Domestic abuse charges in Skye rise by 163 percent

Domestic abuse related charges reported to the Procurator Fiscal in Portree have risen by 163 percent in a year, according to new figures from the Crown Office.

The figures show 71 charges were reported in the area in the year to March 2026, compared with 27 the previous year.

The increase is considerably higher than the national rise.

Across Scotland, 34,586 domestic abuse related charges were reported, an increase of 14 percent on the previous year.

It is the highest annual total recorded in more than a decade.

COPFS says 91% of the charges reported across Scotland resulted in court proceedings.

The figures are based on charges rather than individual people. A single case can involve more than one charge.

Lord Advocate ‘concerned’ by increase

Lord Advocate Ruth Charteris KC has described the national increase as “concerning for all of us”.

She says protecting women and girls from abusive men will be a priority during her time in office.

The Lord Advocate said every charge reported to prosecutors reflects the suffering of a victim, with the overwhelming majority involving a woman harmed by a man.

She said prevention was essential, but that victims also needed the protection of the justice system.

She has promised a firm response from prosecutors, with cases pursued in a way that reflects the seriousness of the offending.

Calls for action

Scottish Women’s Aid says it cannot pinpoint the exact reason for the rise in the figures.

Its chief executive, Dr Marsha Scott, says increased awareness of domestic abuse and greater confidence in reporting are possible explanations.

But she says “any report of a domestic abuse offence is a cause for concern”, and that the figures are a stark reminder of the level of harm taking place every day.

She says urgent and consistent action is needed across services to ensure survivors and their children receive a response that maximises their safety.

Scottish Women’s Aid also says the majority of women never report their experiences.

More people seeking support

There has also been a significant increase in people contacting Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline.

Scottish Women’s Aid says contacts increased by 48 percent between 2024/25 and 2025/26, following a targeted awareness campaign.

Anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or concerned about someone else, can contact Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline on 0800 027 1234.

Local support is available through Ross-shire Women’s Aid via www.rosswa.co.uk or by calling 01349 863 568.

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Why aren’t Coastguard rescue helicopters using Portree’s helipad?

Coastguard rescue helicopters have not used a purpose built helipad in Portree for three years.

The facility continues to be used by other emergency helicopter operators, including the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Former paramedic and health campaigner Neil Campbell says Coastguard helicopters have instead been using alternative landing sites in Portree.

Mr Campbell says it has been difficult to establish what needs to be done for the problem to be fixed.

He says one incident brought the issue into sharp focus.

A local woman suffering a heart attack needed to be flown to Raigmore Hospital, but Mr Campbell says the Coastguard helicopter did not land on the helipad.

Instead, he says, it landed on rough ground near Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh and the patient had to walk across it to reach the aircraft.

He said:

“She had a heart attack which is time critical. So speed is very important to get her into Raigmore to get her treated.”

Mr Campbell says landing on rough ground also requires the pilot to find and assess an appropriate site.

He said:

“You’ve got to find a suitable patch of ground, then the pilot has to assess it, is it hard enough, is it soft enough, is it going to take the weight of the helicopter, is it level enough, is it safe enough?”

He says the alternative King George V playing field is not always available and is not rated for the weight of the Coastguard helicopter.

He argues the purpose built helipad provides a safer and more controlled location for emergency transfers, including at night.

Scottish Ambulance Service helicopter takes off from the Portree helipad

The background

The issue follows concerns raised after an incident involving a Coastguard S-92 helicopter at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth in 2023.

Two elderly women were blown over by the helicopter’s downwash as it landed. One of the women died.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch subsequently made recommendations about the safety of helicopter landing sites.

Mr Campbell says the incident led to Coastguard helicopters no longer using helipads such as Portree.

He initially approached HM Coastguard about the situation, before involving local MSP and MP offices.

He says a senior Scottish Government civil servant was then appointed to lead discussions between the organisations involved.

What does Bristow say?

Bristow operates the Coastguard search and rescue helicopters.

The company says safety is its first priority and that it has assessed the Portree helipad.

