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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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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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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…
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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…
