-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
