COMMUNITY PROFILE Shetland South

Shetland Islands Council Community Work Service August 2011 Contents

Introduction...... 4

About the Area ...... 6

Population ...... 9 Summary of Statistics...... 9 Summary of Community Views ...... 11 Key Issues ...... 11

CROSS CUTTING THEMES ...... 12

Strengthening Communities...... 12 Summary of Statistics...... 12 Summary of Community Views ...... 13 Key issues ...... 14 Constraints and Opportunities ...... 14

Culture and Community...... 14 Summary of Statistics...... 14 Summary of Community Views ...... 15 Key Issues ...... 15 Opportunities...... 15

WEALTHIER...... 16 Summary of Statistics...... 16 Summary of Community Views ...... 19 Key Issues ...... 19 Constraints and Opportunities ...... 19

FAIRER...... 20 Summary of Statistics...... 20 Community Views...... 22 Key Issues ...... 22 Constraints and Opportunities ...... 23

SMARTER...... 24 Summary of Statistics...... 24 Community Views...... 26 Key Issues ...... 27

2 Constraints and Opportunities ...... 27

SAFER – CRIME, FEAR OF CRIME & SAFETY...... 28 Summary of Statistics...... 28 Community Views...... 29 Key Issues ...... 29 Constraints & Opportunities...... 29

STRONGER ­ HOUSING ...... 30 Statistics ...... 30 Community Views...... 30 Current Issues ...... 31 Constraints and Opportunities ...... 31

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS ...... 31 Statistics ...... 31 Air Services...... 32 Community Views...... 34 Current Issues ...... 34 Constraints and Opportunities ...... 34

HEALTHIER...... 35 Summary of Statistics...... 35 Community Views...... 36 Key Issues ...... 37

GREENER ­ NATURAL RESOURCES...... 38 Summary of Statistics...... 38 Sandwick...... 39 Dunrossness...... 40 Fair Isle ...... 41 Recycling facilities...... 42 Community Views...... 42 Key Issues ...... 42 Constraints and Opportunities ...... 43

APPENDIX A: SOURCES OF INFORMATION...... 44

APPENDIX B: SOUTH SHETLAND LSDG ACTION PLAN 2011­12 AS AT AUGUST 2011...... 45

3 Introduction

This Community Profile sets out social, economic, environmental and cultural information for the Shetland South area. This information has been gathered from statistical data available nationally and locally and from the views of communities from Quarff south to Fair Isle.

Effective planning for the future depends largely on a good understanding of what already exists. This profile aims to provide baseline information about Shetland South from which service providers, agencies, voluntary, and community organisations can develop a shared understanding of the needs and issues within the area.

It is intended as a working document to stimulate debate and discussion in order to support and inform actions and developments that seek to improve the local planning and delivery of services.

The profile will be updated as necessary via the Local Service Delivery Group (LSDG) for the area. It will be used to encourage LSDG members and others to work more closely together to deliver locally appropriate solutions to identified needs. The profile will assist in measuring strategic outcomes at a local level, and contribute to the Single Outcome Agreement (SOA) reporting framework. 1

1 In 2004 the Community Planning Board agreed on 7 localities for Shetland “to provide the basis for service planning at a local community level and specifically to support the future planning of health and social care services within the Community Health Partnership”. These are North Isles, Whalsay and Skerries, North Mainland, West Mainland, Central, Lerwick and Bressay, and Shetland South*.

*Geographically Gulberwick should be included in the “Shetland South Community Profile”, but due to its proximity and dependence on Lerwick for much if its services, it is in fact included in the Lerwick, Bressay and Gulberwick Community Profile. The Gulberwick community has been invited to participate in both, the Shetland South LSDG and the Lerwick, Bressay and Gulberwick LSDG as appropriate, in recognition of the community’s unique rural / semi‐urban identity. Gulberwick is part of Gulberwick, Quarff and Cunningsburgh Community Council and therefore has links with Shetland South.

4 Shetland Islands Council area Electoral arrangements

Ward 2 Shetland North Alastair Cooper Addie Doull Bill Manson Ward 1 North Isles Laura Baisley Robert Henderson Josie Simpson

Ward 3 Shetland West Florence Grains Frank Robertson Ward 6 Gary Robinson Lerwick North Sandy Cluness Caroline Miller Ward 4 Allan Wishart Shetland Central Betty Fullerton Iris Hawkins Andrew Hughson Ward 7 Lerwick South Gussie Angus Ward 5 Jonathan Wills Shetland South Cecil Smith Jim Budge Jim Henry Allison Duncan Rick Nickerson

Figure 1 Shetland Islands Council Electoral Arrangements as at 2007.

5 About the Area

Shetland South

The Shetland Islands are the most northerly local authority area in the UK, 298 miles north of Edinburgh, 211 miles north of Aberdeen and at least 50 miles north of Orkney, our closest neighbours. Shetland is only 228 miles from Torshavn in Faroe and a similar distance from Bergen in Norway. Shetland comprises more than 100 islands, 15 of which are inhabited and the total population is around 22,000. The islands lie further north than Moscow and southern Greenland.

The Shetland South area takes in the communities from Quarff to Fair Isle, which is the most southerly of the inhabited islands.

Shetland South Landscape The Clift Hills run down the western side, dominating the landscape, whilst the eastern side is a coastal plain. On the east Aithsvoe in Cunningsburgh provides a safe harbour and opens onto Mousa Sound where the island of Mousa hosts the world heritage site Mousa Broch. On the west lies St Ninian’s Isle with its spectacular ayre and beach. Fair Isle lies 20 miles south of Sumburgh and can be accessed by ferry or plane. Some parts of the area have been subject to substantial housing development in recent years, due to the availability of land and the close proximity of Lerwick.

Quarff The most northerly community of Shetland South, Quarff lies 7 miles (11 km) south of Lerwick. It stretches one and a half miles (2.4 km) from Wester Quarff, on the west coast to Easter Quarff on the east. The community consists of a mixture of traditional and modern dwellings distributed in small clusters. There is a public hall, and community garden situated at the old school.

Cunningsburgh & Fladdabister Just north of Cunningsburgh lies the old crofting township of Fladdabister, a small settlement of traditional crofthouses interspersed with modern bungalows.

Cunningsburgh itself is a large settlement 10 miles (16 km) south of Lerwick on the main A970 road to Sumburgh airport. There are three areas of local authority housing including a sheltered housing scheme. Other amenities are a primary school, youth centre, multicourt, play park, two churches, shop, small industrial estate, football pitch, public toilets and, history hut and public hall. Between and surrounding these areas are a number of traditional crofting townships and a number of scattered modern bungalows, stretching along the A970. On the east coast Aithsvoe provides a sheltered harbour with a pier and a marina for berthing boats.

6 Sandwick Sandwick is approximately 14 miles (22 km) south of Lerwick and 12 miles (19 km) north of Sumburgh. As a result, it has become home to many people working in Lerwick as well as in the Shetland South area. Rapid large‐scale housing development schemes reflect this. There is also sheltered housing provision. Sandwick is an active community, with the Community Council winning the 1999 Community of the Year Award in recognition of the excellent quality of life on offer in the village. There is a shop, post office, bakery, church, public hall, visitor centre, private hotel and social club. Sandwick also has a large junior high school with gym hall, swimming pool, play park, football pitch and a youth and community centre. At Sandsayre Pier there are public toilets, a small visitor centre and ferry access to the world heritage site of Mousa Broch.

Levenwick Levenwick lies on the east and is 18 miles (28 km) south of Lerwick. Its sweeping bay provides a beautiful vista for the settlement, which consists of scattered traditional and modern housing. There is a shop, public hall, campsite, tennis court, community garden, care centre and surgery.

Bigton The township of Bigton is situated on the west side of the South Mainland 19 miles (30 km) south of Lerwick. The beautiful St Ninian’s Isle with its classic sandy ayre can be accessed via Bigton Farm. Housing is a mixture of traditional and modern with a small housing scheme and sheltered house provision. Facilities include a shop, public toilets, two churches and a public hall.

