SLCVO Blog 20 February

This week’s blog highlights the rich tapestry of cultural, recreational, and sports third sector organisations across Skye and Lochalsh, alongside an update on SLCVO’s Spring Training Sessions and what the team has been working on.

Team Update

This week, Jo-Anne and Matt have been focusing on adult social care—an area where our Befrienders Service contributes alongside many other community groups across Skye and Lochalsh. Early in the week, we were preparing for next week’s Drug and Alcohol Forum, as well as coordinating venues and community groups for the new Community Outreach Hubs. Watch our hub video for more information: www.vimeo.com/slcvo

On Wednesday, we hosted the Skye and Lochalsh Adult Wellbeing and Support Forum in Broadford, bringing together ten local organisations to share updates and discuss key priorities. The forum covered a range of important topics, including:

• The Highland Health and Social Care Partnership’s draft Adult Social Care Commissioning Strategy and Intentions for 2026–2029,

• Upcoming training and events, current consultations, and Developments around the new Community Outreach Hubs.

A separate blog, published today, provides a full summary of the discussions and next steps. Read it here https://www.slcvo.org.uk/post/18-february-adult-wellbeing-support-forum-notes

At the end of the week, we met with Linda from Mikeysline and had a great conversation about the services they provide for people of all ages across the Highlands. Mikeysline offers confidential, non‑judgemental mental health and suicide prevention support every evening via text, WhatsApp, Messenger, Twitter, and webchat. They also run The Hive, a network of out‑of‑hours drop‑in crisis centres across the region. You can find out more on their website: https://mikeysline.co.uk 

It’s been another productive week for Michelle as she continued supporting several community groups with upcoming constitutional changes, while also putting the final touches on our Community Groups Training Week, starting 2nd March. We’re excited to share the full programme below—designed to build confidence, strengthen governance, and inspire a more connected, fair, and informed third sector across Skye and Lochalsh.

SLCVO Training Week

Making Strong Funding Applications Join SLCVO Third Sector Support Officer Michelle Seviour for a practical session designed to give your group the confidence to compile funding applications that truly stand out.

📅 2nd March – Broadford Hall 11.30am📅 4th March – Dunvegan Hall 2.00pm

The Not‑So‑Secret Guide to Effective Committees A fantastic introduction for new committee members—and an equally valuable refresher for those who have been at the table a little longer. This session, delivered by SLCVO Chief Officer Jo‑Anne Ford, will help strengthen your approach to governance and support your committee to work more effectively as a team.

📅 3rd March – Staffin Hall 7pm📅 5th March – Online 7pm

We Are All in This Together! The role of community groups in Human Rights Advocacy How do we ensure everyone has a fair voice and an equal chance to participate? Join Graham Ross from Third Sector Equalities and Human Rights for a thought‑provoking exploration of fairness, justice, equality, and how to embed a human rights & equalities first approach in your group’s everyday work.

📅 4th March – Online 7pm

Book Your Place here: https://www.slcvo.org.uk/training-registration

Enriching Community Life Through Culture, Recreation, and Sport

As the days begin to stretch out and the weather edges towards something that feels almost spring‑like, village halls, outdoor groups, and sports clubs are starting to shake off the winter months. People are coming together again through events, activities, and shared interests.

These groups form the rich tapestry of cultural, recreational, and sports third sector organisations across Skye and Lochalsh. Their contribution to community life is immense—supporting physical health, mental wellbeing, and social connection. They offer opportunities to socialise, enjoy arts activities such as film, drama, and music, take part in a wide range of sports, and help preserve the area’s vibrant and diverse heritage.

When SLCVO mapped Third Sector activity for 2024–25, we identified 75 different types of services and activities across seven broad categories, with many groups contributing to more than one area.

One of the strongest areas of activity is Cultural, Recreational, and Sports, representing 21% of all local Third Sector groups. This category reflects an incredibly diverse mix of organisations, including:

• arts and creative groups

• heritage and local history organisations

• event organisers and community choirs

• groups promoting Gaelic language and culture

• gardening, outdoor, and environmental activities

• recreational facilities such as swimming pools and youth clubs

• lifelong learning initiatives like U3A

• environmental and habitat protection groups such as Skye Rivers Trust

• and a wide range of sports clubs—including shinty, rugby, football, badminton, archery, angling, bowling, golf, kayaking, sailing, and swimming

Find our more about groups in our Skye and Lochalsh Third Sector profile here 

This breadth of activity demonstrates just how central culture, recreation, and sport are to life in Skye and Lochalsh. These groups support physical health, mental wellbeing, social connection, and community identity, while also preserving and celebrating the area’s rich heritage.

Notably, the number of groups involved in Culture, Recreation, and Sport is equal to the number operating within Health, Social Care, Welfare, and Social Justice—a reminder of how vital these organisations are to the overall wellbeing of our communities.

The Role of Village Halls, Community Spaces, and Development Trusts in Culture, Recreation, and Sport

Village halls, community centres, and development trusts play a central role in supporting cultural, recreational, and sporting activities across Skye and Lochalsh. Many of these activities are organised by sub‑groups and clubs operating under the umbrella of halls and trusts, alongside a wide range of informal, un‑constituted groups that contribute significantly to community life.

Village halls and community centres in particular are vital hubs. They host everything from fitness classes and creative workshops to youth activities and social gatherings. We estimate that more than 50 informal clubs make regular use of these spaces, adding even more variety to the cultural, recreational, and sporting opportunities available locally. Many halls also host lunch clubs and community meals, providing important social contact and connection.

