West Highland Free Press

Up to 30 minke whales were spotted recently feeding off Eigg in what has been described as one of the largest gatherings of the species recorded around the Hebrides. The remarkable gathering was witnessed towards the end of last month during a specialist 10-day cetacean research expedition, 'In Search of Giants', operated by small-ship cruise operator Hebrides Cruises, which set out from Oban to explore some of Scotland's most remote waters in search of whales and other marine wildlife.

BY JACKIE MACKENZIE Kyleakin Scottish Women's Institute on Skye has celebrated a remarkable milestone. Founded in 1926, the local SWI marked its 100th anniversary in Kyleakin Hall last Wednesday afternoon with a centenary exhibition and a social gathering. Members enjoyed a sumptuous spread prepared by local caterer Rhona Coogan, a special cake baked by institute member and expert cake maker Barbara Haigh and bubbly for a toast.

BY JACKIE MACKENZIE A Highland education chief has welcomed Scottish Government funding to help attract teachers to rural and island schools - but says it is not enough to make a difference. Skye Highland councillor John Finlayson, chairman of the authority's education committee, spoke out after Scottish education secretary Màiri McAllan set out her priorities in Holyrood last week.

BY DANIEL CULLEN Uig Community Hall will play host to a brand new festival next month, with musicians and performers from Skye and beyond coming together for the first ever 'BayFest'. Taking place on Saturday 26th September, BayFest is a new festival of music and words that will be headlined by local act El Sartel - with the inaugural event set to showcase further talent from across north Skye and further afield.

A Skye bakery and takeaway cafe is expanding after securing more than £26,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Lean To Coffee in Breakish was formed in 2021 as a coffee shop on a family-owned croft. The business operates from two converted shipping containers and showcases independent coffee roasters from across Scotland. Its range of sweet and savoury baked goods is, where possible, made from locally sourced or organic ingredients.

BY JACKIE MACKENZIE As the new school year gets under way Portree High School has been celebrating pupils' exams success -including one student with a perfect 100 per cent mark in Higher maths. In S5, 17 young people gained five Highers, with six of them achieving straight A passes - Harry Matheson, Tilly Ng, Isla Preston, Holly Salter, Rory Turner and Odhran Young.

BY DANIEL CULLEN 'Night Shift', an exhibition by artist Sarah Bold, came to a conclusion last Saturday following a successful run at Summer Café in Portree this month. In the exhibition, painter Sarah Bold turned her attention towards the island after daylight has disappeared and landscapes are often seen through windscreens, as winter weather and routine journeys form part of rural life.

BY JACKIE MACKENZIE Almost 3,000 sheep and lambs went under the hammer at Portree Mart this week, when a young auctioneer with Skye roots made his rostrum debut. Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd sold 2,949 store lambs and feeding sheep on Monday. "It was an excellent sale," said marts managing director Grant Macpherson. "Prices were very good - better than last year." Lambs (2,586) averaged £81.97 and sold to £126.00 gross for a pair of Beltex crosses from 2B Penifiler, Portree.

BY DANIEL CULLEN Portree RNLI's annual open day raised more than £25,000 last Saturday, as hundreds of people gathered at the pier for one of the highlights in the community calendar. A total of £25,733.50 had been raised during and in support of the event, with that figure expected to increase further as additional donations come in.

BY JACKIE MACKENZIE The community of Dunvegan is sending a clear message to Highland Council over its plans for motorhome services in the village - right project, wrong place. Highland Council has put in a planning application to install a black water and fresh water service area for motorhomes and campervans on land within the only public car park in the village.