LOCAL NEWS 15 MAY 2023

Young local musician hailed as star turn at Skye Live Festival

Seventeen-year-old singer and musician Ali MacFarlane has been singled out as the highlight of this year’s Skye Live Festival by one of the event’s co-founders.

The talented youngster, who hails from Skeabost Bridge and is a drummer with the Isle of Skye Pipe Band, showcased her musical talent during the opening performance on Saturday at the annual extravaganza.

Speaking to Radio Skye, Niall Munro, co-founder of Skye Live Festival, was full of praise for Ali’s debut at the event.

“Seeing young Ali MacFarlane on the stage, she was fantastic, an incredible singer and performer,” he said.

“The response was great as well, she drew such a great crowd, that was definitely a highlight to see that.”

He added: “Ultimately, that is what this festival is for, to showcase incredible talent that the Highlands and Islands, and Scotland has to offer.”

Speaking to Radio Skye’s Robert MacInnes after her performance, Ali MacFarlane said: “It felt amazing. I was quite nervous to go up, but definitely excited after it.

“I finished school last week, so I am working up until September, and then I am going to the Academy of Music and Sound in Glasgow, which is quite exciting!”

Her mum Emma told Radio Skye: “We were really pleased that Niall (Munro) had invited her to play at Skye Live.

“He has been extremely supportive of her music, we were very proud to see her on stage.

Ali MacFarlane performs Brazil by Declan McKenna at the main stage at Skye Live

Festival newcomers Valtos catch the eye of Runrig legend

Suzy Lee (Radio Skye), Martyn MacDonald (Valtos) and guest performers – Euan McLaughlin, Eilidh Cormack, and Lana Pheutan, Daniel Docherty (Valtos), guest performer Finn MacPherson ( also Falasgair), and Robert MacInnes (Radio Skye).

Fellow Skye Live newcomer Valtos also made their mark at this year’s festival with a highly-charged debut set at their home festival.

The island act, who made their debut at Celtic Connections earlier this year, described the experience as a career high and caught the eye of a Skye musical great while on stage in Portree.

Speaking to Radio Skye, Runrig legend Donnie Munro was one of many impressive by the band’s first time playing at the festival.

“When I came in, Valtos were on, and the crowd were 100 per cent behind them,” he said.

“We you get that energy coming off the crowd for musicians that is an amazing feeling.

“I really enjoyed Valtos, I don’t know their stuff that well, but they performed really well.

Exhausted and elated after their performance, Valtos’ Martyn MacDonald told Radio Skye: “That was maybe the best moment of my life, so far.

“Until we get the call-back for the headline slot next year,” he wryly added.

“It’s a great spot, great weekend, a great festival – chuffed!

Fellow Valtos bandmate, Daniel Docherty said:  “It has been a big thing for us to play Skye Live – obviously we have been lucky to play in other places around Scotland, but this is the big one for us.

“To be able to come here and just have fun, alongside everyone watching, was just great.”

Skye Camanachd men make history by claiming first final spot since 1990

Skye Camanachd men’s first team will compete in their first major final since 1990 after defeating Glenurquhart 3-1 in the MacTavish Cup semi-final in Portree on Saturday.

The islanders fell behind inside the opening 15 minutes to an Oliver Black goal and trailed Glenurquhart 1-0 at half time.

However, three second half goals in 14 minutes from Ruraidh MacLeod, James Pringle, and Jordan Murchison earned Skye their place in the final where they will face Kingussie who saw off Newtonmore 4-1.

Skye assistant coach Davie Grant told Radio Skye: “I’m absolutely delighted to make the final.”

“It has been far too long for this club not to have not been in any major finals – 1990 was the last time.

“To make a final is unbelievable, and credit to the boys for all the hard work they are putting in and to Kenny (MacLeod – first team coach) for all the hard work he does.

“He puts in hours and hours and hours of work.”

Skye goalkeeper Murphy Henderson said the win owed a lot to the word of coach Kenny MacLeod at half-time.

“We came up against a really good Glenurquhart side who were very hungry to win,” he told Radio Skye.

“They definitely has the better of us in the first half – we just couldn’t get going at all – but, thankfully, half-time came and Kenny (MacLeod) managed to kick us into gear.

“We came out in the second half and showed the shinty we knew we could play, I am not sure if it was because the nerves had settled but we managed to get the three goals and the win in the end.”

He went on to say: “We have a major final to look forward to know, I am absolutely delighted all the boys are delighted!”

Highland MSP launches petition for Raigmore replacement

A Highlands and Islands MSP has today launched a petition calling for a new hospital to replace Raigmore in Inverness.

The campaign led by Conservative member Edward Mountain is calling on the Scottish Government and NHS Highland to establish a new acute acute general teaching hospital for the Highlands

In response to Mr Mountain’s drive for improvement to service, Scottish Goverment cabinet secretary for the health and social care, Michael Matheson has stated that Raigmore will require significant investment either through a full refurbishment or replacement and will work with NHS Highland to identify a way forward.

News by Adam Gordon

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