Scousburgh This is stunningly beautiful area is on the west side and lies some 20 miles (32 km) from Lerwick with scattered settlements of mixed traditional and modern housing. Spiggie Loch and Spiggie beach can be accessed from here. There is a small hotel, lodge, disabled self‐catering accommodation and a garage.

Central Dunrossness The Central Dunrossness area is about 22 miles (36 km) from Lerwick. There are three housing schemes, homeless accommodation and scattered modern and traditional dwellings. Facilities include shops (with fuel pumps), a church, hairdresser, public hall, learning centre, football pitch, gym, museum and primary school with swimming pool.

Quendale 24 miles (38 km) south of Lerwick and just west of the A970 is Quendale with its sweeping bay and proximity to beautiful Garth’s Ness. Housing comprises a mixture of traditional and modern homes with one housing scheme. There is a church and Quendale Mill is a popular visitor attraction for the area.

Virkie Virkie which is 25 miles (40 km) from Lerwick, is the most southerly of the settlements of the South Mainland. There are two beautiful beaches with bird and whale watching opportunities

7 at Sumburgh Head. Virkie encompasses the settlements of Exnaboe, Hestingott, Toab, Scatness and Sumburgh and private housing is intermixed with several housing schemes. Facilities include the main Shetland airport (with police station), a hotel, a shop, Jarlshof & Old Scatness visitor attractions, public hall, a boating club, marina, pier, public toilets and religious centre.

Fair Isle Fair Isle lies about 20 miles (40 km) south‐west of Sumburgh Head. Just 5km long and 3 km wide, it’s mostly surrounded by impressive cliffs, rising to over 100 metres at the spectacular Sheep Rock and almost 200 metres along the heavily indented west coast. The National Trust for Scotland owns the island. Housing is scattered and mainly traditional. Facilities include a shop and post office, bird observatory with accommodation, museum, pier and marina.

8 Population

Summary of Statistics

Although Shetland’s population as a whole has been in decline over the past 20 years it is now showing signs of stabilising. 2 Shetland South population figures vary slightly from this trend showing an overall increase from 2001 to 2008 of 4.9%. 3

3,150

3,100

3,050 on i t a l 3,000 u op P

2,950 l a t

To 2,900

2,850

2,800 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Series1 2,963 2,912 2,925 2,979 3,076 3,038 3,024 3,107 Year

Table 1 Shetland South Population

This general population increase is not consistent across all areas of Shetland South with communities that are within an easy commute of Lerwick being more likely to experience an increase in population, and areas lying further from Lerwick being more likely to experience a decline. For instance the population of Dunrossness and Fair Isle has declined by 6% while Levenwick, Bigton and Hoswick are up 5%, Sandwick up 11.9% and Cunningsburgh and Wester Quarff by 5.3%, over the last 10 years.

2 Shetland in Statistics 2009

3 GROS Population Data 2008

9 1,200

1,000 Dunrossness & Fair Isle

800 on i t

a Levenwick, Bigton & Hoswick ul

op 600

P Sandwick

al t 400 To Cunningsburgh & Wester Quarff 200

0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Year

Table 2 Population Trends

Like Scotland, Shetland demonstrates an ageing population profile 4 and this is replicated in the Shetland South area. The percentage of children aged 0 to 15 in Shetland South has decreased by 2% since 2001 while those of pension age has increased by 3% over the same time. 5 Looking after the health of an ageing population potentially puts an increasing burden on public sector finances, including NHS Shetland and Community Care. 6

Shetland South figures show that the male population is slightly higher at 1568 males as opposed to 1539 females. The figures indicate that females tend to live longer. 7 This is in line with national trends.

There is a very small ethnic minority population in the area at approximately 1% of the total population. This reflects the ethnic population figures for Shetland as a whole.

4 GROS Population Data 2009 [online] http://www.gro‐scotland.gov.uk/files2/stats/council‐area‐data‐ sheets/shetland‐islands‐factsheet.pdf

5 Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics 2010

6 Gulberwick Quarff & Cunningsburgh Community Council Minutes 21.09.10

7 GROS Population Data 2008

10 Summary of Community Views The Shetland South community has expressed concern that recent and proposed housing development (especially in Sandwick) and the resulting increase in population, may be putting additional pressure on local services. 8 Data highlights the fact that Sandwick’s population has increased more than other areas in Shetland South. 9

The fragility of Fair Isle’s population has been of concern for some time. However its population has remained fairly steady at about 70 residents for the past thirty years 10 Fair Isle is owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Anyone who wishes to move there must apply to the Trust. 11 It is noted that, in 2005, the National Trust for Scotland advertised two vacant crofts and received 94 applications. 12

Key Issues • We need to link any future housing development in Shetland South with the capacity to provide the services needed, e.g. having adequate transport links to serve an increased population 13

• Implementation of changes in education such as Curriculum for Excellence means that Sandwick Junior High School may only cater for children up to Secondary Three. This may have an impact on staffing recruitment and retention in that teachers prefer to teach a wider age range, including exam level 14.

8 Shetland South Vision Report 2009

9 Shetland South Vision Report 2009

10 Shetland in Statistics 2009

11 http://www.nts.org.uk/Home/

12 Shetland News

13 Shetland South Vision Report 2009

14 http://www.shetland.gov.uk/education/BlueprintforEducation.asp

11 Cross Cutting Themes

Strengthening Communities The Scottish Government has set out a Single Outcome Agreement for local government and community planning. The purpose of the Single Outcome Agreement is to strengthen communities through ensuring that all public sector services and voluntary agencies work together to achieve the same ends. These ends are based on key themes, as follows:

Wealthier and Fairer: the social economy is able to provide employment opportunities, including for the more vulnerable

Smarter: volunteering provides opportunities for skills development

Healthier: volunteering and the social economy play a critical role in delivery

Safer: volunteering and the social economy play a critical role in delivery

Stronger: helping communities to flourish, with improved opportunities

Greener: social enterprise and volunteering are key to delivery of a greener society

Under the heading of ‘Strengthening Communities‘, there are three key areas of delivery to which all agencies in Shetland are able to make a contribution:

§ Community Development and Capacity Building

§ Volunteering

§ Social Economy

Summary of Statistics

Political and Democratic There are three Community Councils covering Shetland South. Gulberwick 15 Quarff and Cunningsburgh Community Council cover the north of the area with Sandwick Community Council and Dunrossness Community Council covering the rest. 16

15 Note that geographically Gulberwick should be included in the “Shetland South Community Profile”, but due to its proximity and dependence on Lerwick for much if its services, Gulberwick it is in fact included in the Lerwick, Bressay and Gulberwick Community Profile. Gulberwick has been invited to participate in both the South LSDG and the Lerwick, Bressay and Gulberwick LSDG as appropriate, in recognition of the community’s unique rural / semi‐urban identity

12 The three elected members serving Shetland Islands Council covering Shetland South are Jim Budge, Allison Duncan and Rick Nickerson. 17

The MSP for Shetland is Tavish Scott MSP 18 and the MP for Orkney & Shetland is Alistair Carmichael MP. 19

Shetland South Local Service Delivery Group meets quarterly. The Chair is Jonathan Emptage, SIC Infrastructure Department and the Co‐ordinator is Pat Christie, SIC Community Work. This group looks at strategic and operational issues in the community.

