First Minister calls for end to UK arms sales to Israel

Scotland First Minister has reiterated the Scottish Government’s call for an end to all UK arm sales to Israel and said recognising Palestine as a sovereign state is fundamental to building lasting peace.

Speaking a year on from Israeli forces beginning their ground invasion of Gaza following the killing of around 1,200 people by Hamas Militants, Mr Swinney said: “The horror, suffering and killing we have watched unfold in Gaza in real-time, on such a devastating scale, has now spread across the region.

“The need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza is at the heart of reaching wider peace in the Middle East, and we must see the unconditional release of all hostages.”

The First Minister (pictured) added: “There have been repeated breaches of international law and violations of human rights since the conflict began, and Israel must stop blocking essential humanitarian aid from reaching wounded and starving civilians who are surviving in nightmarish conditions.

“Tens of thousands of lives have been lost, and millions more have been directly affected by this catastrophe. I stand with our communities in Scotland who have lost loves ones and face the daily torment of not knowing if their family members will make it through the day.”

Portree host Harris in Lucky2BHere fundraiser

A Portree under-16s team took on an under 16s side from Harris Football Club in a fundraising challenge match in aid of Skye charity Lucky2BHere in Portree on Saturday.

Jono MacLean and Luke Johnson scored for Harris to earn them a 2-0 win during an entertaining but rain-soaked encounter at the Portree High School Astro pitch.

After the match, Ailsa MacInnes of Lucky2BHere (pictured) accepted a cheque from the Harris team as a donation towards the charity which help to secure the transport of a new defibrillator across the Minch which will be added the existing provision of live-saving devices in Harris.

Skye’s Niteworks to be honoured at Scots Trad Awards

Skye electro-trad trailblazers Niteworks are set to be honoured at the Scots Trad Awards for their contribution to music over the past two decades.

Today MG ALBA which runs the Scots Trad Music Awards announced that Niteworks (pictured) will be recognised for their musical contribution through the Services to Gaelic Award at this years ceremony which will take place at the Inverness Leisure Centre on 30th November.

Voting opened today for the 116-strong group of talent shortlisted for the awards which celebrate Scotland’s vibrant traditional music scene and closes on 10th November.

Among the nominees are Skye’s Malin Lewis who is up for the Album of the Year for their record Halocline,

Head of the Plockton National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music, Mike Vass has been shortlisted for Composer of the year, alongside Mairead Green for their project A.D.A.M.

Meanwhile, the Skye Youth Pipe Band has been nominated as one of four contenders for the Scottish Pipe Band of the year, while Robert John MacInnes has been selected in a five-strong field for the Trad Music in the Media Award for his Friday Night Trad programme.

Mànran lead singer and creator of the Hollie in the Hydro event, Gary Innes, Eilean Dorcha Festival organiser Roddy MacKay, and Skye Live’s Michael Pelegrotti are all up for industry person of the year.

Charity push to stop bonfire night attacks on emergency services

A national crime prevention charity have launched its campaign to help prevent deliberate fires and bonfire night attacks.

Alongside Police Scotland, the Scottish Ambulance Service, and the Scottish Government, the campaign led by Crimestoppers aims to prevent attacks on Scotland’s emergency services.

In 2023, information provided anonymously to the charity prevent at least at least one extremely serious attack on emergency crews in Scotland.

Crimestoppers campaign will aim to encourage reporting from the public about any planned attacks and help gather information after bonfire night about who was responsible.

Information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers via there website or by calling 0800 555 111.

Scotland narrowly lost to Ireland by three points in Saturday’s shinty hurling match which was held in in Ennis, Country Clare on Saturday (October 26)

Scotland’s point came courtesy of Kevin Bartlett, Steven MacDonald, Ruraidh Anderson, Daniel MacVicar, Craig Morrison and Lachie Shaw, but it was the Irish who took the spoils by 25 points to 22.

