First Minister calls for end to UK arms sales to Israel

Scotland First Minister has reiterated the Scottish Government’s call for an end to all UK arm sales to Israel and said recognising Palestine as a sovereign state is fundamental to building lasting peace.

Speaking a year on from Israeli forces beginning their ground invasion of Gaza following the killing of around 1,200 people by Hamas Militants, Mr Swinney said: “The horror, suffering and killing we have watched unfold in Gaza in real-time, on such a devastating scale, has now spread across the region.

“The need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza is at the heart of reaching wider peace in the Middle East, and we must see the unconditional release of all hostages.”

The First Minister (pictured) added: “There have been repeated breaches of international law and violations of human rights since the conflict began, and Israel must stop blocking essential humanitarian aid from reaching wounded and starving civilians who are surviving in nightmarish conditions.

“Tens of thousands of lives have been lost, and millions more have been directly affected by this catastrophe. I stand with our communities in Scotland who have lost loves ones and face the daily torment of not knowing if their family members will make it through the day.”

Portree host Harris in Lucky2BHere fundraiser

A Portree under-16s team took on an under 16s side from Harris Football Club in a fundraising challenge match in aid of Skye charity Lucky2BHere in Portree on Saturday.

Jono MacLean and Luke Johnson scored for Harris to earn them a 2-0 win during an entertaining but rain-soaked encounter at the Portree High School Astro pitch.

After the match, Ailsa MacInnes of Lucky2BHere (pictured) accepted a cheque from the Harris team as a donation towards the charity which help to secure the transport of a new defibrillator across the Minch which will be added the existing provision of live-saving devices in Harris.

Skye’s Niteworks to be honoured at Scots Trad Awards

Skye electro-trad trailblazers Niteworks are set to be honoured at the Scots Trad Awards for their contribution to music over the past two decades.

Today MG ALBA which runs the Scots Trad Music Awards announced that Niteworks (pictured) will be recognised for their musical contribution through the Services to Gaelic Award at this years ceremony which will take place at the Inverness Leisure Centre on 30th November.

Voting opened today for the 116-strong group of talent shortlisted for the awards which celebrate Scotland’s vibrant traditional music scene and closes on 10th November.

Among the nominees are Skye’s Malin Lewis who is up for the Album of the Year for their record Halocline,

Head of the Plockton National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music, Mike Vass has been shortlisted for Composer of the year, alongside Mairead Green for their project A.D.A.M.

Meanwhile, the Skye Youth Pipe Band has been nominated as one of four contenders for the Scottish Pipe Band of the year, while Robert John MacInnes has been selected in a five-strong field for the Trad Music in the Media Award for his Friday Night Trad programme.

Mànran lead singer and creator of the Hollie in the Hydro event, Gary Innes, Eilean Dorcha Festival organiser Roddy MacKay, and Skye Live’s Michael Pelegrotti are all up for industry person of the year.

Charity push to stop bonfire night attacks on emergency services

A national crime prevention charity have launched its campaign to help prevent deliberate fires and bonfire night attacks.

Alongside Police Scotland, the Scottish Ambulance Service, and the Scottish Government, the campaign led by Crimestoppers aims to prevent attacks on Scotland’s emergency services.

In 2023, information provided anonymously to the charity prevent at least at least one extremely serious attack on emergency crews in Scotland.

Crimestoppers campaign will aim to encourage reporting from the public about any planned attacks and help gather information after bonfire night about who was responsible.

Information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers via there website or by calling 0800 555 111.

Scotland narrowly lost to Ireland by three points in Saturday’s shinty hurling match which was held in in Ennis, Country Clare on Saturday (October 26)

Scotland’s point came courtesy of Kevin Bartlett, Steven MacDonald, Ruraidh Anderson, Daniel MacVicar, Craig Morrison and Lachie Shaw, but it was the Irish who took the spoils by 25 points to 22.

Skye captain John Gillies and a trio of players from Kinlochshiel, Donald Nixon, Finlay MacRae, and Shiel captain Conor Cormack were part of the national team squad for the match which was contested at Cusack Park.

