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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Orkney Residential!
The Young Islanders Network residential is an annual event hosted across different island locations to create opportunities for young people to come together, both within and beyond their own island communities. For 2025-26, we were hosted by Orkney. A multi-site residential hosted 13-15 March posed multiple logistical considerations including staggered arrivals and departures of delegates by plane and ferries. The multi-location planning incorporated themes of local…
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Scottish Government publishes new mental health crisis framework for children and young people
Scottish Government has published Supporting children and young people experiencing a mental health crisis: framework, setting out principles for how crisis support should be developed and delivered across Scotland. Read the framework here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/supporting-children-young-people-experiencing-mental-health-crisis/ The framework gives clear recognition to the distinct needs of rural and island communities in best practice when supporting children and…
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New National Islands Plan Launched: What It Means For Young Islanders
The Scottish Government has launched the second National Islands Plan, setting out how it aims to support island communities over the coming years with a particular focus on population retention and attraction. Launching the Plan alongside a visit to Orkney and Shetland, First Minister John Swinney said: ‘Island communities are a key national asset and…
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A YIN Residential 13-15 March 2026!
Are you aged 12-25 and want to have your views heard about being a young islander? Meet other young people from across Scotland’s islands. Connect, share ideas and make friends while shaping and influencing what really matters to you. This March, the Young Islanders Network (YIN) is bringing young people from islands across Scotland together in…
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Read the YIN Ferry Safety Report
Following our transport challenge report in 2023, the Young Islanders Network (YIN) heard from young people that they often feel unsafe due to adult behaviour whilst travelling on ferries. This feeling applies to both mainland Scotland and inter-island ferries. Following the Young Islanders Network’s Transport Challenge Report, young people across Scotland’s islands told us clearly…
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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…
Disability Equality Scotland have 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 will be hosting a series of online engagement opportunities:
• 18/06/2026 – Island Communities: Ferry and Aviation Travel
• 01/07/2026 – Access to Healthcare in Remote Areas
• 30/07/2026 – Transport Network in Rural Areas
• 02/09/2026 – Community Transport in Rural and Remote Areas
• 07/09/2026 – Transport Network in Island Communities
For the first session, they are inviting disabled people living in Scotland’s island communities to take part in an online consultation about ferry and aviation travel.
The session will be online via Zoom and guided by a series of discussion questions.
Please sign up and let us know about any accessibility requirements by 27 May. If you sign up after this date, we may not be able to book BSL and/or captioning for the event.
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Select tickets – Consultation on Ferry and Aviation Travel for Island Communities – Zoom
www.tickettailor.com
Consultation on Ferry and Aviation Travel for Island Communities – Zoom, Thu 18 Jun 2026 – We are inviting disabled people living in Scotland’s island communities to take part in an online consult…0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Transport Scotland are currently undertaking work to better understand how ferry and wider transport services support island and peninsula communities in the Outer Hebrides, Small Isles, Skye and Raasay.
They are interested in hearing directly from young people (aged around 12–16). The survey for under-16s is available here:
forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=R3T3DoMQ7E24nyfHZQdoQJkNyrTTxjNIuHqCzo7th9ZUNTgyUzVLQ…
And for over 16s, your island survey can be found here:
www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/ferries/islands-connectivity-plan/#64552
In person events are happening here 👇 … See MoreSee Less
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Delighted to be part of Eilean Siar Youth Conference (Lewis and Harris) this week. Using the model of space, voice, audience and influence, we give opportunities for young islanders to have their voices heard in the issues that matter. We're excited to hear more from young people in the south later in the year. … See MoreSee Less
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A huge thank you to everyone who has filled in and shared our Ferry Travel Survey so far. We’ve had a brilliant response and there’s still time to have your say before it closes on 31 May.
Next, we’ll be setting up a young people’s working group to look at what the survey tells us and help decide what happens next.
Want to be part of it?
Join us for a short meeting once a month, share your views, and help make ferry travel better for young islanders.
Fill in the form to get involved.
forms.cloud.microsoft/e/427dpjuXmJ … See MoreSee Less
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It's the first one for our 26-27 delivery period. Join us to find out all of the new projects and opportunities for the next year. We will have an be covering:
Overview of the National Islands
Reviewing the Rep Roles
Events for the year
Opportunities to get involved across your island regions
If you need the link drop a message or email yin@youthscotland.org.uk … See MoreSee Less
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Individuals, community groups, and organisations in the Outer Hebrides are being asked to help shape a new Local Biodiversity Action Plan by completing a survey.
The plan will guide nature restoration, nature-based funding and conservation across the islands. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CnES) has commissioned Atlantic 58 to support the delivery of a community-led Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP). The plan will translate national biodiversity policy into local action and form a link between the statutory planning process (by feeding into the Local Development Plan that we are currently working towards) and conservation goals.
The plan will be a roadmap for protecting and enhancing local nature, supporting climate change adaptation, and targeting funding where it can make the most impact. It is also hoped that the plan will improve people’s relationship with nature and enhance any existing opportunities to make positive connections to their environment.
An online consultation is now open for comment. To contribute to this important work, scan the QR code; go to the Shaping the Natural Heritage of the Outer Hebrides webpage or contact LBAP@atlantic58.co.uk / 01851 827310 if you would like a paper copy. … See MoreSee Less
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