Skye Bridge to close for four nights as part of planned works

Bear Scotland are planning to close the Skye Bridge for four nights later this year to allow resurfacing works to be carried out.

The planned works will take place on the A87 at Kyleakin roundabout from Monday 23rd October to Friday 27th October between 7pm and 6am and will include the closure of the Skye Bridge.

The road maintenance firm will allow residents to exit Kyleakin and Old Kyle Farm Road at any time via an escort, however, residents seeking to enter those area will have to wait on the hourly amnesty.

Bear Scotland has sent out letters to local residents and stakeholders as part of its initial consultation on the work to best plan the closure and provide ample notice.

To contact Bear Scotland about the matter you can email: enquiries@bearscotland.co.uk

Council seeks owner of abandoned buses on Staffin beach route

The Highland Council is looking to reach the owner of two abandoned buses which are currently occupying a layby at the road to Staffin beach.

The vehicles which are two disused single decker Stagecoach buses are currently parked in the safe stopping area on the busy route which is used by locals and visitors.

On Tuesday evening an officer form the council’s environmental health team attended the site and placed stickers on each of the vehicles.

Enquires are ongoing to identify the ownership of the vehicles.

If no owner, is found for the buses, the council will have them removed from the site and disposed of.

Information sought on wilful fire-raising in Broadford

Police are appealing for information in relation to wilful fire-raising in Broadford which occurred on Monday night.

Two fires were reported around 10.45pm on Monday in Blackpark at Broadford.

Enquiries are underway into the incident and the police has stated there has been information to suggest there may have been a vehicle in the vicinity a short time prior to the fires being discovered.

Anyone with information in relation to the incident can contact Police Scotland on 101 or using the Contact Us form on the Police Scotland website here.

Information can be reported anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

Raasay leading the way in Scotland’s net zero quest

One of the team leading Raasay’s journey to become carbon neutral has said the island can act as an beacon in the Scottish Government’s target to reach net zero by 2045.

Raasay is one of six places across Scotland leading the way as part of the government’s carbon neutral islands project.

Tom Lusink, pictured alongside fellow project officer Rosie MacInnes, told Radio Skye: “All being well, we will be lighthouse communities, which will help show the way for not just island communities, but all communities looking to de-carbonise going forward to the 2045 goal.”

He added: “The overarching theme of the project is climate resilience; how can we mitigate our climate impact, how can we get to net zero.

“While doing this a really big part of it is how we can improve the quality of life in general on these islands.”

Under-fire minister “shambolic” says Highland MSP

Highland MSP Jamie Halcro Johnstone has accused under-fire Green MSP Lorna Slater (pictured) of leading a shambolic rollout of the deposit return scheme.

Mr Halcro Johnstone comments came after Ms Slater survived a vote of no confidence in her position as circular economy minister earlier this week.

On Tuesday evening, MSPs voted down the motion by 68 votes to 55.

Jamie Halcro Johnston, who is the Conservative Shadow Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, accused Ms Slater of presiding over a shambolic and, ultimately, failed roll out of the Scottish Deposit Return Scheme.

He argued the scheme has caused real uncertainty and unnecessary costs for businesses right across the Highlands and Islands.

However, Green MSP Mark Ruskell, contended that the motion was not just an attack on Lorna Slater, but on everyone who believes in devolution.

Today the Tories brought a vote of no confidence against Scottish Green minister Lorna Slater. Like everything else the Tories do, it has now failed.

Find out why @markruskell called it absurd, opportunistic, and an attack on devolution. pic.twitter.com/l0PWhLUiHo

— Scottish Greens (@scottishgreens) June 20, 2023

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Rural Delivery Plan unveiled in new government strategy

Deputy First Minister, Shona Robison has committed to publishing a Rural Delivery Plan by 2026 as part of the Scottish Government’s new vision for the country.

On Tuesday, First Minister Humza Yousaf set out his strategy: Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership – A fresh start during a speech in the Scottish Parliament.

Within the Scottish Government’s new plan, Deputy First Minister Shona Robison says that the rural delivery plan will show how all parts of the Scottish Government are delivering for rural Scotland.

Outlining the plan, Ms Robison wrote: “As well as policies on agriculture, land reform, marine, and our Islands Plan, this will cover areas such as transport, housing, social justice, repopulation, digital connectivity and economic development.”

During his speech, Mr Yousaf also committed to:

• Delivering six new vessels to serve Scotland’s ferry network
• Investing up to £25 million to convert suitable properties into affordable homes for key workers in remote, rural and island areas.
• Investing £1.3 billion for the Scottish Child Payment over the next three years.

On Monday, Skye and Lochalsh’s MP Ian Blackford was asked by Radio Skye about the current issues impacting the West Highlands and Islands, including the ferry network.

Meanwhile, Mairi Gougeon, minister for rural affairs said the government would create new crofting opportunities through the “delivery of the National Development Plan for Crofting and reformed the law, subject to agreement by parliament, to support the future of crofting.”

Ms Gougeon has also vowed that the government would continue to support six Scottish Islands, including Raasay and Barra, to become carbon neutral by 2040.

Mairi McAllan, cabinet secretary for net zero stated that, as part of Scotland’s “world leading commitment to be net zero by 2045”, a higher proportion of zero-emission vehicles would be delivered, while the electric charge network would be doubled to at least 6,000 points.

The First Minister also announced that the Deposit Return Scheme would be delayed and would begin from March 2024 rather than August 2023.

Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnstone, argued that the decision made the Scottish Green Party co-leader Lorna Slater’s position untenable.

Posting on social media, the Conservative member said: “Humza Yousaf announces U-turn by SNP/Greens on Deposit Return Scheme as disastrous rollout delayed until next year.

Surely Lorna “It’s happening, It’s happening” Slater’s position now untenable after months of damaging DRS uncertainty.”

Police appeal for information on A82 Invermoriston -Drumnadrochit crash

Police Scotland are appealing for information following a serious crash on the A82 which resulted in five people being taken to Raigmore Hospital.

The incident happened on the A82 between Invermoriston and and Drumnadrochit at 4.30pm on Monday and involved a grey Audi A4 and a blue Nissan ​Qashqai.

The driver of one car and the four occupants of the second vehicle were taken to Raigmore Hospital for treatment.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 2485 of 17 April, 2023.

Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh to begin defence of Cuach na Cloinne

Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh will begin their defence of  a nationwide football cup, involving more than 80 teams from across the country, next week in the Skye capital.

Cuach na Cloinne is the biggest sporting competition for Gaelic Medium Primary Schools across Scotland.

The tournament is a national five-a-side football competition aimed at young people all over the country with Gaelic in primary four through to primary seven.

In 2022, Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh lifted the cup and will be aiming to defend their crown in 2023.

The regional competitions begin on Tuesday 25 April at Portree High School and will continue on Thursday 27th April at Sgoil Lionacleit, Benbecula and at the all-weather pitch at Smith Avenue in Stornoway.

Further regional heats will take place in Oban, Inverness, and Glasgow in May.

Chairman of Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee, Councillor Calum Munro said: “I am delighted that The Highland Council has been able to support Cuach na Cloinne for another year, and delighted to see the event returning with such strong interest from Gaelic Medium Primary schools across Scotland.

“I intend to attend the heats in Portree next week and I wish all the local teams every success. It’s so important to give these young Gaelic learners and speakers exciting opportunities like this.”

Cuach na Cloinne 2023 is funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and The Highland Council, with new sponsorship from Astar Media for prizes at the regional competitions, and organised by Comunn na Gàidhlig.

News by Adam Gordon.

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