21 SEPTEMBER 2026

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A 23-year-old man has been airlifted to hospital after developing chest pain while walking the Skye Trail.

Skye Mountain Rescue Team was called out by Police Scotland at around 7pm on Saturday, after the man became unwell while camping on the Trotternish Ridge, between Creag a’ Lain and Baca Ruadh.

Poor weather prevented the Coastguard helicopter from Oban from reaching him directly. Six members of the rescue team were dropped off as close as conditions allowed before continuing on foot.

The man was assessed, given pain relief and protected from the elements before being carried by stretcher for around two hours to a landing site.

He was then flown by Coastguard helicopter to Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway.

It is one of several rescues linked to the Skye Trail carried out by the team in recent weeks.

The route runs for around 128 kilometres from Rubha Hunish in the north to Broadford in the south. It usually takes about a week to complete and passes through some of the island’s best known landscapes, including the Trotternish Ridge, the Quiraing, the Old Man of Storr and the Cuillin.

The issue of rescues on the route came into focus in August, when Radio Skye reported that Skye Mountain Rescue helped 20 people to safety in a single day. The team dealt with several separate incidents involving walkers who had got into trouble during heavy rain and strong winds.

At the time, the rescue team said the name “Skye Trail” could give the impression of an established path, when parts of the route are in fact much more challenging. The team advised walkers to check conditions, have a Plan B, carry a proper map and compass, and be prepared to turn back or get off high ground if the weather deteriorates.

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Twenty walkers rescued on Skye Trail in one day

Credit – Skye Mountain Rescue

 

Credit – Skye Mountain Rescue

North Skye urgent care under the spotlight

The provision of urgent for north Skye is set come under the spotlight at First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood today.

Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston will ask about the service which was expected to increase to seven days this month.

Since August this year, the urgent care service based at Portree Hospital has been operational from 8am until 8.30pm four days a week, on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Mr Halcro Johnstone will ask the cabinet secretary to tell him and his constituents in north Skye “when they will get this vital service back in Portree – for 7 days a week – as they have been promised?”

In an update in early November, a spokesperson for NHS Highland told Radio Skye that its team are continuing to work towards establishing a seven-day service.

However, they said that was dependent on a number of factors, including having sufficient staff who are able to deliver care at an advanced level.

Generation Game fundraiser to honour Harris

Emergency services personnel from across Skye and Lochalsh are joining forces to raise funds for a specialist piece of equipment to aid children living with cancer across the Highlands.

Workers from the local fire brigade, police, ambulance service and the local hospital are holding a Generation Game style event at Kyleakin village hall this Saturday to raise funds for a special pump which allows chemotherapy treatments to be administered out with hospital.

The emergency services members are holding the fundraising in honour of nine-year-old Harris Morrison who has been courageously fighting ill health all his life and was diagnosed with cancer towards the end of 2019.

Harris underwent intensive treatments at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital for close to two years before returning home to Skye in 2021.

Sadly, Harris has has a recurrence of his cancer. Unfortunately there are no treatment options and he is now receiving palliative care.

The organisers of the fundraisers said that Ruth and Peter, Harris’ parents, have been nothing but positive and incredible throughout what has to be the most difficult thing to face as parents.

The funds raised through the Generation Game night will be used to purchase a Computerised Ambulatory Delivery Device (CADD) pump which allows children to attend special occasions and have time at home whilst still receiving treatments via the pump.

It also enables symptom control to be administered at home during the last days of life.

The Generation Game event group are fundraising for Harris pumps that will be available in Raigmore Hospital for children with cancer in the Highland area so it does not have to be borrowed from Aberdeen hospital and will remain a legacy of this brave young boy.

The cost of one pump is £5000 and the group are also seeking donations to its raffle or auction which will be both be drawn on the night

The Generation Game Event will be held at 7pm on Saturday (25th November) at Kyleakin Hall.

