Politics

The Glen Rosa, seven years behind schedule, is expected to finally come into service next year (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) :

CalMac report warns of “reliability challenges”

Transportation chair Willie Rennie challenged company representatives and Transport Scotland officials

Loganair told they are “not trusted”

Alison Irvine said "islanders" might benefit from a "training programme to make them board ready”. (Image: Stuart Nicol Photography)

Quangos are just “too complex” for islanders

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 10: Fergus Ewing MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy, gives a ministerial statement on tourism during the coronavirus crisis today at the Covid-19 social distancing Scottish Parliament, Holyrood on June 10, 2020 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Fraser Bremner-Pool/Getty Images) : -

Ewing berates Swinney over quango “exclusion” of islanders

The hunt has been a traidtion for the community of Ness for centuries - but now faces being banned.

“Reverse-engineering” being used to ban the guga hunt

The change came into effect on Monday and will hit NHS patients particularly hard, but the minister (inset) refuses to intervene

Flynn says cuts are decisions for Loganair

Paul Kelsall, the HIAL chief executive, insisted they were unable to consult with anyone, even ministers, due to commercial confidentiality.

Loganair: Credibility crash lands at Holyrood

Pictured in 1927 after arrival in New York

Time to revive memories of a Lewis-born philosopher

In recent years, Loganair have extended the number of services offered across the UK, while the cost of travel to and from the islands has steadily creeped up.

Revealed: Loganair’s two-tier fare strategy

Donald Mackinnon delivering the winning speech

Na h-Eileanan an Iar produce one of the election headlines

The candidates and chair David Green, on the far side, on the Clan Macquarrie Hall stage

Ferries, housing and the Ness guga hunt
Depopulation is the single biggest political challenge facing the islands, with several other crucial factors – such as housing and ferries, or more pertinently the lack thereof – all contributing to the crippling loss of a working age population within the community.
Murray MacLeod

The Comhairle has faced crippling cuts to its budget

Depopulation stats spark fury over cuts

Join our day of action.

How ‘legal bullying’ is silencing journalists and harming democracy

By his side, through 49 years of marriage, was his wife Pat Matheson

Obituary - Norman A Macdonald (1956-2026)

Ally wants to show Bethany and the next generation the benefits of a crofing life.

A way of life that needs protecting – and support

The Comhairle proposed a range of cuts as they face yet another reduction in their settlement

Comhairle hit with another £5.4m cut

ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - AUGUST 24: A view of the Overseas Mulan tanker ship (later renamed the Bella 1 and Marinera) at sea just outside the port of Rotterdam on August 24, 2014 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. In 2026, the tanker known as Bella 1, sailing under a Guyanese flag, changed its name to the Marinera and indicated it was sailing under the flag of Russia. The 333-meter-long crude oil tanker has previously been known as Yannis (2022), Xiao Zhu Shan (2021), Seaways Mulan (2020), Overseas Mulan (2017) and the Mtov (2012). On January 7, 2026, she was seized in the North Atlantic ocean by American Forces. (Photo by Arjan Elmendorp/Getty Images) : -

We need to know what’s going on out there...

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 13: First Minister John Swinney (R) reacts while Finance Secretary Shona Robison answers questions as she delivers the budget at Scottish Parliament Building on January 13, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Scotland's Finance Secretary, Shona Robison announces the pre-election 2026-27 Scottish Budget. The budget outlines the Scottish Government's tax and spending plans for the financial year from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) : -

Information awaited on accelerator model

Morag MacNeil - who called for the sole islander on CMAL not to be reappointed - has had her tenure extended.

CMAL’s “vindictive” chair is re-appointed

The Scotwind licensing round saw a number of permissions being grated for offshore windfarm developments around the north of Scotland.

Offshore windfarm licences undersold by 40 times

Cllr Macsween welcomed the sentencing

Windfarm campaigner warned he was “going to do witchcraft on him”

Loganair said they would work with local authorities to make the case for additional PSOs

Campaign to tackle air fares injustice

More than half of all students have been targeted by fraudsters

Fraud minister reveals crackdown has been launched on uni scammers

Ian Bruce from the Ethical Standards Commission addressed the Public Audit Committee

Health Board appointments “not in any way acceptable”

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 23: Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs during Topical Questions at the Scottish Parliament on June 23, 2020 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Scottish Health Secretary John Swinney has announced that all children will be able to return to school in August if coronavirus cases continue to decline. (Photo by Fraser Bremner - Pool/Getty Images) : When challenged by MSPs Fiona Hyslop described the controversy surrounding Murdo Maclennan as "gossip" and "rumour"

CMAL row deepens amid “gossip” claims

Norman MacLeod, of Scalpay, is one of the lead presenters on STV's news programme covering the north of Scotland

Politicians round on STV for the axing of north news service

The Lochmor was launched in August by Kay MacLeod, a long-serving CalMac employee at Tarbert

Sole islander axed from CMAL board

Closure would mean children and families having to make a long journey to Stornoway to access swimming facilities.

