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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Community Knowledge Matters Gathering
In October, Young Islanders Network Rep Liz joined the Community Knowledge Matters Gathering. She attended a participatory arts workshop exploring how creativity and metaphors can help people talk about research, power, relationships and the challenges of working together. The session was part of a wider collaboration between Community Knowledge Matters, The Binks Hub and PhD researcher Helen Berry. It brought together community…
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Housing Roadshow!
This year, we have partnered with Argyll Community Housing Association to take a roadshow to Argyll & Bute. We’ll be visiting the islands to deliver workshops and hear from young people across primary and secondary schools. What is important in your place, and what makes the community yours? What unique challenges are you facing and what could be improved? We will…
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A Year of island identity and stories
Over the next year, Young Islanders Network will be working with young people across Scotland’s islands to gather stories from as many of Scotland’s 93 inhabited islands as possible. We want to hear what shapes your island’s culture, identity, and heritage. Maybe there’s a story people tell about your island. It could be a festival, sporting event, club, committee, tradition or place…
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Take Part in the Ferry Travel Challenge!
Following the success of our previous work on the transport challenge and ferry safety challenge which helped to shape the National Islands Plan, we are continuing our mission to have young islanders heard voices. Since the introduction of the Under 22s discounted ferry, we know that not all young islanders benefit from this. Mack, our Transport Rep and co-opted member of the…
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Island Voice Drop In Zoom
Are you a member of a youth voice platform or pupil parliament? Or do you live on one of the smaller islands with no youth voice group? Join us on our monthly lunchtime drop-in sessions on Zoom. Meet new friends, explore opportunities to get involved with YIN online and in person and most importantly, let us now what’s important to your…
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Mental Health Champions
YIN has partnered with Change Mental Health to co-produce a training programme that is island proofed. With over five decades of supporting people across Scotland, Change Mental Health is rooted in the reality of what people go through and informed by lived experience. We’re teaming up to co-produce an islands training programme for Mental Health Champions. There will be opportunities to be part of the design consultation, or you might…
At Scottish Rural Action, we work to strengthen the rural movement by connecting communities, amplifying local voices, and influencing policy to create meaningful change across rural and island Scotland. We also work to champion the assets, contributions, and overall value of life in rural and island Scotland.
Our members include community organisations, campaigners, development trusts, village halls, local businesses, social enterprises, and individuals who care deeply about the future of rural Scotland. Together, we work to ensure rural and island voices are heard nationally.
We are now looking for new Trustees to join our Board and help shape the next chapter of Scottish Rural Action. This is a voluntary role, and reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
💭 Why become a Trustee?
• Help shape the future of rural and island Scotland
• Bring your lived experience and expertise to national conversations
• Guide the delivery of the Scottish Rural & Islands Parliament, the UK’s largest participative democratic assembly
• Develop your skills in governance and advocacy, and connect with likeminded people across Scotland, the UK and Europe
🙌 What’s involved?
• Around 7 hours per month commitment
• Participation in Board meetings and strategy discussions
• Opportunities to get involved in campaigns, events, and policy work
🔎 Who we’re looking for
We welcome applications from people aged 16+ who live and/or work in rural or island Scotland.
We are particularly keen to hear from people living in island communities and those with skills or experience in areas such as governance, communications, finance, fundraising, policy, community development, and organisational growth. We also strongly encourage applications from people who feel underrepresented in rural leadership and decision-making spaces.
You can download the Trustee information pack here with information on how to apply: www.sra.scot/sites/default/files/document-library/2026-06/Scottish%20Rural%20Action%20—%20Trustee%20Information%20Pack%20%20.pdf.
If you’re passionate about rural communities and want to help drive real change, we’d love to hear from you. 💚💙
#ScottishRuralAction #RuralScotland #IslandScotland #RuralVoices … See MoreSee Less
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Earlier this month, Young Islanders Network attended the Living Lab Link-Up at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen.
The event brought together people from rural and island communities to explore shared challenges, barriers and opportunities, and to hear more about the Realising Change in Rural Communities Project 2022–2027, part of Scotland’s wider Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture research work.
One of the most powerful parts of the event was seeing young people included in research spaces in a meaningful way, sharing experiences, asking questions, making connections and helping shape the conversation.
“It was intimidating at first but amazing just being listened to and having my views taken into account and not being determined by age.”
The James Hutton Institute … See MoreSee Less
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YIN will once again be at HebCelt! Join Lewis Youth Council and YIN next week to find out how you can be involved this year with activities. Western Isles Youth Services … See MoreSee Less
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Disability Equality Scotlandhave shared their current consultation events around island, rural and remote areas in Scotland. This session is part of engagement work with Transport Scotland to hear lived experience and gather views for the new Accessible Travel Framework successor.
They are inviting disabled people living in remote and rural areas of Scotland to take part in an online consultation about access to healthcare services on wed 1 July.
The session will be online and guided by a series of discussion questions.
Please sign up and let us know about any accessibility requirements by 17 June. If you sign up after this date, we may not be able to book BSL and/or captioning for the event. … See MoreSee Less
Select tickets – Consultation on Access to Healthcare in Remote Areas – Zoom
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Consultation on Access to Healthcare in Remote Areas – Zoom, Wed 1 Jul 2026 – We are inviting disabled people living in remote and rural areas of Scotland to take part in an online consultation abou…0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Join next week to be part of the conversations around the National Islands Plan. … See MoreSee Less
Island Conversations – exploring the new National Islands Plan
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Scottish Government’s Islands Team is inviting islanders, community groups and stakeholders to join the next round of Island Conversations0 CommentsComment on Facebook
YIN attended the Living Labs Link up at The James Hutton Institute this week. An amazing project over 5 years interviewing communities and young people, bringing research to support communities and help connect with policy makers. It was such an experience to have a young person from OPEN Shetland share their insights from peer mentoring and research to an academic platform. Scottish Islands Team … See MoreSee Less
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