Skye captain John Gillies and a trio of players from Kinlochshiel, Donald Nixon, Finlay MacRae, and Shiel captain Conor Cormack were part of the national team squad for the match which was contested at Cusack Park.

Photo credit: Ray McManus.

You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh live on the hour – Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm, and at 8.30am and 5.30pm, by clicking on the banner below.

Damage on Uig pier after Storm Ashley

Highland Council officials are assessing damage to Uig pier following high winds caused by Storm Ashley.

The damage is related to the new walkway shelter which has been installed along the length of the pier in recent months.

The Uig – Tarbert – Lochmaddy ferry MV Hebrides initially started sailing on a diverted course to Ullapool on Monday, as it was unclear if safe berthing could take place due to the damage and associated debris. However, ferry services resumed from Uig later that morning.

A Highland Council spokesperson said:

“The new walkway shelter has sustained damage during Storm Ashley. Our contractor is cleaning up the damage and officers are assessing the situation.”

Winds of 90mph were detected at several weather stations on Skye as Storm Ashley made her presence known across Skye and Lochalsh.

Blood testing pilot to begin at Raigmore Hospital 

NHS Highland will shortly start a pilot project of opt-out blood borne virus testing in the Emergency Department at Raigmore Hospital.

The blood borne viruses (BBVs) that will be tested for are Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, and HIV.

The aim of the project is to increase the case finding activity for all three BBVs through an increase in testing.

It is hoped that if more cases can be identified as undiagnosed infections through an increase in testing, this could lead to earlier assessment and treatment for patients, which then leads to better health outcomes.

Help choose the name of new Broadford otter arrival

Members of the public are being asked to help choose the name of a young female otter due to arrive in Broadford.

The International Otter Survival Fund, based in the village, will soon be welcoming a new arrival to the Sanctuary from Banchory in Aberdeenshire, in partnership with the SSPCA.

Team Otter Seaside Park in Canada has come up with a list of potential names for the otter, but the public are being asked to help choose the winner.

The choices are: Yoyo, Taylor, Coco, Blake, Edith, Nallie, Crispie or Snowball.

To cast your vote to help name the soon-to-be Broadford resident, head to the International Otter Survival Fund Facebook page.

You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh live on the hour – Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm, and at 8.30am and 5.30pm, by clicking on the banner below.

Re-opening of Uig Harbour hit by delay

The re-opening of Uig Harbour is set to be delayed by five days due to outstanding critical works at the Skye port.

The Highland Council announced today – Tuesday 28th November – that the harbour will reopen on Saturday 16th December rather than the scheduled date of Monday 11th December.

The council have said the decision was taken in consultation with its contractor RJ McLeod, and partners Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), Transport Scotland and CalMac.

The local authority said that the progress of the redevelopment had been hampered by Storms Ciaran and Debi which has resulted in delays to the removal of the existing fender system and installation of the new fenders.

The chair of the council’s economy and infrastructure committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: “While alternative plans require to be extended for a further short period, this will enable the works to be completed safely and to a high standard.”

Dunvegan play park bid receives £30,000 boost

A community project to build a new play park in Dunvegan has received a significant boost through £30,000 allocated by Highland Councillors in the Eilean a’ Cheò ward.

The Dunvegan Community Park project is being led by a sub-committee of the Dunvegan Community Trust.

The play park group said it was delighted to receive the boost to go towards its fundraising efforts which moves it a step closer towards its goal.

To date it has fundraised £4,000 through events and community support, while the group is set to launch a crowd funding campaign this week. The Dunvegan Community Trust has made an application to the Community Regeneration Fund.

The total cost of the park is estimated at around £180,000,

Skye school worker questions Unison pay deal

A pupil support assistant on Skye has expressed her disappointment with Unison’s acceptance of a pay deal from COSLA and said she was prepared to fight on for a fair offer.

Unison member Amy McNab (pictured left) works as a PSA at Portree Primary School. She has been one among hundreds of school and nursery workers across the country who has taken strike action in protest at the pay offer to non-teaching staff by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).

