LOCAL NEWS JUNE 26 2023

 

Highland Council launches Skye and Raasay childcare survey

The Highland Council has launched a Skye and Raasay childcare survey to gauge the needs of local families across the islands.

The survey follows on from a childcare crisis meeting held in Portree earlier this month, which was led by Tracy Mcilvor, the Highland Council’s early learning and childcare commissioner.

At the meeting, sixteen women from across Skye and Raasay – some of whom are pictured – expressed concerns over a dearth of after-school and holiday provision, which they said was or would soon affect their families and careers.

The closing date of the survey is Friday 7th July.

The survey can be accessed here.

New Skye-based transport director rules out tokenism 

The north of Scotland managing director of Stagecoach, who lives in Skye, says he will not be a token appointment after joining the board of CalMac’s parent company.

Skye resident, David Beaton, who has worked in the transport industry for more than 35 years, will serve as a non-executive director of the board of David MacBrayne Limited .

Speaking to Radio Skye, today Mr Beaton said he was quick to address the matter of tokenism during his interview.

He said: “I wanted to make sure that David MacBrayne Limited and Transport Scotland weren’t just kowtowing to the public and pulling someone in from the islands just for the sake of it.”

“But the questions they asked at the interview and following that gave me an insight into their thinking and I quickly understood it wasn’t an exercise in keeping face.

They really are interested in what the islanders face day to day.

David Beaton told Radio Skye that phase two of the Uig pier redevelopment would likely be the hot topic at his first board meeting in July.

Skye and Lochalsh youngsters impress at European pipe band championships

The Lochalsh Junior Pipe Band and Skye Youth Pipe Band both earned top 10 placings at European Pipe Band Championships held in Aberdeen on Sunday.

The annual musical event, which attracts thousands of spectators was held in Aberdeen’s Duthie Park.

The Lochalsh Junior Pipe Band (pictured below) achieved seventh place in a field of 16 bands in its grade, and narrowly missed out on a prize by just one point.

The championships were final performance of S6 pipers Ellie and Sandy who bade farewell to the band after the competition.

Meanwhile, for some of the younger members of the Isle of Skye Youth Pipe Band, who are just finishing primary school, it was their first taste of competition.

Speaking to Radio Skye, Isle of Skye Youth Pipe Band Major Ian Ruari Finlayson said he was “absolutely delighted with the bands performance and with how fantastic the trip was from start to finish.”

The Skye Youth Pipe, (pictured below) secured 10th place in their grade against strong competitions at the championships.

Skye pupils’ bake sale raises over £400 for refugees

Pupils from Portree High School have raised more than £400 for a refugee initiative through a bake sale at the school.

The pupils took in a total of £425 as part of a project on refugees.

The money will go towards aiding the work of the Highlands Supports Refugees.

The pupils fundraising efforts have been praised by island group the Skye Fugees have have leading the refugee support efforts across Skye, Raasay and Lochalsh in tandem with Highland Supports Refugees.

Portree High School will welcome any further donations to the cause at its prizegiving ceremonies this week.

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