New Highland Youth Convener for 2025/26

Leah McBain from Lochinver has taken up the role of Highland Youth Convener.

Twenty-three-year-old Leah began in post at the end of August, following a short spell shadowing the outgoing Highland Youth Convener, Lauren McKittrick from Inverness.

Leah, who was previously assistant youth worker with The Highland Council’s Youth Service, is the 17th young person appointed to the role.

As Highland Youth Convener, she will provide a consistent link for elected members and senior officials in The Highland Council, representing young people’s views, acting as a sounding board for issues young people face and attending relevant council and community planning partner meetings.

The Highland Youth Convener role is a full-time bursary position that runs for 12 months. The candidate works closely with young people across the Highlands through the Highland Youth Parliament, area youth forums and pupil councils in secondary schools.

Leah says her mission is to ensure that the young people she works with feel confident and supported in pursuing their own opportunities.

Leah said: “I will strive to apply my knowledge to my local community wherever possible. Beyond work, I am dedicated to expanding my skill set through online courses, including psychology, disability awareness and currently, British Sign Language — helping me better communicate with young people who have additional needs.

“I am also a board member of my local historical community and, whenever possible, engage young people with the rich landscape and history of our area, filling in gaps left by the school curriculum.

“Being offered this role of Highland Youth Convener is a privilege. I am honoured to provide a voice for one of the most under-represented groups in Scotland.

“Young people are the future, and we must do more to support and uplift them.

“I would also like to thank my predecessor, Lauren McKittrick, for her outstanding contribution in this role, and I hope to continue building on the strong foundations she has set.”

Leah holds a degree in History and Criminology from the University of the Highlands and Islands and is grateful to have had the opportunity to remain in the Highlands while furthering her education.

She also acknowledged, as a young person with additional support needs, the benefits she received through her local HC Ullapool Youth Development Officer, Yvonne Boa.

Leah added: “Like so many other surrounding villages to Ullapool, Lochinver has significantly fewer resources, especially for young people.

“Given my own rurality I hope that young people living in places where getting to school takes an hour or more will feel represented.”

Highland Council’s Education Committee Chair Cllr John Finlayson welcomed the appointment and said: “I am delighted along with my fellow members to welcome Leah to this key role.

“She will be an asset to our committees and we look forward to working with her during her term in the role.

“As the youth voice of Highland she will make a valued and important contribution to the work of the council.”

Bill Lobban, Convener of The Highland Council said: “The Highland Youth Convener post plays a vital part in helping us to better understand and engage with the issues that affect our young people.

“I welcome Leah to the role, look forward to hearing all she has to offer and wish her every success.”

Raymond Bremner, Leader of The Highland Council, added: “The role of Youth Convener is so important to us because young people will shape the future of the Highlands.

“We need to heed and value their perspectives and aspirations, as well as to make sure they are involved in the decision-making process.

“I am looking forward to working alongside Leah and welcome her to the new role.”