However, on Monday the Unison union announced that more than two thirds of its members had voted to accept to accept the latest pay deal.

The pay package, which will increase the wages of its lowest paid employees by £2,000 a year, is materially the same offer as proposed before the strike action which took place in September and November.

However, it now includes the backdating of a pay rise to April for all staff rather than some, and a firm committment to achieving a minimum rate of pay of £15 per hour for all local government workers by 1st April 2026,

Reacting to the vote, Skye PSA Amy McNab told Radio Skye – full comment below – that she was frustrated at the outcome and had voted against the offer.

Meanwhile, COSLA resources spokesperson, Councillor Katie Hagmann said: “Throughout this challenging process, we have listened carefully to our trade unions, met all their asks, and worked with Scottish Government to put an incredibly strong half a billion pound pay package forward.

“For the sake of everyone in our local government workforce, who are delivering essential frontline services, I am pleased that the pay offer has now been accepted by all of our trade union colleagues.”

Highlands MSP to “keep up pressure” on NHS Highland

Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has pledged to keep up the pressure on NHS Highland until services are fully restored at Portree Hospital.

The Highlands and Islands representative’s comments follow NHS Highland’s announcement that the urgent care service at the Skye capital facility will extend to seven days a week from the first week in January 2024.

Reacting to the news, Mr Halcro Johnston said: “I raised the lack of seven-day-a-week urgent care cover at Portree only last week with the heath secretary, and so I welcome news that some progress has been made.

“This is a step in the right direction, however, making a promise is not the same a delivering on it. There can be no complacency.”

He went on to stress: “The campaign has experienced too many false dawns already, and so I will keep up the pressure until I see services fully restored and the community’s needs are met”.

Gaelic language plan “vital” says health chair

The chair of NHS Highland has said its news five-year Gaelic language is crucial to the communities across the region.

Under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, NHS Highland has a statutory duty to play its part in promoting the language.

NHS Highland Chair, Sarah Compton-Bishop, said: “It is vital we raise awareness for the Gaelic language as it is an intrinsic part of the rich culture of the Scottish Highlands.

“As the biggest employer in Highland, Argyll and Bute there are many opportunities and benefits to promoting the Gaelic language across our area.

She added: “The plan will enhance patient experience for our Gaelic speakers across NHS Highland, as well as the patients we serve from the Western Isles.”

Dunvegan and Glengarry elect new community councillors

Eight candidates has been selected to serve on Dunvegan Community Council following the results of an election which was declared on Monday by the Highland Council

In total 224 postal votes were returned from an electorate of 503, which represents a 44.5 per cent return.

The members who were voted in are: Mandy Boswell, Donna Campbell, Sarah MacAskill, Lana Macintosh, Phillipa MacRae, Sylvia Meyer, Laura Shirley and Tim Wallis.

Meanwhile, Glengarry’s community council has also be established following a postal vote.

Overall, 211 votes were returned from a possible 341, which accounts for a return of 61.9 per cent.

A total of eight members were elected with Kevin Sutherland polling the highest number of votes at 150.

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

Skye Connect report: island visitors up by 20 per cent

The number of visitors coming to Skye from the mainland has increased by 20 per cent since 2021 according to new data from Skye Connect.

The destination management organisation reported that westbound traffic on the Skye Bridge recorded by sensors saw an increase of 20 per cent compared to 2021 with 815,617 vehicle movements.

However, results from a end of season poll of business across the island conducted by Skye Connect revealed that half those surveyed had been hit by rising costs of more than 20 per cent.

The survey was sent to business across Skye at the beginning of November. Eighty two businesses responded with 70 per cent representing the self-catering and bed and breakfast sectors and just under 20 per cent representing the hotel, restaurant, and café sector.

Seventy two per cent of respondents have a turnover of under £100,000 with 17 per cent reporting a turnover in excess of £250,000.

Eighty two per cent of respondents reported visitor numbers either the same or up on last year with five businesses seeing a 25 per cent increase in visitor numbers.