A spokesperson told Radio Skye:

“Safety of the public and our crews and those we are called on to assist is always our first priority.

“Operations to Helicopter Landing Sites are governed by Civil Aviation Authority guidelines and the Portree helipad is used by a variety of operators. However, following our assessment against the CAA requirements applicable to HM Coastguard Search and Rescue operations, we currently operate to alternative approved landing locations in the area.

“We continue to engage with the parties responsible for the Portree helipad regarding the requirements for its future use.”

Bristow has not specified what changes are required before its helicopters can use the helipad again, or given a timetable for that to happen.

Other use of the helipad

The Scottish Ambulance Service says it considers the Portree helipad suitable for its own operations.

A spokesperson told Radio Skye:

“Both SAS and the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance consider the Portree helipad to be a suitable landing site and can access it as required. It should be noted that each organisation makes its own assessment of a landing site’s suitability based on a range of factors, including weather conditions, equipment and the type of aircraft being used.”

NHS Highland says its Director of Estates has provided professional advice to Portree and Braes Community Trust, which owns the helipad, based on the health board’s experience of managing the helipad at Raigmore.

The health board says it does not manage or operate community helipads.

What is being done?

The Scottish Government says it has helped bring the organisations together to try to resolve the issue.

A spokesperson told Radio Skye:

“The Scottish Government helped facilitate bringing the organisations together to discuss and move forward with developing protocols for Search and Rescue Helicopters using the community helipad. This is a matter for Portree & Braes Community Trust, Bristow and HM Coastguard.”

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said:

“Safety is paramount at helicopter landing sites. Where sites require compliance work, contingency plans will ensure HM Coastguard helicopters can deliver people safely into the appropriate onward medical care.”

A specialist company, GreenDeck Solutions, has prepared a helicopter operations manual for the Community Trust at no charge.

Mr Campbell says the manual is ready to go, and that the company has also offered to return to Portree and carry out another survey free of charge.

Mr Campbell says the situation remains unresolved.

He said:

“Not a single coastguard helicopter has landed on the Portree helipad [in three years]. The difficulty was finding out first of all, that there was a problem. Secondly, what do we have to do?”

For now, Bristow says its helicopters are using alternative approved landing locations in the area while it continues to engage with those responsible for the Portree helipad.

Home Farm – public meeting to discuss Portree care home’s future

A public meeting has been arranged to examine the future of Home Farm in Portree. It’s being organised by the Save Portree Hospital campaign group.

The care home has been given until August to make changes after a damning report from the Care Inspectorate. It criticised a “toxic work culture” and highlighted staff shortages.

Neil Campbell from Save Portree Hospital told Radio Skye:

“When the NHS took over (Home Farm) in 2020, we knew the old private company had problems and it was in serious danger. We thought it would be good from then on with a huge back up from NHS Highland and they would come in and make sure Home Farm survived.

“At that time we were looking at 40 beds. NHS Highland did refurbishments inside the building – I think it’s still ongoing, they’ve got a long way to go – and we’re down to 25 beds. That’s hugely concerning when you think of all the homes that were around Skye.”

The meeting is on 3 August at the Church of Scotland Hall in Portree.

A spokesperson for NHS Highland said:

“We recognise that the Care Inspectorate has concluded that further work is required to fully meet all of the requirements set out in the Improvement Notice for Home Farm Care Home.

“Since the inspection, we have taken extensive action to strengthen leadership, governance, staffing oversight, clinical support and quality assurance within the home. We have also increased support for staff, recruited additional personnel and continued work to improve the care environment. While we have made progress, we accept that there is more to do and we are fully committed to delivering the remaining improvements.

“We welcome the ongoing scrutiny of the Care Inspectorate and will continue to work closely with residents, families, staff and our partners to ensure Home Farm provides the safe, compassionate and high-quality care that people have a right to expect.

“The safety, wellbeing and experience of residents remain our highest priority.”

Listen to the full interview with Neil Campbell below.

