift any gloom, its also the start of Up Helly Aa season.

Scalloway is the first venue and this started on Friday 13 January, but it was snowy and icy so we missed out.

Then the last Tuesday in January (31) is the biggest Up Helly Aa  held in Lerwick. which turned out to be very bad weather. Some of those in the squads had to hold onto the person in front as they couldn't see very far with the driving rain and sparks flying towards them.

As we moved into February we had more gales with some properties suffering damage and then today we had the first snow of the winter. the gales also forced the cancellation of a couple of ferries, which meant that Tesco has less and less food on the shelves.

I don't mind snow if you can get about and i was fortunate that most heavy snow arrived just as i got from work

The skies have been superb this winter, lots of colour and drama

Winter is far from boring, besides the fantastic skies, Up Helly Aa, Aurora, star filled skies, superb wildlife and great music nights its a time for planning. I am preparing another intermediate photography course - this time 6 sessions on Night Sky Photography, which i will be delivering later in the year for Shetland Adult Education.

There are a few places left on the Beginners and Intermediate photography courses in Scalloway in Spring - see Shetland adult Education website for further details

Also i have been preparing various talks for the WI, Women Guild, RVS and Shetland Photography club and another one for our visit to Sheffield, again on Shetland.

don't forget to visit
www.amazingshetland.co.uk (Canvas Prints) and also send me a request to join a Facebook page - Shetland Aurora Hunter

Thanks again for looking at my blogs, which also include

shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk
shetlandsfp.blogspot.co.uk