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…
Eilean Siar Youth Conference – Lewis and Harris
On Tuesday 19 May, almost a hundred S2 and S3 pupils from Sir E Scott School and the Nicolson Institute took part in the Eilean Siar Youth Lewis and Harris Conference, designed to ensure their voices are heard by local decision makers.
The event, organised by Community Learning and Development (CLD) and Education staff from the Comhairle, brought together pupils from across the islands for a day of discussion, workshops and direct conversations with senior staff from local services. While adults often speak about what young people need, the Eilean Siar Youth conference gave young people the opportunity to explain their experiences and opinions in their own words.
The day began with a video introduction from the Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament for the Western Isles, who welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of young people taking part in discussions about their communities and future.
John Loughton, the new Chief Executive of Young Scot (the national youth information and citizenship charity in Scotland), compered the event, guiding pupils through a varied programme focused on issues that affect young people both online and in everyday island life.
Throughout the day, pupils took part in workshops covering youth voice, recognising misinformation online and the Young Islanders Network focused on the National Islands Plan. Speakers travelled from the mainland to support the sessions and encourage discussion. The workshops allowed pupils to share ideas, ask questions and consider how decisions made at local and national level can affect island communities.
One of the strongest messages from the conference was the importance of listening to young people directly. Many pupils spoke about the challenges they face and the changes they would like to see in services used by young people. The sessions also highlighted how informed and thoughtful young people can be when given the chance to contribute.
The conference concluded with a Q&A panel featuring senior representatives from NHS Western Isles, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Police Scotland. During the session, young people questioned decision makers on a range of issues affecting their daily lives. The panel heard honest views and gained a clearer understanding of how policies and decisions can have a direct impact on young people living in island communities.
For many adults attending the event, the discussions were a reminder that young people are not only the future of island communities but also active members of them today. Anne Graham, Quality Improvement Officer, said: “We are delighted that the conference has been successful, developing a broader approach to youth voice across organisations and our local authority. We are proud of every voice that contributed – and excited to see the actions that come from their contributions. We are currently working alongside our Community Learning and Development team and third sector services to plan and deliver a Youth Conference for our Uist and Barra learners.”
Erica Clark, CLD Officer, said: “The youth conference was a fast-moving day with lots of opportunities for the young people to express their opinions. We had so many questions for the panel, that we didn’t even get a chance to answer half of them!”
The CLD team will be following up on all the questions submitted at the Q&A session as part of their final report on the event, which will be fed back to the pupils, schools and partner agencies, ensuring young people’s voices are listened to.
The Eilean Siar Youth team would like to thank all the young people who took part for their enthusiasm, along with the partner agencies, panel members and speakers whose valuable support made the day possible. … See MoreSee Less
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Transport Scotland are continuing their needs assessments across the islands.
Next up is Kerrera on 11th June. Drop in to have your say! … See MoreSee Less
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Transport Scotland are continuing their Needs Assessment sessions.
Next up is Tiree on 10th June. Pop in and have your say on ferry and transport on yor island. … See MoreSee Less
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Transport Scotland are continuing their needs assessment of transport.
Nex up is Colonsay on 9th June. Drop in to have your say! … See MoreSee Less
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An appeal from the youth: Listen to us … See MoreSee Less
An appeal from the youth: Listen to us
www.stornowaygazette.co.uk
Decision-makers have to listen more to the voices of young people to ensure a better approach to policies and services, a gathering in Stornoway was told last week.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
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