Summary of Community Views Issues which regularly come up at Community Council meetings are:

• Road repairs/maintenance and improvements

• Adjustments/improvements to bus services

• Soft verges on roads

• Gritting issues

• Planning Applications

• Financial assistance

• Bus shelter repairs/improvements

• Provision of skips

Service issues which are regularly considered at Shetland South LSDG meetings are:

• Housing and Planning

• Education and Lifelong Learning

• Health provision and promotion

• Economic Development

16 Shetland in Statistics 2009

17 Shetland in Statistics 2009

18 The Scottish Parliament 2010

19 UK Parliament 2010

13 • Emergency Services

• Transport

Key issues • Concerns have been raised that the work of Community Councils and LSDGs overlap in some aspects. 20 The group that oversees the work of the LSDGs, the Planning in Localities Steering Group (PiLSG), intends to work with councillors, community councillors and service representatives to enable the work of these two groups to complement each other more effectively. 21

Constraints and Opportunities • Identify opportunities for Shetland South community, the local Community Councils and the LSDG to work together for the benefit of the area. 22

• Address issues arising out of the Shetland South 2009 Report

• 2012 Shetland South Conference

Culture and Community The vision for cultural life in Shetland is:

‘We seek to ensure that Shetland’s cultural assets are conserved, developed and supported in order to allow everyone to reach his or her potential, strengthen community identity, pride and confidence and secure prosperity for the benefit of present and future generations. We intend that Shetland’s cultural assets will be recognised as being among the richest and most diverse to be found anywhere. We want Shetland to be the most exciting creative and cultural island community in the world’. 23

Summary of Statistics Shetland South has a rich cultural heritage. This is borne out in its fertile lands, arts and crafts, traditional music, fishing, wildlife, flora and stunning geological and archaeological sites.

Cultural and heritage tourism is a vital part of the area’s economy. There are four heritage groups (Cunningsburgh History Group, Sandwick History Group, South Mainland History Group and George Waterston Interpretive Centre) in Shetland South, which provide opportunities to

20 Shetland South, Fair Isle & Skerries Community Office records

21 PiLSG Minutes 10.11.10

22 Shetland South Vision 2009 Report

23 On the Cusp… Shetland’s Cultural Strategy [Online] http://www.sic.gov.uk/noticeboard/documents/CulturalStrategy.pdf

14 view exhibits and meet with local folk. Recently Shetland South has set up its own Up Helly Aa in 2010, with the first female jarl set to lead the procession in 2015. Shetland South also hosts the biggest Agricultural Show in Shetland, held every year in Cunningsburgh in August. There are many other cultural events such as regular music sessions at local Social Clubs, dances in public halls, sailing opportunities and seasonal fishing competitions.

Fair Isle people pride themselves on their traditional warm welcome to visitors. 24 The National Trust owns the island and there is an excellent working relationship between the Trust and the islanders. It is one of the best places in Britain to see rare migrant birds and the new Fair Isle Bird Observatory, which opened in summer 2010, enhances this experience. The George Waterston Interpretive Centre offers a chance to find out about this fascinating man who helped shape the future of the islands after World War II.

Summary of Community Views Shetland South is viewed by its residents as “an excellent place to live and work”. 25 The community recognises the need to maintain and improve the range of world class environmental, heritage and cultural resources situated in the area. It also recognises the substantial benefits this brings to key industries in Shetland such as tourism. 26

Key Issues • Need to audit, maintain and promote local public assets

• Need to coordinate the promotion and marketing of the area more effectively

• Need to attract, maintain and support volunteering in the community

Opportunities • Partnership working with the community to take forward priorities set out in the Shetland South Vision Report 2009.

24 http://www.fairisle.org.uk/FIMETI/about.htm

25 Shetland South, Fair Isle and Skerries Community Office Records

26 Shetland South Vision 2009 Report

15 Wealthier

Summary of Statistics

Employment Employment rates (both full‐time and part‐time) in Shetland South are high. The majority of the workforce commutes over 5 km to work. Full time employment figures in Shetland South have risen since 2003 for both males and females by 13%, while part‐time employment has risen significantly since 2003 by 51% overall. Female part‐time employment is up by 41% and male part‐time employment in the area is up by 93%. 27

Table 3: Employment Statistics by Community Council Area 2003

Community Council Area Male FT Female FT Male PT Female PT Total Male FTE Female FTE Total

Dunrossness & Fair Isle 124 70 34 119 347 135 110 245

Gulberwick 57 9 6 60 132 59 29 Quarff & Cunningsburgh 88

64 40 21 58 183 71 59 Sandwick 130

Total 245 119 61 237 662 265 198 463

Employment Statistics by Community Council Area 2007

Community Council Area Male FT Female FT Male PT Female PT Total Male FTE Female FTE Total

Dunrossness & Fair Isle 156 72 77 183 488 182 133 315

Gulberwick Quarrf & Cunningsburgh

52 13 8 50 123 55 30 84

Sandwick 77 43 33 100 253 88 76 164

Total 285 128 118 333 864 325 239 563

27 Shetland Islands Council Employment Survey 2007

16 Along with high employment figures, wage levels are also very good in Shetland South, with Sandwick having one of the highest median income rates in Shetland estimated at between £33.000 and £34.000. 28

In 2008 average levels of income deprivation in Shetland South were 7%. 29

Dunrossness has some of the best agricultural land in Shetland with crofting and farming remaining an important industry in the area. 30 However, local and national economic fluctuations, especially in sheep prices, make incomes from sheep farming unreliable. 31 There is a need to diversify in order to create new opportunities for employment.

Table 4 Agriculture Production Value in Shetland £m

Agriculture Production Value in Shetland £m

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1986 1991 1996 2001 2005 2006 2007 2008

Sumburgh Airport continues to be an important part of the Shetland South economy with a total workforce of 192 persons in 2008. 32 There is a general belief in the area that Sumburgh should remain as Shetland’s main airport. 33

28 Assessment of Housing Needs Demand

29 Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics 2010

30 Dunrossness Community Council Area Statement 2004

31 Shetland in Statistics 2009

32 Shetland in Statistics 2009

33 Shetland South Vision Report 2009

17 Other employment in Shetland South includes primary, manufacturing, construction, services and being self employed. Figures for these are combined and therefore difficult to breakdown.

Fair Isle’s employment figures are mixed. Like other outer isles, people often have more than one part‐time job supplementing their main source of income and are mainly self‐ employed, particularly in crofting and/or in local craft production.

School Leavers’ First Destinations Actual figures for school leavers in Shetland South are difficult to calculate as they leave from two schools, the Sandwick Junior High and the Anderson High. The figures available for those leaving from the Anderson High School are not broken down by area.

In 2007/08 there were 10 school leavers from Sandwick Junior High and 256 from the Anderson High. Although the numbers are low the first destinations of Sandwick Junior High leavers tend to reflect the general trends of the Anderson High. 34

Table 5 School Leavers First Destinations 2007/08

School Leavers First Destinations 2007/08

1000

rs 100 Anderson High

10 Sandwick JH Leave

1

E E t rs H F ing er e n en h T T i m F F ra Ot T loy Leav p tal m o E T First Destination

Tourism

Shetland South has seven of the top 22 tourist attractions in Shetland and draws over one third of all visitors. 35 The RSPB Sumburgh Head Reserve is the second most popular visitor attraction in Shetland attracting 29,000 visitors per year. (The new Museum and Archives in Lerwick is the

34 Shetland in Statistics 2009

35 Shetland in Statistics 2009

18 most popular). Hoswick Visitor Centre ranks fifth in popularity with 10,026 visitors. Other popular attractions such as Quendale Mill, the Crofthouse Museum, Island of Mousa Boat Trips, Jarlshof and Old Scatness draw a combined total of 27,613 visitors per year. There is also a popular campsite and caravan park, next to the Hall in Levenwick.

Visitors to Shetland spend £16m per year. 36 This means that the attractions of Shetland South, with over one third of Shetland’s total visitor numbers, make a significant contribution to the Shetland economy.

