Body found in search for man missing at Fairy Pools
The body of a 25-year-old man who went missing on Thursday afternoon while at the Fairy Pools on Skye has been found today.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said the body of the man was found around 12.10pm this afternoon in the Fairy Pools, near Carbost.
A multi-agency search began at 3pm on Thursday for the missing man who was reported to have fallen into river rapids near the Fairy Pools.
The operation led by Police Scotland involved coastguard teams from Stornoway, Skye, Kyle the Scottish Ambulance Service’s air ambulance and the Skye Mountain Rescue Team.
Fourteen members of the Skye Mountain Rescue Team were involved for six hours on Thursday during the search.
The police spokesperson said that the family of the 25-year-old man who fell in the water on Thursday has been informed. And a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Earlier today traffic management were positioned at the Glenbrittle road junction at Carbost to divert a huge volume of visitors away from the Fairy Pools.
The road reopened around 2pm on Friday afternoon.
Mental Health Awareness Week focus: “A privilege to help others”
A member of the Skye and Lochalsh Mental Health association has spoken about the crucial role the local charity plays in her life.
Chatting to Radio Skye during Mental Health Health Awareness Week, Muriel Watson talk about the friendships she has made and the key support she has received from the long-standing service
She said: “Sandra is excellent, when we are having an off day, she encourages us to come up. You might not feel like getting out of bed sometimes, but she encourages you as all the staff do.
“I am on my own, I don’t have a partner. It is good that Sandra is here, as you can make friends and its good company. You can play a game of scrabble to pass the time and get advice as well.
Sandra MacKenzie, who works as the manager at Am Fasgadh, told Radio Skye that funding remains a constant challenge for the organisation which marks its 30th anniversary this year.
“The biggest stress for me is always funding.
“We are always short of money and not knowing year from year where we are.
“But it is an amazing thing to spend your life helping other people.
“That helps our mental health – the fact that we are able to do that. It is a privilege to help other people and to try to make their lives a little bit better.”
Shiel star praises role of brother in upturn of club’s form
Skye and Kinlochshiel are both in Mowi Premiership action this weekend with the islanders taking on Lovat at Pairc Nan Laoch live on Radio Skye.
Skye come into the match on a high having sealed their place in the MacTavish Cup final with a 3-1 win over Glenurquhart last Saturday and will be keen to take that form into this weekend clash.
Lovat are currently seventh and two points ahead of Skye.
As well as Premiership points up for grabs, the teams will also be contested the Thomas Ferguson Memorial Cup
The game is a 3pm throw up and live on Radio Skye.
Shiel meanwhile, are looking to continue their impressive run of three wins on the spin as they travel to Mossfield Park to face Oban Camanachd.
Shiel can leapfrog their opponents with a win and move into 5th place.
Speaking to Radio Skye, Kinlochshiel forward Keith MacRae praised the impact of his brother Finlay in helping the side get out of their early season rut.
He said: “We had a pretty bad start at the beginning of the season with the results.
We have had my brother Finlay upfront, he has done a power of work, gotten a few goals and helped linked up the forward line.
“I would say at the start of the year we weren’t playing particularly bad we just didn’t take our chances.
“In some games we had a lot of pressure, but the goals weren’t coming. We are happy that we are winning games now and settling down. ”
Local derby in Strathdearn Cup
Lochcarron and Skye will lock horns on Saturday as the sides met in a local derby in the Strathdearn Cup quarter final.
Skye defeated Beauly 3-2 last month to claim their place in the last eight, while Lochcarron progress on account of walkover against Strathspey.
That match is 2.30 throw up at Battery Park.
Kinlochshiel face Aberdeen University at Reraig at 2.30 for their place in the semi-finals.
Like Lochcarron, Shiel earned their place after a walkover against Lochaber, while Aberdeen Uni saw off Kilmallie 2-0 to set up the tie.
Skye Ladies seek to close gap at the top
Skye Ladies have the chance to move within a points of leaders Badenoch when the host Inverness in Portree on Saturday.
The islanders were in superb form last weekend as they hit five away to Lochaber and could put pressure on the reigning league champions with victory over the side from the Highland capital.
The match is 12pm throw up at Pairc Nan Laoch in Portree on Saturday.
