2008
Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia
January
February
- 1st
- BP and Marathon announced another oil discovery near to the Foinaven field, west of Shetland.
- Northerly Gales disrupted shipping and forced the cancellation of Northlink Ferry services.
- All schools were closed due to forecast blizzards, which didn't materialize.
- 5th
8 candidates have been nominated for the Lerwick South by-election on February 28th
- 8th
Nesting & Girlsta Up Helly-Aa. Jarl Peter Anderson representing Sjovald Sjovldson.
- 10th
Two Humpback Whales spotted off Bressay. See this article from Shetland Marine News for full details.
- 18th
Police confirmed that a human thigh recovered in a scallop dredge, off Unst last October, has been identified as belonging to missing Unst man Sandy Macaulay.
See Shetland News Article for full details.
- 19th
Organic cod farming company 'No Catch' was placed in administration. See Shetland Today Article for details.
- 20th
- Johnston's Motor Garage, in Aith, was destroyed by a fire.
- The Scottish Crofting Foundation issued a press release, "Crofters' Indigenous Status Report To Be Launched", which will explore whether the Highlanders and Islanders of Scotland should be granted recognition as a United Nations indigenous people and gain in rights of self-determination such a status would confer.
- 21st
The Shetland Museum confirmed that the St Ninian's Isle Treasure will return to Shetland for a 3 month exhibition, starting in July, to mark the 50th anniversary of its discovery. See Shetland News Article for details.
- 27th
Shetland Triathlon Club formed. See Shetland Today Article for details.
- 28th
The Lerwick South by-election was won by Jonathan Wills.
March
- 4th
It was announced that two post offices in Shetland, at Camb in Yell, and Levenwick, have been targeted for closure by Post Office Ltd. as part of a nationwide plan by the government to rationalise rural post office provision.
- 8th
The Kiln Bar, in Scalloway, hosted a celebrity poker night as their prize for becoming the UK's top poker playing pub, coming 1st of the 500 pubs which took part in a national competition organised by Ladbrokes bookmakers.
- 9th
The Gerda Saele, a well boat registered in Norway, ran aground in the North Mouth of Lerwick Harbour, but managed to float free on the rising tide without damage.
- 10th
Consultants hired by the Shetland Community Planning Board announced that the population of Shetland is likely to drop below 20,000 by the year 2030.
- 12th
14 cars were damaged and one passenger suffered an injured ankle on the Northlink ferry Hrossey, as a result of a heavy roll, while on the way to Lerwick.
- 13th
The Shetland News celebrates it's 5th anniversary as an on-line newspaper, under the current editorial team of Hans Marter & Pete Bevington. See this Shetland News Article for more details.
- 26th
Bixter hall was packed by people attending a meeting hosted by Sustainable Shetland, a group formed in February to inspire debate in the windfarm project proposed by Viking Energy.
April
- 3rd
The contract to operate a freight service, with two vessels, between Lerwick and Kristiansund in Norway, was awarded to John White from West Burrafirth. One of the vessels will also sail to Rosyth in Scotland, and Zeebrugge in Belguim. The service is expected to start in November.
- 12th
New Shetland fishing boat Prolific LK986, launched at Whitby, Yorkshire.
- 19th
Da Voar Redd Up starts.
- 22nd
Shetland Folklore, and Trows in particular, took a step towards world recognition, with the prospect of Burnt Candle Productions producing a series of short animated films. See this Shetland News Article for details.
May
- 1st - 4th
28th Shetland Folk Festival.
- 14th
Shetland Catch announced a return to profit, for financial year 2007/8, following 2 years of losses incurred because of smaller landings of herring and mackerel, as a result of the fish quota payback scheme which was enforced in the wake of investigations into 'Black Fish' landings between 2001 and 2005.
June
- 6th
Loganair started a, summer only, twice weekly service to Bergen.
- 7th - 8th
Shetland Classic Motor Show at Clickimin Leisure Centre.
- 15th
The former Shetland Bus boat "Andholmen", (the boat that was the model for the "Shetland Bus Memorial"), arrived in Scalloway for the first time in more than 60 years.
- 18th
The Sjøassistanse Bergen to Shetland race starts at Marstein outside Bergen.
Follow the race (The bar below the map can be used to see earlier positions)
- 19th
Johnsmas Foy starts.
See the full list of events
- 19th - 22nd
Flavour of Shetland on Victoria pier
See what's on this year
- Yachts taking part in the 22nd Bergen to Shetland race, in Lerwick.
- 20th
One of the yachts taking part in the Bergen to Shetland race, the 21ft Paradis, sparked a search by rescue services when it was overdue in Lerwick Harbour, and had failed to make radio contact for 30 hours. See this Shetland Marine News article for the full story.
- 21st
Launch of new Shetland Museum Sixareen, Vaila Mae.
- A "Declaration of Dependence" was made by Stuart Hill concerning Forewick Holm, of which he claims to be owner, and which he has re-named Forvik Island.
- 24th
Per Øverås from Vestnes, (Molde SF), with the boat "Tia Maria" became the overall winner of the Shetland - Bergen Races this year.
- 25th
A full meeting of the Shetland Islands Council voted in favour of building Mareel, the new cinema & music venue.
July
August
September
October
November
December
2007 < - > 2009