Respondents were asked to list the top three challenges facing their business with costs, servicing debt, staffing, staff accommodation, short stays, too much focus on Portree and North east Skye, and business regulation being the most frequently cited challenges.

Three-quarters of respondents believe the Scottish Government does not understand the needs business and in particular the needs of the tourism sector.

When asked to prioritise government and other public agencies activity and spending, the majority listed roads and infrastructure. Other priorities included promoting Skye in Europe and encouraging the UK market to stay longer with many businesses advocating a minimum-night-stay policy.

Executive Chair of SkyeConnect, Gary Curley said: “We know how much emphasis Governments and public bodies place on the importance of hard data. Our annual ‘end of season’ survey provides that data and enables SkyeConnect to focus our lobbying activity through the winter months and into the 2024 season.

“There is no doubt that our sector faces the twin challenges of rising costs and an on-going lack of staff to provide the service that our visitors expect. We also know that we need urgent investment in our roads, infrastructure and housing otherwise the global reputation of Skye as a world-leading destination could soon become tarnished and our economy may suffer.”

Award-wining activist to address Sustainable Skye event

Local democracy under the spotlight at Skye event

A public forum on the importance of local democracy is taking place in Portree today.

The Does Democracy Matter to You forum is being co-hosted by the Skye and Lochalsh Council of Voluntary Organisations which is inviting people across Skye and Lochalsh to have their voices heard at the event at Portree Community Centre from 12pm to 2.30 this afternoon.

This session is part of the Scottish Government’s Local Governance Review which is looking across all of Scotland’s public services to consider how power and resources should be shared between national and local government.

The discussion will be facilitated by the Scottish Community Development Centre, which is the leading body for community development in Scotland.

Strathpuffer event donates £900 to support MND charity

Volunteers and competitors involved in the gruelling Strathpuffer annual 24-hour mountain bike challenge have helped to raise £900 to support a motor neurone disease charity.

The organisers said that due to awesomeness of those involved the Strathpuffer team have been able to donate the funds to the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which was established by former Scotland Rugby player Doddie Weir, who died in 2022 after living with MND for six years and raising millions towards research through his foundation.

The Strathpuffer organisers thanked everyone for their support and said they already more great causes in mind to support in 2024.

Uig Harbour on track despite weather challenges

The contractors overseen the redevelopment of Uig Harbour have said they remain on target for the reopening of the asset in early December despite losing a day of work to high winds.

In its weekly update, the Highland Councils contractor RJ MacLeod said that the harbour is still on course to reopen month.

During the closure, the existing linkspan and support structures will be removed and will be replaced by a new linkspan on foundations which were constructed earlier this year. The linkspan will be installed and commissioned for ferry services resuming on Monday 11th December.

Skye support group rallies in aid of Ukraine

Island support group SkyeFugees have sent more than 70 boxes of aid to help people affected by the war in Ukraine.

Volunteers in the group sorted and distributed a total of 75 aid boxes to Lochaber Supports Refugees
which will be sent onto Ukraine this week.

SkyeFugees received a donation of costumes from Young Films from hit show Bannan and were also give access to the production company’s storage unit as well as space at Sabhal Mor Ostaig College to sort and prepare the consignment.

Later this month the SkyeFugees 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.

Wind farm protest movement boosted by curry and craic night

A Skye group has raise more £700 for its campaign against plans for a wind farm in south Skye through a social event.

Seventy local residents turned for a curry and craic night at Breakish Hall on Saturday to show their support for the campaign which is being led by the Breakish Wind Farm Action Group.

Co-chair Rhona Coogan and Nick Ferguson implored everyone to ensure their voices are heard, not just by the developers but elected representatives on Highland Council, in the Scottish Parliament and Westminster.

At present Swedish company ARISE, is finalising its design for the development, which would comprised 16 turbines 180 metres in height on land to the southeast of Breakish

The second of four public drop-in events on Skye concerning the Breakish development is being held today at Breakish Hall between 2pm and 7pm.