Isle of Skye Half Marathon & 10K – Results

The weather failed to dampen the spirits of the intrepid runners taking part in Saturday’s half marathon, 10K, fun run and toddler dash in Portree.

Tom Cunningham of Corstorphine AAC produced an outstanding run to take victory in 1:15:42, securing the 2026 half marathon title in impressive fashion.

Close behind was David Massicotte-Azarniouch, who finished second in 1:16:00, while John Gibbs of Penicuik Harriers completed the men’s podium with a time of 1:16:33.

Tom Cunningham

Gayle Lindsay of PH Racing Club was the first woman home in 1:25:41.

Gayle Lindsay

Second on the women’s podium went to Jessica MacPherson, who crossed the finish line in 1:29:06. In addition to finishing as runner up, MacPherson also secured the Female Under-21 title. Jennifer McGuire took third place in the women’s competition, finishing in 1:30:57.

The 10K route took runners from Tote over the Struan road and into Portree. Dean Baillie led from the front, taking overall victory in 39:13 and becoming the only athlete to break the 40 minute barrier. Andrew Liley followed closely behind in 40:00, while Donnie Nicolson completed the men’s podium in 41:05. Nicolson was also the first athlete aged 60 and over to cross the finish line.

Among the women, Laura Smith claimed first place in 41:57. Harriet Smerdon-White secured second place in 42:51, while Donna Finlayson of Victoria Park City of Glasgow AC completed the women’s podium with a time of 46:12.

A total of 863 participants competed across all of the distances and events. You can find a full list of results here.

Sam, Raph and Daniel

The Radio Skye commentary team were on hand to cheer people over the line.

Further results and category winners are expected to be published by organisers in the coming days.

Isle of Skye Half Marathon & 10K – everything you need to know

The Isle of Skye Half Marathon takes place this weekend. Runners can enjoy a spectacular route from Portree out to Borve, through Tote, and back via the hill road.

There’s also a 10K, Fun Run, and Toddler Dash with more than 1,000 runners taking part.

A host of local groups are involved, including the RNLI, which will be providing a BBQ. The Brownies will be manning water stations on the route as usual. They are part of more than 100 volunteers who will be keeping the event running smoothly.

Runners are travelling from 22 countries around the world, highlighting the event’s growing international appeal. Local participation remains strong, with more than 130 runners from Skye itself.

The time to beat from 2025 is 1hr 16mins 24secs, set by Kyle Price. Eilidh Bell was the fastest woman home last year at 1hr 24mins 42secs. The half marathon has been running since 1984. Cameron Milne holds the all-time record at 1hr 9mins 10secs. Rachel Haines is still the fastest woman at 1hr 23mins 32secs. The fastest 10K time is held by Craig Bell at 35mins 45secs. Eillie Marshall is the fastest woman at 47mins 7secs.

Read on for all the key information.

Registration

Runners can register between 5pm–8pm on Friday at Portree High School, and between 8.30am–9.45am on Saturday.

Race day

Bag drops are available at the high school gym from 9.30am on Saturday morning. Registration closes at 9.45am.

For those doing the 10K, buses will take runners to the start line. Boarding starts at 9.20am, and buses leave at 9.35am sharp.

For half marathon runners, the warm-up starts at 10.05am outside. The Pipe Band will welcome runners to the start line shortly after. The race starts at 10.20am.

The 10K and Fun Run start at 10.30am. The Toddler Dash is on the football pitch at 11.10am.

Radio Skye will be providing commentary on the day and will welcome runners over the finish line. Give us a wave!

Road closures

The following roads will be temporarily closed on Saturday:

• B8036 – 09:45 to 12:15
• A850 to A87 – 10:10 to 12:30
• C1233 from A850 to B885 – 10:10 to 12:50
• B885 to A87 – 10:10 to 13:20

Emergency vehicles will still be able to pass during the road closures.

