Skyetime

In the latest edition of the Skyetime Podcast, Simon Cousins and guests look at the affordable housing crisis in Skye and Lochalsh. The destination management organisation for Skye - SkyeConnect - has commissioned the most extensive research ever undertaken on the issue on the island.  The lack of affordable housing  is not only a major problem for islanders wanting a home, it is believed to be stifling economic growth in the area. To mark the launch of the Business Housing Needs survey, Simon talks to SkyeConnect Director, Clare Winskill, Neil Clapperton and Iain McIvor of the Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association and Duncan Stewart of 56 degree Insight, the Edinburgh Consultancy commissioned to conduct the research.
The survey which can be found at https://skyeandlochalsh.com/ is open until the middle of March.

In the latest episode of the Skyetime Podcast, Simon Cousins looks at some of the issues surrounding the employment crisis facing the hospitality sector. His guest is the business development manager of West Highland College, Nigel Patterson. Nigel talks about their new approach to linking the college with local businesses and the assistance available for companies looking to recruit or train staff.

In the latest edition of the Skyetime Podcast, Simon Cousins meets members of the Highland Council Ranger service who have been working on Skye this summer. Nic Bullivant and Kris Pohl are two of the three Rangers who have to cover Skye's vast land mass helping and advising visitors and dealing with anti-social behaviour.

In the latest edition of the Skyetime Podcast, Simon Cousins visits Glenbrittle for the formal opening of the new carpark and toilet facilities at the Fairy Pools. The project has been made possible through a unique collaboration between the Minginish Community Hall Association, Forestry and Land Scotland, the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland, Highland Council and the Scottish Government. The official opening was conducted by local MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Kate Forbes.

In the latest edition of the Skyetime Podcast, Simon Cousins talks to Gordon Campbell Gray, owner of The Wee Hotel Company that includes The Three Chimneys on Skye.
Gordon's career has taken him around the world establishing 5 Star luxury hotels in places such as Beirut, Bahrain and Liberia. When he decided he wanted to spend more time Scotland he established The Wee Hotel Company and bought the Pierhouse Hotel in Port Appin, followed by The Three Chimneys.
In the interview, Gordon talks about his career, his management ethos and his plans for the business when the hotels reopen later this month.
This episode of the Skyetime Podcast is sponsored by Torabhaig Distillery and there's a chance to win a bottle of their first malt - the Torabhaig Legacy 2017.

In the latest episode of the Skyetime Podcast, Simon Cousins talks to Atlantic Rower, Mark Sealey who last month completed the Talisker Transatlantic Challenge, carrying the new Skye flag on the transom of the Force Genesis boat. His four-person team completed the 2800 nautical miles from La Gomera to Antigua in fifty days, despite significant technical problems along the way. In the interview, Mark talks about the physical and mental challenges of the journey including a scary encounter with an eighteen foot long Blue Marlin! 
The Skye sponsors of the Force Genesis team were: 

• Macleod and MacCallum
• Cuillin Hills Hotel
• Sitekit
• Spindrift Boat Trips
• Sonas Collection
• The Chippy
• Jansvans
• SkyeConnect

In the latest episode of the Skyetime Podcast, Simon Cousins talks to Janette Sutherland of SAC Consulting in Portree. Janette is involved in two collaborative projects with SkyeConnect. 

The first, thanks to a grant of £7700 from NatureScot through the ‘Better Places Green Recovery Fund, involves a feasibility study into creating a ‘Skye Foundation’ to provide visitor information about land management on Skye with a view to encouraging voluntary donations that will, in turn, fund projects to protect, preserve and restore Skye’s landscape.

The second project is providing information for Crofters considering creating Motorhome stop-over pitches on their land. This information will include everything from planning issues to the infrastructure required to dispose of wastewater from Motorhomes. The project is funded by the University Innovation Fund from the Scottish Funding Council. 

After listening to the Podcast, anyone with a question can contact Janette directly by email – [email protected]

The Skyetime Podcast returns for Season 2 with guest Neil Mathieson, Chief Executive of Mossburn Distillers. Mossburn's Torabhaig Distillery on the Sleat peninsula of Skye has just released a limited edition first bottling called 'Torabhaig Legacy Series 2017'.
Torabhaig is the newest distillery on Skye following Talisker as the only two legal distilleries on the island.
Neil talks to presenter, Simon Cousins, about the journey to produce Torabhaig's first Malt and the challenges presented to the business by Covid-19, Brexit and the tariff dispute with the USA.

In the latest episode of the Skyetime Podcast, Simon Cousins previews the Festival of Small Halls which takes place between the 26th and 28th of November. His guests are Marie Lewis, the Creative Director of Festival organisers, SEALL and musician Inge Thomson.
Marie and Inge talk about the struggle for the the creative industries during lockdown and the challenges of putting on a virtual festival. Marie reveals details of the festival line-up and there are also two tracks from festival performer, Inge Thomson.

In the latest episode of the Skyetime Podcast, Simon Cousins talks to young entrepreneur, David MacDonald from Portree.  David has a passion for the history, culture and wildlife of Skye. Prior to the Covid-19 lockdown he provided walking tours of Portree for visitors. He also builds websites and offers social media advice. His latest production is a new marketing tool for Skye's tourism industry.
When he is not working on Skye his other passion is to travel to Nashville, Tennessee to write songs and perform in the home of the Country Music industry.