Badenoch meanwhile will take on Glasgow Mid Argyll at the Dell on Sunday.
News by Adam Gordon.
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Bòrd Na Gàidhlig express serious concerns over HPMA plans
Scotland’s principal body for Gaelic language and culture has cited serious concerns over the proposed plans to introduce Highly Protected Marine Areas.
The Scottish Goverment consultation on its plans to introduce Highly Protected Marine Areas by 2026 closed on Monday 17th April.
Scotland’s current MPA network includes sites for nature conservation, protection of biodiversity and covers approximately 37 per cent of Scotland’s seas.
However, in its submission to the consultation, Gaelic body Bòrd Na Gàidhlig said it was seriously concerned that the introduction of HPMAs would cause a significant loss of employment in areas with a high percentage of Gaelic users.
Highlighting data for its Portree district, which covers Skye and mainland areas, BNG said there were 110 active registered vessels for fishing in the district, employing 149.
Bòrd Na Gàidhlig argues that the socio-economic impact assessment within the consultation did not appear to include the potential consequence loss of population from affected communities.
The organisation said it was a significant omission as a loss of population in areas with relatively high numbers of Gaelic users could have a significant negative impact on the language and culture.
Skye and Lochalsh MSP Kate Forbes said the HPMA plans should be scrapped and a feasibility study into devolving marine powers to local authorities should be commissioned instead.
In March, Neil Robertson, spokesperson for the Ross, Sutherland, Skye, and Lochalsh Fisherman’s Association told Radio Skye the plans were hopelessly flawed and many working in aquaculture were angry and bewildered.
Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands Jamie Halcro Johnstone said: “It is vital that we protect jobs and livelihoods in these fragile rural and coastal communities, and local SNP MSPs must play their part in opposing their government’s plans.
“Ministers in Edinburgh should drop these proposals and go back to the drawing board to develop an evidence-based approach which can be delivered in agreement with our fishing industry and local coastal communities”.
The Scottish Goverment has stated that the Highly Protected Marine Areas will aim to add to the established MPA network by:
- facilitating ecosystem recovery and enhancement
- enhancing the benefits that coastal communities and others derive from our seas
- contributing to the mitigation of climate change impacts
- supporting ecosystem adaptation and improving resilience
Speaking to Radio Skye on Monday, MP for Skye and Lochalsh, Ian Blackford wished to stress that at present Highly Marine Protected Areas had been proposed and were not legislation but said that jobs must not be put at risk if the plans were to be progressed.
Man arrested in SNP finance and funding investigation
Police Scotland have today arrested a 71-year-old man in in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.
In a statement, Police Scotland said that the man is in custody and is being questioned by Police Scotland detectives.
A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
Police Scotland have urged the public to exercise caution if discussing the matter on social and to abide by the Contempt of Court Act 1981.
As the investigation is ongoing, Police Scotland said it is unable to comment further.
On 5th April, former SNP Chief Executive Officer Peter Murrell was arrested and then released without charge as part of the Police Scotland investigation.
Skye to face Glenurquhart for place in MacTavish Cup Final
Skye Camanachd men have been drawn against National Division side Glenurquhart in the semi-finals of the MacTavish Cup.
The islanders secure their place in the last four in style with a thumping 5-1 win over Beauly away on Saturday.
Ross Gordon opened the scoring in the fifth minute for Skye, but Beauly drew level in the 18th minute through Ross Brindle.
However, in a fine second half showing from Skye, Ruraidh MacLeod hit a 12-minute hat-trick before Jordan Murchison put the cherry on top for Skye with their fifth goal in the 78th minute.
Lochcarron Primary School pupils had the pleasure of making the draw for the semi-finals on Monday.
Kenny Seel and Maura Mackenzie drew Skye to play National Division outfit Glenurquhart at home, while heavyweights Newtonmore and Kingussie will lock horns for the second final spot.
Skye will host Glenurquhart on Saturday 13th May at Pairc Nan Laoch in Portree at 2.30pm. Newtonmore will welcome Kingussie to the Eilean on the same day for a 3pm throw up.
News by Adam Gordon.
You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh at the times below by clicking on the banner.
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The Portree Post Office is set to reopen on a two-day a week basis from this Thursday (30th March).
The Skye capital service has been in abeyance since 9th February due to operational reasons.
