LOCAL NEWS DECEMBER 4 2023

Man charged following Skye crash

A 59-year-old man has been arrested and charged following a one-vehicle car crash in South Skye on Friday.

A Police Scotland spokesperson told Radio Skye they were made aware of a crash involving a single vehicle on the A851 north of Teangue on Skye around 11pm on Friday 1st December.

One man was taken to hospital for treatment following the incident.

The spokesperson said the 59-year-old has been arrested and charged in connection with a road traffic offence.

He is due to appear at Portree Sheriff Court at a later date.

Water supplies restored to south Skye residents

Drinking water supplies have been fully restore to around 200 residents of Broadford, Breakish and Harrapool following disruption cause by two burst water main pipes.

Scottish Water reported that the burst water pipe had been located outside the Hebridean Hotel in Broadford at around 9pm on Sunday evening.

A spokesperson for Scottish Water told Radio Skye that around 200 customers had been affected during the outage.

Bottled water was provided for affected customers throughout the period of disruption, and supplies were fully restored around midday on Monday (4th December).

Scottish Water apologised for the inconvenience and wished to thank customers for their patience while the repair was undertaken.

Eilidh Cormack makes history with Scots Trad Award win

Skye artist Eilidh Cormack has been named as the Gaelic singer of the year at the MG Alba Scots Trad Awards.

She was chosen as the top singer at a ceremony in the Caird Hall in Dundee on Saturday night (December 2nd).

She claimed the prize ahead of an array of talented vocalists including fellow islander Lana Phaeton, three-time nominee Joy Dunlop, and ‘Clearances Again’ star Donald Francis MacNeil.

The win sees Eilidh Cormack join an elite club alongside North Uist star Julie Fowlis as one of only two singers to have won the accolade twice since the awards were established in 2003.

Speaking to Radio Skye, she said she was delighted.

“I’m just over the moon to have receive the award. The ceremony was brilliant, the atmosphere was fantastic. Everyone was so supportive of one another and that’s what it’s really about,” she said.

Reflecting on 2023, the Sian singer said it was the most positive period in her career to date

She said: “This has been my best year yet with Sian, Valtos, and Niteworks, as well as touring Europe for the first time alongside Assynt. I’m just excited to see with what comes next and to carry on with the madness!”

Meanwhile, Trail West emerged as the winners in the live act of the year category against the likes of Skye acts Valtos and Niteworks.

Eilean a’ Cheòl by Angus MacKenzie and the School of Daimh at the Arisaig Hotel were both shortlisted for the community project of the year but were pipped by Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail.

Vatersay fisherman Donal Francis MacNeil and Skipinnish were awarded the Original Work of the Year for their powerful protest song ‘Clearances Again’ against the threat of HPMAs to island communities.

Skye santas brave winter snap in aid of island charities 

One hundred and 86 people took part in the annual Skye Santa Dash in Portree on Saturday in aid of two island charities.

The participants donned their Father Christmas costumes as well as an assortment of other fun outfits for the seasonal race which this year raised £350 for the Skye branch of Cancer Care UK and the Skye and Lochalsh Citizens Advice Bureau.

Rory Turner crossed the line first to win the dash overall, while Edie Munro was the first under-12 home in the race.

Jessie MacLeod, Hazel Willoughby, Indie Simmister all completed the course in the five and under category.

Fiona Baker, race director for organiser Isle of Skye Events said the team were absolutely thrilled with the turnout and enthusiasm for the Skye Santa Dash this year.

She said it was fantastic to see so many people getting festive and in such great spirits.

Morag Hannah, manger of the Skye and Lochalsh Citizens Advice Bureau said she was delighted  that the CAB had been chosen as a partner charity for the Skye Santa Dash.

She added: “It’s not just about the money, but also the awareness that we are indeed a local charity. As the cost of living crisis continues for many, we’re seeing higher demand and cases are often more complex with people seeking help at a point of crisis. Many of our staff are volunteers so this support is very much appreciated.”

Ishbel MacIver of Skye Cancer Care said: “We really appreciate the fundraising Skye Events do for the local community and we’re very happy to have been chosen as one of the nominated charities.

“The funding will support three local clinicians on a 10-week end of life challenges and palliative care course run by the University of Glasgow, as well as the purchase of a new chair for Portree Hospital.”

Crowdfunder pulls in £300 for Dunvegan play park

A project to revamp the play park in Dunvegan has received more than £300 in donations in two days through a fundraiser.

A sub-committee of the Dunvegan Community Trust is currently raising funds to transform the existing Lochside play area in Dunvegan into a vibrant and exciting community park.

On Friday, the play park group launched a crowdfunder and so far £330 has been raised

The team behind the project have said as well as being as safe and fun place to go, the park will also be a step towards combating rural deprivation, fostering community spirit, and creating a nurturing environment for all ages in Dunvegan.

In November, the play park received a significant boost through £30,000 allocated by Highland Councillors in the Eilean a’ Cheò ward.

The total cost of the park is estimated at around £180,000.

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