Concerns raised over toilet access at Uig ferry terminal

Businesses in Uig say concerns over access to public toilets at the village’s new ferry terminal could be discouraging tour operators from stopping in the area.

David Taylor, who runs Quirky Clay, says he has received complaints from tourists, coach drivers and other local businesses about access to the toilets inside the terminal.

He claims the facilities are closed for around half an hour after ferry departures.

Mr Taylor also says there are wider concerns that if coach operators cannot guarantee toilet access for passengers, they may choose to bypass Uig altogether, impacting businesses which rely on passing trade.

“Half of our business probably comes from Rabbie’s, Discover Scotland and Highland Experience. I think Uig would really struggle without them there.”

“People are always quick to complain if they find someone doing the toilet outside, which is obviously disgusting, but if you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go. It’s up to local villages to provide toilets.

The former public toilets in Uig were closed when the new ferry terminal opened.

A Highland Council Spokesperson said:

“There were discussions for some time in advance of the opening of the building, however the final Head of Terms is not yet signed off.  At the current time, the former public toilet building remains closed, however there is an opportunity for a Community Asset Transfer or lease for a community group if there is interest.  We are also considering alternative sites through the Highland Comfort Scheme, if required.”

A CalMac spokesperson said:

“The toilet facilities within the ferry terminal building at Uig are available for use by both our customers and members of the public during operational hours. Demand for these is high due to no other facilities being available nearby, and though no formal agreement is in place, we’re committed to working with the council.”

Skye kickboxing success for Kara Taylor

Sixteen year old Kara Taylor has achieved her 3rd Degree Black Belt in Modern Karate and Kickboxing. She’s only the fourth to do so and the youngest ever in the association.

She was given the prize at a competition on Saturday 27th June in Portree.

A five hour grading session was judged by Kash ‘The Flash’ Gill who is the founder of the International Freestyle Association (IFA) Kickboxing Club. A four time World Champion, Kash told Radio Skye he’s incredibly proud of Kara.

IFA Skye and Lochalsh is run by Antony Davies who Kash also thanked for his efforts in keeping the sport alive here.

L-R: Cole Taylor, Antony Davies, Kara Taylor, Kash Gill

Listen to the full interview with Kara below.

Home Farm criticised for ‘severely inadequate’ staffing levels

Home Farm has been criticised over what inspectors have described as “severely inadequate” staffing levels and a “toxic and unsupportive” workplace culture.

The Care Inspectorate carried out an unannounced inspection in May and has now published its findings.

Inspectors rated leadership as “unsatisfactory”, saying there was no consistent management presence and that accidents and safeguarding concerns were not always reported or dealt with properly.

They also found the home was heavily reliant on agency staff, with workers often covering excessive hours and sometimes skipping breaks. On some occasions, staffing levels were described as “severely inadequate”, putting residents’ safety at risk.

The report also says rooms designed for residents were inappropriately being used as staff accommodation.

The Care Inspectorate has ordered NHS Highland, which runs the home, to make improvements by 1 August this year.

Home Farm cares for up to 35 people. Eleven residents died during a serious Covid outbreak in 2020. It was operated by HC One at the time.

An NHS Highland spokesperson said:

“We want to reassure people that we have taken this situation seriously and immediately implemented an improvement plan to address the issues raised to ensure we meet the recommendations of the Care Inspectorate. This included additional experienced staffing, leadership support and a review of the physical environment to ensure safe and consistent care is maintained.

“We are in direct contact with residents, their families and staff and are fully committed to making the necessary improvements as quickly as possible.”

Former Columba 1400 CEO in Skye for book launch

Former Columba 1400 chief executive Ian Chisholm has returned to Skye to launch a new book on mentoring.

Chisholm, who joined the Staffin social enterprise in 2000 and later became its first fellow, is promoting ‘Quiet Champions: A Way Forward for Mentors in Turbulent Times’, which draws on his experience in leadership development. He has agreed to donate all profits from UK sales to the organisation.

Originally from Canada, he now lives on Vancouver Island but continues to visit Skye.

Chisholm began his career with the American Management Association, working with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, before going on to co-found the Roy Group, a leadership consultancy. He was named Columba 1400’s first fellow in 2004.

Ian Chisholm at Columba 1400, Staffin

Columba 1400, founded in 1997 by Professor Norman Drummond, works with young people and adults to develop leadership skills and personal values through programmes lasting around six to nine months.

An event to mark the book launch will take place at the organisation’s centre in Staffin on Friday between 5pm-7pm in the James Moffat Hall.

Ian Chisholm visiting Skye

Listen to the full interview with Ian Chisholm below.

Biotoxins detected in Loch Eishort

Highland Council’s Environmental Health team has identified raised levels of naturally occurring bivalve shellfish biotoxins following routine monitoring at Loch Eishort off south Skye.

The local authority has warned people not to eat shellfish caught in the area.

The council said commercial shellfish providers have been made aware.

Credit – Highland Council

Loch Eishort Mussel Culture operates out of Drumfearn at the head of the Loch and is run by Peter MacAskill.

