Shetland Times Column 9th May 2025
We are fortunate to have the excellent Scalloway Museum run by dedicated volunteers that tells the remarkable story of the Shetland Bus.
The warm welcome extended to the Liberation Convoy from Norway on its arrival demonstrates that continuing close bond between Shetland and Norway. They have chosen to come here to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe, or VE Day, before visiting other UK ports.
Last Easter I spent a few days in Norway. At both the Bergenhus Fortress Museum and Norway’s Resistance Museum in Oslo, exhibitions about the German Occupation chart the North Sea traffic during that period and the secret operations to and from Norway.
The opportunity to learn more about these heroic voyages from the Norwegian coast to Shetland were hours well spent. The Norwegian sailors and resistance fighters are greatly respected on both sides of the North Sea.
In times past there could not have been many Shetland households where there wasn’t a copy of David Howarth’s Shetland Bus, first published in 1951 and with numerous reprints since then. He was second-in-command of the base in Shetland and his book has helped ensure that the courage of all those who risked their lives in the name of freedom and liberty would not be forgotten.
I hope that our young people have this week had an opportunity to learn about the shared history between our two nations. I recall one parent telling me a few years ago that they were shocked at youngsters’ lack of knowledge of this period. It would be surprising if local schools did not teach our children about these events that are deep-rooted in our islands’ history.
Today there are conflicts across the globe including in Europe, and Ukraine is not far away. Some may think the lessons of the Second World War are distant, but as we see intolerance, prejudice and misinformation on the rise we should heed the past. Eighty years ago we offered a safe haven to people escaping from Norway. Fleeing oppressors just as many from other countries are doing today.
In Holyrood last week there was a fisheries debate brought by the Conservatives. It followed my member’s debate in February which was the first in the chamber on fishing since 2022. The Scottish Government has yet to timetable a debate on this subject which would allow more time to discuss many of the issues that are affecting our vitally important fishing sector.
Announcing polling data with strong public support for the sector ahead of the UK-EU summit in London on 19th May, Elspeth Macdonald, Chief Executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation said that: …. our fishing industry must not be sold short again.
With the Scottish public clearly supportive of our fishing sector it can no longer be made to feel that policies enacted are to the detriment of their livelihoods and with little or no consultation, like the ill-thought out Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs).