A new Scottish Government team has been set up to take forward the implementation of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018. Erica Clarkson (Islands Lead) lives and works in Orkney and Don Morrison (Islands Policy Officer) is from the Outer Hebrides.

The new Islands Team will be writing regular blogs for us, and you can also get news and updates from them by following @IslandsTeamSG on Twitter.

The Scottish Islands Federation was set up in 2000 by islanders keen to learn from each other, work together and have a stronger voice on issues of common concern.

In a short article for our website you can find out more about the work of the Scottish Islands Federation and what's coming up for them.

The Scottish Rural Network recently hosted a visit from a group of Estonian farmers and academics which saw them visiting projects and businesses across western and central Scotland, including Mull. 

The group are in the process of setting up an abattoir on the Estonian island of Muhu and among the initiatives visited were the Mull and Iona Abattoir and two marts in Stirling.

Kadri Tali, the Estonian group lead, said: "The trip was wonderful and we learned a lot. Mainly that food marketing problems are very similar here and there. But also that we should somehow develop a similar auction system as you do - the Mart was impressive."

In our event report you can find out more about the trip and the different projects and businesses showcased.

A dinner on Skye brought together over a hundred people including sheep farmers, chefs and the business community to promote Skye mutton.

The meal showcased the result of months of hard work by a Rural Innovation Support Service group, set up to find out whether there might be appetite on the island for Skye mutton rather than just lamb.

The guests enjoyed haggis-spiced mutton faggot, the winner of a recipe competition, prepared by Scott Davies of the famous Three Chimneys restaurant on the island.