Photo credit: Ray McManus.

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Damage on Uig pier after Storm Ashley

Highland Council officials are assessing damage to Uig pier following high winds caused by Storm Ashley.

The damage is related to the new walkway shelter which has been installed along the length of the pier in recent months.

The Uig – Tarbert – Lochmaddy ferry MV Hebrides initially started sailing on a diverted course to Ullapool on Monday, as it was unclear if safe berthing could take place due to the damage and associated debris. However, ferry services resumed from Uig later that morning.

A Highland Council spokesperson said:

“The new walkway shelter has sustained damage during Storm Ashley. Our contractor is cleaning up the damage and officers are assessing the situation.”

Winds of 90mph were detected at several weather stations on Skye as Storm Ashley made her presence known across Skye and Lochalsh.

Blood testing pilot to begin at Raigmore Hospital 

NHS Highland will shortly start a pilot project of opt-out blood borne virus testing in the Emergency Department at Raigmore Hospital.

The blood borne viruses (BBVs) that will be tested for are Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, and HIV.

The aim of the project is to increase the case finding activity for all three BBVs through an increase in testing.

It is hoped that if more cases can be identified as undiagnosed infections through an increase in testing, this could lead to earlier assessment and treatment for patients, which then leads to better health outcomes.

Help choose the name of new Broadford otter arrival

Members of the public are being asked to help choose the name of a young female otter due to arrive in Broadford.

The International Otter Survival Fund, based in the village, will soon be welcoming a new arrival to the Sanctuary from Banchory in Aberdeenshire, in partnership with the SSPCA.

Team Otter Seaside Park in Canada has come up with a list of potential names for the otter, but the public are being asked to help choose the winner.

The choices are: Yoyo, Taylor, Coco, Blake, Edith, Nallie, Crispie or Snowball.

To cast your vote to help name the soon-to-be Broadford resident, head to the International Otter Survival Fund Facebook page.

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Portree Post Office extend opening hours for Christmas run-up

The Portree Post Office, which was in abeyance earlier this year, has announced an extension to opening hours in the busy run up to Christmas

The Skye capital service was on hold for close to two month earlier this year due to operational reasons, however in addition to its regular hours of 9am to 5pm on Thursday and Fridays, the service will now also be open on Monday and Saturday morning from 9am to 12.15.

At present, Post Office Ltd is looking for applicants to purchase the Portree service which has been run on a reduced service of two days a week since March by Rob Wilson, who owns the Kyle Mace shop which includes the village post office.

The post office website states that they are looking for a successful retailer to either purchase or incorporate a Post Office Main into their existing or proposed business. The post office fees are estimated to be between £28,800 to £35,000 per year.

The new Monday and Saturday service, which is in addition to the Thursday and Friday hours, will be led by John Nichols who has close to a decade’s worth of experience working at the Portree branch.

Skye-based international otter charity to mark 30-year anniversary.

The team leading an international charity based on Skye are set to mark its 30th anniversary this month by heading Mexico for training workshop

The International Otter Survival Fund will celebrate the 30th year of caring for otters worldwide on 16th November. To mark this achievement the IOSF is heading to Mexico for a training workshop for people throughout Central America.

The small passionate team has headquarters in Broadford on Skye and connects with hardworking otter conservationists worldwide,  and regularly forms new networks.

Many global issues affect wildlife today from habitat loss, pollution, climate change to all problems associated with poverty. In addition, otters often face conflict with fishermen who view them as a problem.

However, the IOSF cite a lack of awareness as the biggest threat. This is particularly the case in Central America where few people are working on otters and conservation of their habitat.

Dr Paul Yoxon said “The conservation of otters is not a sentimental luxury. They are at the top of the food chain and use both the water and land and so both habitats have to be in pristine condition.

“This is essential for all species, including man. Caring for the individual otter and holding it in your hands focusses your mind on the bigger picture of the threats to otters from pollution, loss of habitat and hunting.”

He added: “Today more than ever otters need our help and we will never let them down.”

Skye captain to lead Scotland in Ireland shinty-camogie tour

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