Norwegian Sámi windfarm campaigners visit Skye

Two Sámi campaigners from Norway are visiting Skye this week to discuss their opposition to a major wind farm development on traditional reindeer grazing land.

The visit has been organised by the St Andrews Centre for Critical Sustainabilities in partnership with the Skye Windfarm Information Group (SWIG) and the Breakish Windfarm Action Group (BWAG).

Elle Rávdná Näkkäläjärvi, an elected member of the Sámi Parliament, and filmmaker Johannes Vang are visiting the island from 10 to 12 June. The pair have been involved in campaigning against the Fosen Vind wind farm, which has been at the centre of a long running dispute over Indigenous land rights.

Protests in Norway (Credit – Birk Øren, Aurinko Film)

Mr Vang documented the Sámi resistance movement in his 2025 film For Our Rights. A public screening of the documentary, followed by a discussion, will take place at Broadford Hall on Thursday evening.

During their visit, the campaigners will also tour existing and proposed wind farm sites on Skye.

Elle and Johannes in the Radio Skye studio

Nick Ferguson, chair of BWAG, said there were “many parallels and shared experiences” between the impact of wind farm developments on traditional Sámi grazing land and concerns raised by some communities in the Highlands.

Listen to the interview with Elle and Johannes below.

Watch the trailer for For Our Rights below.