The developers have stated that the wind farm would generate benefit fund of £500,000 annually for local communities, while they have predicted that the gross revenue could be up to £23 million per year.

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

Uig harbour closes for major redevelopment

The second phase of major redevelopment works at Uig harbour is due to begin today with the Skye port now closed for a six-week period.

During the closure, the existing linkspan and support structures will be removed and will be replaced by a new linkspan on foundations which were constructed earlier this year.

The Highland Council who owns the island harbour have stated that the linkspan will be installed and commissioned for ferry services resuming on Monday 11 December.

The works are being undertaken by The Highland Council’s contractor, RJ McLeod.

During the outage the Skye Triangle Resilience Group, which includes the minister for transport and all project partners will continue to meet during the outage period.

Weekly updates will be posted on the Highland Council website.

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne have put in place alternative travel options in place to support customers who would normally travel to and from the Skye triangle ports of Uig, Tarbert and Lochmaddy.

Full details can be accessed via the CalMac website.

Highlands MSP calls out UK Goverment for asylum mismanagement

Lochcarron Games donate £500 to Kintail rescue team

The Kintail Mountain Rescue Team have received a donation of £500 from the Lochcarron Highland Games committee for its service to the annual gala day.

Gary Lory, Secretary of The Lochcarron Highland Games presented the cheque to the team, who volunteered their time during this year’s games.

A spokesperson for the Kintail Mountain Rescue team said that such donations were vital to ensuring they remain ready to assist anyone in the event of trouble in the mountains.

Mountain safety underlined as clock go back

Mountaineering Scotland are urging people to be prepared before heading out into the hills following the end of British Summer Time.

The national governing body for hill walking, climbing, mountaineering is reminding people of the importance of packing a head torch, planning your journey, and checking the weather before setting out.

Ross Cadie, Senior Mountain Safety Advisor at Mountaineering Scotland, said that packing a fully charged and good quality headtorch was vital, and that walkers should also take spare torch with extra batteries if they were expecting or planning to spend time out in the dark.

He also recommended packing extra warm layer and adding thicker, better waterproofs amid colder, wetter, and windier weather.

Donald MacRae, Vice Chair of Scottish Mountain Rescue said if you are lost, in need of assistance or in an emergency in the mountains, dial 999 ask for the police then mountain rescue.

Volunteer teams will assist any hour, any day, any weather.

End of an era as MacLeod bows out at Skye

Saturday marked the end of an era for Skye Camanachd as men’s first team coach Kenny MacLeod signed off after three years at the helm and seven years as coach with the club.

Skye may have lost 4-0 to the newly crowned champions Kingussie, but Kenny MacLeod brought his three-year tenure leading the first team to close having guided the islanders to National Division glory last season as champions before securing their premiership status in their first year back in the top flight.

Paying tribute to Kenny MacLeod following their final game of the season away to Kings, the club commended him for his “dedication, passion, perseverance, and commitment,” as not only as first team coach but also during his previous roles coach of the under 17s and the second team.

Under-30s claim Glenelg memorial cup

Glenelg under-30s took the spoils against their older counterparts on Saturday an annual memorial match held in honour of a former player and fan of the club.

The Memorial Cup celebrates the life of Alasdair Davidson who served as a fully committed left half for the club as well as village shopkeeper for many years.

Alasdair Davidson remained a loyal supporter of the club after he stopped playing.

The annual cup was conceived by his sons James and Angus and first took place in 2011.

Commenting after the match, James Davidson said that the game was a great reflection of the competitive edge that his dad had and was played in good spirits.

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

Ferries services through Uig harbour have resume today (Tuesday) after several days of disruption to sailings on the Skye Triangle route.

The 7.30am sailing from Lochmaddy, arriving in Uig at 9.15, was the first scheduled on the route today.

Sailings through the Skye port were diverted last Thursday (23rd March) after it emerged that vehicles greater than 10 metres in length were unable to travel through it.

