LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 20 2023

Broadford and Strath community bodies back calls for wind farm inquiry

The Broadford and Strath’s community council and community company have released a join statement calling for the Scottish Government to listen to the people of Skye before determining the future of wind farm developments on the island.

At present there are proposals from myriad multi-national companies to site new wind farm developments across Skye, which, if all approved, would see more than 140 new turbines built, some up to 200 metres in height.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Board of the Broadford and Strath Community Company and the Broadford and Strath Community Council voice its support of for calls by the Portree and Braes Community Trust and Portree and Braes Community Council for a public inquiry to be carried out into the scope and scale of the planned developments

The south Skye bodies argued that the scale and ownership of the windfarms currently being proposed are a huge threat to the islands biggest assets the landscape, the environment, and natural heritage.

In the statement, Broadford and Strath’s community council and community company acknowledged the need for renewable energy.

The statement read: “We know that windfarms will happen. However, we would like to see this take place on our Skye community’s terms.

“We would like the Skye community as a whole to decide where turbines are placed and the size of turbines. We want to see job creation and opportunities to help reduce depopulation.

“But most importantly we would like to see the majority of any windfarms developed on Skye to be community owned.”

Angus Og cartoon exhibition to tour Highlands

A new pop-up exhibition of the Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre’s Angus Og Cartoons is set to go on tour across the Highlands and Islands.

The ‘Angus Og: Out of the Archives Tour’ will feature specially selected Angus Og cartoons which spark discussion about Island and Highland futures, open to all members of the public, and is suitable for all ages.

Angus Og was created by cartoonist Ewen Bain and his adventures were based on the fabled Isle of Drambeg in the Utter Hebrides. Angus Og began in the Bulletin and was published in the Daily Record from 1960 through to 1989.

Catherine MacPhee (pictured above) High Life Highland’s Archivist at Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre, said: “The Angus Og cartoons are important not just for the Isle of Skye, but as part of Scotland’s social history.

“As well as being nationally well-known and loved, the iconic cartoons featuring wily characters relate to social-political issues that are still poignant today, including: the loss of language, impacts of tourism, and social imbalances.

She added: “The tour is set to be a pop-up exhibition of specially selected Angus Og cartoons, alongside opportunities for people to get creative and vocalise issues presently affecting their local community.

“All staff and volunteers involved in the ‘Out of the Archives Tour’ are looking forward to meeting with communities across the Highland Council area to hear local views and share some of these fun Angus Og stories together.”

The tour begins on 4th October in Mallaig and will also visit Kilmuir Hall on 19th October and Raasay Hall on 5th November among its seven-venue tour.

CalMac ‘Island Crossings’ documentary to return

A new series of the CalMac documentary island crossings has been commissioned by the BBC.

The first series went behind the scenes to report on the working lives of the crew and staff who serve west coast communities across the network. It also focused on many of the people and communities which depend on CalMac, exploring their way of life and livelihoods.

Robbie Drummond, Chief Executive of CalMac, said: “We are delighted with the success of series one, and are really looking forward to providing more insights into how CalMac operates.

“I really welcome the opportunity for us to give a true reflection of the lengths our people go to, to provide the best service we can for our communities and customers, highlighting the service that our colleagues provide every day even in challenging circumstances.”

Nature Restoration Fund offers £25,000 towards projects

A nature restoration fund of up to £25,000 per applicant has extended its deadline to October.

The Highland Council have extended the deadline for applicants to apply for the first decision making round of of Nature Restoration Funding for 2023/24 to 12 noon on Wednesday 4th October 2023.

The chair of the council’s environment and infrastructure committee, councillor Ken Gowans said: “Eligible applicants can apply between £2,000 – £25,000 towards nature restoration projects.

“Over the last two years, 50 projects have been delivered throughout Highland ranging from the creation of wildflower meadows, tree planting initiatives, wetland creation, and the removal of invasive non-native species.”

Established by the Scottish Government, the Nature Restoration Fund is a capital fund designed to help support projects that will deliver nature restoration, safeguard wildlife, and tackle the causes of biodiversity loss due to climate change.

All projects should be completed by the end of June 2024. The minimum grant support available is £2,000 and the maximum is £25,000.

For more information, click the link.

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