It was a case of hair today, gone tomorrow for Portree High School fifth-year pupil Jonathan MacDonald last Friday. Jonathan, from Staffin, had his magnificent barnet chopped by fellow fifth-year pupil Shaylea Merrick. Pictured with Shaylea and Jonathan is Alasdair Nicolson from the local Cancer Research UK committee

Friday 4th May 2012

The Skye local committee of Cancer Research UK is this week celebrating over 25 years of fundraising, during which time it has raised an astonishing £770,000.

Friday 4th May 2012

Current governors of the University of the Highlands and Islands are “absolutely clear and explicit” that they have no intention of creating a University of Inverness.

 Friday 4th May 2012

Due to an oversight, the following letter, referenced by Roger Hutchinson in his books column, was omitted from this week's Free Press. In the interests of debate we are now publishing the letter and the column together:

WITH REGARD TO Roger Hutchinson’s note appended to my letter in the West Highland Free Press, dated 13th April, I am well aware of Hugh MacDiarmid’s “Programme for a Scottish Fascism”, first published in “The Scottish Nation” on 19th June 1923, and have it in front of me.

I don’t see what is wrong with MacDiarmid’s calling for “a Scottish Nationalist Socialism”. He didn’t call for a Scottish National Socialism in Hitler’s term.

"Get to know your techno" members Helen Anne Ross, Katie Rebecca Whitham and Sinead MacKenzie show off their award

Friday 4th May 2012

Young Scot, the national youth information agency for Scotland, has announced that “Get To Know Your Techno” from Ullapool was the proud recipient of the “Truth About Youth” accolade at this year’s awards.