The diversion came just hours after Uig harbour reopen from a nine-week closure for vital redevelopment works to prepare for a new linkspan.

On Monday, the Highland Council announced that works to modify the temporary bridge had been completed.

Councillor Ken Gowan, who chairs the Highland Council’s economy and infrastructure committee, said that the local authority appreciated the “patience of the communities and businesses who use the route and apologises for the disruption experienced, particularly for those impacted with the temporary length of vehicle restriction.”

A spokesperson for CalMac said: “We appreciate the closure period has been a testing time for our communities, businesses and customers and thank you for your continued patience and support.”

Portree Post Office transfer completed

Everything is now in place to reopen the Portree Post Office this week.

That’s the message from Rob Wilson who took over the responsibility for the Skye capital service on Monday.

The Portree Post Office has been in abeyance since 9th February due to operational reasons.

However, Mr Wilson owns the Kyle Mace shop and runs the village post office, will oversee the running of the service on a two-days a week basis from this Thursday (30th March).

The Post Office will be open from 9am to 5pm on Thursdays and Fridays uninterrupted to allow customers to also access services during lunchtime hours.

On Monday, Rob Wilson spoke to Radio Skye about the reopening.

MSP Forbes thanks Highlanders for support

Skye, Lochaber, and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes has today thanked well-wishers from across the Highlands for their support during her bid to become the new SNP leader.

On Monday, Ms Forbes lost out to health secretary Humza Yousaf in the race to succeed Nicola Sturgeon by 48 per cent to 52 per cent of the votes.

Praising those who supported her during the campaign, Ms Forbes said: “It’s been difficult to keep up with the number of messages that have been coming in from across the Highlands over the past month or so, but they are all genuinely appreciated and helped to spur me on.

“Knowing that I had such support in my home patch made a huge difference – leadership campaigns are never easy.

“My mantra for the campaign was how I’ve always approached my role as constituency MSP, in that I am there to represent everyone, and to try and do that as well as possible.”

She added: “It wasn’t to be this time, but I hope I’ve done the Highlands proud.”

MSPs will hold a vote on Tuesday to decide if Mr Yousaf is confirmed as Scotland’s next First Minster.

Sweet taste of success for Skye baker

A Skye baker has been crowned the winner of the first Highland Shortbread Showdown.

Paul Mackintosh from MacKenzie’s Bakery in Portree came up trumps with his shortbread flavoured with salted caramel and sea salt sourced from the Isle of Skye Sea Salt Company.

Paul Mackintosh took the title at the grand final held at Inverness Cathedral on Saturday.

Paul claimed his place at the prestigious event after qualifying through the Skye and Lochalsh regional heat held in Dunvegan.

Remarking on the Skye baker’s winning creation, Head judge Craig Wilson aka the Kilted Chef said: “When you add sugar in the right quantity with a little bit of sea salt – it’s an absolutely amazing combination and put a smile on our faces.”

Speaking after his victory, Paul said: “It was a fantastic weekend and build up to the final in Inverness. When I saw all the different shortbread presented in Inverness Cathedral, I did not think for a minute we would win!

“It really was amazing to see so many different shortbreads from all over the Highlands, which really does show that it is the home of the shortbread.”

Paying tribute to those who helped contribute to the win, he said: “On a personal note, I would like to pay tribute to my fantastic staff, my shop manager Marie Nicolson and to all our loyal customers in Skye.

“Special mention to my Auntie Mary Flora Clark and my wee granny Joyce Macdonald (pictured above) for passing on the baking skills over the years – I’ve gifted the trophy to them.”

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.

The Portree Post Office is set to reopen on a two-day a week basis from this Thursday (30th March).

The Skye capital service has been in abeyance since 9th February due to operational reasons.

However, on Sunday, Rob Wilson, who owns the Kyle Mace shop which includes the village post office, announced that he would be bringing post office services back to Portree on Thursday and Fridays.

Commenting to Radio Skye on Sunday night, Mr Wilson said he would be in Portree for the transfer of the service on Monday with the shop due to reopen on Thursday 30th March.