Results

Prize-giving will take place at 1pm. The categories are as follows:

Male
1st, 2nd, and 3rd

Female
1st, 2nd, and 3rd

Age categories

Male: 40+, 50+, 60+, 70+, 80+
Female: 40+, 50+, 60+, 70+, 80+

Locals
1st and 2nd Male and Female Skye Resident
1st Oldest Skye Resident

Teams
1st Male and Female Teams (first 3 male/female runners in a team)

Charity

The 2026 Skye Half Marathon & 10K supports three local charities and has raised more than £250,000 for good causes over its history.

• Skye & Lochalsh Citizens Advice Bureau: providing free, confidential, and impartial advice to empower individuals to solve problems and improve their lives.
• Skye and Lochalsh Mental Health Association (SLMHA): offering a welcoming and supportive space for adults facing mental health challenges, fostering community and well-being.
• Skye Cancer Care: delivering compassionate hospice care locally for people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses, enabling them to stay close to loved ones in their community.

Cèilidh

This year’s event marks the culmination of Skye Week, organised by Light Up Portree. There will be a ‘Final Fling’ Cèilidh in the Portree Community Centre with local musicians. Tickets available here.

Listen to Anne Marie Ferguson from the organising committee giving all the key information below.

Skye and Raasay could face new controls on holiday lets under Highland Council plans

People are being asked for their views on plans to introduce new controls on short-term holiday lets across parts of the Highlands.

Highland Council has opened a six week consultation on proposals for two Short Term Let Control Areas (STLCAs), including one covering Skye and Raasay, Lochalsh, Lochaber, Wester Ross and Sutherland.

If approved, homeowners would need planning permission before changing a residential property into a secondary short-term let, such as an Airbnb, where the owner does not normally live in the property.

The council said the move was aimed at balancing tourism with increasing pressure on local housing.

Figures released as part of the consultation show that 13.6% of homes sold in Skye and Lochalsh between 2019 and 2024 were later converted into short-term lets.

Highland Council also said more than 38% of homes sold across the proposed rural control area during the same period were bought by people from outside the Highlands.

Portree has the highest concentration of anywhere in the Highlands, with more then 30% of homes operating as licensed short-term lets as of July 2025.

The authority said housing pressure in rural communities is contributing to wider issues including depopulation and falling school rolls.

Council convener Bill Lobban said tourism remained “vital” to the Highland economy and stressed the proposals would not amount to a ban on holiday lets.

He said: “What they allow us to do is balance tourism growth with local housing need by managing concentrations of short-term lets in areas where housing availability or neighbourhood amenity is adversely affected.”

The consultation runs until 23 June, with a drop in event due to take place in Portree on 25 May.

A separate proposed control area would cover parts of Inverness, where the council said large numbers of city centre flats had been converted into short-term accommodation.

Skye Live 2026: Local talent and trad superstars stun Portree crowds

Revellers were treated to a star studded lineup at this year’s Skye Live Festival over the weekend. Despite chilly temperatures, the weather failed to dampen the spirits of the crowd.

“Skye Live…is probably the best festival in the country.” – Innes Strachan

Dougie MacLean kicked things off in style at Thursday’s opening concert, followed by Beluga Lagoon.

Friday saw a host of well known acts and some newcomers take to the big tent stage, with Mànran topping the bill. Gary Innes from the band told Radio Skye:

“Skye holds a special place in my heart from all those years coming up and playing shinty here. To be playing at a festival like this with the band is always wonderful and the reception you get on Skye is electric and something you don’t forget. 

Gary Innes with Radio Skye’s Suzy Lee

The 2026 lineup also showcased rising stars like Dàna and Irish act Huartan. Local band El Sartel were met with a warm reception on Saturday afternoon with members sporting retro Staffin FC football shirts to hammer home their north end credentials.

Drummer David Matheson told Radio Skye:

“I was really chuffed with how many folk showed up. I was responsible for three of them, my wife and my two children! Skye’s beautiful and there’s plenty of other things you could do other than watch us, so I was really pleased.”

El Sartel sporting Staffin FC shirts

For the first time, there were breakout events off site, with a family cèilidh at the Portree Community Centre on Saturday afternoon, and a special screening of Solas na Maidne – the new documentary following Niteworks through their final tour which began at Skye Live. Innes Strachan from Niteworks performed on the Saturday with his new outfit, LUSA.