Development trusts are equally active, creating and managing opportunities that enrich local wellbeing and community connection. Examples include:

• Playparks, such as the new community playpark recently completed by Dunvegan Community Trust.

• Community allotments, including those run by Portree and Braes Community Trust.

• Heritage preservation projects, such as the efforts by Uig Community to protect Captain Fraser’s Folly.

• Community gardens, including the much‑loved Raasay Walled Garden.

You can find out more about your local village hall and development trust in the Skye and Lochalsh Wellbeing and Community Support Directory 2025-2027 on the SLCVO website https://www.slcvo.org.uk/community-hub

Showcasing Local Groups Enriching Culture, Recreation, and Sport

With more than 70 groups providing cultural, recreational, and sporting activities across Skye and Lochalsh, it’s impossible to highlight them all—but below is a selection of the fantastic organisations SLCVO has worked alongside in recent years.

These examples reflect the diversity, creativity, and community spirit that make this sector such an important part of local life.

MUSIC & SINGING

Music and singing are powerful tools for wellbeing. Playing an instrument supports memory, attention, coordination, and confidence, while reducing stress and fostering social connection. Singing—especially in a choir—boosts emotional wellbeing, strengthens breathing and posture, builds confidence, and creates meaningful community bonds.

Isle of Skye Accordion & Fiddle Club

Supporting traditional Scottish music since 1983, this intergenerational club meets monthly in Portree and keeps long‑held musical skills and social traditions facebook.com/IsleOfSkyeAccordionAndFiddleClub

Skye Wind Band

A community wind band bringing players of all ages together since 2022. They rehearse twice a month at Skeabost Memorial Hall and perform at local events.www.skyewindband.co.uk facebook.com/skyewindband

Island Chorus

A friendly community choir open to anyone who loves to sing, meeting regularly for rehearsals and performances. facebook.com/groups/islandchorus

Strath Gaelic Choir (Còisir Ghàidhlig an t‑Sratha)

A Gaelic choir keeping language and song at the heart of community life.

facebook.com/people/Strath-Gaelic-Choir

HERITAGE, GAELIC LANGUAGE & CULTURE

Heritage groups help preserve community identity, strengthen wellbeing, support education and tourism, and protect the stories, landscapes, and traditions that define life in Skye and Lochalsh. Gaelic culture—central to the area’s identity—enriches the arts, language learning, community cohesion, and shared history.

Urras Dualchas Ratharsair (Raasay Heritage Trust)

Working to preserve the history, heritage, and cultural identity of Raasay for current and future generations. www.raasayheritagetrust.org.uk

Fèisean nan Gàidheal

Supports community‑based Gaelic arts festivals offering tuition in traditional music, drama, song, and dance. feisean.org facebook.com/feisean

Skye Ecomuseum (Staffin)

A landscape‑based museum preserving oral traditions, place‑names, Gaelic language, culture, and community stories tied to the landscape of Staffin. skyeecomuseum.co.uk

Kyleakin Local History Society

Preserves and shares the heritage of Kyleakin through photographs, documents, oral histories, talks, and community archives. kyleakinlocalhistorysociety.co.uk

Plockton Historical Society

Founded in 2007, the society gathers family photographs and documents, runs talks on local history, and helps operate the Plockton Visitor Centre each summer. plockton.org

ART GROUPS

Arts participation reduces stress, builds empathy, strengthens community ties, and supports local economies by drawing audiences and visitors.

SEALL Community Arts

One of Scotland’s leading rural arts organisations, delivering year‑round performances, workshops, festivals, and Gaelic cultural projects. seall.co.uk facebook.com/SeallEventsSkye

Skye Bridge Studios 123 (Kyle of Lochalsh)

A vibrant arts venue offering exhibitions, workshops, creative events, and performances. skyebridgestudios123.com facebook.com/skyebridgestudios

ATLAS Arts

A contemporary arts organisation delivering community projects, gatherings, and creative programmes often rooted in landscape, heritage, and Gaelic culture. atlasarts.org.uk

SPORTS

Sports build confidence, leadership, and teamwork, strengthen community identity, and create lifelong friendships. They also promote health, resilience, and social participation.

Skye Camanachd

Established in 1892, this historic shinty club runs teams of all ages, hosts social events, and plays a major role in preserving the traditional Highland sport. shinty.com/skye-camanachd facebook.com/SkyeCamanachdSocialClub

Skye Rugby

Formed in 2022, offering inclusive training for all ages and abilities, with strong youth development and participation in regional competitions. skyerfc.com

Isle of Skye Golf Club

Founded in 1964 and renamed in 1987, the club has 170+ members and offers an accessible links course open from late March to late October. isleofskyegolfclub.co.uk

Sleat & Strath AFC

South Skye’s long‑established football club, competing in the West Highland Amateur Football Association and known for strong community involvement. https://www.broadfordandstrath.org/sleat-and-strath-afc/

Next week is shaping up to be a very busy one for the SLCVO team. We have scheduled meetings with nine community groups, and staff will also be attending training delivered by Crocus Highland for organisations supporting children and young people experiencing bereavement. Michelle will be visiting Torrin Waste Not with the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle working group, while Jo-Anne will attend the NHS Highland local short‑life working group focused on unpaid carers’ services. We’ll also be joining The Highland Council for discussions on the refurbishment of Tigh na Sgire, and meeting with the Highland Third Sector Interface to explore how we continue to deliver strong third sector support across Skye and Lochalsh.

Join us in next weeks Blog to find out more.