STORNOWAY 2025

UHI North, West and Hebrides, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Organized by the Islands Book Trust in association with Nordic Atlantic Cooperation (NORA), this international event brought together experts, community leaders, and stakeholders to discuss the pressing economic challenges and explore sustainable opportunities for North Atlantic island communities. Participants exchanged insights, ideas, and action plans to foster sustainable futures for small island communities.

International Conference

North Atlantic & Arctic Neighbours: Building Sustainable Futures for Island Communities

This was the first conference of its kind in Stornoway. It included Scotland and Scottish Isles, and the NORA countries: Greenland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, and coastal Norway.

Part 1: UHI North, West and Hebrides, Stornoway Campus

• Tuesday and Wednesday, 1-2 July.
• The two-day programme included key themes like resilience, governance, innovation, and community engagement. Sessions emphasized practical approaches, informed by case studies, expert presentations, and interactive discussions, to ensure tangible outcomes. Bringing together diverse expertise and perspectives served to inspire the development of practical strategies for resilient and thriving island communities.

Part 2: HEBRIDEAN CULTURAL HERITAGE EXCURSION

• Thursday 3rd July
• This day-long excursion offered insight into the cultural and historical heritage of the Hebrides. Highlights included a visit to Galson Estate Trust to explore community land ownership, Ness Historical Society to learn about crofting and language preservation, and the iconic Callanish Stones. The day ended with a Gaelic Musical Ceilidh on return to Stornoway.

• John Randall (Islands Book Trust) - john673randall@btinternet.com
• Ernst S. Olsen (NORA) - ernst@nora.fo