Tavish Scott said, “Iceland and Faroe have decided to fish as much mackerel as they can in 2012. That’s what they did in 2011 and got away with it. So their fishermen’s activities which are strongly backed by their own Governments are hardly a surprise. Endless negotiating meetings have taken place in endless European countries. Last week all the negotiators were dragged up to Reykjavik and even when in Iceland there was absolutely no progress to resolve this fishing crisis.

“I want the Scottish Government to support the sanctions which can be imposed by the EU. Perhaps the fact that damaging sanctions are to be imposed will lead to a negotiated settlement but it can’t be one that hammers the local industry. Mackerel is a vital species for the local fleet and Shetland Catch so our economy needs a sensible settlement as much as the rest of Scotland and the EU.”

What has changed quite markedly since I filled in the annual IACS form and was the named person on the “brown envelope” is the approach of the Department of Agriculture. Government officials used to be charged by Government with helping crofters obtain the payments they were entitled to and any other grants. In other words exactly the same approach that every other European country would take within the confines of the Common Agricultural Policy. But those days are long gone. Unlike most if not all other EU states, the UK and Scottish civil servants have become policemen and women. I do not believe they relish this role. But crofters are treated as guilty until proven innocent.

Any agricultural payment a crofter receives is based on the area of their croft. That means the afore mentioned map provided by the Government must be accurate. These maps are now the financial battleground of modern day crofting. That’s because the future CAP will be based on an area crofted. So the map of a croft will become the basis for future agricultural payments to crofters. But because the Scottish Government have been fined by the European Commission for failures to properly account for payments to Scottish agriculture there is a financial black hole in the heart of the current agricultural budget. Many crofters not just in Shetland believe they are now being penalised because the Scottish agriculture budget is overspent and crofters are being fined to help meet the shortfall.

At a personal level this is desperate. Crofters across Shetland with small and large acreages and livestock numbers are facing crippling penalties because of the Scottish Government’s approach. I’ve raised this personally with Richard Lochhead and the Shetland NFU have been pushing the issue this week at the national AGM. Some crofters are literally scared to fill in any Department form for fear of making a mistake and then being penalised. Civil servants are reassessing croft maps in the middle of winter when island grazing inevitably looks at its worst. Areas of crofts and are being deemed ineligible for sheep to graze by the Government and crofters are being fined thousands of pounds.

This cannot go on. Does Government want to end crofting? I am sure the answer to that is no. But they must change what has become a brutally unfair regime and quickly.

So always being there if only by phone, text or now Skype has worked up to a point. But now after 12 years of Dad being in Edinburgh through the week the older kids are making their own way in life. Shetland encourages every generation to look out at the big wide world. A narrow introverted perspective does not work in the Northern Isles.

This week I have ridden the emotional roller coaster as the eldest son queued for the Edinburgh Heathrow plane and then onto Auckland. He wanted to arrive in New Zealand to support the Scottish efforts in last autumns World Cup but Up Helly Aa did for that. A Shetlander invariably puts world wide travel on hold until the galley has been burnt and so with the next generation.

Alasdair has family and friends to meet down under and work to keep him in spare cash. The family are relaxed about his big expedition. Some moments on line also show how well set up and welcoming New Zealand is to the younger generation from the old country. Shetlanders have been emigrating to the other side of the world for centuries. Former Prime Minister Helen Clark has Shetland family. So it is as close as possible to going home. And yet. We’ve all had butterflies as he made his last minute preparations. Passport, airline route, work visa and US visa waiver for Los Angeles. But it’s more that he just won’t be around for 6 months.

His older sister did all this two years ago. She is the self assured and composed member of the family so four months teaching in a primary school in Kenya’s Rift Valley was organised and committed to before anyone had even suggested that 6th year was looking a little dull now she had got the entrance requirements for university. Did I worry about my little girl? Yes but was told to get a life as she too boarded the Heathrow bound plane before flying onto Nairobi. But the younger brother is different because unlike his sister, his chosen future didn’t involve four years at university. He like so may of his peers had not mapped out the perfect career path. That is why time away from home with all its comforts is right. He has slaved for nine months at the local supermarket to pay for the trip. He will as my former Head Teacher said leave as an adolescent and come home a man. Generations of young Shetlanders have done this but by sea in the merchant navy. Today the difference is they board a jumbo and fly.

