Praise for Highland students after exams results

The chair of the Highland Council’s Education Committee has praised the efforts of students across the region on exam results day.

The Skye and Raasay Councillor comments came as more than 1.600 pupils across the Highlands achieved five or more National 5 qualifications – which marked a two per cent increase on 2022.

Statistics provided by the Highland Council show that 67.4 per cent of S4 pupils achieved a National 5 English award and 47.5% achieved a National 5 Maths award.

Nineteen percent of S5 pupils achieved 5 or more Higher awards (A-D pass), an increase of 1.7% from last year, while 4.8 per cent of S5 pupils achieved five ‘A’ grade Higher awards.

Speaking to Radio Skye, Councillor Finlayson commended the hard work shown by pupils in achieving their results.

Visitor levy bill under scrutiny in new local survey

Skye Connect has launched survey to gauge local business owner and operators view on the Scottish Govenment’s visitor levy bill.

If passed by the Scottish Parliament, the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill will give councils the power to apply a levy on stays in overnight accommodation based on a percentage of the accommodation cost.

The bill will come into effect in 2026 if it is passed by parliament.

Speaking to Radio Skye, Skye Connect communications director Simon Cousins said the group had concerns over the bill and urged local operators to give feedback through the survey.

Skye Connect will submit the survey results to local councillors by the 17th of August and to the Housing and Local Government Committee by early September.

Sell out Flannan Isles play sailing to Skye

A hit play centring on the Flannan Isles mystery is coming to Skye next month as part of a coastal communities’ tour.

Izzy Gray’s Keeper of the Light – will be performed at the Skye Gathering Hall in Portree on Thursday 14th September.

The work is inspired by the enigmatic disappearance of three keepers from their post on the Flannan Isle Lighthouse in December 1900.

Fresh from its sell-out run in 2022, Keepers of the Light is an old mystery told through a modern lens, the play combines traditional storytelling with contemporary staging, movement direction by Ana Norrie-Toch and an original score by Ewan Watson.

Evening entertainment in Somerled Square

The Isle Skye Pipe Band will lead much a pre-games Ceilidh this evening in Portree ahead of the main competitions of the Isle of Skye Highland Games tomorrow.

The pipe band, who perform weekly during the summer season which put on a special show for the much-anticipated event.

They will be joined by the Isle of Skye Youth Pipe Band, Dannsairean an Eilein Sgitheanach and the band’s own drummer and singer Ali MacFarlane, who stole the show at this year’s Skye Live Festival.

The special show starts at 8pm tonight at Somerled Square in Portree, and all proceeds will be gifted to local charities Skye community nurses and the Skye branch of Cancer Research UK.

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Skye model ship fetches £30,000 for Cancer Research at auction

A model of a cruise liner ship which was on display for years at Portree Hospital and a Skye arts venue has sold for £30,000 at auction in London in aid of Cancer Research UK.

The intricately handcrafted model of the S.S Atlantis – contained in a glazed wooden case – is believed to have been made by English toy manufacturer Bassett Lowke circa 1929.

Helen Nicolson, one of the founding members of the Skye branch of Cancer Research UK, told Radio Skye that the charity was approached by the team at the Aros Centre in Portree, where the model had last been on public display, to ask if the charity would like it.

Mrs Nicolson accepted the donation on behalf of the charity and stored it in a shed.

However, a year ago, Donald MacKenzie, a cousin of Mrs Nicolson’s husband Alasdair, decided to do some research into the model and found Charles Miller Ltd auctioneers in London, who specialise in maritime objects.

The model went up for sale on Tuesday as part of a selection of maritime and scientific models, instruments, and art at an auction by Charles Miller Ltd in London.

It was valued at £12,000-£18,000 but exceeded expectations by going for an incredible sum of £30,000.

Mrs Nicolson, who was watching the sale unfold by webcast, told Radio Skye “it was incredible”, and said that all those involved in the Skye branch of Cancer Research UK were “very pleased about it.”

She added that the sale would not have happened had it not been for the hard work and research undertaken by Donald MacKenzie from Appin.

All the funds, after commission, will go towards Cancer Research UK.

Skye and Raasay to receive roads funding boost 

An extra £1.5 million of funding from the Highland Council is set to be awarded for Skye and Raasay roads, pending agreement by members at a meeting next week.

The Highland Council’s economy and infrastructure committee will decide on the distribution of the extra finance for road repairs at a meeting on Thursday 4th May.

Commenting on the potential award, Skye and Raasay Councillor Drew Millar said the local councillors had put their case forward forcibly to the administration leaders with strong support from the Ward 10 roads manager.

Councillor Millar, said if the funds are approved, the total the spend on the “badly deteriorating road network” will be closed to £2.7 million.

He went on to say: “I am delighted with the commitment shown by the Administration to allocate the funds this year to where the needs are greatest rather than sticking to the allocation formula used for the normal annual funding. We will all see a massive difference in the ward over the next 10 months.”

North West Skye go top in West Highland football league

North West Skye have moved to the top of the West Highland Amateur Football League with a 5-2 win over Portree at the King George V playing field last night.

The win was Graham Campbell side’s third on the spin with the team having scored 20 goals across all competitions in those three matches.

North West have seven points so far and sit one ahead of Mallaig and reigning champions Sleat who were also in action last night in the Skye capital.

Sleat also scored five but were pushed all the way by a dogged Portree Juniors side. Late goals from Cameron MacLeod and James Robertson earned the south Skye club a 5-2 win which took them to six points and joint second in the table.

West Highland Amateur Football League table 

Shiel star Alaina joins Camanachd Association 

Kinlochshiel star Alaina MacLennan has joined the Camanachd Association as its regional development (east) and welfare officer.

The Shiel ladies’ player joins the national shinty organisation after recently completing her degree in BA (Hons) Sports Coaching and Development at the University of the West of Scotland.

Alaina has been an important player for the table-topping North Division 2 side, who have won five on the trot.

She was on the scoresheet in Shiel’s 10-1 thrashing of Lovat on Sunday, as they cemented their position as league leaders, and has four goals already this season in the league.

Commenting on her appointment, she said she was very excited to start in her new role with the Camanachd Association.

She added: “I have a massive passion for developing and promoting shinty and can’t wait to work alongside the clubs and local authorities to increase shinty participation and opportunities throughout the communities.”

News by Adam Gordon

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