Shetland Times Column 29 December 2023

When New Year approaches there’s usually time to reflect on the year that’s drawing to close and look to what the future may hold.

At Holyrood in February the changing of the guard signalled a new cabinet which appeared hell-bent on keeping the Bute House Agreement. We may have moved on from the flawed Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) and the Highly Marine Protected Areas (HPMAs) proposals, which rightly brought wholesale condemnation from Scotland’s coastal communities, but there remains disquiet about what comes next.

Scotland is slipping down global educational rankings, concern continues about the NHS, the dualling of the A9 and the West Coast ferries fiasco, while the Scottish Government’s response does little to instil confidence about seeing improvement on any of those fronts any time soon.

The last week at Holyrood before the festive recess saw the presentation of the Budget but there was little Christmas cheer to be found. There’s a financial hole which will ultimately impact local services here as well as every other part of Scotland. Unsurprisingly, the blame appears to lie at everyone else’s door except the government that has been in power for the last 16 years.

So what was good about 2023? For me, the Tall Ships Races was the highlight of Shetland’s summer. It was a fantastic week and the organisers and everyone involved in making it happen have rightly received praise for all their hard work. And the experience for the sail trainees will be one that lives with them forever.

Our geographical position is often described as at the crossroads of the North Sea and North-east Atlantic, and the importance of our location and the seas around us means we have been well used to welcoming people to our shores for centuries. 

As I have heard from businesses and organisations around Shetland, there are staff shortages across all sectors.

But there is also growing unease about an undercurrent of unfriendliness from a small element in Shetland towards people who have chosen to come here to live and work.

Those posting on social media may not understand the impact and how far their comments can spread. For anyone thinking to come to Shetland one look at what’s being said on social media, the moans, groans and sometimes downright inaccuracies, must give cause to wonder if the idyllic presentation of Shetland is really for them.

Shetland is a great place to live but I have heard from people who have been on the receiving end of both online and more surreptitious actions, and it takes its toll on individuals.

So my hopes for 2024 are for more kindness and compassion, and peace to all.