Speaking to Radio Skye, he said:

“This is an annual occurrence. It is to do with algal blooms along the West Coast during the summer months.

“We have to stop harvesting until it subsides to a lower level.

“It has a big impact on us during the summer season when demand is high for mussels. We have supplied eateries in Skye, Lochalsh and the mainland for the last 40 years.”

Skye MP told to apologise by independent panel over bullying and harassment finding 

Angus MacDonald, Lib Dem MP for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire, has been ordered to apologise after a parliamentary panel upheld a finding that he breached Parliament’s Bullying and Harassment Policy.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards found that Mr MacDonald grabbed the security pass of a contractor, without warning or permission, and with sufficient force to tilt the complainant forward.

The Independent Expert Panel said the complainant was working as a verbatim court reporter and was training to report on select committees.

According to the IEP, the complainant alleged that Mr MacDonald “held the security pass in place, keeping him in a semi-bowed position, before eventually releasing it and walking away.”

The IEP said the incident took place before a meeting of the Scottish Affairs Committee of which Mr MacDonald is a member.

Angus MacDonald MP

Radio Skye reached out to Angus MacDonald for a response. In a statement, he said:

“I’ve written to the complainant and apologised, as I did 18 months ago too.

“I have no recollection of looking at his pass at all, or meeting him.”

Angus MacDonald has represented the constituency of Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire since 2024.

Skye Tartan Army make for Miami

Scotland supporters have arrived in Miami ahead of Wednesday night’s clash against Brazil. A strong contingent of Skye people have made the journey. Roddy MacLeod from Heaste is one of those who has made the trip. Listen to the full interview with Roddy below.

Teenager rescues two men who fell off toy inflatable in Broadford Bay

15-year-old Archie Law has been praised for his quick thinking after rescuing two men who got into difficulty in the water.

RNLI volunteers from Kyle of Lochalsh were called to Broadford Bay at about 9pm on Saturday.

The crew said Archie had already noticed the danger, sailed out in his own boat and taken two men back to shore.

Archie Law

Speaking exclusively to Radio Skye, Archie said:

“I could see them from my window and they were paddling in circles out in the bay drifting further away.

“I made a decision to go and check if they were OK. As I got closer,  I could see it was a small kids dingy.

“They seemed very cold and tired and thankful I had spotted them. I got them back to the wee pier and they were met with towels and warm clothes.”

Credit – RNLI/Andrew MacDonald

Andrew MacDonald of Kyle RNLI praised Archie’s “quick thinking”.

He said: “We’d like to remind people that blow up inflatable toys should be kept for use in swimming pools and not open water, and to always ensure that you have lifejackets on and a means of communicating to the emergency services if you get into any difficulty.”

You can listen to the full exclusive interview with Archie below.

Inverness firm appointed for Loch Duich housing scheme 

Inverness company MAKAR has been appointed to carry out survey and development work at Loch Duich as plans to build eight affordable homes progress.

The properties will be at Ratagan and Saraig. Kyle and Lochalsh Community Trust acquired the land from Forestry and Land Scotland.

The group was awarded £166,722 by the Scottish Land Fund to help bring land at Ratagan and Saraig into community ownership.

The wider project includes two business units, five woodland crofts and a community growing area. Another housing plot will be sold on the market to help fund the development.

All eight properties will be for what developers call ‘affordable rent’.

It comes as housing continues to be an issue for people in the area. The average house price in Highland was £212,000 in March 2026, according to the Office for National Statistics.

MAKAR’s initial concept for the site

Loch Duich Community Council is also involved in the scheme. In a Facebook post, the group said:

“Exciting to see the project moving forward and we are very grateful to KLCT for taking the project forward and especially to Susan and Iain for all their hard work.

“We had the first Liaison group meeting for the project last night, was great to see such positive thoughts on the project.”

Kyle and Lochalsh Community Trust established a Lochalsh Community Action Plan in 2022, based on almost 600 responses from a community survey.

KLCT chair, Maggie Byrne, said:

“We felt that MAKAR’s presentation showed a strong awareness of local challenges of depopulation, fuel poverty, the need for community infrastructure, and supporting local businesses. We were also impressed by the firm’s commitment to community engagement, placemaking, delivering low-carbon homes, and creating houses that are affordable to heat and live in.”

MAKAR chief executive Neil Edgar said:

“We look forward to developing the trust’s plan further as we work through the design stages alongside the Trust and the local community, helping to shape a place that reflects local aspirations and supports future generations.”

Listen to the full interview with Maggie Byrne from KLCT below.

Skye charity worker nominated for national award

Lesley Hellon has been put forward for the UK Dementia Care Awards 2026. Lesley works with Alzheimer’s Scotland across the west Highlands, helping to support those living with dementia and their families.

Having started in 2020, Lesley is the only person to have done the job. In the last five years she’s been able to bring people together to support those in need. Her role includes organising community events, workshops, and educating people about living with dementia.

The area she covers is vast. She works across Skye and Lochalsh, Lochcarron, Fort William, Inverness, Ullapool and Gairloch.

Lesley Hellon

The winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on 24 June.

Lesley spoke to Radio Skye about the nomination. Listen back below.