He told Radio Skye:

“We drew the curtains on the whole Niteworks thing which was an emotional experience for us all. We played in the tent at Skye Live at the beginning of that tour. It was probably one of the most memorable we ever played and features in the documentary. On Thursday (14th May) we’re releasing the film on a pay-per-view on our website and the live album of that tour too.”

Innes went on to praise the festival:

“Skye Live is probably the best festival in Scotland for crowd interaction. The energy is always ridiculous. In fact I think it’s probably the best festival in the country.” 

Trail West

Portree and Braes Trust has announced it has completed the purchase of the King George V playing field, taking it into community ownership.

The group raised the required £35,000 from donations and with support from the Scottish Land Trust.

The purchase has been a long process owing to the age of some of the original documents.

The land was originally part of the historic Clan MacDonald before being included in a mass sell-off by to Fearann Eilean Iarmain in the 1970s.

The Trust’s Chair, Donnie Nicolson, said:

“This is a huge achievement for everyone involved and an important first step in our long-term plans to develop Camanachd Square for the wider community.

“It has been a long time coming and we would like to thank everyone involved for their donations, hard work and patience, particularly all of the local partners in our Sponsor a Square scheme and the Portree Under 15 Football team who cycled around the North of Skye and raised almost £4,000 towards the land purchase.”

Speaking on behalf of Fearann Eilean Iarmain, Lucilla Noble, said:

“I’m delighted that Fearann Eilean Iarmain has been able to help Portree and Braes Community Trust to secure ownership of this special ground for the community, ensuring this much-loved recreation space will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.

“I hope it will bring significant benefit to the community of Portree, and I look forward to seeing it flourishing into the future. I wish the Trust all the very best of success with their plans.”

The Trust also wants to develop Portree Community Centre so that it is also taken into community ownership.

Skye councillor hits back at claims local authority is at fault for Portree public toilet closure

A local councillor has responded to criticism of Highland Council following a story published by Radio Skye about the continued closure of the public toilets in Portree.

“If you are one of those keyboard warriors out there for once try to write a fact rather than just make something up.”

In a Facebook post, Councillor Drew Millar said the local authority carried out repairs shortly after the incident that led to the facility shutting in December, and insisted the ongoing delay is down to the electricity supplier responsible for installing a new meter.

The toilets have been closed since a water leak left the building without power at the end of last year.

Mr Millar said work was completed within a week of the leak by council contractors.

However, he claimed the electrical supply company has missed several scheduled appointments and has not provided a date for the work to be completed, despite what he described as continued pressure from the council.

Councillor Drew Millar

He also criticised what he described as inaccurate claims online following Radio Skye’s report, urging people to check the facts before blaming the local authority for the continued closure.

Writing on Facebook, he said:

“Despite continuing pressure from Council the company are still unwilling to supply a date when they will fit the new meter. As I am writing this I am hoping for a latest update. So please if you are one of those key board warriors out there for once try to write a fact rather than just make something up.”

The original story featured concerns from Portree business Siaway, who said visitors are regularly asking to use their facilities.

Highland Council says public toilets are not a statutory responsibility for local authorities.

Drew Millar’s Facebook post in full:

“It seems this is another stick to beat the Council with when the blame quite clearly is with the supplier, or in this case the non supplier, of the electricity meter.

Following the water damage at the end of last year all remedial works were carried out by local contractors with the installation of a new meter the final component needed to finish the job.

Despite continuing pressure from Council the company are still unwilling to supply a date when they will fit the new meter. As I am writing this I am hoping for a latest update. So please if you are one of those key board warriors out there for once try to write a fact rather than just make something up.

FACT : Highland Council carried out the necessary repairs, within one week following the water leak back in December 2025, since then we have been waiting for the electrical supply company to attend and replace the electric meter, they have failed to show up to at least four appointments and we are continuing to chase them.”