Comhairle to consult on rural pool closures
Two rural swimming pools in north Lewis have effectively been granted a stay of execution, after councillors echoed the concerns of the communities affected, and agreed to embark on a consultation exercise.
Peter Urpeth

Comhairle leader Paul Steele

War of words intensifies over Comhairle funding

John Swinney meets with local school children at Cnoc Soilleir in South Uist. But his visit has re-ignited a row over Comhairle funding.

“Scandalous” statement on Comhairle funding

Sadhguru being interviewed by Ralph Blackburn

Sadhguru interview: famous yogi gives 25 years to save Britain's soil

A post-war election of monumental significance

The Big Ben and Palace of Westminster under a clear blue London sky.

Be part of the thousands gathering in Westminster for the Act Now, Change Foreve...

The Comhairle is facing a cumulative budget deficit of £26.5m by 2030.

Single Authority needed to counter funding crisis

Royal Navy, Army and RAF personnel have received a new above inflation pay rise, less than 12 months after a previous salary increase.

Dedicated armed forces personnel receive new above inflation pay rise

Councillors and senior officials, pictured in 1979 when Queen Elizabeth II opened the Council HQ on Sandwick Road (Lucas Collection)

A long journey that finally brought the islands together

Exercise Formidable Shield is currently taking place around the islands.

Ferry capacity reduced for armed forces exercise

The Comhairle had consulted on an anti-social action plan.

Anti-social behaviour is getting better, say councillors

NationalWorldFrontPage Landscape 2404

Exclusive Fraud minister Lord Hanson outlines plans to ban Sim farms

John Erskine is currently seeking selection to be Scottish Labour's candidate for the region.

Political opinion: Highlands and Islands Labour hopeful urges cross-party backin...

The 20,000 acre crofting estate is on the market for £6.75 million, which makes any community buyout extremely challenging, given the limitations of current legislation.

Skye land sale demonstrates why land reform is moving further away

Several commitments were made to improve the Lochboisdale ferry service. (Photo: © Hugh Venables cc-by-sa/2.0)

Crisis summit leads to “cautious optimism”

The new vessels which will serve Lochmaddy and Tarbert are not expected in service till next year

Fears over new ferry “under-utilisation”

The US market may not be as important to Harris Tweed as it once was, but it is still significant (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Trump tariffs set to hit islands economy

Donald Maclean of Barratlantic: The local industry was strongly opposed

Government “quite happy to see all fishing stopped”
Fishing businesses in the Western Isles fear they will have to fight the same battle all over again as the Scottish Government prepares to consult on new regulations targeting fishing grounds around the Outer Hebrides.
Katie Laing

Russian state media fell for an outrageous April Fools joke that Britain was buying a new aircraft carrier and would name it HMS Prince Andrew.

Russia media falls for April Fool's gaffe involving Prince Andrew

The proposals, if followed through from consultation to implementation, would devastate inshore fishing, according to the industry.

New fears that HPMAs are being “re-branded”

Social media and telecoms firms have been urged to go ‘faster and further’ to prevent fraud.

'Tech and telecoms companies must do more on fraud' says minister

The Glen Sannox on its maiden voyage. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Pressure grows for major ferry reform

John Daniel Peteranna

Swinney told of despair over CalMac’s crippled fleet...

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 25: Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister speaks with the media prior to the final Scottish Budget Debate at the Scottish Parliament on February 25, 2025 in Edinburgh, Scotland. In a preliminary vote earlier this month, MSP's backed the Scottish government's Budget 74 to 30, with 21 abstentions. This is the SNP's first budget since they stopped working with the Green Party in government. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) : The Scottish Government - with Gaelic speaker Kate Forbes as Deputy First Minister - has been warned that the Bill risks being seen as a "cynical ploy".

Last-ditch appeal from the Gaelic grassroots

National World has backed a campaign from the Creative Rights in AI Coalition, calling for the Government to ‘Make It Fair’ and protect copyright (Pictured: Westminster)

National World among UK publishers calling for AI copyright protection

Ukrainian refugees living in Lewis were invited to last Saturday's event.

From the horrors of war to an island peace

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 04: A road user tries to avoid potholes on March 4, 2011 in Glasgow, Scotland. Councils across the UK are struggling to repair roads following damage caused by the coldest December since records began. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) : Even crucial services, like roads maintenance, face significant cuts.

Dark days ahead for council budgets

John Erskine with Scottish Labour Leader, Anas Sarwar MSP

Scottish Parliament Committee progresses petition for Improved Digital Connectiv...

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