Following the First Minister’s visit to Skye, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has criticised John Swinney’s failure to meet with local campaigners while on the island.
Mr Halcro Johnston MSP said: “Once again, we see another hard hat and high vis visit to Skye from the Scottish Government which included no effort to actually meet with local people campaigning on important issues for the island.
“On Saturday morning, I met with campaigners against the planned workers camp in Broadford, visiting the proposed site with them and listening to their concerns about how it will impact on their community.
"In the afternoon, I met with hospital campaigners in Portree who, for far too long, have been fighting for the promised return of 24/7 urgent care provision at Portree Hospital.
"The failure of NHS Highland and Scottish ministers to meet the recommendations of the Ritchie Report is an issue I've raised repeatedly in Parliament, including with the First Minister himself.
"Surely some time could have been found in John Swinney's diary to meet with these groups during his visit to Skye, even if it meant extending the trip for a little longer and making the effort to travel to the north of the island?
“Unfortunately, instead of meeting local people and listening to local concerns, it appears this was just another handshake and photo op for John Swinney, while the local community's real issues of concern went unheard.
"That's simply not good enough and just shows how little our rural and island communities matter to the SNP government in Edinburgh".