LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 7 2023

Runrig “heartbroken” at death of frontman Bruce Guthro

Celtic rock band Runrig have said they are “heartbroken at loss of a dear friend” following the death of former frontman Bruce Guthro, who died on Tuesday aged 62.

The Canadian singer-songwriter joined the band in 1998 and was the lead vocalist for 20 years until Runrig’s Last Dance finale gig at Stirling Castle in 2018.

In a statement released on Wednesday evening, the band said that Bruce Guthro has died following a long battle with cancer.

Paying tribute to the much-loved singer, Runrig said that everyone associated with the group is heartbroken at the loss of a dear friend and special musical colleague.

They added that their immediate thoughts and prayers were with his family Kim, Dylan and Jodie.

Paying homage to Bruce, Skye band Valtos told Radio Skye that Runrig’s music was a vital part of their upbringings and the sound Bruce brought to the band was unmistakable, providing them with considerable inspiration over the years.

A host of other musicians and singers were also praising of Bruce as a person and his place within Celtic music

The band Skipinnish said that they and so many others owe Runrig a huge debt of gratitude for paving the way to the thriving Celtic Music scene of today.

They said Bruce was the voice of Runrig for twenty years and his passing marks a very sad day for music.

Composer and fiddle player Duncan Chisholm described, Bruce who he had known for more than 25 years, as “an absolute gentleman, an incredibly gifted singer and a true friend.”

While singer Julie Fowlis said that Bruce was “such a gifted singer and a powerful performer.”

She added that it was a great privilege to sing with him onstage and backstage over the years.

Former bandmate Peter Wishart said “He was just the nicest person you could ever hope to meet and a joy to perform with.”

Highland Council survey findings prompt third childcare crisis meeting

A third childcare crisis meeting is set to take place on Skye following the findings of a Highland Council survey

A childcare survey of more than 100 parents and guardians across the island has revealed a demand for provision for children under three as well as term-time and holiday childcare for kids of school age.

The Highland Council informed community representative Claudia Pech that the vast majority of respondents – 68 had children attending early learning childcare or school close to Portree, while 15 were in the Dunvegan area and eight in the Sleat area.

Ms Pech said that council has stated its committment to finding solutions to the very difficult childcare situation on Skye and are proposing another meeting with parents before the end of September to discuss the way forward.

She added that work is also ongoing with the Scottish Childminding Association to try and recruit childminders, and engagement with other providers is ongoing, together with the option for local authority school aged childcare provision.

The meeting will follow on from two separate forums held earlier this year by the Highland Council and Skye’s MSP Kate Forbes.

Financial risks to Scotland’s colleges greater now than in 2022

Risks to the financial sustainability of colleges across the country has risen in the past year, according to a new report by Audit Scotland.

The public body assessor said that risks to colleges had increased since 2022, with rising staffing costs the colleges’ biggest financial pressure.

Audit Scotland said that amid a real terms funding reduction of 8.5 per cent since 2021, effective, affordable workforce planning was now a greater than ever priority and challenge for colleges.

Although significant changes to how the college sector operates have been recommended by recent reviews, the report contends that the Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council urgently need to build on their ongoing work to help colleges plan for change now, and make best use of available funding so that they are sustainable for the future.

The report states that staff costs accounted for more than two thirds – around 70 per cent – of the sector’s expenditure in 2021-22.

It added that changes to staffing are one of the main levers for colleges to manage their costs.

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