Tavish Scott said, “Shetland’s fire cover is set to be drastically cut back. The sole reason for that is the Scottish Government’s fire centralisation plans which will force a single national fire service for the whole of Scotland. It is therefore no surprise that local fire stations across Shetland are threatened with closure. Local contractors will lose work on new planned and previously agreed fire stations and the immense dedication of many local volunteers will be dispensed with by the Scottish Government. They seem to believe they know best on how to put out a fire in Shetland based on a service run from the central belt.

“I also understand that the number of local fire stations that will close across Shetland is six rather than the four that are now publicly under threat. I want the Scottish Government to come clean about the extent of their cuts to Shetland’s local fire services. I will work with local people and Shetland Islands Council in resisting these desperate centralisation cuts being imposed on Shetland. There is no doubt that Shetland’s fire cover could be put in jeopardy by these central government imposed changes.”

He said, “Crofters are concerned that they are made out to be criminals by the penalty system being applied by the Scottish Government. So I welcome Richard Lochhead’s agreement that his officials should handle these cases with as much understanding and sensitivity as possible. It is unfair that where genuine mistakes have been made the regulations still impose penalties of thousands of pounds. For crofters and farmers this is a bitter pill to swallow as the maps they are using are ones provided by the Government.

“I agree with the Agriculture Minister that in the reform of the Common Agriculture Policy this must change. Everyone involved in agriculture wants to see a fairer and better system. The rules and bureaucracy are now so onerous that I know many crofters genuinely fear submitting any form to the Scottish Government. They know that if they make any mistake then the financial penalties are huge. So that unfair system must change and I will support any Government who sets out to achieve a better and fairer system.”

All these thoughts flocked through my mind as I enjoyed, somewhat guiltily, the pleasures of looking at extraordinary 300 year old pieces of art in my own time and without the clarion call of “C’m on Dad” at every pause. I alighted on Canaletto’s work of Venetian city scenes. The detail is exquisite as the scale of Venice and its canals are beautifully shaded with sunlight and shadow. Such painters were master craftsmen. Passing through the cavernous interior of the National Gallery created time to ponder from afar the comings and goings of the referendum as we are assuredly into an hour by hour, day by day, year by year battle for the future of Scotland.

Or at least one side of this battle knows that. I am not so convinced by the other. Whatever I think of the Nationalists and in particular their language, I accept their right to put the separation case. They are doing it every minute of every day, whether the medium is newspapers, broadcasters or Twitter. There is nothing wrong with that. It is what they are there to do. No other reason exists in politics if you are a Nationalist than to separate Scotland from the rest of the UK. They believe in this goal and are making the case.

Yet on the other side there is a desperate need to say why Scotland is better, stronger and more united as part of the UK. The Prime Minister seems engaged on Scotland’s future once in a blue moon. Yet Scotland is a leading player in the UK and in many ways is the powerhouse of the UK. But so far I do not discern a credible, united, and punchy campaign. The referendum pitch only has one team on it. Which takes me back to Murrayfield last Saturday. I would rather look back because looking forward to the Millennium Stadium this weekend leaves this Scottish Rugby fan a tad weak at the knees after the Welsh performance in Dublin.

In a cheerful, drown your sorrows, post match gathering many people said get on with it. Make the case. Get the pro-Scotland in the UK side on the pitch and let battle commence. They wanted the case made from within Scotland. That case is helped by interventions from the Welsh and Northern Irish First Ministers have done a rather better job than the occupant of Number 10. But there can be no more weeks of only one side with the ball with an open goal to shoot at. It is game time.

