Gran on remote Scottish island can buy Christmas gifts online for the first time

Alice Arthur is celebrating now a 4G mast has been installed on Bruray (Picture: PA)

Residents of a remote island are able to shop online for the first time now a 4G mast has been installed – just in time for Christmas.

Bruray is one of the Out Skerries islands which make up the easternmost part of Shetland – and residents previously had to make the lengthy trip to the mainland to buy gifts every year.

But now gran Alice Arthur, 63, will be making the most of a brand new 4G mast and will save herself the six-hour round trip to do the Christmas shopping.

Mrs Arthur has seven children aged between five and 24, and she says mobile internet access has ‘opened up a whole new world’ of gift giving.

She explained: ‘Gift buying for my grandkids was never easy as I was only able to choose from what was available on the Shetland mainland, and without many options to choose from, I was always worried that some of what I found wouldn’t be very exciting to them.

‘But now, with this new connectivity, there’s just so much choice.

‘I can find such a wide range of toys and clothing, at good prices, and have them delivered right to my door. It’s made things so much easier.’

The Out Skerries make up the easternmost part of Shetland (Picture: Google)

The EE 4G mast was installed as part of the Scottish government’s 4G Infill programme, which aims to provide connectivity to rural and island communities which previously had no or extremely limited mobile coverage.

Scottish innovation minister Richard Lochhead said: ‘Thanks to our £28.75 million programme, we’ve brought 4G to these Shetland islands, showing our commitment to providing future-proofed connectivity to rural and island communities.

‘These phone masts mean residents, businesses and visitors in these communities can work, communicate and access services more efficiently.

‘This is about creating opportunities for businesses, improving daily life and ensuring no-one – even the hardest to reach – is left behind in the digital era.’

In addition to the mast in the Out Skerries, EE has recently activated a 4G mast on the island of Foula, Shetland.

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Through EE’s partnerships with the Scottish Government, WHP Telecoms, Cellnex UK and Scottish Futures Trust, EE 4G connectivity is now available on 51 of 55 mobile masts across Scotland.

Greg McCall, chief networks officer at BT Group, said: ‘Alice’s story is a powerful reminder of how reliable 4G connectivity can transform the everyday lives of people in rural communities, especially those living in some of the UK’s most isolated areas.

‘These new 4G sites provide residents with fast and reliable access to online services like banking, healthcare, and shopping, while empowering rural Scottish businesses to take mobile payments and offer new digital experiences.

‘Together with the Scottish government and our industry partners, we are helping close the UK’s digital divide and deliver the connectivity boost countryside communities can rely on.’

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