Summary of Community Views • Agriculture remains a primary economic driver for the area that requires continued support at all levels. 37

• Support and encourage small business development in the area, for example, more outlets for crafts. 38

• Sumburgh Airport should remain the main airport for Shetland. 39

• Decentralisation of services would help support the sustainability of rural communities and existing infrastructure should be utilised where possible to meet this. 40

Key Issues • Increase local quality produce

• Better marketing of the area’s assets

• Encourage the development of allotments

• Support, maintain and develop local businesses

• Further develop tourism in the area

• Encourage more young people back into crofting

Constraints and Opportunities • Shetland South Local Service Delivery Group and four sub‐groups to take forward ‘Action Plans’ arising out of key issues identified through the Shetland South Vision

36 Shetland in Statistics 2009

37 Shetland South Vision Report 2009

38 Shetland South Vision Report 2009

39 Shetland South Vision Report 2009

40 Shetland South Vision Report 2009

19 Fairer

Summary of Statistics

Amenities & Services Voluntary

There are well over 100 active community groups operating in Shetland South. This number has remained relatively stable since 2006 and, along with the rest of Shetland, demonstrates one of the most active volunteering communities in Scotland. 41

These groups include local halls, youth clubs, parent and toddler groups, sports clubs, heritage groups, local piers or marinas, community gardens, allotments, luncheon clubs or grazings committees. This list is not exhaustive. More details about the full range of groups and volunteering opportunities are available from the South Mainland, Fair isle & Skerries Community Office or Voluntary Action Shetland.

Community Buildings & Heritage

There are eight community halls situated at Quarff, Cunningsburgh, Sandwick, Bigton, Levenwick, Central Dunrossness, Virkie and Fair Isle. 42

Heritage buildings open to the public include Quendale Mill, Hoswick Visitor Centre, Cunningsburgh History Hut, the Crofthouse Museum and Sumburgh Lighthouse.

Archaeological and heritage sites include Mousa Broch, Old Scatness, Jarlshof, Sandsayre Pier, Catpund Burn, Eastshore Broch, Aithsetter Broch, Broch o Burland, World War Two Mosquito site at Roylfield, Cunningsburgh and Fladdabister Lime Kilns.

Education & Leisure

Shetland South has a large swimming pool (with leisure facilities) in Sandwick and a sports hall in the Sandwick School. There is a small swimming pool in Dunrossness at the primary school. There are also gym facilities at Dunrossness and football pitches situated in Cunningsburgh, Sandwick and Central Dunrossness. There is a multicourt in Cunningsburgh and a tennis court in Levenwick. The use and demand for leisure facilities such as the local swimming pool and gym hall at Sandwick is increasing. 43

41 Shetland South, Fair Isle and Skerries Community Office records

42 Shetland South, Fair Isle & Skerries Community Office Records

43 Shetland South Vision 2009

20 Youth

There is a Youth Centre in Sandwick, a Youth Club building at Cunningsburgh with other youth clubs running out of public halls, at Quarff, Virkie and Bigton.

Public Toilets

There are public toilets at Cunningsburgh, Sandwick, Bigton, Jarlshof and Grutness. 44

Community Gardens and Allotments

There are three community gardens in Shetland South, one in Quarff next to the old Quarff School building, one in Sandwick next to the Sandwick Junior High School and one at Levenwick below the public hall. 45

Allotments are currently being developed at Sandwick near the Central crossroads. This project was funded through the Climate Challenge Fund and its aim is to reduce the local carbon footprint through encouraging residents to ‘grow their own’. 46

Deprivation and Social Exclusion

The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) shows that that there are small pockets of deprivation dispersed throughout Shetland 47 . Research carried out in Shetland during 2006 by Shetland Islands Council indicated that distance from Lerwick and access to services was the main reason for this 48. T he research concluded that the South Mainland is not among the most deprived areas in Shetland. It has comparatively good access to bus services, although these primarily serve the main roads and built up areas; remoter areas are not as well served. Other factors include relatively high employment levels and above average car ownership. 49

Access to services, employment and income in Fair Isle are constrained due to its location and transport difficulties. The research suggests that 7% of the Shetland population may be deprived. Given this, it is reasonable to assume that 4 individuals within Fair Isle may be affected by deprivation. 50

44 Shetland Islands Council Infrastructure Department

45 Shetland South, Fair Isle & Skerries Community Office records

46 Shetland South, Fair Isle & Skerries Community Office records

47 Deprivation and Social Exclusion in Shetland 2006

48 Deprivation and Social Exclusion in Shetland 2006

49 Shetland in Statistics 2009

50 Fair Isle Health Needs Assessment 2009

21 Fuel Poverty

Fuel poverty levels in Shetland are estimated to be around 25%. This means that around a quarter of all households (around 2,500 homes) in Shetland may struggle to afford the fuel needed to heat their homes. 51

Shetland South does not experience the highest levels of fuel poverty in Shetland. 52 SIMD figures indicate that the Dunrossness and Fair Isle ward is the area most deprived of income and the furthest away from services in Shetland South. 53 Households in this area are therefore more likely to experience fuel poverty.

Community Views The community considers Shetland South to be an excellent place in which to live and work. It has wonderful sandy beaches, abundant wildlife, diverse heritage, nationally significant archaeology and a vibrant community spirit. The recent Shetland South Vision 2009 consultation was viewed as a unique opportunity for the community to work together to sustain and grow new and existing assets to further enhance the area.

The high number of community run buildings and events including halls, heritage buildings, leisure facilities and agricultural shows means that there is a great deal of demand for volunteers. The community recognise the value that these volunteers play in the community both in economic and social terms but are concerned about the ability to sustain these numbers within the groups and organisations.

There is a general feeling that a Development Group would help the community to work together and take a more strategic line when planning projects, sustaining community facilities and addressing the community’s economic and social issues. It is hoped that such a Development Group could work with the encouragement and support of local service providers.

Key Issues • Promotion of Community Halls and Heritage Buildings

• Support, sustainability and recruitment of volunteers

• Development and promotion of local leisure facilities

• Access to services by Fair Isle residents

51 Shetland Islands Council Fuel Poverty Strategy 2005 ‐ 2009

52 Shetland Islands Council Fuel Poverty Strategy 2005 ‐ 2009

53 SIMD 2009

22 Constraints and Opportunities • New Shetland Halls Association Website

• New Shetland Heritage Association Website

• Volunteering Event

23 Smarter

Summary of Statistics

Young People in Formal Education There is one Junior High School (including Primary) in Shetland South, situated in Sandwick, and three primary schools, in Fair Isle, Dunrossness and Cunningsburgh. Nursery education is available at each of these schools.

Although Sandwick Junior High School roll was slightly down in 2008, the trend shows a relatively steady increase in numbers since 1991. 54 In 2008 there were 20 pre‐school children enrolled in the Nursery Department.

Sandwick JH School Roll

400

l 300 Rol

l 200 School Roll oo ch

S 100

0 1991 1996 2001 2005 2006 2007 2008 School Roll 213 252 259 265 289 299 284 Year

Table 6 Sandwick JH School Roll

The school roll in Cunningsburgh has remained steady at about 62 pupils since 2001, although there was a slight increase recently following the transfer of pupils after the closure of Quarff Primary.

Dunrossness Primary School roll has fallen by 19% since 2001 with 112 pupils in 2008.

The Fair Isle school roll also remains steady with 8 pupils registered in 2008.

Informal Youth Services There are two Youth Centres in Shetland South, one at Cunningsburgh and one at Sandwick. Other youth clubs at Quarff, Bigton and the Ness run out of the local public hall in that community.

54 Shetland in Statistics 2009

24 One Youth Development Worker is employed by the SIC to oversee a small team of Youth Workers who cover the Shetland South Youth clubs. Youth clubs are managed by volunteer committees.

There are a total of 379 young people and children registered as attending youth clubs in Shetland South. 55 Sandwick Youth Centre is the main youth centre in Shetland South. It has the highest membership (193) but this figure includes youth club members from other areas. Sandwick is the only area to have youth club provision for very young children who attend the Peerie Club. The Ness has a junior youth club, with no provision in that area for seniors. Bigton Youth Club is the only club in the area to have more junior members than senior.

