LOCAL NEWS 09 MAY

Crofting and Marine Activities Go Hand In Hand – Crofting Federation Response to HPMA Proposals

The Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF) has taken a firm stance against Scottish Government proposals to restrict almost all types of human activities in 10% of Scottish seas and have emphasised the importance of low-impact fishing and seaweed harvesting for crofters in coastal and island communities.

“Crofting is essentially a part-time activity with households relying on income derived in many cases from complementary marine-based employment in sectors such as fishing and aquaculture”, explained Donald MacKinnon, chair of the SCF. “The direct link between small-scale and low-impact activities on land and at sea, which often goes back generations, means that relocation will be very difficult for many crofters. A loss of local employment opportunities will, therefore, have a devastating impact on crofting and crofting communities.

Highland & Islands Spring Conference for the Alba Party

Members of The Alba Party are set to gather in the Highlands this Saturday, as the Party, of two years, holds its National Spring Conference at the Eden Court on Saturday the 13^th of May

Alba Highlands convenor, James Duncan, said “It’s great to see the party taking our concerns here in the Highlands and Islands seriously. Many here often feel forgotten by centralisations, so I am delighted that so many important Highland & Island issues will be debated such as the motions that will be going forward on Connectivity and the state of our roads”.

Alba Highlands organiser, Hector Macleod, adding “If ever there was a time for political parties to be standing up for the Highlands and Islands – it is now. I brought a Housing motion to our last spring conference in Glasgow and urged members to help stop a second Highland Clearance. It saddens and angers me that the risk of rural clearance has not declined – it has escalated with the devastating HMPA legislation being proposed. Given our current situation and stance I will be speaking and asking our members to reject these devastating proposals and ensure the Alba Party play its part in standing up for our Highlands & Islands”

Latha Sona

Mental Health and well being will be the focus of an event this weekend. Durinish Film and Culture club will be hosting a film night showing Tim Burrows Riptide on the Friday night followed by a series of workshops and taster sessions across Saturday. The main events will be a Dunvegan Hall but there will be other such a Gaelic Strupa at Blas in the village.

Coronation celebrated across Skye and Lochlash

The special Monday Bank Holiday saw two events to mark the Coronation of King Charles the Third with Portree and Bracadale Free Church hosting an afternoon tea with the newly appointed Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Ross and Cromarty Mrs Norma Young who spoke to our roving reporter Hector about the importance of the day.

In the Somerled Square in Portree, The Light Up team put on a spectacular showcase of local culture including The Isle of Skye Pipe Band, The Skye Youth Pipe Band, The Isle of Skye Wind Band and the very talented Dannsairean an Eilein Sgitheanaich…the Skye Highland Dancers who put on a incredible display including a group display at the end to Blair Douglas’s Nelson Mandela Welcome to Glasgow.

Skye Live Festival kicks off this weekend

Skye’s biggest outdoor festival kicks off this weekend with hugely popular Lewis – based band Peat & Diesel on the Thursday Night with support by The Laurettes who are also supporting them on their current Islands Tour which takes them to Orkney the following day. The Friday night will see the likes of Skye’s award winning duo Valtos on the main stage along with funk trad fusion legends Shooglenifty. Saturday starts with Skye’s own Ali MacFarlane who recently supported Highland superstar Katie-Gregson Macleod during her intimate Highland tour that came to Portree last month. The crowd will be entertained with an incredible line up of trad stars including Kinnaris Quintet and Talisk. Organiser Niall Munro told Radio Skye last week that he was keen to showcase Scotland’s huge trad talent but also give the stage to Skye based artists who are on their way up. A very small amount of tickets are still available, head to SkyeLive.

Successful Gaelic Football Camp returns to Skye

Following on from a very successful Gaelic Football camp in Skye last April, Highland Council’s Gaelic team were delighted to work in partnership again with FC Sonas again to deliver a three-day Gaelic football event in Portree in the Easter holidays. The Gaelic football camp was open to Gaelic medium pupils throughout Skye.

The very successful event was well attended at Portree High School with up to 50 Gaelic medium youngsters participating in the football camp. The coaching sessions were led by Calum Ferguson, along with support from three young coaches; Iain Cormack, a former pupil at Portree high school and two of whom are currently Gaelic secondary pupils at Portree High school; Sadie MacDonald and Beth MacDonald.

Calum Ferguson, FC Sonas said: “FC Sonas were delighted to be able to return to the Isle of Skye for a second consecutive Easter holiday camp.  Following on from the success of last year, we seen player registration rise from an impressive 40 to 48 this year. With thanks to the ongoing support of Highland Council’s Gaelic Team we are looking forward to further opportunities to engage the local communities through Gaelic based football activities.”

Cllr Calum Munro, chair of the Gaelic committee said: “I am delighted that the Council’s Gaelic Team worked in partnership with FC Sonas to deliver a second Gaelic football camp in the Isle of Skye. It is vital for our Gaelic young people to have opportunities to participate in extra -curricular sporting activities that are delivered through the medium of Gaelic within their own communities.”

He continued, “It is also very encouraging to hear that Gaelic secondary pupils from Portree High School were supporting their younger Gaelic medium peers through the football coaching sessions during the three-day football camp and I hope that this will increase young people’s confidence to use their Gaelic.”