LOCAL NEWS NOVEMBER 7 2023

 

Old Man of Storr visitor number close to 240,000

The Old Man of Storr has seen a 15 per cent rise in the number of visitors this year with close 240,000 people spending time at the world-famous beauty spot.

Figures released by the Highland show that over 238,000 people have visited the Storr in the first nine months of 2023, while 205,000 came to the natural attraction across the whole of 2022.

Facilities at the Storr, include public toilets, a main car park with the capacity for 140 cars, bike shelters, and motor home waste disposal facilities.

The next phase of the project will see the installation of the Ionad an Stòir unit (Storr Centre) and electric vehicle chargers.

The project is being supported by £440,000 from the Islands Infrastructure Fund and £50,000 from the Community Regeneration Fund and is expected to be completed by May 2024.

Skye and Raasay Area Chair, Councillor John Finlayson said: The Storr as a visitor attraction has the potential to generate significant income onsite retail, e-commerce, and electrical vehicle charging, to help cover the costs of on the site as well as reinvestment including at the Storr and in the community.

Skye and Raasay receives £100,000 support for cost of living crisis

More than £100,000 is being made available to Skye and Raasay to support eligible residents with a cost of living payment.

The funding is through the Scottish Government’s Islands Winter Boost Fund announcement that will allocate £105,000 of funding for Skye and Raasay.

Non-recurring cost of living payments of £127.00 per household to eligible island residents by 28 February 2024.

The payments will be made to those in receipt of means-tested council tax reduction and those with a council tax liability who are receiving specified council tax exemptions.

The categories of council tax exemptions for this purpose are cared leavers, those who are cared for, those under 18 years, and those who are certified as having a severe mental impairment as defined in council tax legislation.

Skye and Raasay Area Committee Chair, Councillor John Finlayson said: “The Islands Winter Boost Fund has been developed by the Scottish Government to specifically recognise and help support the additional financial challenges faced by island communities.

He added: “The cost of living crisis continues to be felt by us all, however, the additionality of inflated costs associated with island living such as higher heating costs, delivery of goods and essential travel, currently exacerbates those challenges.

The council’s service delivery team will identify all eligible households and make BACS payments automatically, removing the need for individuals to apply and keep the administrative costs of delivering the funding to a minimum.

Highlands MSP to lead debate on sustainable ferry services

Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain is set to lead debate today on a modern and sustainable ferry service for Scotland.

Mr Mountain will speak on behalf of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, which he chairs.

In June, the committee published a report on a modern and sustainable ferry service for Scotland following an inquiry.

The inquiry followed on from a public petition submitted to the committee underlining losses to island economies who rely on tourism who need reliable and regular ferry services.

Today (Tuesday 7th November) Mr Mountain will ask that the parliament notes the recent recommendations made by the committee through its report which has called on the Goverment to set out its comprehensive vision for a high quality service for all ferry-dependent communities in the Islands Connectivity Plan.

New visa system would help “boost economy”

Scotland’s Migration Minister has claimed that independence would provide a platform for the government to introduce a new visa system help address rural and island depopulation.

The latest ‘Building a New Scotland’ prospectus paper focuses on migration in an independent Scotland and sets out how a new Live in Scotland Visa would help to address depopulation in rural areas.

The proposed initiatives will be piloted areas to help migrants settle in rural and island communities – drawing inspiration from similar successful schemes around the world.

Migration minister Emma Roddick, who also represents the Highlands and Islands as an MSP, said: “The aim of these initiatives will be to support migrants to raise families, create opportunities, and enrich communities in every part of the country – while also supporting those communities to welcome, manage and include new residents. Importantly, we learn from countries like Canada where targeted migration schemes have benefited rural provinces and territories.

“Helping tackle the challenge of depopulation, inward migration of people who want to come to live, study and work in Scotland would also boost local economies and support public services, helping these places grow and flourish well into the future.

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