Tavish Scott said, “At the very best, marine designations bring bureaucracy. At the worst they stop developments and stifle local jobs. This area of Shetland has mussel farming, salmon farming, shell fishermen and white fish boats. There are also exciting plans for the trailing of tidal generators utilising the power of the sea.

“Yet despite all this economic activity, the Scottish Government has not consulted with any local people about their plans. It is as usual a top-down, Edinburgh knows best approach. The Minister in this week’s debate accepted that economic factors can be recognised in the designation decision by Government. But before that the process only accepts science. So Shetland faces yet another exercise in top down bureaucracy driven by the Scottish Government. I want to make sure that any assessment of the Bluemull Sound area must include what economic activity takes place and could take place. I will be taking that argument back to the Scottish Government.”

Tavish Scott said, “Under these rules many local crofters and farmers feel that they are guilty until proven innocent. I am very worried that for some, the penalties being levied could drive a crofter or farmer out of business. I know of one farmer who could face Government penalties running into tens of thousands of pounds. I’ve spoken to the President of NFU Scotland who recognises how serious this is for Shetland and will help which is very welcome. I would encourage local crofters and farmers to get in touch with me and their unions so that we can pursue this with the Government on their behalf.

“I have been in touch with the Agriculture Minister’s office today and hope to meet him later this week as the situation is very serious indeed for many Shetlanders. In the meantime it is essential that all crofters and farmers in this position appeal any potential penalty they face. The impact of the Government’s actions here could be very serious on the Shetland agricultural industry.”

There is a lot to be said for a mid-winter festival. It breaks up the monotony of the lengthy North Atlantic winter; it creates a tremendous buzz in the town and the local economy as pubs, restaurants, hotels and taxis boom for a week in January. Up Helly Aa also asserts the Islands independence of character and spirit. This years tremendously successful festival had more TV crews and photographers than a taxpayer funded press conference in Edinburgh Castle and had the even greater advantage of better pictures.

Burning a galley is in the blood of a Shetlander. There is little more powerful than the galley burning and the singing of The Norsemans Home.The moment encapsulates spirt, friendship, community and a strong smell of paraffin. I wasn’t the only guizer asking for a new blend to be used for steeping the torches as eyes poured with water from the smoke before the burning.

 On Up Helly Aa day, we are Shetlanders first, second and third. So at this time of nationalist fervour over Scotland’s future I sense a different perspective on the constitution at home. Shetland has historically been skeptical of central belt rule. Jo Grimond used to say that the last thing the Northern Isles want is to be ruled by Glasgow trade unionists and Edinburgh lawyers. The Scottish Parliament has since brought decision making closer to many but Edinburgh can still be a distant seat of power. Nationalist discrimination over transport has furthered that argument.

 I define issues of public interest by the expressed views of leading local opinion makers. At home in this week these are the ex-Jarls. Never a group to take lightly. But they reflect something very powerful about Up Helly Aa. Shetland is a classless society. On Up Helly Aa day, the Guizer Jarl is top dog as he and his squad are given the freedom of Lerwick by the Convenor. Above the chief executive of the council, the chairman of the Health Board, BP’s terminal manager at Sullom Voe who happens again to be a native Shetlander, and certainly the local MSP.

Yet that is not the case in Scotland. Few communities in Scotland can claim a festival which puts people from every walk of life in the back of a lorry for 10 hours to journey from hall to hall. It is a great leveller and we are all the stronger for that.

 On Up Helly Aa day, we are Shetlanders first, second and third. So at this time of nationalist fervour over Scotland’s future these Islands have a different perspective on the constitution. Shetland has historically been skeptical of central belt rule. Jo Grimond, the well kent and greatly respected former Orkney and Shetland MP, used to state on a pro-home rule platforms that the last thing the Northern Isles want is to be ruled by Glasgow trade unionists and Edinburgh lawyers. The Scottish Parliament has since brought decision making closer to many across the nation, but Edinburgh is still a distant seat of power when Lerwick’s nearest railway station is Bergen in Norway, not Aberdeen. Nationalist discrimination over transport has furthered that argument. Orkney voted no to tax raising powers as recently as the 1997 referendum. The current Nationalist proposition that they can simultaneously cut corporation tax while increasing pensions and benefit payments does not wash in Islands where a hard headed view of politicians promises is the norm not the exception.

