LOCAL NEWS 25 MAY 2023

Niteworks to close Royal National Mòd

Skye band Niteworks have been announced as the closing act at this year’s Royal National Mòd

The Celtic-electronica group have been chosen to bring the Scotland’s premiere Gaelic musical and cultural event to a spectacular close at Paisley town hall on 21st October

The concert will be Niteworks’ only Scottish venue gig of the year and is the first time that they will have played to audiences in Paisley.

The performance comes off the back of the band’s 2022 sell out Scottish tour which saw more than 6,000 tickets snapped up for venues including Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

Highland Council leader welcome visitor levy bill

Leader of the Highland Council has welcomed the Scottish Government on its intention to introduce a bill to allow local authorities to introduce a local tourist levy.

If passed by the Scottish Parliament, the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill will give councils the power to apply a levy on stays in overnight accommodation based on a percentage of the accommodation cost.

All money raised would have to be reinvested locally on facilities and services substantially for or used by visitors, enhancing the tourist experience and benefitting local communities and their economies.

Raymond Bremmer, leader of the Highland Council said: “The Highland Council has long supported the idea of a tourist levy to enable the local authority to invest in local infrastructure and is a commitment in our Council Programme.

“The introduction of the Bill is good news and means we can now plan for the introduction of this local levy following approval of the Bill by Parliament.”

Under the plans, councils would be required to consult communities, businesses and tourism organisations before putting a visitor levy in place. They would also have to consult on how any revenue raised should be spent.

The proposals follow public consultation and form part of the New Deal for Local Government which gives councils greater financial flexibility and strengthens local democracy.

The Scottish Government has also invited representatives from the tourism industry, COSLA and other partners to join an expert group to consider how it could best be implemented if passed.

Kyleakin goalie set for final match

Kyleakin Football Club goalkeeper Craig Wilson is set to make his final appearance in the local league after nearly two decades playing.

Craig started playing in the Skye and Lochalsh league at the age of just 13 and went on to join Kyleakin FC at 19 where he spent 11 years as the club’s number one.

Tonight he faces Kyle in his last match for the reds before moving away to the Western Isles.

Reflecting on some his favourite memories from his time competing in the league, Craig told Radio Skye: “Winning the two league titles with Kyleakin were the highs.

“Both of them pretty much went down to the last game of the season – they were pretty good.

“We beat Sleat 5-2 on my 21st Birthday to win the league.”

The Elgol resident also praised the role of coach David Bucher for his work at Kyleakin and football coaching across the community.

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