Supermarket shelves in Shetland have been left bare after bad weather resulted in ferries in and out of the islands being cancelled for four days.
Fruit, vegetable and bread aisles in Lerwick’s supermarkets are empty – while other refrigerated items are running low too.
The NorthLink ferry service, which runs between Aberdeen and Shetland, has not run since Monday night due to high winds. It means no ferry has arrived in Lerwick since Tuesday morning.
The first ferry is due to depart Aberdeen tonight for Lerwick, but may be delayed. NorthLink has announced it will not be stopping in Kirkwall, however.
Supermarkets rely on using the ferry service to get goods to Shetland.
But while the supermarkets are running dry, local shops are relatively well stocked.
Photo from my dad in Shetland, where there have been no ferries for 4 days. None till Sunday morning at the earliest. pic.twitter.com/hQUsiBxsJL
— David Lewis (@drl) November 18, 2022
There is also a host of produce made in Shetland helping to ease the shortage – such as locally made bread, milk, butter, meat and fish.
Chairwoman of the Shetland Food and Drink association Marian Armitage said: “There’s no question that we should be eating more of what’s available in Shetland.”
Meanwhile a shop in Shetland’s south mainland said on Friday that “contrary to what you may read on Facebook, there is plenty of bread in Shetland – our shelves are full”.
Ms Armitage said local shops – which are supplied differently to the supermarkets – will often plan ahead at this time of the year, knowing the there may be disruption.
Some local shops have fruit and veg on the shelves – whilst the Tesco and Co-op supermarkets are being emptied.
But to the relief of islanders the windy weather has abated.
The two NorthLink passenger ferries are sailing for the first time in days tonight, and a freight boat is due to leave Aberdeen for Shetland tomorrow morning.
Sat 19th Nov 2022
Northbound
MV Hjaltland was scheduled to depart Aberdeen sailing for Kirkwall (Hatston Pier) and Lerwick at 1700
Due to forecast will now sail 1700 directly to Lerwick with a poss delayed departure
Kirkwall call cancelled
https://t.co/xs7xfl33mW— NorthLink Ferries (@NLFerries) November 19, 2022
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