 I define issues of public interest by the expressed views of leading local opinion makers. At home in this week these are the ex-Jarls and they are never a group to take lightly but stand out because Shetland, I am enormously relieved to still say, is truly a classless society. This years Guizer Jarl is a joiner to trade but has been preceded by others for whom the tag white collar would fit. On Up Helly Aa day, the Guizer Jarl is top dog. Above the chief executive of the council, the chairman of the Health Board, BP’s terminal manager at Sullom Voe who happens again to be a native Shetlander, and certainly the local MSP. The ex jarls, whose ranks were boosted by David Nicolson on Tuesday night who becomes an “ex” the minute he left the galley and the first torch hit the deck, were talking oil in Lerwick’s imposing Town Hall.

There is a strong sense of local frustration that the Nationalist case for Scottish independence is predicated on oil and gas revenues. Salmond declares that oil will make Scotland the 6th wealthiest nation across the globe. This must be heart warming news in the corridors of Aberdeen headquartered exploration companies given the Nationalists spending commitments but in Shetland this pitch rekindles the Winnie Ewing question. Winnie, who was a great supporter of Up Helly Aa memorably held forth in one of Lerwick’s hostelries at the height of the Nationalists 1970′s campaign that North Sea oil was Scotland’s. The great doyen of nationalism annoyed one Shetlander too many and was told in polite but firm terms that “Winnie, its no your oil, it’s wirs.” Whatever the legal niceties there is one guaranteed row on oil and gas approaching were Scotland to vote for independence. The Thames would freeze over before a UK Treasury would concede oil taxation in the manner Mr Salmond thinks and that view is strong here in the north too. Shetland looked east in the 1970′s to Norway and leant from their experiences of the pioneering frontier that is the East Shetland basin of oil reserves. Up Helly Aa will always link Shetland to Scandinavia but the Islands are festooned with Norwegian house styles, complete with tripe glazing long before energy efficiency became fashionable. The war time connections when Shetland Larson brought escaping Norwegians across the North Sea from the hell of Nazi occupation is still both remembered and commentated. A Christmas tree makes its way every year not just to Edinburgh but Kirkwall too. Orkney’s Norwegian links are just as strong as their northern neighbours.

A sense of identity and grasp on who one is and how we carry ourselves is part of the debate Scotland is now having. But what the Nationalists just miss about Scotland today is this is a diverse country. In the Northern Isles, Orcadians are people who predominately farm and fish a little whereas Shetlanders are a people of the sea who do a sideline in crofting. So this is a world far removed from central belt nationalism. And it is all the stronger for that.

My entirely unscientific straw poll of Lerwick’s former guizer jarls this week was quite conclusive on independence. No. If Salmond is going to hoodwink the rest of the county into the economic madness of separation, we are having nothing to do with it. The Nationalists used to espouse a policy of self determination for the Northern Isles. In 1987 they did not stand a candidate against sitting MP Jim Wallace as the Orkney and Shetland Movement had picked a local representative to contest the Parliamentary seat. That did not work but the die was cast. The SNP said if the Northern Isles wanted a different future then they could have it. It is to be hoped that this policy will stand the test of time. I wonder.

What Nationalists also do not understand about Shetland is how many people from England have come to work here because of North Sea oil. These locals after a professional life here with children in Island schools, are no admirers of the anti-English perspective that is Scottish nationalism. People look askance at the sheer effrontery of Salmond lecturing a London audience on being progressive weeks after railroading anti-sectarian legislation aimed at Glasgow football matches through the Scottish Parliament.There is nothing positive about a campaign which is based on running down the other side of Hadrians Wall and many who have come to Shetland, and Aberdeen and wider Scotland see right through the smug lectures and perma-smile. But this is now deadly serious because we are all going to get that vote. Shetland is set to throw a large, burning torch at Mr Salmond’s plans.