Director's Blog

Tuesday 23rd March 2010

Friday night was "Fish Fiesta" night here at The Marine Centre...and what a night it was. This event is held annually in aid of the Royal National Mission for Deep Sea Fishermen and support this year was stronger than ever. The event was sold out well in advance with a waiting list of people who wanted to come should someone else pull out! Over 100 people from near and far took the opportunity to sample the very best seafood that Shetland has to offer, prepared by the Da Haaf chef Simon Allan and his team.

The feedback has been absolutely fanastic with people wanting to know when tickets will be going on sale for next year as "they don't want to miss out!"

After the meal there was the option of listening to an after dinner talk given by Professor David Gray (...that name seems familiar...I might know him) but those with young children were able to take the opportunity to head home as it was already half past nine.

The night raised over £2,000 for the charity which is what it is all about.

Captains' log - supplemental

I've always wanted to say that...

Thanks to all of you who sent me messages about our webcam being "out of whack". Our IT guru's have been up on the roof and have carried out their highly technical diagnostics and eventually decided to turn it off and on again...which worked perfectly.

So the webcam is now up and running and you can use it to view the fantastic and gorgeous weather we are currently experiencing...now....where's that suntan lotion?

Thursday 18th March 2010

Spring has arrived in Shetland...blue sky, glorious sunshine...we even had "heat haze" yesterday. However, I must try not to get too excited as the weather forecasters are still saying that we could have more "wintry showers"...hmmmm. But it won't be long before the Tammie norries (Puffins) are back at Sumburgh Head for their nesting season.

The Fish Fiesta charity event in aid of the Fishermens Mission is tomorrow evening in our Da Haaf Restaurant and all 90 tickets are sold out (with a waiting list too!). This is great news as The Mission is a great charity that undertakes very important work for fishermen and their families and doesn't receive the recognition it deserves. Well done to Aubrey and the Local Advisory Committee for all of their hard work in organising the event.

Shetland is preparing to host the spectacular Tall Ships in July 2011 (Cruise in Company will be from the 12th to the 21st July and the Tall Ships will be in Lerwick from the 21st to the 24th July 2011). A varied programme of entertainment, food and drink and cultural activities are planned and The NAFC Marine Centre will be playing a key role.

As part of Shetland's commitment to sail training, a charity has been set up to deliver sail training opportunities in our area. We are excited to get as many young people between 15-25 years old from around Scotland involved in the races.

You could be part of one of the world's great maritime adventures and join a crew on board The Tall Ships. No previous sailing experience is required. If you're interested then please visit www.sailtrainingshetland.com for more information about how you can take part.

Monday 8th March 2010

The snow has gone...!

Are you interested in finding out more about Shetland? If so then why not join The Centre for Nordic Studies for a Summer School based here at The Marine Centre!

Shetland Cultural Traditions and Folklore

Date: 19-23 July

Includes lectures on topics such as "The power of placenames" or "Finns, Trows and witches" or my personal favourite "Final Fling Music Workshop".

Fieldtrips every afternoon including "Coastal Landscapes", "Jarlshof and Croft House Museum", "A Traditional Music Evening", "Shetland Museum & Archives".

Shetland History & Landscape

Date: 19-23 July

Includes lectures on topics such as "Shetland's Natural Landscape", "Shetland's Archaeological Heritage", "Shetland & The North Atlantic".

You are able to study the whole programme or pick and mix from the daily lectures and excursions. Accommodation can be provided at The Marine Centre.

The cost will be £200 per week, including all fiedl trips and evening activities. The Programmes are ILA registered. Day-rates for local residents are available.

How to apply:

Go to www.nordic.uhi.ac.uk and download an application form, or email CNS@orkney.uhi.ac.uk for further information.

Monday 1st March 2010

OK..this isn't funny any more. As I write this and look out of my window I can see no more than 2 metres due to the blizzard that is literally "howling" outside. Locals are saying that this is the worst snow that Shetland has seen in 50 years!

All schools were closed for the whole of last week as the local roads were just far too dangerous to drive due to the snow drifts that were being formed by the strong winds blowing the powdery snow off the fields. We had to make the decision to close The Marine Centre completely at 10.30 last Thursday and send everyone home and then we closed The Centre on Friday to all students.

Saturday was relatively "snow free"..which was a pleasant change but shouldn't have got our hopes up because it came back with a vengeance on Sunday afternoon with blizzards on and off ever since. The forecast is for this "wintery weather" to continue all week.

One particular news item has really focused local minds on this recent wintery weather. There is an iceberg the size of Luxembourg floating to the south of Australia and scientists are saying that as this iceberg melts the cold water will slow down the major oceanic currents which drive the global climate including the main one which determines the climate in the UK and Shetland, "The Gulf Stream". This particular current means that there is a warm flow of water across the North Atlantic which keeps Shetland warmer in winter than would normally be expected at this latitude...so if this current slows down or stops then Shetland may well be seeing a lot more of this wintery weather...which is a cheery thought (see below).

"An iceberg the size of Luxembourg has split off from the Antarctic continent and could disrupt global ocean patterns and weather systems for decades, according to scientists. The 985 sq mile (2,550 sq km) block of ice was knocked off the Mertz Glacier Tongue, a spit of floating ice protruding from eastern Antarctica, on February 12 or 13. It was dislodged by an older iceberg, known as B9B, which broke off in 1987. Although the impact will not be felt for decades, the iceberg could block the production of cold, salty water, known as “bottom water”, which could lead eventually to cooler winters in the North Atlantic."

Have a nice day everyone.