Forbes calls for bespoke approach to tackle Highland housing crisis

Kate Forbes is calling for greater flexibility in housing policy rather than a one size fits all approach to tackle the challenges facing people in the Highlands

Speaking during a debate on the housing emergency in Scotland in Holyrood on Wednesday, Skye and Lochalsh’s MSP contended that bespoke solutions were needed to solve the distinct issues affecting people in her constituency.

Ms Forbes also argued that more attention should be paid to organisations like the Communities Housing Trust, which she described as exemplary.

Since being established in 1998, the Communities Housing Trust have worked on more than 120 community-led projects and seek to actively tackle repopulation.

The debate was led by Labour MSP Mark Griffin who has questioned the scale and speed of the Scottish Government’s plans for housing.

The Scottish Government has committed to delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 – with at least 10 per cent in remote, rural and island areas.

However, Mr Griffin has asked that the government set an interim target for 5,500 houses to be completed in rural areas by 2026.

According to figures from the National Statistics Publication for Scotland, there were more than 39,000 homeless applications across the country from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.

The figures represented an increase of nine per cent on the previous year’s figures.

Of those applications more than 32,000 applications were assessed as homeless which accounted for more than 53,000 people – a 10 per cent increase on 2021-22.

Highland has ranked as the sixth highest local authority out of 32 in Scotland for homeless applications from 2019 to 2023.

Niteworks’ Farewell: 2024 gigs to band’s last shows

Skye band Niteworks has today announced that 2024 will be their final year as a band.

In a statement released today via its socials, the band said they had made the decision with a heavy heart but it had never been a full-time venture for them.

They described their time playing together since the age of 17 as a blast and said never in their wildest dreams could they imagine where the band would have taken them.

Band members Allan, Chris, Innes and Ruairidh, said they had now reached a point in their lives where they have a few more responsibilities than when we started.

Niteworks will perform a small run of select shows in 2024 and said they would love to see as many fans at them as possible for one more dance.

They added that they had a huge amount of people to thank, and without the incredible support of their fans, none of this would ever have been possible.

Attadale Gardens chosen as Scotland’s best

Attadale Gardens has been announced as Scotland best in a Royal Horticultural Society Competition.

Attadale was chosen as Scotland winner RHS Regional Partner Garden of the Year

Custodian Joanna MacPherson, whose family have lived at Attadale for three generations, said: “It’s wonderful to have the hard work of the entire gardening team recognised again by our enthusiastic visitors. We are so pleased to get their kind and enthusiastic feedback.

Photo: members of the Attadale Gardens team with the award.

New farming funding for women and young people

Scotland’s Rural Affairs Secretary has announced a new fund to help women and young people develop careers in the farming sector.

Mairi Gougeon, who announced the support on Wednesday, said the funding would provide successful applicants with £500 each to help pay for practical training courses relevant to farming and crofting.

Speaking at the Royal Highland Centre, the Rural Affairs secretary said that supporting the next generation of farmers was imperative for the agriculture sector to continue to innovate and thrive.

She added that the Government was committed to helping women and young people stay in rural communities by equipping them with the necessary skills to pursue careers in farming and crofting.

For more information on  The Next Generation and Women in Agriculture Practical Training Funds, click here.

Skye Mountain Rescue Team boosted by £1,200 brownies fund

The Isle of Skye Brownies have been commended by the Skye Mountain Rescue Team after raising more than £1,200 for the life-saving organisation.

The Skye brownies raised a total of £1,254 for the charity.

A spokesperson for Skye Mountain Rescue described the efforts as outstanding, adding that currently three out of every five rescues in Scotland are funded by donations from the public.

The said that without such generous support as that from the brownies the emergency service would not being able to exist.

You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh live at the times below by clicking on the banner. 

NHS Highland “fully committed” to Skye nursing home recruitment

NHS Highland has said it is fully committed to attracting and retaining health care staff amid criticism from a Skye pressure group over vacancies at the island Home Farm nursing home.