Shetland South Youth Clubs rs e

mb 100 u Seniors N

p i 50 Juniors h

rs Peerie e 0

mb Sandwick Cunnings Quarff Bigton Ness e

M Seniors 90 35 22 17 Juniors 73 30 15 48 17 Peerie 30 Youth Club

Table 7 Shetland South Youth Club Membership 2009/2010

Adults The SIC Adult Learning Service currently runs a total of 11 non‐certificated adult learning classes in Shetland South. These are held in the Sandwick JH School and at the Hoswick Visitor Centre. The total enrolment (during 2010/11) was 75 people, 22 males and 53 females. 56

Classes in Fabulous Felting and Fleece to Fabric are run from the Hoswick Visitor Centre. A total of 29 people attend; most are fee paying with 10% having fee waivers as they receive benefits. Nine males and 20 females attend with 38% of those whose date of birth is known being aged from 31 to 60 years. There are 17 people on the waiting list for these classes.

55 SIC Youth Services

56 SIC Adult Learning Summaries October 2010

25 Evening classes in Sandwick JH School include Baking, Relaxation, Reiki, and Traditional Fiddle. A total of 46 people attended during 2010/11; Most of these are fee paying with 15 % having fee waivers as they receive benefits. 13 males and 33 females are registered (three aged 18 to 30, twelve aged 46 to 60 and two pensioners and the rest unknown). 4% of attendees are registered disabled. There are 3 people on the waiting list for these classes.

The Ness Learning Centre also offers a wide range of learning opportunities in Shetland South. A wide variety of classes are available at the Centre including Communications, Numeracy, Money Management, Computing, Crafts, History and Psychology. Family Learning opportunities are also offered through the centre and delivered at venues such as the schools at Dunrossness and Sandwick. Many classes run from the centre are free including the Family Learning opportunities. 57

Voluntary Action Shetland (VAS) offer a wide variety of training opportunities for volunteers involved in running voluntary groups in the area. Training in Committee Skills, Report Writing, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Course and many others have been offered with opportunities to attend these at venues in the area. VAS are willing to look at individual training needs with the view to holding classes that would suit organizations at a particular time. 58

Community Views The Shetland South Community believe that the current network of learning facilities, including the three Primary and one Junior High Schools and the Ness Learning Centre, provide a fundamental educational and social and economic foundation for the area. 59

The community also believes that here is a need to expand childcare facilities in the area. 60

The Shetland South community generally feel that the level and quality of education for schoolchildren is excellent. Concern has been expressed that as changes to teaching under the new Curriculum for Excellence scheme are applied to Secondary one to Secondary three pupils then there is a threat that parents will “vote with their feet” and put their children to the Anderson High School in Secondary one. During the recent Shetland Blueprint for Education review a general feeling of “don’t fix what’s not broke!” was apparent. 61

57 Ness Learning Centre 2010

58 Voluntary Action Shetland 2010

59 Shetland South Vision Report 2009

60 Shetland South Vision Report 2009

61 Blueprint For Education

26 The community feels that access to adult learning could be improved with better technology in schools and at the Ness Learning Centre and with better transport links. 62

Key Issues Although there are no schools in Shetland South threatened with closure through the Blueprint for Education any decisions will ultimately impact on the whole of Shetland. 63

Sandwick JH School ‘Drop In’ sessions stopped last year and these have recently resumed due to popular demand. It is important that the agencies and the wider community work together to keep these going. 64

There is a demand from young people for more gigs and alcohol free events in the area. This needs a strategic Shetland wide approach through joint working with various agencies including Youth Services and Community work and along with community groups such as the Shetland Halls Association. 65

There is demand in Shetland South for more intergenerational and family learning. 66

Constraints and Opportunities • There is a real opportunity to work through the Shetland South Learning Partnership to establish learning opportunities identified by the community

• Joint working through the Shetland South Learning Partnership to re‐establish the Sandwick JH School ‘Drop In’ sessions. 67

• Joint working through the Shetland South Learning Partnership to establish community learning opportunities in Shetland South Schools. 68

• Work in partnership through the Shetland South Learning Partnership to continue to identify and prioritise projects in a local Learning Plan.

• Further promote the ‘Help Yourself to Health Course’ developed by the Shetland South Learning Partnership

62 Shetland South Vision Report 2009

63 Blueprint For Education

64 Shetland South Learning Partnership Minutes

65 Shetland South Vision Report 2009

66 Shetland South Vision Report 2009

67 Shetland South Learning Partnership Minutes

68 Shetland South Learning Partnership Minutes

27 Safer – Crime, Fear of Crime & Safety

Summary of Statistics

Crime Northern Constabulary’s Policing Plan states that Shetland is one of the safest communities anywhere in the UK to live, work and do business. The service has pledged to play its part in ensuring this enviable reputation continues. The Policing Plan for the area includes a focus on Safer Roads, Reducing Crime, Tackling Serious Crime, Safer and Stronger Communities and Maintaining Public Order.

Crime trends in Shetland reflect national statistics and involve incidents such as alcohol related episodes, petty vandalisms, dishonesty, the misuse of drugs and road traffic related matters.

As well as dealing with local issues, staff in the Shetland Area Command participate in national campaigns such as ‘No Speeding Day’. They also target unacceptable driving behaviour, such as people using mobile phones whilst driving, the non wearing of seatbelts and drink/drug driving offences.

Each school within the Area Command has its own allocated officer who is available to provide the children with safety and crime prevention advice. In addition, liaison officers attend Community Council and Local Service Delivery Group meetings throughout the area to listen to and act on community concerns. 69

Shetland South single manned police station situated at Dunrossness has closed with police provision in the area now based at Sumburgh Airport terminal.

During the summer of 2010 56 incidents were reported for the Dunrossness beat area. Most were routine incidents. 70

Fire Stations There are Retained Fire Stations in Fair Isle, Virkie and Sandwick, staffed with up to 12 trained personnel working on a retained duty system. Each station has a fire appliance which is equipped to deal with all types of emergency including structural fires and road traffic accidents.

As part of their work, staff are also involved in community fire safety activities, which include carrying out Home Fire Safety checks. 71

69 Northern Constabulary website

70 Sandwick Community Council Minutes July 2010 Area Commanders Monthly Report Appendix

71 Highlands & Islands Fire and Rescue Service [online]

28 HM Coast Guard There is one Coast Guard Station situated at Sumburgh.

Shetland Islands Search and Rescue helicopter operates out of Sumburgh Airport. Since the early 1980s the service has been involved in many major North Sea rescue incidents including the Braer oil spill and North Sea oil rig emergencies. 72

Community Views Crime and the fear of crime are not of general concern to the Shetland South Area. However, people are aware of issues around illegal drug use, speeding on the roads and incidents of vandalism to local properties. 73

People generally feel that the road infrastructure in Shetland South is good and would like to see this maintained with some improvement at specific points.

The upgrade and replacement of Sandwick and Fair Isle fire stations are seen as important for the area.

Key Issues • Improve the safety of A970 at Levenwick; upgrade Channerwick to Bigton Road; upgrade side‐road at Boddam.

Constraints & Opportunities

• Availability of funding

72 Shetland News and Shetland Coastguard

73 Shetland South, Fair Isle & Skerries Community Office Records

29 Stronger ­ Housing

Statistics There is a significant demand for housing in the Sandwick and Gulberwick, Quarff and Cunningsburgh areas of Shetland South. 74 The demand is lower in Dunrossness and Fair Isle as they are further from Lerwick.

