NHS Highland “fully committed” to Skye nursing home recruitment

NHS Highland has said it is fully committed to attracting and retaining health care staff amid criticism from a Skye pressure group over vacancies at the island Home Farm nursing home.

SOS-NHS Skye has called in question NHS Highland’s recruitment process for 12 health care assistant posts at the Portree nursing home, which they claim have not be advertised or open for application for May.

However, NHS Highland has told Radio Skye is working hard to advertise post as continually open rolling adverts and set up special local recruitment pages on its website.

Ruth Fry is the local health authority’s head of communications and engagement.

She told Radio Skye: We are working closely with our colleagues in recruitment to be able to advertise more posts as a continually open, rolling advert.

“To help people navigate to particular locations within Highland on the national Job Train website we have set up links to different localities from the NHS Highland corporate website careers page.

“A short-life working group involving the community has been formed to focus on NHS recruitment in Skye, and we are fully committed to working together to attract and retain health and care staff.”

Radio Skye has approached SOS-NHS Skye for response to NHS Highland’s statement.

Balmacara Gala Day creates a buzz within local community

Circus performers, sporting events, live music, and sushshine were just some of the attractions at the second annual Balmacara Gala held in the village on Saturday.

Radio Skye were kindly invited to be part of the festivities on the day.

As well as being a great day out for locals and visitors to the village, the Balmacara Gala Day also acted a fundraising event for the Old Mill Hall restoration project.

Mardi Wood (pictured) is the organiser and chair of the fundraising committee for the Friends of Balmacara Old Mill Hall.

Speaking to Radio Skye, she said: “It is only our second Gala, but we are learning all the time, but I think there has been a wonderful turnout – it is just a lovely community feel.

“I think that everyone has engaged in buying into it, which is really nice.

Skye Mountain Rescue call-out captured in BBC ‘Close Call’ show

A call-out by the Skye Mountain Rescue Team to find a missing walker during Storm Otto has been featured on a new BBC programme.

The Skye MRT was involved in the search for Dr John Pike who was rescued after surviving two night on open hillside above Loch Coruisk with a broken femur during Storm Otto.

The rescue has been documented in the BBC’s close call show, which can viewed on its catch-up service.

Skye and Shiel ladies one game away from cup glory

Skye Ladies knocked out holders Badenoch to reach the final of the Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup Final following a 4-2 win in Spean Bridge on Sunday

Sarah Yoxon scored twice and Rhianna Kirk and Donna MacKenzie also struck for the islanders as they put their greatest rival to the sword in a memorable victory.

Kinlochshiel Ladies, meanwhile, are one game away from defending the Challenge Cup after a thumping 16-0 win Dunadd in Ballachullish.

Lorna MacRae and Lexie MacKenzie hit 11 of the goals between them as Shiel made it 14 wins from 14 across all competition.

Shiel men’s cup dreams dashed

Kinlochshiel were edged out Kingussie as their dreams of lifting the Artemis MacAulay Cup were dashed with a 2-1 defeat on Saturday.

Archie MacRae opened the scoring for Shiel but the reds were pegged back just before half-time and then conceded with 20 minutes remaining, which proved to be decisive.

However, the Lochalsh side will have the chance to gain revenge next month when they take on Kingussie in the semi-finals of the Camanachd Cup on 5th August.

Sleat and Strath tighten grip at the top of West Highland league

Reigning champions Sleat and Strath strengthened their lead in the West Highland Football League with a 5-1 win over Portree at the King George V playing field on Friday (21st July).

Connaire Yoxon, Cameron MacLeod, and Robin Harvey scored within the last eight minutes of the first half to put Sleat in a commanding position after what had been a largely even encounter until then.

Portree struck back on the hour-mark courtesy of a 40-yeard screamer from Nick Spencer reduce the deficit to two.

Cameron MacLeod scored with 10 minutes to go, though, to re-establish the visitors three-goal cushion before Mike Dunn fired in his first goal for the club to make it 5-1.

That victory coupled with North West Skye and Mallaig 1-1 draw, means that Sleat are now seven points clear at the summit.

Kyleakin are up to fifth after thrashing Kyle 7-2 on the mainland, while Portree Juniors continued their fine season with a 1-0 win in Lochaber against Fort William thanks to the league’s current player of the month, Paul MacKinnon, who scored to maintained their position in third.

Sleat’s Robin Harvey produced a player of the match performance in their 5-1 win against Portree.

You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh live at the times below by clicking on the banner. 

Fort William’s reserve team have also been admitted to the league for the 2023 season onwards, which means the competition will return to an eight-club league.

Monday night’s AGM marked the end of an era for the league association with secretary Heckie Cormack standing down after more than a decade at the helm. He will be replaced by Rafa Scott, who has been running the SLAFA social media account which provides dedicated coverage of the league and cup competitions.

Meanwhile, long-standing chairperson Steve MacNeil also announced his departure. North West Skye coach Graham Campbell has agreed to take on the role.

Another significant change concerning the league set-up saw the clubs vote through a move for matches involving Kyle and the Skye-based sides to be played on Friday nights.

The games, which have traditionally been contested on Saturdays, will now be played on Friday nights with kick-offs likely to be at 7/7.30.

However, all fixtures involving Mallaig and Fort William will still be contested on Saturdays on account of the travel time.

Sleat and Strath midfielder Ben Yoxon, who is the league’s reigning player of the year has welcomed the changed.

He told Radio Skye: “I am very happy with it.

“Hopefully, we will get more availability across the league and it will reduce other pressures on players playing.”

Fort William’s Claggan Park was also agreed as the venue for last season’s outstanding Ross Cup final between Sleat and Mallaig, pending availability.

Clubs will also be limited to one free weekend this year in a bid to reduced fixture congestion.

The 2023 football season is scheduled to begin in April.

Article by Adam Gordon.