Mr Wilson said that the service would be run on Thursdays and Fridays between 9am and 5pm.

He said that to enable customers to use the service during lunchtime there would be no breaks in service and the post office would be fully operational throughout the eight-hour period.

In a statement sent to Radio Skye, a Post Office spokesperson said: “We are pleased to announce that Portree Post Office is to re-open on 30 March at the current location.

“We know how important a Post Office is to a community and a part-time service will allow us to restore Post Office services as soon as possible. The branch will be open on a Thursday and Friday from 9am – 5pm.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by being unable to provide a full-time service at this time. The same range of Post Office services will be available.

They added: “Alternative branches are Struan, Uig, Dunvegan and Broadford and there are outreach branches at Sconser and Edinbane. Customers are recommended to visit postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder to see these locations, opening times and services provided.”

Earlier this month, Radio Skye heard from fellow island services trying to bridge the gap during the pause in service at the Portree Post Office.

Gillian Brown, the resident postmistress in Uig, said that the north Skye shop had experienced levels of custom like that seen at Christmas time, while Megan and Adam MacDonald, who run the Post Office in Broadford, said there had been a five-fold increase in business.

Uig ferries suspension continues

The suspension of services at Uig harbour will continue today as the Highland Council seeks to resolve issues with the temporary bridge at the Skye port.

In the meantime, CalMac are instead operating a daily service between Lochmaddy and Ullapool.

The ferry operator took the decision to divert sailings away from Uig on Thursday after it emerged that vehicles greater than 10 metres in length were unable to travel through it.

The closure came just hours Uig harbour reopen from a nine-week closure for vital redevelopment works to prepare for a new linkspan.

CalMac has said it is pressing the harbour authority Highland Council to resolve this matter as quickly as possible so that we can resume our services to Uig.

For more information, please visit the CalMac website here.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————

Shinty: mixed fortunes for Skye and Lochalsh sides

MacTavish Cup

There were mixed fortunes for the local shinty sides across Skye and Lochalsh this weekend with Skye men’s first team progressing to the second round of the MacTavish Cup, while Shiel men’s first fell to defeat.

Skye Camanachd prevailed in extra-time in a 3-2 away win against Fort William, while Shiel were eliminated by Newtonmore after enduring a 2-0 loss.

Skye opened the scoring thanks to Ross Gordon but the islanders were pegged back five minutes later by the home side who equalised through a Victor Smith penalty.

The scores remained levelled until the 56th minute when Jack Fraser struck to put Fort William ahead. With 15 minutes to play Skye drew level courtesy of James Pringle, whose goal took the game to extra-time.

In the 112th minute Sam Stubbs scored Skye’s third goal to seal their place in the second round.

Skye have been drawn against Beauly this afternoon in the quarter-finals.

Beauly secure passage to the quarter finals with a thumping 5-1 win away to Strathglass.

Kinlochshiel tough start to the 2023 campaign continued at the Eilean on Saturday as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Newtonmore.

Craig MacLeod and Craig MacIsaac scored as the Lochalsh side suffered their third successive loss this season.

The other MacTavish Cup ties see Lochaber  take on Newtonmore, while Lovat will entertain holders Kingussie at Balgate.

North Division 1

Skye seconds lost 4-3 away to Kingussie despite a spirited performance in which they came back twice from 1-0 and then 3-2 down.

Ruraidh MacLeod scored twice and Archie Miller was also on the scoresheet for Skye.

WCA North Division 2

Shiel ladies earned a 2-0 away win against Glenurquhart thanks to goals from Lexie MacKenzie and Alaina MacLennan in either half in their WCA North Division 2 clash.

The victory puts Shiel third in the table with two wins from their first two games.

Skye ladies second team endured a game to forget as Inverness ran riot to claim a 9-2 win at Bught Park thanks in large part to four goals apiece from Isla McNeil and Kamryn Hughes.

News by Adam Gordon

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