LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 22nd 2025

Highland Councillor vows to take energy project fight to Parliament

Highland Councillor Helen Crawford has said she will take the fight to secure a Government debate concerning major energy projects to Holyrood following a visit to the Scottish Parliament last week.

The Loch Ness and Aird Councillor is pushing for a round table discussion to be held at Holyrood, following two community council conventions held across the Highlands in June and August this year which was backed by 11 MPs and MSPs cross-party and attracted around two hundred CC representatives from across the region.

Councillor Crawford, who chairs the convention, is pressing for debates to be secure in both the Scottish and UK parliament to address what she describes as the “ongoing flood of renewable energy infrastructure in the Highlands.”

Councillor Crawford stated: “Discussing the Convention’s findings and sentiments at Parliament is the next step in the fulfilment of my pledge to take the pylon fight to Holyrood.

“If the SNP is not prepared to give us a government debate, I’ll do everything I can to take the Convention to Holyrood by other means.

“One option is holding a Round Table and, if I can secure that, I expect it to be absolutely packed full because this means so much to Highlanders.”

Skye cinema duo recognised with highest UK honour

Skye Community Cinema has been become the first Scottish recipient of the Engholm Prize for Film Society of the Year for nearly 30 years following a ceremony in Sheffield on Saturday.

The award is the highest honour in UK Community cinema.

Presented by Cinema For All at a ceremony in Sheffield on Saturday, Skye Community Cinema is the first Scottish winner after 28 years, first Highland winner after 48 years (Rousay Film Society 1977) and only the 5th Scottish winner of this prestigious national award since its existence in 1969.

The Engholm Prize, named after former BFFS (British Federation of Film Societies) Chair Elsie Engholm, recognises the best community cinema in the UK each year.

The judges commended Skye Community Cinema for its high impact in a geographically challenging context, its innovative thinking, thriving community and quite a seamless relationship within their local eco
system and culture.

Skye Community Cinema is led by Lena Vurma and Thor Klein and is now in its fourth year.

Each monthly screening is treated as a curated event: audiences are welcomed with a drink, followed by a short of an upcoming filmmaker before the main feature.

The evening is always rounded up by a live or virtual Q&A with the filmmaker, cast member, or subject expert.

Police to highlight risk to young drivers in Fort William events

Highlands police are to run a new driver early intervention scheme to raise awareness and encourage discussion on the consequences of careless and dangerous driving.

Four session will take place across Monday 29th September and Tuesday 30th September led by officers from the Highland and Islands Road Policing.

The sessions will each take place from 6pm and 7.45pm at Fort William Police Station and will last approximately 1 hour 15 minutes per session. The sessions are aimed at encouraging safe driving practices amongst new and learner drivers aged between 17 and 25-years old.

Police Constable Malcolm Cameron said: “New and young drivers will learn how to improve their own driving, ensure that their vehicle is roadworthy and kept up to date on current rules and regulations when using the road.

As we continue to expand the delivery of the presentation to reach all areas within the North, we are keen to reach out to new and young drivers, but all ages are welcome to attend.”

Skye friends smash RNLI fund target

Two friends from Skye who undertook a Skye dive challenge in aid of the Portree RNLI – have smashed their fundraising target – raising £3,200 for the island charity.

Eilidh Beaton, who was aided by the crew of the Portree RNLI in May last year after suffering from analyphalaxis, took on the challenge with her friend Ali MacFarlane a week ago and have surpassed their initial target of £3,000 which will go towards the volunteer-led charity.

 Skye youngsters suffer narrow final defeat

Skye Camanachd under-14S side were narrowly beaten during a well-contested match in the McMaster Cup Final as Lovat took the trophy with a 2-0 win.

A goal shortly before half-time and a second eight minutes after the break earned Lovat the cup in what was Skye Camanachd five appearance in a row in the showpiece.

Youngster Joe Coyle was the matchwinner for Newtonmore as they overcame their fierce rivals Kingussie 3-2 to claim the Camanachd Cup for the first time since 2019.

Iain Robinson put More two nil up with a goal in either half before Joe Coyle, who is pursuing a career in football with Ross County, struck the third.

Ryan Borthwick hit back for Kings with a double, but it was More who capture the trophy prevented their neighbours from making it five win in a row.

In football, Broadford has clinched the under-15 championship after defeating Mallaig 3-1 in their penultimate game of the season.

Mikey MacGillivray opened the scoring late in the first half with a 25-yard strike, before Daniel Flyn came to the fore for the hosts as he scored a brace to secure the win.

Broadford are set to be presented with the league trophy after their final league match of the season at home to North West Skye on Wednesday.

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