Young Islanders Network

02/03/2026

Young Islanders have already spoken up about ferry reliability, safety and under-22s travel. Now we’re building on that transport work by gathering views on air travel. For many islanders, flying isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline. Our survey ensures island voices continue shaping fair and affordable connectivity.

Why This Matters
Air travel is not a luxury for islanders it is essential for education, employment, healthcare, and family connection. Scottish Government They want to know how this could affect island communities.

Get involved by completing our survey by 22nd March
https://forms.office.com/e/rKCm3YLwEy

26/02/2026

If you run a festival, sports activity, community gathering or other creative event, you can register your interest to host the Baton with the All In programme between 1-23 July.

Register to be part of history on your island!

Bring the King’s Baton to Your Community in Scotland . See all the latest news from Team Scotland .

24/02/2026

The second National Islands Plan has now been released, setting out the next phase of action to support and strengthen Scotland’s island communities.

The Young Islanders Network (YIN) is delighted to see the release of the New National Islands Plan and we are particularly pleased that some of our key feedback can be seen in the actions of the new plan. We welcome the continued support for YIN within the plan and look forward to helping ensure that the voices of young islanders are heard and able to influence decision making which affects their lives.

Read it here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-islands-plan-2/

11/02/2026

Help to to inform the design of a training programme to empower island communities to participate in planning processes.

Fill in the survey or take part in the online workshop.

Planning Aid Scotland

26/01/2026

We are excited to bring this year's YIN Residential to Orkney!

Whether you're a member or have never been to one of our meetings, here's your opportunity to join young islanders from across Scotland and have your voice heard on what matters to you. Led by Youth Scotland staff, you will take part in workshops, activities and a field trip.

All costs are covered and if you need to travel to Orkney includes accommodation for the weekend.

Get in touch to register your interest and join us.

26/01/2026

Join our next full group meeting to chat about the upcoming residential in March!

If you're not a member yet and are interested in finding out more and meeting other young islanders email [email protected]

21/01/2026

Opportunities are now available to apply to be a Young Advisor with Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland.

A great opportunity to bring an island perspective to children's rights in Scotland.

13/01/2026

Your voice matters in creating change to mental health support in schools!

SAMH Young People's Panel are looking for young islanders views. They need your help with projects around introducing link workers into secondary schools and co-designing a digital resource to better the support for young people’s mental health in Scotland.

The survey is for young people aged 10-25, school staff and parents/carers.

Find out more https://www.samh.org.uk/get-involved/our-campaigns/youth-activism-and-engagement/young-peoples-panel/young-peoples-panel-survey

Orkney Islands Council Shetland Islands Council Arran Youth Foundations Skye Youth Development Tiree Trust -Youth Work Shetland Youth Voice OPEN Shetland Western Isles Youth Services Mid Argyll Youth Development Services Argyll and Bute Council North Ayrshire Council Cumbrae Youth Project Uist Youth Cafe Uist Youth Hub Community Learning & Development Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Community Learning & Development Orkney Orkney Youth Forum Orkney Youth-Cafe Orkney YLAG Shetland Youth Local Action Group - YLAG

09/01/2026

Our Rep for Language, Heritage and Culture gained insight into audio recording, editing, podcasting and interview techniques as part of a project preserving Orcadian dialect with a local Heritage Group.

If any young people are interested in getting involved get in touch! Whether it's language and local history you're passionate about, up for interviewing and recording or learning new skills editing the audio, we're looking for young people to shape this project and what heritage means to young islanders.

Big thanks to the BBC Radio Orkney team for sharing their expertise and knowledge and supporting young people.

08/01/2026

The Transport Scotland survey is still open until the end of January.
Take part here 👇
https://arcg.is/qOzez0

19/12/2025

You can read all about the amazing work with young people in education across Scotland's islands from the Scottish Islands Schools Network.

We would like to welcome Catriona Young as co-lead of the Scottish Island Schools Network. Catriona lives on the Isle of Coll and works (mostly) remotely for the University of St Andrews as a Recruitm

12/12/2025

Calling all Coll, Colonsay, Iona, Kerrera, Lismore, Mull and Tiree young people!

As part of the Islands Connectivity Plan, Transport Scotland is now progressing work on the Community Needs Assessments (CNA) for the islands of Coll, Colonsay, Iona, Kerrera, Lismore, Mull and Tiree.

Surveys are now live seeking the views of residents of the above islands on travel to, and from, mainland Scotland. There are several different surveys available based on routes including one for air travel.

This will be followed by in-person engagement sessions, currently planned for March 2026, to validate the understanding of community needs informed by the survey results.

These surveys will run from 11 December 2025, until 30 January 2026 and can be found at the link below:

https://arcg.is/qOzez0