SOS-NHS Skye has called in question NHS Highland’s recruitment process for 12 health care assistant posts at the Portree nursing home, which they claim have not be advertised or open for application for May.

However, NHS Highland has told Radio Skye is working hard to advertise post as continually open rolling adverts and set up special local recruitment pages on its website.

Ruth Fry is the local health authority’s head of communications and engagement.

She told Radio Skye: We are working closely with our colleagues in recruitment to be able to advertise more posts as a continually open, rolling advert.

“To help people navigate to particular locations within Highland on the national Job Train website we have set up links to different localities from the NHS Highland corporate website careers page.

“A short-life working group involving the community has been formed to focus on NHS recruitment in Skye, and we are fully committed to working together to attract and retain health and care staff.”

Radio Skye has approached SOS-NHS Skye for response to NHS Highland’s statement.

Balmacara Gala Day creates a buzz within local community

Circus performers, sporting events, live music, and sushshine were just some of the attractions at the second annual Balmacara Gala held in the village on Saturday.

Radio Skye were kindly invited to be part of the festivities on the day.

As well as being a great day out for locals and visitors to the village, the Balmacara Gala Day also acted a fundraising event for the Old Mill Hall restoration project.

Mardi Wood (pictured) is the organiser and chair of the fundraising committee for the Friends of Balmacara Old Mill Hall.

Speaking to Radio Skye, she said: “It is only our second Gala, but we are learning all the time, but I think there has been a wonderful turnout – it is just a lovely community feel.

“I think that everyone has engaged in buying into it, which is really nice.

Skye Mountain Rescue call-out captured in BBC ‘Close Call’ show

A call-out by the Skye Mountain Rescue Team to find a missing walker during Storm Otto has been featured on a new BBC programme.

The Skye MRT was involved in the search for Dr John Pike who was rescued after surviving two night on open hillside above Loch Coruisk with a broken femur during Storm Otto.

The rescue has been documented in the BBC’s close call show, which can viewed on its catch-up service.

Skye and Shiel ladies one game away from cup glory

Skye Ladies knocked out holders Badenoch to reach the final of the Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup Final following a 4-2 win in Spean Bridge on Sunday

Sarah Yoxon scored twice and Rhianna Kirk and Donna MacKenzie also struck for the islanders as they put their greatest rival to the sword in a memorable victory.

Kinlochshiel Ladies, meanwhile, are one game away from defending the Challenge Cup after a thumping 16-0 win Dunadd in Ballachullish.

Lorna MacRae and Lexie MacKenzie hit 11 of the goals between them as Shiel made it 14 wins from 14 across all competition.

Shiel men’s cup dreams dashed

Kinlochshiel were edged out Kingussie as their dreams of lifting the Artemis MacAulay Cup were dashed with a 2-1 defeat on Saturday.

Archie MacRae opened the scoring for Shiel but the reds were pegged back just before half-time and then conceded with 20 minutes remaining, which proved to be decisive.

However, the Lochalsh side will have the chance to gain revenge next month when they take on Kingussie in the semi-finals of the Camanachd Cup on 5th August.

Sleat and Strath tighten grip at the top of West Highland league

Reigning champions Sleat and Strath strengthened their lead in the West Highland Football League with a 5-1 win over Portree at the King George V playing field on Friday (21st July).

Connaire Yoxon, Cameron MacLeod, and Robin Harvey scored within the last eight minutes of the first half to put Sleat in a commanding position after what had been a largely even encounter until then.

Portree struck back on the hour-mark courtesy of a 40-yeard screamer from Nick Spencer reduce the deficit to two.

Cameron MacLeod scored with 10 minutes to go, though, to re-establish the visitors three-goal cushion before Mike Dunn fired in his first goal for the club to make it 5-1.

That victory coupled with North West Skye and Mallaig 1-1 draw, means that Sleat are now seven points clear at the summit.

