Welcome to the home of the Young Islanders Network
Welcome to the home of the Young Islanders Network
We are a network of groups working in our local communities, and together, to get the voices of young islanders heard in Government and beyond.
What’s new?

About us
What is the Young Islander’s Network? How did we get started? Where are we going?
Our projects
We run lots of projects and events for young islanders across the Scottish islands.

Latest news
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New National Islands Plan Launched: What It Means For Young Islanders
The Scottish Government has launched the second National Islands Plan, setting out how it aims to support island communities over the coming years with a particular focus on population retention and attraction. Launching the Plan alongside a visit to Orkney and Shetland, First Minister John Swinney said: ‘Island communities are a key national asset and
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A YIN Residential 13-15 March 2026!
Are you aged 12-25 and want to have your views heard about being a young islander? Meet other young people from across Scotland’s islands. Connect, share ideas and make friends while shaping and influencing what really matters to you. This March, the Young Islanders Network (YIN) is bringing young people from islands across Scotland together in
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Read the YIN Ferry Safety Report
Following our transport challenge report in 2023, the Young Islanders Network (YIN) heard from young people that they often feel unsafe due to adult behaviour whilst travelling on ferries. This feeling applies to both mainland Scotland and inter-island ferries. Following the Young Islanders Network’s Transport Challenge Report, young people across Scotland’s islands told us clearly
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Opportunities in August and September
Upcoming opportunities for August/September and a call out for YIN representation across the network for these events: TRANSPORT Wednesday 13 August Minister for Connectivity & Agriculture Visit Shetland. An opportunity to meet with Jim Fairlie MSP for engagement on the Under 22s Ferry scheme and ferry vouchers Thursday 14 August Minister for Connectivity & Agriculture
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Celebrating our Inspirational Young Islanders
Back in January, we launched a call for nominations to our network looking for someone who inspires them. Young Islanders could nominate any other young islander aged 5 to 25 who, for one reason or another, was inspirational to them. We received a lot of nominations since the call was launched, and it has been
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YIN kicks off 2025 talking Housing with decision makers
It is still early doors, however, 2025 looks like another busy year for the Network given the response, so far, to the Young Islanders Network Housing Challenge report which was published in December 2024. When the report (https://staging.yin.scot/you-had-your-say-read-the-yin-housing-challenge-report-here/) was published in December 2024, we shared it with local authorities, health boards, housing associations, Scottish government
