Skye mothers to hold candlelight vigil for people of Gaza
A group of mothers on Skye will hold a silent candlelight in solidarity with the people of Gaza in Portree next week
The Skye Mothers for the Children of Gaza Vigil will be held in Somerled Square on Wednesday 29th November at 6.30pm.
Dawn Campbell, who is one of the organisers, told Radio Skye that a group of local mothers have been moved by the plight of mothers and children in Gaza, and all other innocent civilians affected, and have decided to organise a silent and candlelit vigil for peace.
She said the vigil was a chance for people to show solidarity with mothers whose children are not sleeping safely in their beds at night.
She added that all are warmly invited to come along.
Meanwhile, island support group, the SkyeFugees has announced it will be hosting a pop-up shop to raise money for UNICEF’s Children in Gaza Crisis Appeal.
The event will be held at An Talla Mor at Sabhal Mor Ostaig College on Saturday 24th November between 4pm and 8pm
Kingussie “devasted” by loss of young star Calum Mackintosh
Kingussie Camanachd have said it is devasted following the sudden death of its young player of the year, Calum Mackintosh, who died aged just 20 from suspected heart failure on Saturday.
Calum Mackintosh, who was in his second year of a law course at Napier University, was a rising star at Kingussie Camanachd having represented the club from under-14s level.
Initially part of the second team this season, he broke his way into the first with a string of outstanding performances and went onto score in the Macaulay Cup Final, and started in the Camanachd Cup Final. He earned his first Premiership and Macpherson trophy medals.
Calum was unanimously chosen by the club’s coaches as the young players of the year for his impressive form across the season.
The club described Calum as a role model and one of life’s genuinely nice people.
They said that they are all devastated and said their thoughts are with all of his family.
Community priorities “vital” in Highland Council budget process
The Highland Council is inviting people across the region to take part in budget challenge to help inform proposals and decisions which will made in February 2024.
The Council anticipates a budget gap of up to £70 million in 2024-25 and £108 million over the next three years.
The convener of the Highland Council, Councillor Bill Lobban said: “It is vital that the council understands what is important to communities to help us make the right decisions as we plan ahead for the next three years.
“You can take part in the budget challenge and a related survey by visiting the Highland Council website.
Mànran to “kick-off 2024 with a bang” in Portree
Trad stars Mànran will take to stage at Portree Community Centre on New Year’s Day for special concert.
The seven-piece band will play in Portree hot off the release of their latest single Wild Mountain Thyme, which is set to raise money for charities supporting the homeless in Scotland this Christmas time.
Gary Innes of Mànran said the group were ready to kick off 2024 with a bang, and couldn’t wait “to see the lovely people of Portree for a big old party very soon.”
Clean sweep for Shiel ladies at WCA Awards
Kinlochshiel Ladies are celebrating a clean sweep at the Women’s Camanachd Association Awards having won the team of the year, coach of the year, and player of the year accolades for North Division 2.
Shiel romped to the title by winning all but one of their 16 matches and boasted the meanest defence in the division with just 21 goals conceded, and the most prolific attack having scored 111 goals across the league campaign.
Andrew MacKenzie was recognised at the awards for leading Shiel not just to the title, but also for steering them to success in the Mowi Challenge Cup which they successfully defended this season after first winning the trophy in 2022.
Shiel hot shot Lorna MacRae was selected as the North Division 2 Player of the Year for her attacking exploits. MacRae formed a lethal partnership with rising star Lexi Mackenzie, and plundered 20 goals for the Lochalsh club.
She told Radio Skye: “I am very grateful, that I was selected as player of the year, and I looking forward to next season.”
“Next season, we will be in the National Division, I don’t think it will be easy for us. We have done really well this year, the girls and the coaches have put in a lot of hard work.
“It is going to be a challenge, but it is definitely what we need.”
Portree girls take the spoils in inaugural Skye and Lochalsh five-a-sides
A team representing Portree have won the Skye and Lochalsh Female Football Club’s inaugural five-a-side tournament which was held in the Skye capital on Saturday.
The competition took place at the Fingal Centre and North West Eagles player Ceitidh McNab was named as the player of the year.
Speaking to Radio Skye coach and organiser Sarah Yoxon gave a lowdon on the action.
“It went really well, we were a little nervous at how successful it was going to be as we are just in the early stages of trying to increase participation of girls and women in football in the Skye and Lochalsh area.” she said.
“We had four teams enter, and from the smile on their faces at the end of the day, I would say they all really enjoyed it!
“A team from Portree played against a team made up of girls from different parts of the island in the final. The Portree team won after a very successful day, going unbeaten throughout the competition.”
She added: “Looking forward, the club hopes we can build on this and provide more opportunities for females to play football in the Skye and Lochalsh area.”
You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh live at the times below by clicking on the banner. 
Runrig drummer to lead special 50 years celebrations at trad event
Runrig drummer Iain Bayne is set to be join by an array of trad stars to mark the 50th anniversary of the iconic band at the Hoolie in the Hydro event.
Scotland’s biggest night of traditional music, Hoolie in the Hydro will return to Glasgow this December following the success of last year’s inaugural event.
The festival will be held at Ovo Hydro in Glasgow on Saturday 9th December 2023,
The all-star line-up featuring some of the top names on the Scottish music scene, such as Mànran, Celtic rockers Wolfstone, and festival favourites Trail West, plus a special collaboration that will celebrate 50 Years of Runrig, featuring an array of special guests.
Runrig’s Iain Bayne was a key part of the band’s success across nearly three decades.
He will lead a special collaboration to celebrate the band’s milestone alongside trad heavyweights Julie Fowlis, Duncan Chisholm, and Gary Innes.
Highland Council approve net zero strategy
The Highland Council’s Net Zero Strategy recommended by its Climate Change Committee has received full approved by the local authority
The stratgey was given the green light by members during a full meeting of the Highland Council on Thursday
The Net Zero Strategy Group comprising senior managers working across Council services, will be accountable for developing a full costed, action plan for consideration by 14 December 2023.
Within its net zero strategy the Highland Councils has pledged that
- All new homes consented from 2024 to use net zero emissions
- Emissions will be reduced by at least 75 per cent by 2030
- Emissions will be reduced by at least 90 per cent by 2040
Community board calls for radical overhaul of ferry contract
The Ferries Community Board has welcomed the Scottish Parliament’s report on the need for a modern and sustainable service for Scotland.
The report was published this week by the parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee.
The Ferries Community Board said it agreed that future structures to manage ferry services must be fully accountable to ferry-dependent communities, as well as Government and Parliament.
It also welcomes the recommendation that young people in ferry-dependent communities should have concessionary fares for ferries.
However, independent body wants to see a radical overhaul of the contract itself with revised measures of success and far greater accountabilities to the communities served by the ferry services in Scotland.
Gaelic plan sets out five-year aims for Highlands
The Highland Council has endorsed a refreshed Gaelic Language Plan for 2023 through 2028 at full meeting of the local authority
Councillor Calum Munro, Chair of the Gaelic Committee, said the committee has work to ensure that the plan met statutory obligations whilst being innovative and accessible.
The Skye and Raasay member said the council’s aim is to ensure that Gaelic is recognised as an asset and enhances our cultural, economic and social wellbeing in the Highlands.
You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh live at the times below by clicking on the banner.