Kyleakin are up to fifth after thrashing Kyle 7-2 on the mainland, while Portree Juniors continued their fine season with a 1-0 win in Lochaber against Fort William thanks to the league’s current player of the month, Paul MacKinnon, who scored to maintained their position in third.

Sleat’s Robin Harvey produced a player of the match performance in their 5-1 win against Portree.

You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh live at the times below by clicking on the banner. 

Fifty-year-old woman in serious condition after Elgol fall

A 50-year-old woman is in a serious condition after falling from a cliff in the Elgol area.

Police Scotland told Radio Skye that it received a report around 3.35pm on Thursday afternoon that a woman had fallen from a cliff in the Elgol area.

The Skye Mountain Rescue Team and coastguard rescue teams from Portree and Dunvegan, the Scottish Ambulance Service, Helimed were also involved in the multi-agency agency operation.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said that the 50-year-old was taken by air ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where she remains in a serious condition.

Coca Cola tops brand products pollution across Scotland

Environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage has published a new report highlighting the top 12 companies whose product comprise 70 per cent of plastic pollution in Scotland.

Collected by citizen scientists, the brand audit report found that Coca Cola’s plastic products topped the pollution list, with McDonald’s and Nestle taking second and third place.

The report which based on 39 audits conducted in Scotland, with 3,457 polluting items found.

Emily Johns, (pictured below) lives in south Skye and is part of the Skye Beach Cleans group.

Speaking to Radio Skye today about the survey, she said that Coca Cola has taken steps to tackle pollution by changing its bottles so the caps are attached to the bottles.

Surfers Against Sewage is urging the government to introduce an ‘all-in’ deposit return scheme (DRS) for drinks containers of all sizes and materials, including glass as soon as possible.

The government has delayed plans for a Deposit Return Scheme until 2025.

The survey comes ahead of a joint project between Skye Beach Cleans and Loughborough University comparing present-day litter across the island’s beach with a pioneering study carried in 1972.

The project begins on Elgol beach this Sunday (23rd July).

Former Rangers defender to star in Skye charity football match

Former Ranger star Marvin Andrews is set to return to Skye next weekend to feature in a special charity match in aid of Maggies.

Marvin Andrews made 53 appearances for Rangers helping them to win the Scottish Premier League title and the Scottish League Cup, he also represent Trinidad and Tobago in their debut World Cup Finals in 2006.

The defender will play in a the June McCaherty Memorial Shield.

The match will be contested between Portree Juniors and a Juniors Legends side at Portree High School Astro Turf at 2pm on Saturday 29th July.

The match is in memory of the June McCaherty, the late wife of the former Portree Juniors manager Phil McCaherty.

Marvin Andrews pictured with Radio Skye’s studio manager Suzy Lee and chairman of the station Heckie Cormack during a visit to the island in May 2023.

Lucky2BHere’s work recognised with People Postcode Lottery award.

The People’s Postcode Lottery have chosen Skye-based charity Lucky2BHere to receive an award in recognition of the outstanding work it is delivering across the country.

Lucky2BHere founder Ross Cowie said he was delighted to receive a cheque of £2,000, which will support the charity’s work in saving lives, improving lives, and in education.

Ross Cowie (pictured below) quipped that he was only in the photo because of his good looks and went on praise the efforts of the many people who have made Lucky2BHere a success.

Shiel to take on Kingussie amid Skye call-off drama

Kinlochshiel are set to face Kingussie on Saturday in the Mowi Premiership this weekend in what will be the reigning champions first match since they were penalised for a call-off against Skye.

On Wednesday evening, the Camanachd Association informed the reigning Kingussie that they would be deducted two points for the call-off.

The grand slam winners are contesting the decision by appeal.

Kinlochshiel finished as runners-up to Kingussie in the Premiership last season.

Duncan MacLeod (pictured) and co will be aiming to add Kingussie’s woes with a win over the champions.

You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh live at the times below by clicking on the banner. 

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.

You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh at the times below by clicking on the banner.