The Dunrossness and Quarff & Cunningsburgh areas have among the lowest distribution of socially rented housing stock in Shetland at 10% respectively. 75

% Social Rented Housing in Shetland South

20

e 15 g a t

n 10 % Social Rented Housing e c r

Pe 5

0 Dunrossness GQC Sandwick % Social Rented 10.2 9.9 16.9 Housing Community Council Area

Table 8 Social Rented Housing in Shetland South

Community Views Residents in Shetland South acknowledge that there is generally good provision of quality housing in Shetland South including a number of social housing schemes. There is concern in the community that more affordable housing is needed for young people and families. 76

There is also a feeling that there needs to be a more joined up approach to housing provision with improved communication about planning issues such as where housing goes, in order to ensure that infrastructure in the area can support the developments. 77 The community would also like to see more information on grant schemes to assist first time buyers or builders. 78

74 Assessment of Housing Needs Demand

75 Assessment of Housing Needs Demand

76 Shetland South Vision Report 2009

77 Shetland South Vision Report 2009

78 Shetland South Vision Report 2009

30 Current Issues A more strategic approach is needed to the development of housing in Shetland South. Better information and communication is needed in order that the community understands and informs housing strategy. 79

Constraints and Opportunities • The development of the SIC Housing Strategy is seen as an opportunity to influence this process within the area. 80

• Consultation to identify Fair Isle’s current housing need is important

Transport and Communications

Statistics

Bus Service J Leask & Son operate a bus service to the South Mainland from Lerwick via Sandwick to Sumburgh Airport. In 2008 a total of 118,091 passengers used the service. 81 This number is up by 0.3% since 2006.

South Mainland Bus Service Usage

118500

118000

117500 Year

117000

116500 2006 2007 2008 Passengers 117771 117277 118091 Year

Table 9 Bus Service Usage

79 Shetland South Vision Report 2009

80 SIC Housing Strategy Steering Group Consultation 2011

81 Shetland in Statistics 2009

31 2. Bus Service Usage

For passengers to and from Fair Isle, the bus service calls in at Grutness Pier on Tuesdays all year round, thus linking with the ferry service. 82 In addition the bus service calls in at Grutness Pier on Thursdays from May to September. Small items of freight for delivery to Fair Isle, can be left at Lerwick for onward transport to Grutness. There is no internal bus service on Fair Isle itself, but a taxi can be hired.

Bus services between Lerwick and the South Mainland are better than most areas of Shetland due to the need to provide a regular transport link between Lerwick and Sumburgh Airport.

There are two Dial‐a‐Ride services within Shetland South, one for the Levenwick Surgery, which operates Monday – Friday, and shopper services for Sandwick, Cunningsburgh and the Ness area on certain days of the week.

The Council’s Community Work Department offers a Community minibus for groups in the area to use. The bus is based at Sandwick Swimming Pool.

Inter­Island Ferries Shetland Islands Council operates a regular passenger and vehicle ferry from Fair Isle to Grutness. 83 The Good Shepherd is not a roll on ‐ roll off car ferry but can carry up to two cars loaded via winch. The ferry has capacity for a 25‐ton cargo and 12 passengers. Journey times are roughly 2hrs 40m Fair Isle – Grutness and 4hrs 30m Fair Isle – Lerwick. The ferry is based in Fair Isle and berths there at night.

A scheduled service runs on Tuesday, leaving Fair Isle at 07.30am, returning from Grutness at 11.30am. From May to September the ferry service also runs on a Thursday and Saturday. Due to the possibility of adverse weather conditions the ferry service operates a flexible sailing system.

Air Services Sumburgh Airport

Sumburgh Airport is the main airport for Shetland and is of major importance to the economy of Shetland South. A total of 151,669 passengers passed through Sumburgh Airport in 2011 84 .

82 ZetTrans Bus Timetable [online] http://www.zettrans.org.uk/bus/SouthMainland.asp

83 SIC Ferry Timetable http://www.shetland.gov.uk/ferries/documents/TimetableWinter2010‐11CV2.pdf

84 Shetland in Statistics 2010

32 Table 10 Sumburgh Airport Passengers

A major runway extension took place in 2005 to allow larger aircraft to use the airport. The extension involved transporting large rocks from Norway by barge which were used to protect the runway from the harsh elements 85 . The extension means that the western end of runway 09 crosses the A970 road that runs between Sumburgh and the north mainland. Access is controlled by a level crossing with barriers that are lowered whenever a flight is taking off or landing. The airport also has a 550 m (1,804 ft) helicopter runway rather than a helipad. 86

In 1995, ownership of the Company transferred from the UK Civil Aviation Authority to the Secretary of State for Scotland and subsequently to the Scottish Ministers. Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) are the airport operators and receive subsidies from the Scottish Government.

The airport is served by Loganair under franchise to FlyBe. 87

Daily flights link to Orkney as well as all the major Scottish cities; Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. During the summer months, there is a twice‐weekly charter flight to Bergen. 88

Cars, vans and taxis may be hired from the airport, as an alternative to the regular bus service.

The airport also has a Tourist Information Centre, provided by Visit Shetland.

85 HIA Airports [online] http://www.hial.co.uk/sumburgh‐airport/about‐us/

86 Wikipedia [online] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumburgh_Airport

87 Wikipedia [online] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumburgh_Airport

88 Wikipedia [online] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumburgh_Airport

33 Fair Isle

An inter‐island air service is operated by Direct Flight Limited to Fair Isle. Flights leave from Tingwall airport on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. From April to September a flight links Sumburgh and Fair Isle.

A Dial‐A‐Ride Taxi link for each flight operates between Tingwall Airport and the Viking Bus Station, Lerwick.

Telecommunications

There are telephone and broadband exchanges at Cunningsburgh, Sandwick, Bigton and Dunrossness. 89 The area has generally good mobile phone coverage.

Community Views The South Mainland community recognise the importance to the area of a joined up approach to bus timetabling.

Fair Isle residents would like to see a more flexible Dial‐a‐Ride service that includes destinations in addition to Lerwick, for instance, Levenwick Surgery. 90

Key Issues § Maintain current level of service provided

§ Address Fair Isle transport issues e.g. new ferry provision, improved flight schedules

§ Improved Broadband service across Shetland South

§ Improved mobile phone signal in Fair Isle and Dunrossness.

Constraints and Opportunities • An opportunity exists to form a Shetland South LSDG sub‐group to consider Infrastructure and Housing provision.

89 Shetland Islands Council Economic Development

90 Outer Isles STAG 2010

34 Healthier

Summary of Statistics Shetland generally has a good life expectancy and this is borne out in the Shetland South area.

Health & Social Care Levenwick Medical Practice is the main surgery for Shetland South. 2,645 patients are registered with the practice, 85% of the Shetland South population. 91 Some patients in Quarff and Cunningsburgh register with Lerwick, either because it is nearer to them or because they work in Lerwick.

As of November 2010, 15.8% of the practice population smoked (423 out of 2662 people), down from a rate of 18% in 2005. Practice registration figures from April 2010 – March 2011 showed that 178 patients had asthma and 88 had Coronary Heart Disease. There were 128 new diagnoses of depression during this year (just below the average for Shetland), and 426 people were categorised as obese, a figure significantly above the Shetland average. Closer examination of these figures, however, suggests that Levenwick Practice may be better at recording obesity figures rather than there being higher rates of obesity in south Shetland.

A Community Nurse is based at the Levenwick Medical Practice. There is also a Community Nurse based in Fair Isle and a doctor from the centre visits the island regularly.

Overtonlea Care Centre in Levenwick provides day care, respite and short breaks for the elderly in the district. Care at Home in Shetland South is also co‐ordinated from the centre with people receiving both personal care and domestic assistance. The Meals on Wheels service is also provided from this base.

There are three voluntary run Luncheon Clubs in Shetland South, provided by Dunrossness Inter‐ church Day Care Group and WRVS, at Boddam and Bruce Memorial Halls.

On Fair Isle the provision of healthcare services is different, due to its remote location. It is currently served by a Community Nurse, supported by doctor’s visits. Medical and Allied Health Professionals (e.g. physiotherapists) provide a visiting service to the islands on a routine scheduled basis as well as ad hoc.

