Local News – 17th December 2025

Kate Forbes – Eilidh Munro

During last week’s visit to Skye and Raasay MSP Kate Forbes spoke to Radio about what she felt she was most proud of during her time in post. Forbes was proud to introduce her potential successor Eilidh Munro. During the interview Eilidh spoke of what she would look to change if she was successful next year in the Scottish election. You can here the full interview on the Thursday Breakfast Show Radio Skye will be interviewing all the candidates in early new year with a hustings in planning for April 2026 ahead of the vote in May.

Education

Every school pupil in Scotland will soon be guaranteed access to residential outdoor education trips following a new law passed at Holyrood. MSP for Highlands and Islands, Jamie Halcro Johnston said “This is a cause that my colleague Liz Smith has been deeply passionate about and battling for over many years, despite significant opposition. “Outdoor education is invaluable to school pupils, playing a major role in both physical health and mental wellbeing.” “I was proud to support Liz’s efforts and to vote to achieve what is an important win for children across the Highlands and Islands.”

The Highland Council

The Highland Council has launched a new online pilot called “BeConnected” to help local groups secure funding for community projects. The interactive map allows grassroots organizations to showcase their plans and align them with local priorities. Economy Chair Ken Gowans says the platform will provide a transparent view of activity across the Highlands, making it easier for funders to track and support emerging ideas.

The move follows concerns that traditional funding calls were often oversubscribed. Groups are now being urged to visit the “BeConnected Highland” website to put their projects on the map and ensure they’re visible to potential partners.

Rural Businesses

Rural businesses across Skye and the Highlands are facing what’s being described as an “existential threat” from upcoming changes to business rates.

Scottish Land and Estates warns that farms and estates—which diversified into self-catering, cafes, and small-scale hydro to survive—are being hit with massive tax hikes. In some cases, monthly bills are set to jump from under four hundred pounds to over two-and-a-half thousand.

The organization is now calling on the Scottish Government to urgently review the April 2026 reforms, warning that without intervention, the Highlands risk business closures, job losses, and further depopulation.

Sport

The Camanachd Association has officially launched the National Girls League for the 2026-27 season. This new, girls-only school competition is designed to provide significantly more opportunities for young female athletes to play shinty, directly improving the long-term player pathway across the country.

Competition Format and Structure

The league is structured to fit the academic year, with matches taking place over four dates to align with the four school terms.

· League Play: The first three dates will consist of league matches.

· The Grand Finale: In the final term, teams will transition from league play to compete for the prestigious National Girls Cup.

· Locations: Events will be hosted at Yoker and An Aird/Lochaber High.