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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Iasmine’s story – Western Isles Youth Conference
Following the Lewis and Harris Youth Conference hosted by CNES CLD, Iasmine reached out, enthusiastic to join YIN and have her voice heard.
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Living Labs
On 1 and 2 June2026 the Young Islanders Network attended the Living Lab Link-Up at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen, joined by young member from OPEN Shetland.
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Lewis and Harris Youth Conference
The Lewis and Harris Eilean Siar Youth Conference was held on Tuesday 19 May, bringing together almost 100 S2 and S3 pupils from Sir E Scott School and the Nicolson Institute for a day focused on youth voice, island life and direct engagement with local decision makers. The event, organised by Community Learning and Development and Education at Comhairle…
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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…
After speaking with young people across the islands about challenges accessing free travel, here's a wee reminder that all young people aged 5-21 can access free bus travel on most services!
For families with younger children: under-12s do not need a Young Scot card to access free bus travel. Children aged 5–11 can get a photo-free National Entitlement Card, which works as their bus pass.
This can make a big difference for island families, helping with travel to clubs, activities, friends, family, appointments and opportunities, especially with travel over summer.
Apply online here:
getyournec.scot/nec/
More information and local council application links:
www.mygov.scot/under-22-bus-pass/apply-for-bus-pass
Or contact your local authority:
Argyll & Bute
NECTEAM@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar / Western Isles
Age 5–10: freebus@cne-siar.gov.uk
Age 11–21: youngscot@cne-siar.gov.uk
Highland
buspass@highland.gov.uk
North Ayrshire
necadmin@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Orkney Islands
For under-12s / NEC enquiries: transport@orkney.gov.uk
For Young Scot NEC enquiries: young.scot@orkney.gov.uk
Shetland Islands
YouthServices@shetland.gov.uk
Transport enquiries: transport@shetland.gov.uk
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Today is the last day to have your say in naming the new housing development!
Link below in HHP's post.Melbost West, Isle of Lewis – Name Consultation
We are inviting the local community to take part in naming our new development of 73 homes. This is a chance to suggest a name that reflects the area’s identity, heritage and sense of place.
📝 Submit your ideas using the link below
📅 The consultation is open until 30 June 2026
We are pleased to offer you the opportunity to participate in naming this development and look forward to hearing your suggestions.
forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=iGOgopRX2kCYBq0sqkNuVtRV50nX58NHvXdvtrARzMFUMVYyNjBVU…
Point and Sandwick Trust Stornoway Historical Society P2B Community Association … See MoreSee Less
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It's been a week since YIN was at North Isles Sports in Orkney.
What an incredible day seeing 5 islands competing against each other. We heard about what it means to the young people, the opportunities, taking part, some of the challenges but a huge sense of community.
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What an incredible week on the road YIN had last week with our mascot, Claudio there every step of the way.
We kicked off phase 1 of our Argyll and Bute Roadshow on Bute, Islay and Jura with Argyll Community Housing Association – ACHA Group
We heard young people's thoughts on local housing and planning. Everything from putting greens and pavilions, to toilets and road signs, improving spaces for young people and future opportunities. They expertly pitched some excellent ideas to deliver locally impactful projects in the community.
The input from young people will be shared with Argyll and Bute Council and local community councils to feed into Place Plans, as well as Argyll Community Housing Association – ACHA Group
Rothesay Joint Campus Port Charlotte Primary School and Pre 5 Bowmore Primary School Parent Council Bute Drama Studio … See MoreSee Less
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We're at North Isles Sports in Orkney today with competitors from Stronsay, Sanday, Westray, Eday, North Ronaldsay and Papa Westray! Pop along to see us in the New Hall and tell us how you're involved today. … See MoreSee Less
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Transport Scotland are currently undertaking work to better understand how ferry and wider transport services support island and peninsula communities in the Small Isles. Its outputs will result in individual island and peninsula Community Needs Assessments, which will help inform future vessel/port investment and service decisions.
They’re keen to hear directly from people about their experiences of travel and transport including ferry services, public transport connections, accessibility, reliability, and how transport affects access to education, activities, healthcare, family, and social opportunities.
▪️Ferry User Surveys
We’d encourage people from all island communities to complete a short ferry user survey for whichever route(s) is most relevant for them. There is a separate survey for each route in this project which is accessible here: tinyurl.com/4fs2c89m
▪️Under 16’s
They’re also interested in hearing directly from young people (aged around 12–16), with a separate survey for under-16s is available here: tinyurl.com/5n78rynz
All surveys will remain open until the end of June 2026, with early responses greatly appreciated to help inform the ongoing assessment work and planned island engagement workshops. All responses will be treated confidentially and used only for the purposes of this study.
Scottish Islands Federation Scottish Rural Action ScotGov Rural Highlands and Islands Enterprise The Highland Council Young Islanders Network Scottish National Rural Network Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust Isle of Muck … See MoreSee Less
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