Scottish Goverment “hindering” new Skye school build

Skye and Raasay Councillor Ruraidh Stewart accused the Scottish Goverment of hindering the construction of new primary school for Broadford and said there is no further room for delay on the project.

At present, the Highland Council is not able to precede with its current plans, or plan for future capitals projects, until the Scottish Goverment announces round three of Learning Estate Investment Programme.

The decision was expected to be made in December 2022.

Commenting to Radio Skye, Councillor Stewart described the conditions of the current school building at Broadford as deplorable, and claimed that surveys had revealed a third of the students at the school suffer from breathing problems due to dampness.

Meanwhile, the delay in the LEIP funding award also affects the pathway for a much-needed new primary school for Dunvegan.

The school building in north Skye has been affected by flooding and recurring damp and mould.

In an update sent to MSP Kate Forbes on Wednesday, which has been shared with Radio Skye, Scottish Education secretary Jenny Gilruth said that further time was needed to decide which projects would form part of phase three.

She said the delay was due to impact of market volatility on current projects and price increases.

Ms Gilruth said, and it is important that we get them right. However, I am committed to announcing the successful phase 3 projects as soon as possible.

Contentious HPMA plans halted

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition Mairi McAllan has today halted controversial plans to introduce Highly Protected Marine Areas in Scotland’s water.

Ms McAllan made the announcement during a ministerial statement to Scottish Parliament on Thursday afternoon (29th June@

The minster said responses to the original consultation will continue to be analysed and that a further update would follow the summer recess.

Reacting to the announcement, Skye and Lochalsh’s MSP Kate Forbes welcomed the decision and urged island communities to continue to engage with future marine protection consultations.

Ms Forbes said it was a welcome change in tack by the Scottish Government.

But added that it was now critical that any new proposals for marine protected areas consider communities’ views, fishermen’s lived experiences and the importance of a truly just transition.

Scotland’s current Marine Protected network includes sites for nature conservation, protection of biodiversity and covers approximately 37 per cent of our seas.

However, the Scottish Government planned to introduce HPMAs in 10 per cent of Scotland’s seas.

Portree Nursery has today closed it waiting list for children under three due to staffing ratios and industry guidelines.

A spokesperson for the nursery said that the decision had been made with regret but had to be taken because of care inspectorate restrictions of the number of children attending at any one time.

Earlier this week the Highland Council launched a childcare survey to gauge the needs of parents across Skye and Raasay.

The questionnaire followed a childcare crisis meeting held in Portree earlier this month.

Portree Nursery announced the news via social media.

Opening of new Skye playpark delayed

The opening of a new £120,000 play park on Skye is set to be delayed due to issue concerning insurance.

The Matheson Place Play Park group which is overseeing the project, is part of the Portree and Braes Community Trust.

In an update today, the group said that signage was still to be installed while a few minor need to be resolved to satisfy the insurance policy.

The group said the hope to have the issues addressed by the end of the week so the park in Portree could be open on Saturday in time for the school holidays.

However, the group which has been led by Portree resident Tiffany Maberley – pictured above left with fellow volunteer Fiona Stoddart –  said that official opening of the park would take place in either July or August to allow more time to organise the celebration.

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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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