Access to some services on Fair Isle is clearly different to what is available in the rest of the Shetland South area; The Fair Isle Health Needs Assessment in 2009 found that Islanders had concerns about access to emergency care in treating potential life‐threatening conditions such as an individual suffering a heart attack; They wanted to explore different tele‐communication/ video‐link methods and administrative solutions to alleviate concern about access to GP visits

91 Shetland in Statistics 2009

35 and medical advice especially in poor weather. They were also concerned about limited social care services on Fair Isle, but were willing to explore alternatives to current provision.

Deprivation

The national method of assessing deprivation does not translate well to the Shetland situation, given the size and geographical spread of its population. The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) figures imply that there is little or no deprivation in Shetland as a whole; however, research carried out locally highlights isolated cases and/or pockets of significant deprivation within some areas. The SIMD figures rank levels of deprivation in Shetland on a scale of 1 as most deprived and 30 as least deprived. Levenwick, Bigton, Hoswick, Sandwick, Cunningsburgh and Quarff rank above average. 92 Dunrossness and Fair Isle are ranked at 9 in the index for Shetland, but the trend is upwards which suggests improvement.

Rank of the Health domain 30 Wards in National Data Zone Description 2009 Rank Shetland Trend Local Trend

Dunrossness & Fair Isle 3776 9 ì ì

Levenwick, Bigton & Hoswick 4943 22 î î

Sandwick 4109 12 ì ì

Cunningsburgh & Wester Quarff 4348 18 î î

Table 3 SIMD Statistics 2009

Community Views

The community generally feels that levels of health and social care provision in Shetland South are good. 93 However, information and advice could be improved using new technology and other media.

It is recognised that there is urgent need to replace the surgery accommodation in Fair Isle as well as to improve access to training for care workers in the island.

92 SIMD 2009

93 Shetland South Vision Report 2009

36 Key Issues • New Surgery needed for Fair Isle

• Suicide rates are perceived as being high in Shetland South

• Dental care needs to improve

• Get Extra Care accommodation for the elderly

• Training for Care Workers in Fair Isle

• Home Help Consistency

• Assessment of opening hours at Levenwick Surgery to assist with access issues for folk working in Lerwick

• Better promotion of a Healthy Lifestyle

• NHS Pharmacy Application in Levenwick. 94

• Fair Isle: response in an emergency

• Fair Isle: anticipatory and long‐term care

Constraints and Opportunities

• Greater community participation in forum such as the Public Partnership Forum

• Information sharing/giving at the Sandwick School ‘Drop in’ Project

94 Dunrossness Community Council Minutes

37 Greener ­ Natural Resources

Summary of Statistics Shetland South is rich in many different natural resources, including wildlife, archaeology, geology and architecture, and there are many important sites where people can experience this environmental richness.

There are four Special Protection Areas with internationally important numbers of breeding seabirds, including Fair Isle, Sumburgh Head and the island of Mousa and no less than 187 scheduled ancient monuments including the outstanding examples of Jarlshof, Old Scatness and Mousa Broch. 95

Quarff & Cunningsburgh The steep Clift Hills to the west and the undulating coastal strip to the east dominate the natural environment. The West Coast is included in the Shetland National Scenic Area. On the eastern side of the area, agricultural land alternates with higher moorland edged by sea cliffs. 96

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) have been designated at Aith Meadows for the size and richness of its ‘damp hay meadow’ and at the Burn of Aith for post glacial sediment and peat deposits that contain a fossil record of vegetation over the last 10,000 years. 97 The common seals that congregate in Aith Voe offer one of the best known wildlife experiences in the area.

There are 4 listed buildings in the area, 3 category B, and 1 category C. Currently, there are 73 known archaeological sites in the area with 4 that are scheduled. 98 The most well known site is the soap stone quarry at the burn of Catpund.

One of the main private sector employers in the area is the Brindister aggregate quarry operated by Hansen Aggregates. The quarry contains significant reserves of Devonian old red sandstone, of a type that is much in demand for road surfaces on the UK mainland. 99 Planning permission was granted to extend the life of the quarry for a further twenty years in 2002 on the understanding that a section 75 agreement will be signed guaranteeing a full programme of restoration and aftercare. 100

95 Shetland in Statistics 2009

96 Shetland Local Plan

97 Shetland Local Plan

98 Shetland Local Plan

99 Shetland local Plan

100 Shetland Local Plan

38 Sandwick This is an area of softly undulating land that runs along the east coast of the Shetland Mainland. There are large bays at both Hoswick and Sandwick which are sheltered by the headlands of Cumlewick and Noness. 101 To the west, the Clift hills rise quite gently before ending abruptly at the sea.

The main area of nature conservation interest in the area, the island of Mousa with its rocky coastline and low cliffs attracts several thousand visitors each year. Separated from Mainland by Mousa Sound, the island is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Protection Area (SPA) for ornithological reasons. The coastline of Mousa and the surrounding sea is also identified as a candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for common seals and its reefs and caves. In 2001, Mousa became an RSPB reserve. 102 Mousa is important for its breeding common and grey seals and seabirds, which include thousands of storm petrels, tirricks and tysties. Mousa sound is also a good place to look for neesicks and sometimes even killer and Minke whales.

Sandwick has 4 listed buildings, one of which is the category A Mousa Broch, also a scheduled ancient monument in the care of the Scottish Ministers. The others are Sand Lodge and Sandwick Church and Manse, all of which are classified as category B. Currently, there are 29 known archaeological sites in the area, with 3 that are scheduled (all on Mousa), the Iron Age broch, a Bronze Age burnt mound and a Neolithic homestead. 103

The coast is rocky, fringed by low cliffs and bedrock platforms, with numerous pools and some caves on Mousa. 104

Currently there are no mineral extractions taking place in Sandwick. Nevertheless, there has been considerable mining activity in the past with areas of Sandwick being mined for copper. There is also evidence of talc quarrying in the hills between Cunningsburgh and Sandwick that has taken place since Viking times. Catpund quarry has been used recently but currently it is not a working quarry. 105

101 Shetland Local Plan

102 Shetland Local Plan

103 Shetland Local Plan

104 Shetland Local Plan

105 Shetland Local Plan

39 Dunrossness Dunrossness has the greatest expanse of fertile farmland in Shetland and consequently has traditionally been, and continues to be, a farming/ crofting community. 106

This area of the South Mainland is also rich in archaeology with Jarlshof, Scatness and St Ninian’s Isle being the most notable examples. These unique attractions, together with numerous sandy beaches and spectacular nature sites such as Sumburgh Head, make Dunrossness a fascinating location for people to live in and for tourists to visit. 107

Dunrossness consists of an exposed, undulating, lowland landscape culminating in the dramatic cliffs at Fitful Head. The upland area that runs north to south is located in the centre of the South Mainland, forming a spine. The land cover is predominantly blanket bog with heather moorland and areas of improved grassland. Dunrossness also has areas of more intensive agriculture, which can support some arable farming as well as grazing. This land can be found around the settlements of Quendale, Bigton and Scousburgh. There are at least 11 beaches located in the area, the most impressive being the St Ninian’s Isle tombolo. 108

There are a number of small settlements and side roads on the low‐lying ground around Bigton and Sumburgh with some crops grown here, but much of the rest of the area consists of steep hillside with improved grassland or rough grazing. There are sandstone, sand and gravel quarries at Quendale. 109

The west side of Dunrossness is included within Shetland’s National Scenic Area. There is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) at the Lochs of Spiggie and Brow which is notified for biological interests. Both the Spiggie and Brow lochs are also Special Protection Areas (SPA) and Spiggie and part of Brow Lochs are an RSPB reserve. 110

The Pool of Virkie is a SSSI for its intertidal sand and mud flats, where birdwatchers can view migrant wading birds. Quendale links, the Loch of Hillwell and adjoining land is a SSSI for botanical reasons (sand dune and machair complex) while Sumburgh Head is a SSSI for both ornithological and geological interests; Sumburgh Head is also a SPA and RSPB reserve and attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year to view the thousands of puffins and other seabirds that breed there. The nature reserve is also a good place to look for killer and Minke

