LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 19th 2025

Health secretary comments deemed “insulting”  in “Groundhog day” swipe

The chair of SOS-NHS Skye has described a ministerial statement by the health secretary on urgent care in Portree as disappointing and insulting, describing the situation as groundhog day.

Fay Thomson’s comments came in response to Neil Gray’ address to the Scottish Parliament on Thursday concerning urgent care and services at the Skye capital hospital.

Health secretary Neil Gray said that all current vacancies for advanced nurse practitioners need to provide urgent care at Portree Hospital will be filled by the end of this year.

He also revealed that a Team lead for urgent care for both Portree and Broadford had been appointed on 8th September

Mr Gray said that having visited Portree Hospital in August he understand the frustration expressed by the community and paid tribute to their efforts as part of the Ritchie Report Process.

However, he said that new services had been implemented in Aug 2024, that there is currently 24/7 urgent care from Portree Hospital, a claim which SOS-NHS Skye and opposition politicians dispute.

Speaking to Radio Skye, SOS-NHS chair Fay Thomson gave the group’s verdict on the health secretary’s statement.

Skye man completes ‘Gaza strip’ walk to raise close to £8,000 for Palestinians

A Skye man has completed a virtual lap of the Gaza strip walking 75 miles on a diet of just two slices of bread per day to raise close to £8,000 for Medical Aid for Palestinians.

Simon Wallwork began his challenge on Sunday 14th from Glenshiel and completed the walk on Thursday afternoon in Staffin near his home.

Simon said he could not sit idly by as the Palestinian people suffer amid the most difficult conditions.

He said he people must act in any way they can to show support, solidarity and basic humanity to fellow human beings.

Simon has raised just under £7,900 through his endeavour.

Later this month, the support group the Skye Fugees are set hold a gather for Gaza peaceful March from Kyleakin Hall over the Skye Bridge in solidarity for the people of Gaza.

The event is due to take place on Sunday 28th September.

MSP Hepburn resigns after Ross assault allegations

The minister for Parliamentary Business Jamie Hepburn has resigned after being accused of assault Highlands and Islands MSP and former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross.

On Thursday, Douglas Ross who represents the Highlands and Islands as a list MSP lodged a formal complaint to First Minister John Swinney under the ministerial code against Jamie Hepburn for his conduct, of which Mr Ross alleged included physically grabbing him and using foul and abusive language towards him.

Mr Ross contended that the that Mr Hepburn’s behaviour was in violation of four separate elements of the ministerial code and therefore the SNP MSP should resign.

Late on Friday afternoon, Jamie Hepburn tendered his resignation to the First Minister.

He stated that Irrespective of whether or not the Ministerial Code has been breached, even if there had been no complaint made, I believe I have not acted in accordance with my own personal code of practice. This decision is one that I feel is for the best in these circumstances and the one that for my own part feel is the appropriate course of action.

Mr Hepburn’s resignation has been accepted with regret by the First Minister

Rural Affairs Committee to visit Skye as part of crofting bill scrutiny

Members of Holyrood’s Rural Affairs & Islands Committee will this weekend visit four crofts on the Isle of Skye as part of their scrutiny of the Crofting & Scotland Land Court Bill.

The Committee says they are keen to speak with crofters directly about how the Bill’s proposals would impact crofting communities.

Members will visit a range of crofts over the two-day visit to get a broad understanding of the issues facing crofting today. They will meet crofters from the north-west to the south-east of the island, those who breed and produce meat and those who manage woodland, as well as hearing from a young crofter about their experiences.

Leader of the delegation and Committee Convener, Finlay Carson MSP and Members, Alisdair Allan MSP; Ariane Burgess MSP and Rhoda Grant MSP will all travel to Skye.

Raasay Distillery in contention for major whisky awards

The Isle of Raasay Distillery is in the running for three awards including Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards.

The island business has been nominated for Distillery of the Year, Tourism Destination of the Year, and
Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement – Cask Strength.

A spokesperson for Raasay Distillery thanked the judges for their consideration as well the work of the distillery team and its customers around the world.

The awards ceremony will be held at the Double Tree Hotel in Glasgow on 27th November.

Agriculture minister to guest at Scottish Crofting anniversary event

Scotland’s Agriculture Minister is to attend a special gathering in Inverness to mark the 40th anniversary the Scottish Crofters Union.

The event which will be held on Saturday 15th November and dedicated to the future of local food and will explore how crofters can play a central role in feeding communities sustainably, what support they need, and the policy changes required to make small-scale food production viable.

The event be opened by an address by Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie, and will be followed workshops, discussions, and an exhibition space showcasing crofters and partner organisations working across food, land, and climate.

SCF Chief Executive Donna Smith said: “As we celebrate 40 years of crofters organising, this Gathering looks to the future and how small-scale producers can play their part in creating a resilient, sustainable food system for Scotland.”

Skye Camanachd’s under-14s captain says the team are up for the challenge against Lovat as they prepare to defend the MacMaster Cup in a showpiece final at Bught Park on Saturday.

Skye will contest their fifth MacMaster Cup Final in a row, with the islanders having won on three occasions out of the last four.

Skye began their quest to secure the top prize in under-14s shinty with a 3-0 win over Caberfeidh in Portree May, and progress through the second round in style with a 5-1 win at Blairbeg Park against Glenurquhart.

Have scored eight goals in their first two matches, Skye repeated the feat but in a single match as they earned their place in the final with a 8-2 win against Kyles Athletic.

Lovat, who stand in Skye way of claiming back to back MacMaster Cup, have themselves been prolific in front of goal with 27 goals in their four match en route to the final.

Speaking to Radio Skye, Skye Camanachd under 14-s captain Finlay Crawford said the team would be up for the challenge against a tough Lovat side.

The greatest rivals in shinty are set to meet in battle for the sport’s most coveted prize in the men’s game as record 34-time winners Newtonmore and Kingussie, who are seeking their 27th title and fourth in a row, are set to clash as shinty’s biggest rivals meet in the Camanachd Cup Final for the first time since 2011.

The sides, who are separated by just one point in the Premiership, have meet on six previous occasions

the first of which came back in 1981 which saw Kingussie secure the trophy with a 4-1 win in Oban

Newtonmore got revenge the following year as they capture the cup with a 4-2 win at Kingussie on their fierce rivals home turf.

Since then Kings have won three finals against Newtonmore the last of which came in 1997 when they recorded a whooping 12-1 win

But More tasted glory in the last clash back in 2011 earning a 4-3 win after extra-time.

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