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. 
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.
Footage captured of Armadale Pier incident
CCTV footage of three people in wetsuits jumping off Armadale Pier last Saturday has been sent to port manager
The Sleat Community Council reported that the three people, believed to be to be teenagers, were seen jumping off the linkspan at Armadale Pier around 8pm on Saturday 17th June.
The teenagers were thought to have been accompanied by a lady wearing white trousers.
The incident is in breach of the UK Port Marine Safety Code and the CCTV footage has been passed to the port manager at CalMac.
The Sleat Community Council has asked all parents to make children aware of the dangers of such activity.
Police called to Strathcarron crash
Police were called out to a one-vehicle crash on the A890 between Kyle and Strathcarron on Thursday.
The incident was reported around 4.05pm, and the recovery of the vehicle was completed at 7.55pm.
No information on injuries have been reported
West Highland dementia team recognised with award nomination
A West Highland charity helping people with dementia has narrowly missed in the final of a technology award.
Alzheimer Scotland’s West Highland team were selected as finalists for the Ability Net Tech4Good Awards.
The awards celebrate organisations and individuals who use digital technology to improve the lives of others and make the world a better place.
The recognition centred on the team’s work across Skye, Lochalsh, Wester Ross and Lochaber in reaching people living with dementia and their cares living at home or in care homes, day centres etc
Speaking to Radio Skye, West Highland team member Lesley Hellon thanked her colleagues for their hard work.
She said: “We were finalists tonight, in the Tech4good Awards, due to the work we do for Alzheimer Scotland West Highland.
“A big thank you to my lovely colleagues Diane Cain Smith and Eleanor Brown whose work does not go unnoticed.
“We never won, but we brought the attention to what is available for people living with dementia and their carers. We are winners in my eyes, and the people we support.”
Skye man appointed to CalMac parent co. board
A Skye man has been appointed as a non-executive director of CalMac parent company.
David Beaton will serve as a non-executive director of the board of David MacBrayne Limited .
Mr Beaton was raised in Sutherland but has lived in Skye for the last 35.
He has been involved in the public transport sector since 1988 and is currently the north of Scotland managing director for Stagecoach.
Skye Ladies eye Valerie Fraser Cup semis
Skye Camanachd Ladies will play host Aberdour in Portree tomorrow (Saturday 24th June) with a semi-final place in the Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup at stake.
Last weekend, Glasgow Mid Argyll, Glenurquhart and reigning champions Badenoch claimed three of the four spots.
Skye, who sit second in the National Division table and Aberdour, who are placed in seventh, will also be vie for points on Saturday as the match will count as league fixture as well as quarter-final tie.
The winner will face Glenurquhart in the last four.
The match is 2.30 throw up at Pairc nan Laoch.
You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh live at the times below by clicking on the banner.