106 Shetland Local Plan

107 Shetland Local Plan

108 Shetland Local Plan

109 Shetland Local Plan

110 Shetland Local Plan

40 whales. The St Ninian’s Isle tombolo is an SSSI for geological reasons. There are also SSSIs at The Cletts, Exnaboe (geological interest) and Dalsetter (botanical and ornithological interest). 111

Local Protection Areas have been identified by the local community at Scousburgh beach to protect the dunes and the adjacent headland. Other LPAs are at St Ninian’s Isle, Peerie Voe, Colsay, Garthsness, Scatness and Jarlshof. 112

Dunrossness currently has 1,505 known archaeological sites with 181 of them scheduled. The prolific archaeology in the area indicates that there have been settlements in the area since Neolithic times. The multi‐period site at Jarlshof has long been among Shetland’s major attractions. However, the site currently being excavated at Old Scatness may rival it in scale and complexity; Old Scatness will also, in time, have a richer story to tell because modern archaeology can reveal so much more about a site than was the case when Jarlshof was excavated. 113

There are 26 listed buildings in the Dunrossness Community Council area (including 5 in Fair Isle) including 3 category A, 15 category B and 8 category C. 114

The category A listed buildings include the Sumburgh Head Lighthouse, Quendale Mill and Jarlshof, which is also a scheduled ancient monument in the care of the Scottish Ministers. 115

Sandstone rock is extracted from the Ratchie quarry as and when required. Planning permission was granted in 2001 for further sand excavation works at Quendale. 116

Fair Isle The most isolated inhabited island in the UK, Fair Isle has a small population (around 70) of crofters and craftspeople scattered mainly over the southernmost part of the island. Renowned in ornithological circles, the island’s bird observatory attracts significant numbers of visitors from around the world. 117

Fair Isle is a SPA and notified SSSI for botanical, geological and ornithological reasons and is also included within Shetland’s National Scenic Area. The island is owned and managed by the

111 Shetland Local Plan

112 Shetland Local Plan

113 Shetland Local Plan

114 Shetland Local Plan

115 Shetland Local Plan

116 Shetland Local Plan

117 Shetland Local Plan

41 National Trust for Scotland. The island is also identified as a SAC for its heathland and cliff vegetation. 118 The world‐famous Fair Isle Bird Observatory attracts several thousand visitors annually to experience migrant birds, breeding seabirds and island culture.

Awards Two beaches in Dunrossness hold Keep Scotland Beautiful Seaside Awards. Voted the top beach in Scotland 2010 St Ninians Ayre at Bigton is one and West Voe Sands at Sumburgh is the other. 119

In 2009 Sumburgh Airport was awarded a Silver Tidy Business Award from Keep Scotland Beautiful. This award is for Waste Minimisation and Environmental Management. One of the actions that helped the airport qualify was the recycling of second hand chairs from the airport café to the Salvation Army. The airport also regularly recycles tins, glass, batteries, ink toners/cartridges and stamps. Files, box binders and paper is reused where possible within the airport and sensor lighting has been added to the less frequently used areas of the airport. 120

Recycling facilities Recycling facilities in Shetland South can be found at the Cunningsburgh Industrial Estate, Sandwick Central, Bigton Stores, Mainland’s Shop, the Toab Shop and at Dunrossness and Fair Isle Primary Schools. These facilities are mainly for can and bottle recycling. The glass is used by Shetland Enviroglass in the manufacture of aggregates and paving. The cans are sent to mainland UK for processing. There are also facilities for recycling textiles at Dunrossness and Cunningsburgh, and books at Dunrossness.

Community Views The Shetland South community are generally very proud of their environment, open spaces and marine life. Despite this the community is concerned that despite local initiatives such as the ‘Voar Redd Up’ there may still be a certain lack of interest in keeping things tidy. 121

Key Issues • Change attitudes about waste

• More community based micro‐power schemes

• Preserve and protect land & marine environment

• Promote organic e.g. compost making

118 Shetland Local Plan

119 move.shetland.org/October‐2010‐newsletter [online]

120 HIA Airports [online] http://www.hial.co.uk/sumburgh‐airport/about‐us/

121 Shetland South Vision 2009 Report

42 • Address pollution issues e.g. light pollution

Constraints and Opportunities

• An opportunity exists in the newly formed Shetland South LSDG sub‐group relating to Environment, Tourism, Heritage and Culture being able to take forward actions

• The community view modern and reliable utilities and infrastructure related to new technologies as fundamental to the sustainability of the community. 122

122 Shetland South Vision 2009 Report

43 Appendix A: Sources of Information Dunrossness Community Council ‐ http://www.dunrossnesscc.shetland.co.uk/

GROS Population Data 2009 [online] http://www.gro‐scotland.gov.uk/files2/stats/council‐area‐data‐ sheets/shetland‐islands‐factsheet.pdf

GROS Population Data 2008

Gulberwick Quarff & Cunningsburgh Community Council

HIA Airports [online] http://www.hial.co.uk/sumburgh‐airport/about‐us/

Move.shetland.org/October‐2010‐newsletter [online]

Sandwick Community Council

Shetland Coastguard

Shetland South Local Service Delivery Group

Shetland in Statistics 2009 http://www.nts.org.uk/Home/

Shetland News

Shetland Islands Council Education & Social Care

Shetland South Vision Report 2009 http://www.shetland.gov.uk/education/BlueprintforEducation.asp

On the Cusp… Shetland’s Cultural Strategy [Online] http://www.sic.gov.uk/noticeboard/documents/CulturalStrategy.pdf

Shetland Islands Council Employment Survey 2007

Fair Isle Health Needs Assessment

NHS Shetland

Shetland South, Fair Isle & Skerries Community Office Records

Shetland Islands Council Infrastructure Department

Shetland Local Plan

Shetland Islands Council Education & Social Dare Department

44 Appendix B: Shetland South LSDG Action Plan 2011­12 as at August 2011 Please note that this action plan will be revised and updated as necessary. This will include any new or additional actions identified. The action plan includes proposed actions for the range of themes below:

Population Shetland South Local Service Delivery Group (LSDG) is to set up a sub group to look at Housing issues and ensure that developments don’t happen in isolation.

Cross Cutting Themes No actions identified at present

Strengthening Communities Organise 2012 Shetland South Conference

Culture and Community Environment, Tourism, Heritage and Culture Group to identify and prioritise projects in a local Action Plan

Establish a Shetland South Development Group

Joint work with agencies to improve access to services for Fair Isle residents

Audit of Community Facilities

Wealthier Continue to develop the work of the Environment, Heritage, Arts, Culture and Tourism sub group to tackle issues identified through the Shetland South Vision, which was set up in September 2010.

Continue to develop the work of the Economic Development and Agriculture sub group which was set up in November 2010.

Greener – Natural Resources Continue to develop the Environment, Tourism, Heritage and Culture group

Encourage more education about the environment in order to change attitudes e.g. through Sandwick JH School ‘Drop In’ Sessions

Safer Continue to work with local police to maintain high level of community safety

Improve and upgrade local roads

45 Upgrade and replace Fair Isle fire station

Inform SIC Roads of community concerns

Stronger Involve the local community Councils and the Shetland South Local Service Delivery group in more collaborative working around strategic developments affecting the area, for example, by feeding in Shetland South Vision 2009 comments.

Fairer & Wealthier South Local Service Delivery Group to identify and prioritise projects in a local Action Plan.

Transport & Communications Shetland South LSDG sub‐group relating to Infrastructure and Housing are to initially meet early summer 2011

Healthier Monitor and support progress on new surgery provision for Fair Isle

Support and develop the Sandwick School ‘Drop in’ Project through the Shetland South Learning Partnership

Develop innovative ways of promoting Health & Wellbeing through the Shetland South Learning Partnership

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