However, on Sunday, Rob Wilson, who owns the Kyle Mace shop which includes the village post office, announced that he would be bringing post office services back to Portree on Thursday and Fridays.
Commenting to Radio Skye on Sunday night, Mr Wilson said he would be in Portree for the transfer of the service on Monday with the shop due to reopen on Thursday 30th March.
Mr Wilson said that the service would be run on Thursdays and Fridays between 9am and 5pm.
He said that to enable customers to use the service during lunchtime there would be no breaks in service and the post office would be fully operational throughout the eight-hour period.
In a statement sent to Radio Skye, a Post Office spokesperson said: “We are pleased to announce that Portree Post Office is to re-open on 30 March at the current location.
“We know how important a Post Office is to a community and a part-time service will allow us to restore Post Office services as soon as possible. The branch will be open on a Thursday and Friday from 9am – 5pm.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by being unable to provide a full-time service at this time. The same range of Post Office services will be available.
They added: “Alternative branches are Struan, Uig, Dunvegan and Broadford and there are outreach branches at Sconser and Edinbane. Customers are recommended to visit postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder to see these locations, opening times and services provided.”
Earlier this month, Radio Skye heard from fellow island services trying to bridge the gap during the pause in service at the Portree Post Office.
Gillian Brown, the resident postmistress in Uig, said that the north Skye shop had experienced levels of custom like that seen at Christmas time, while Megan and Adam MacDonald, who run the Post Office in Broadford, said there had been a five-fold increase in business.
Uig ferries suspension continues
The suspension of services at Uig harbour will continue today as the Highland Council seeks to resolve issues with the temporary bridge at the Skye port.
In the meantime, CalMac are instead operating a daily service between Lochmaddy and Ullapool.
The ferry operator took the decision to divert sailings away from Uig on Thursday after it emerged that vehicles greater than 10 metres in length were unable to travel through it.
The closure came just hours Uig harbour reopen from a nine-week closure for vital redevelopment works to prepare for a new linkspan.
CalMac has said it is pressing the harbour authority Highland Council to resolve this matter as quickly as possible so that we can resume our services to Uig.
For more information, please visit the CalMac website here.
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Shinty: mixed fortunes for Skye and Lochalsh sides
MacTavish Cup
There were mixed fortunes for the local shinty sides across Skye and Lochalsh this weekend with Skye men’s first team progressing to the second round of the MacTavish Cup, while Shiel men’s first fell to defeat.
Skye Camanachd prevailed in extra-time in a 3-2 away win against Fort William, while Shiel were eliminated by Newtonmore after enduring a 2-0 loss.
Skye opened the scoring thanks to Ross Gordon but the islanders were pegged back five minutes later by the home side who equalised through a Victor Smith penalty.
The scores remained levelled until the 56th minute when Jack Fraser struck to put Fort William ahead. With 15 minutes to play Skye drew level courtesy of James Pringle, whose goal took the game to extra-time.
In the 112th minute Sam Stubbs scored Skye’s third goal to seal their place in the second round.
Skye have been drawn against Beauly this afternoon in the quarter-finals.
Beauly secure passage to the quarter finals with a thumping 5-1 win away to Strathglass.
Kinlochshiel tough start to the 2023 campaign continued at the Eilean on Saturday as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Newtonmore.
Craig MacLeod and Craig MacIsaac scored as the Lochalsh side suffered their third successive loss this season.
The other MacTavish Cup ties see Lochaber take on Newtonmore, while Lovat will entertain holders Kingussie at Balgate.
North Division 1
Skye seconds lost 4-3 away to Kingussie despite a spirited performance in which they came back twice from 1-0 and then 3-2 down.
Ruraidh MacLeod scored twice and Archie Miller was also on the scoresheet for Skye.
WCA North Division 2
Shiel ladies earned a 2-0 away win against Glenurquhart thanks to goals from Lexie MacKenzie and Alaina MacLennan in either half in their WCA North Division 2 clash.
The victory puts Shiel third in the table with two wins from their first two games.
Skye ladies second team endured a game to forget as Inverness ran riot to claim a 9-2 win at Bught Park thanks in large part to four goals apiece from Isla McNeil and Kamryn Hughes.
News by Adam Gordon
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