Youth

Scotland's rural economy contributes significantly to providing employment for people and to the national economic output. Rural areas face particular skills challenges, including skills shortages, talent retention and attraction, and demographic challenges.

In response, Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Government launched the Skills Action Plan for Rural Scotland: 2019-2021 in June 2019.

In just under 40 days, Santa’s special reindeer will be departing on their annual adventure round the world helping Santa deliver presents! We know Santa likes a tasty treat or two on Christmas eve to keep him going but what about the reindeer? The answer is Reindeer Dust!

Sixty primary 3 pupils from Tulloch Primary School enjoyed a visit from Daisy a fibre glass dairy cow and a brand new, John Deere Tractor.  The visit was organised by The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) Perth & Kinross as part of their ongoing mission to give every school pupil in the region the opportunity to learn about food, farming, and the countryside.

Check out the latest rural job opportunities in Scotland.

Argyll, Lomond and the Islands Energy Agency - Affordable Warmth Advisor

The Gaelic Capital Fund, which is now in its 14th year, will help support the growth of a number of projects over the coming year with almost £3 million investment as part of plans to expand the reach of the language across Scotland.

These will include:

An islands researcher is looking to hear from people who used to live on a Scottish island and who have other long term island connections. Kirsten Gow, herself based on the Isle of Jura, has developed a survey in a bid to understand how people stay connected to island life whilst living elsewhere, and what part islanders who live off-island could play a part in the future of island life.

The Music for All - Community Project Fund is open for applications.

Music for All is a charity dedicated to changing lives across the UK by improving access to music making.  They are a passionate, focused and ambitious UK charity helping disadvantaged music makers experience the joys and far-reaching benefits of making music.

A proposal endorsed by Parliament for a bespoke rural visa pilot scheme for Scotland has been published.

This community-driven and employer-based migration proposal has been jointly developed by the Scottish Government, local authorities and key representatives from employers and partners based within remote and rural communities.

This week the 'National Islands Plan: implementation route map 2022' was published. It details how the Scottish Government will deliver their priorities over the lifetime of the National Islands Plan.