A family-owned weekly has been put up for sale with a warning that its future looks “far from certain”.

The Shetland Times is seeking a new owner, with current proprieter Robert Wishart saying “there is a risk that Shetland will lose its only weekly newspaper” unless a buyer is found.

According to a report in rival online title the Shetland News, the Times employs around 35 staff.

Its editor Alistair Munro, pictured, left the business in March after four years and his prospective replacement is understood to have been told this week there is no longer a job for him, the News has reported.

Chief executive Colin Grant is also believed to be leaving his post in the coming weeks.

The business, which includes a weekly newspaper, printing firm, website, publishing company and bookshop in Lerwick, was launched in 1872 and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022.

In an editorial, Robert wrote: “If new owners cannot be found for the newspaper there is a risk that Shetland will lose its only weekly newspaper.

“I think this would be catastrophic for the community and, of course, for all the employees of the company.”

“Over the past 153 years, the newspaper has strived to be a voice for the community, sharing its news – good and bad – and holding power to account.

“The same ideals hold true today. From human interest features, court reports and council matters, through to sports, opinion and business – we try to bring readers as much of the goings on from our community as we can.

“We may make mistakes and there may be differences of opinion in the way stories are reported.

“But we believe Shetland would be worse off without its printed newspaper.

“Recent years have been tough on newspapers everywhere.  The rise of social media and a presumption that news should be provided for free online, has seen sales of paid-for print publications plummet.

“But despite weathering the pandemic, inflation and changing trends, paper sales and advertising are not what they once were and it has become increasingly difficult to balance the books.”