What’s new?
About us
What is the Young Islander’s Network? How did we get started? Where are we going?
Our projects
We run lots of projects and events for young islanders across the Scottish islands.
Latest news
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Opportunities in August and September
Upcoming opportunities for August/September and a call out for YIN representation across the network for these events: TRANSPORT Wednesday 13 August Minister for Connectivity & Agriculture Visit Shetland. An opportunity to meet with Jim Fairlie MSP for engagement on the Under 22s Ferry scheme and ferry vouchers Thursday 14 August Minister for Connectivity & Agriculture…
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Celebrating our Inspirational Young Islanders
Back in January, we launched a call for nominations to our network looking for someone who inspires them. Young Islanders could nominate any other young islander aged 5 to 25 who, for one reason or another, was inspirational to them. We received a lot of nominations since the call was launched, and it has been…
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YIN kicks off 2025 talking Housing with decision makers
It is still early doors, however, 2025 looks like another busy year for the Network given the response, so far, to the Young Islanders Network Housing Challenge report which was published in December 2024. When the report (https://yin.scot/you-had-your-say-read-the-yin-housing-challenge-report-here/) was published in December 2024, we shared it with local authorities, health boards, housing associations, Scottish government…
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Keeping Ulva connected: A ferry important family!
We hear from Matilda whose family have run the Ulva ferry service for over 30 years! My name’s Matilda, I’m 14 and I live with my brother and my parents on the Isle of Ulva. Ulva is a small island near Mull and I’ve lived here all my life. For most of my life there…
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You had your say! Read the YIN Housing Challenge Report here
Since 2022 young people from across the islands have told us what is important to them in their island community; the top two recurring issues were Transport and Housing. Read our report to find out more on Housing in the islands from the young people’s perspective. The Young Islanders Network created a challenge, inviting young…
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Skye’s the limit!
Young Islanders from Shetland, Lewis, Barra, Tiree and Arran gathered in the beautiful surroundings of Portree, Isle of Skye from the 1st to 4th of November. A long awaited Young Islanders Network residential weekend offered a fantastic group of people from the ages of 12 to 25 years old, from across the islands to get…
About Turning the Tide
Running from January to April 2026, TTT equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to have a say in how our seas are managed. This free online programme includes online taught modules, mentoring, group work and a like-minded online community. Find out more here.
Who can join?
We’re looking for passionate young people aged 16-25 in Scotland to apply. We aren't looking for any prior experience in marine, policy or advocacy – just a love for the sea and a desire to speak up for it! We are particularly keen to hear from young people who are currently underrepresented in the marine sector, such as those from ethnic minorities, lower-income or working-class backgrounds, those with disabilities and people from the Highlands and Islands.
How to apply
Applications open: 1st December, 9am
Application deadline: 5th January, 9am
Applications are by a short, online form and can be provided in different formats. For more details, visit our website where there is a FAQ or email us at contact@youthforseas.org. We can also provide bespoke taster sessions to marine topics, policy or advocacy for your group. … See MoreSee Less
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Following on from our work with ferry transport, here's your chance to have a say in what matters to you as a young islander! If you've travelled with NorthLink in the past year, Transport Scotland wants to hear from you.
There are separate surveys for the Aberdeen to Lerwick (via Kirkwall) route and the Scrabster to Stromness route, with additional surveys available for under-16s.
The surveys close on 9 January 2026.
Find out more: bit.ly/4i1MZm6
Aberdeen to Lerwick survey: forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=R3T3DoMQ7E24nyfHZQdoQJkNyrTTxjNIuHqCzo7th9ZURE5FSUtGW…
Aberdeen to Lerwick survey for u16s:
forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=R3T3DoMQ7E24nyfHZQdoQJkNyrTTxjNIuHqCzo7th9ZUQ0FWVkQzV…
Scrabster to Stromness:
forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=R3T3DoMQ7E24nyfHZQdoQJkNyrTTxjNIuHqCzo7th9ZUOVdYWE8yU…
Scrabster to Stromness u16s:
forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=R3T3DoMQ7E24nyfHZQdoQJkNyrTTxjNIuHqCzo7th9ZUMDlNVTVUN… … See MoreSee Less
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Have your say in the impact of ferry disruption across rhe isles.🚢 Island voices matter! The Scottish Government Islands Team is gathering evidence on how ferry disruption impacts local businesses and communities.
📅 Join the online engagement sessions:
🔹Tue 25th November 2:30 – 3:30pm
🔹Tue 25th November 7:00 – 8:00pm
🔹Thu 27th November 12:00 – 1:00pm
Open to all islands – share your experience and help shape future support, including work related to the Islands Business Resilience Fund.. 🌊✨
Details including registration links at: tinyurl.com/4vxwycmf
Young Islanders Network Highlands and Islands Enterprise Scottish Islands Federation Outer Hebrides Community-Led Local Development Programme Transport Scotland Scottish Rural and Islands Transport Community … See MoreSee Less
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It was a great opportunity to attend the Youth Conference in Orkney, speaking to young people about YIN. With the focus on mental health, we were pleased to engage with young people on our work with the Distrrss Interventions, Crisis and Self-Harm Team at Scottish Government. Young people from from Mainland, Shapinsay, Stronsay, Sanday and Eday engaged with their views on young people in crisis, helping to inform the bre Framework. … See MoreSee Less
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Our newest Rep for Language, Heritage and Culture attended the Community Knowledge Matters in-person gathering in Inverness, an event celebrating community-led research across rural and island Scotland. Hosted by Science Ceilidh , the gathering brought together grassroots communities, researchers, and decision-makers to explore equitable, creative, and participatory approaches to research and policy.
Liz joined a workshop on creative arts-based co-production methods, built skills on an active listening walk, and explored a network library of stories from other rural and island communities as well as sharing insights from her current intergenerational community challenge preserving Orcadian language on Stronsay. It was a pleasure listening to a presentation from our friends at OPEN Shetland and their inspiring youth led charity and research. These activities reflect the network's commitment to centering lived experience and building collective voice.
The day concluded by sitting on the Listening Panel with policy makers, offering reflections on youth-led research and participation. Their contribution exemplified how young people can be meaningfully embedded in spaces where their voices shape dialogue and decision-making and an inspiring model of youth inclusion in participatory engagement. … See MoreSee Less
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Delighted to be at the Community Knowledge Matters in person gathering sharing co-production and community research in rural and island communities.
Join the live stream until 12:00
… See MoreSee Less
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