A guide to Australia's Torres Strait islands
Fraser told the London Standard: 'We are trying to shift the economic needle. If we incentivise the young to continue to do things that have always been part of their culture — like fishing or basket weaving — there's more reason to stay. Strait Experience is about achieving something that is sustainable with the right balance of tourism and safeguarding the community and its way of life. Not just for Masig, but right across the Strait.'
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The National
01-06-2025
- The National
Orkney ready to shine as Island Games return to Scotland
So says Robbie Fraser, a member of the organising board for Orkney 2025 – the 20th edition of the Island Games, a biannual multi-sport competition that you could describe as the Olympics of small island communities. While attention in Scotland has been led towards the return of the Commonwealth Games to Glasgow in 2026 – 12 years after the 2014 games – Scotland has waited since the 2005 event in Shetland to see the return of this particular tournament, which will feature 24 teams competing across 12 sports. That edition was when a 20-year love affair with the Games began for Fraser: 'We went to Shetland in 2005 and that was a real eye-opener for me of the effects the Games can have on a smaller community – much less of a population than Guernsey [the hosts of the first Games he attended in 2003]. READ MORE: Music therapy strikes a chord in care, schools and hospitals across Scotland 'The whole place was absolutely buzzing about the Games and since then I've been hooked.' When Fraser first began attending the Island Games – and he has been a fixture at each one since 2003 – he was a reporter for BBC Orkney. He says: 'It was absolutely brilliant because, being a reporter, if you're with a team then you're kind of installed with them, you're almost part of the team.' As Fraser's career wound down, he saw an opportunity to move from observer to organiser. 'I met so many good friends in it [the Island Games] and I was aware that I was going to be retired soon. 'I wouldn't be able to go to the Games forever, and I wanted to be more connected to it.' He joined the Orkney Island Games Committee as vice-chair in 2013 and travelled to that year's event in Bermuda as team manager, where he has fond memories of the team winning a bronze medal in the team half marathon. He then helped lead the efforts to bring the Games to the island group off Scotland's north coast. With the support of the Government and local MSP Liam McArthur, among others, Orkney won the bid to host in 2023, which was moved back to this year after Guernsey was forced to postpone the 2021 edition due to Covid. (Image: Andrew Milligan) McArthur says: 'Having chaired the committee that successfully bid for the Games, I'm obviously delighted that Orkney will be playing host to the International Island Games this summer. 'It's a perfect opportunity to showcase what our islands have to offer while providing a stage for high-class sporting competition and talent.' In terms of population, it is the smallest island to host the event yet, with the Isle of Wight the largest. As much as Fraser stresses the friendliness of the event – in which crowds will cheer on athletes no matter where they come from – he is just as keen to point out that the competition between athletes is fierce: 'Don't be thinking that the competition isn't intense – it's really intense. 'It's dedicated athletes that are competing.' He's not wrong. A young Mark Cavendish cut his teeth in the Island Games before embarking on one of the finest cycling careers of all time. Several other islanders have earned medals at Olympics and world championships over the years. One of Orkney's star athletes is Taylah Paterson, a sprinter who has run for Scotland and competed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Yet nothing really compares to getting to run for her island on home soil: 'For us islanders, it's almost like the Olympics. 'So when we had the bid to get it at home, the excitement was building that it could come to Orkney. 'The Games are extremely competitive but also really friendly – I've made friends for life competing at these Games.' This year she is targeting the Island Games 100m record, as her existing personal best is already faster. 'When I go away to compete they're always amazed that I come from the island – usually your best athletes come from the central belt area where the best facilities are. 'I've always been proud to wear an Orkney vest and it'll be really special to do it in front of our home crowd – it's fine going away and competing but it'll be nice to compete in front of friends and family and show them what I can do!' This unique pride in being an islander is right at the heart of what the Island Games is about. Fraser adds: 'Islands tend to be very self sufficient, very independent – very aware of their own identities. 'Here in Orkney, we consider ourselves Orcadian first, Scottish second and – if you want to – British third. 'We've got so much in common with the other islands – some are bigger, some are wealthier, but we're all just the same when we get together.' Paterson echoes Fraser's thoughts: 'If somebody asks where you're from you'll always say 'I'm from the Orkney islands … in Scotland'. 'You'll always say Orkney first. 'We know from being from an island it's unique, we're a close community up here, we're proud to be from here, and we want to shout about it when we can.' (Image: PA) Pride, friendliness and competition – they are the three main thrusts of the Island Games and they are the three things that come up again and again. Fraser says: 'We tend to be quite a quiet people, we don't tend to make a big song and dance about things, but this is our one chance. 'We've got great hospitality and I just can't wait to give that to everybody. 'It's our chance to say, 'Look, we're here, come and enjoy it.'' MSP McArthur adds: 'Each Island Games reflects the unique characteristics of the host island, but all share the same ability to bring islanders together, allowing friendships and ties to be formed and deepened – it's little wonder they're known as the Friendly Games. 'I have no doubt that Orkney will put on the best Games yet and allow all those attending, whether competing or supporting, to create many more special memories.'
