The young people of the Highlands are preparing to gather for a special celebration of youth, vision and community.
On Friday 13 June, the Highland Youth Parliament (HYP) will host its annual conference at Inverness Leisure and Canal Park.
This year carries extra significance, as HYP marks 25 years of giving young people across the Highlands a platform to be heard.
Around 100 young people from all 29 secondary school areas in the region will come together for a day filled with discussion, reflection and fun.
Each participant has been asked to bring a time capsule item representing their area, which will be sealed and reopened in 2050.
It is a simple yet powerful gesture, allowing today’s voices to echo into the future.
The conference will focus on how the Highland Youth Parliament can continue to strengthen youth participation and widen its reach across the region.
Young people will review the current structures and suggest ways to ensure that every voice, from every community, is supported and heard.
The morning will feature a vibrant marketplace of stalls from a range of organisations and services working with young people across Highland.
Youth development officers and young people themselves will showcase the work being done to improve services, support and opportunities in their local areas.
Jake MacCulloch, Chair of the Highland Youth Parliament, will open the event alongside Lauren McKittrick, the Highland Youth Convener.
The Scottish Youth Parliament will also take part, sharing their latest work and consulting Highland’s young people on their upcoming manifesto.
Kate Lackie, Assistant Chief Executive for People at The Highland Council, will lead a session exploring the Council’s Our Future Our Highland Programme.
Afterwards, delegates will break into smaller groups to discuss a wide range of issues that matter to them.
Topics include education, employment, leisure, recreation, transport, infrastructure, environment, health and social care.
These conversations will help shape the future priorities for the Highland Youth Parliament and give local authorities clear insights into what matters most to young people.
A Walk and Talk a Mile session will give participants the chance to reflect on key questions that will inform the 2026-2029 Children’s Services Plan and the Highland Children and Young People’s Participation Strategy.
The day will not be all serious discussions.
There will be plenty of activities designed to bring some joy, relaxation and community spirit.
High Life Highland is offering free swim and gym sessions.
Inverness Leisure will host line dancing classes.
The Highland Archive Centre will invite young people to explore their family history.
Inverness Botanics will offer guided tours of the gardens and share the important work they do.
Lauren McKittrick, the Highland Youth Convener, is looking forward to a day that blends important conversations with celebration.
She said she is excited to hear the unique perspectives of young people from across the Highlands.
Jake MacCulloch reflected on his own journey, from attending last year’s conference as a participant to chairing this year’s event.
He said he is thrilled to be part of such an important opportunity for young people to share their views, connect and take part in tailored workshops.
Kate Lackie praised the strong partnership between The Highland Council and the Highland Youth Parliament.
She emphasised how vital it is for the voices of children and young people to be heard and taken seriously in future policy making.
Ahead of the conference, young people have been preparing through online training delivered by The Highland Council, the Scottish Youth Parliament and Education Scotland.
The sessions have covered important topics like the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, campaigning, respectful debate and what it means to be part of the Highland Youth Parliament.
As HYP celebrates a proud 25 years, this conference stands as a vibrant reminder of the energy, vision and leadership young people bring to the Highlands.