Daily Record
01-06-2025
- Daily Record
Fed-up Edinburgh residents have had enough of 'party' Airbnb
One neighbour said: "People are going at all hours of the night and there is no real soundproofing despite the owner making modifications. It is ridiculous. He cannot get away with this." Fed-up residents who live near an Airbnb that was suspended from the site because of problem parties, are furious that it's up for rent again. The flat in the Faulburn area of Edinburgh is the only known short term let (STL) in the block. After complaints from neighbours about loud guests wreaking havoc, the property was suspended from Airbnb site for 30 days. They claimed youths were falling around the street, acting aggressively with one another and consuming alcohol at the property. But they've been left livid after discovering the flat had been listed on for several months before it reappeared on Airbnb in May 2025 when its suspension ended. Resident and business owner, Fraser Ramsay, said he had to go down to the flat last Tuesday because he couldn't sleep with the noise. He told Edinburgh Live: 'I told the man to keep the noise down or I would phone the police and he agreed to do so but then I heard him through the night again. 'It ruins your next day, I'm a business owner, and going out to working not having a good sleep isn't great. The owner of this Airbnb needs to sell up to someone who will live here long term or rent out the flat to a proper resident. 'At least if it is a permanent neighbour in the block we will be able to build relationships and have common courtesy. At the moment there is a security issue as well because these are strangers. 'People are going at all hours of the night and there is no real soundproofing despite the owner making modifications. It is ridiculous. He cannot get away with this. 'End of the day it is important this comes to an end. When it all kicks off it is horrible.' Fraser has been in regular contact with Edinburgh Council to try to get answers as to how the owner was able to re-list the property for short term rentals on Airbnb. Correspondence between the home owner and the council stated a notice had been given to the STL landlord ordering them to cease operating the Airbnb unless they are able to lodge an appeal by late June 2025. It is understood Airbnb suspended the property originally due to a party taking place at the property which is a breach of the platforms rules. However the property owner is understood to have carried out 'sound proofing' alterations to the property, which led to the ban being lifted. Airbnb protocol states the company will potentially deactivate a property if they are contacted by a relevant local authority which believes the listing is operating illegally. It is understood the council have not made contact with Airbnb regarding the above property. In a message seen by Edinburgh Live, council officials told Fraser: 'Just a quick e-mail to advise that enforcement notices were served on the property on Wednesday 21 May 2025. The property owner has until 25 June 2025 to appeal the notice. 'If he fails to do so by this date, then he would require to comply with its requirements i.e. cease the use of the property as a short term let by 25 July 2025.' Councillor Joan Griffiths Planning Convener said: 'We have issued an enforcement notice requesting that the owner of this property ceases to use it as a short term let. They have until 24 July 2025 to comply with this notice unless they appeal.' An Airbnb spokesperson said: 'We take feedback from local residents seriously, and this listing was temporarily suspended in line with our policies and the host has since taken steps to address this issue. Parties are banned on Airbnb and we may remove this listing if further policy violations occur. 'While issues on Airbnb are exceptionally rare, residents can contact us 24/7 via our neighbourhood support line and we investigate all reports received through this channel.'
Scotsman
30-05-2025
- Scotsman
Scotland invented hills, but we have a rival at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincolnshire is very flat. I know this, because I was there last week. As we drove through it, I couldn't help but notice that the whole place looked like it had been ironed. Very handy for the RAF in WW2, who built airfields all over the place and gave it the nickname 'Bomber County'. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Bump-free wide horizons make Scots nervy. We do like a wee bit of hill and glen, if only to hide from invading enemies and most importantly, visiting families. The city of Lincoln itself, however, is an excellent workout for hill climbing muscles, and I know that because we took ourselves down to see the sights. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There's a show-stopper of a cathedral and a fairly decent castle, although I must be honest, Edinburgh has nothing to fear. We've got a better gift shop for a start. The street to the Cathedral is actually called 'Steep Hill'. This tells you all you need to know, really. It's a hill, and it's very steep. Also, it's the only serious slope for miles around. Fell runner training must be a challenge in Lincolnshire. You've basically just got this to run up and down. Hardly any Scottish city could get away with that snappy two word street name. Take Edinburgh. Imagine the chaos you could cause by naming every high gradient roadway 'Steep Hill'. That's the entire Old Town. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's possibly that familiarity with urban hill walking that made me pretty dismissive at the start of our ascent. Have to be honest, I did eye-roll the sign. That cantankerous, carnaptious Dad's Army Private Fraser voice in my head positively sneered. 'Oh aye? Steep, is it? Let me tell you about steep. I'm from Scotland, slopes are in our blood'. Why, sometimes, in places like London, we fall over because we've been walking about in soft Southern flatness for so long. We lose our balance. It's possibly an inner ear thing. Or a booze in the blood thing. We had prepared for the challenge, of course, with what marathon runners call 'pre-loading' our diet. So that would be strong coffee for me, tea and marmalade on toast for himself. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He's taken to using one of those Nordic walking poles. They are very useful, but with his luxuriant white mane he does bear an uncanny resemblance to Gandalf. And then we hit the slope. Good people of Edinburgh, the signs did not lie. This hill is so steep it should be Scottish. Be of cheer, I did not let my nation down. I threw myself into the challenge, aided by the kind people of Lincoln who had thoughtfully placed any number of cutesy wee shops all the way up, each tempting me and pole-wielding Sherpa Tensing ever higher. This is the cunning of the sassenach. It's like being lured ever further up Ben Nevis by the twinkling windows of artisan candle and soap shops. We hit the summit, and by jingo, I wanted to slam a Saltire into the ground and claim this hill for Scotland. Couldn't, obviously. Cobbles. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It was worth it. The cathedral is sublime, although the mere sight of a stained glass window is enough to raise John Knox's chilly spirit to blast his monstrous trumpet at me. Ach, away, John, I've paid for my peek at glory by slogging up the hill, how presbyterian is that?
