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.
You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh live at the times below by clicking on the banner. 
Council education chair hits out at Dunvegan school funding snub
The Highland Council’s education chair has criticised the Scottish Goverment for ignoring the pressing need for a new primary school for Dunvegan by omitting the Skye institution from a key funding award.
All four bids from the Highland Council, including for Dunvegan, were rejected by the Scottish Government in its latest round of the £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme, which was announced on Monday.
As well as plans for a new primary school the proposal for Dunvegan also includes new housing and a community sports pitch.
In announcing the awards, Scottish Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said she was determined to deliver excellence and equity across Scotland’s schools, and ensuring that pupils are educated in modern, state of the art facilities is an important part of that.
She added that every Scottish local authority which submitted a bid has now received funding for a project across the three phases of LEIP funding.
However, speaking to Radio Skye following the decision, Skye and Raasay Councillor who chair the Highland Council’s education committee, questioned the Scottish Government’s judgement.
He said: “What is very galling is the fact that a strong bid was put in for Dunvegan, and the bid was accepted as being strong by the Scottish Goverment.
But the outcome within LEIP 3, seems to now suggest that councils who had not got funding in round 1 or 2, were given funding this time round. So in effect, the condition of schools, the need for replacements, the strength of bids was ignored in favour of every authority getting an allocation…”
He added: “This is some way undermines the whole process.”
The cost of the project has risen from £12.5 million when the plans were approved by the council in 2019 to £23 million in 2023.
However, councillor Finlayson contended that the project was not dead and buried despite the significant set back.
“Personally, I’m very, very disappointed at the outcome, especially for Dunvegan…I also feel that governments of all colours (politically) need to try to understand the challenges that rural areas and islands face in terms of many issues including education.
“I am still committed to and convinced that a new school, housing and a pitch will be in place in Dunvegan, even though it will take longer than I or the community had hoped it would.”
Fellow Skye and Raasay Councillor Ruraidh Stewart argued that the council was not blameless and said that communities of Highland has found themselves let down by the Councils SNP and Independent administration, which he claimed had consistently failed to prioritise the needs of our school communities.
He also criticised the SNP/Green administration in Holyrood for what he has called an “abandonment of our school communities”.
He concluded by saying that that the absence of LEIP funding did not negate the urgent requirement for investment in the Dunvegan, Beauly, Park, and St Clement’s schools, and pledged that he and his colleagues would continue to press the administration to invest in the learning estate and prioritise the well-being and future of Highland’s young people.
Rural and Islands Housing Plan challenged at Holyrood
The conservatives and labour have today challenge the scope of Scottish Government’s Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan during a debate at Holyrood today.
Through its Rural and Islands Housing Action plan plan, the Scottish Government has committed to delivering 110,000 houses by 2032 across the country, with 10 per cent earmarked for rural and islands areas.
However, Scottish Conservative MSP Rachael Hamilton said that the plan was insufficient with rural and island areas accounting for 17 per cent of Scotland population.
Meanwhile, Scottish labour member Mark Griffin has asked that the government set that an interim target for 5,500 houses to be completed in rural areas by 2026.
In an amendment to housing minister Paul MacLennan’s motion, Mr Griffin stressed that greater economic support from the Goverment was needed for infrastructure needed to allow local authorities, registered social landlords, community organisations and Scottish Government agencies to successfully retain and attract people to rural and island communities.
Breakish group to hold wind farm event
A Skye campaign group who standing against plan to site a wind farm in Breakish are hosting a public exploring community-owned alternatives.
The Breakish Wind Farm Action Group comprise of local community members who are in opposition to Swedish Developer Arise AB’S plans to site 16 wind turbines 180 metres in height in the south Skye settlement.
This Wednesday the group are hosting an event where a presentation will be given by Faye MacLeod of Campbell Stewart MacLennan and Co. Chartered Accountants.
The event will be held on Wednesday (1st November) at 7.30pm upstairs at Broadford Village Hall.
Green MSP backs Sabhal Mòr Ostaig to be granted university status
A Highland MSP is leading a campaign for Skye’s Sabhal Mòr Ostaig to be granted University Status as Scotland’s First Gaelic University.
Scottish Green MSP Arianne Burgess introduced a motion to support full degree-conferring powers to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig which passed by an overwhelming majority.
Speaking to the National newspaper Ms Burgess said granting the centre university status would place the Sleat-based institution it on the international stage and attract more people to the Gaelic language.
The Green MSP will now take the campaign onto the Scottish Parliament.
Voting open for Dunvegan and Glengarry Community Councils
Ballot papers have been sent to voters in Dunvegan and Glengarry to determine the make-up of their local community councils.
Postal ballot papers for ten contested Highland community councils have been mailed out today (Tuesday 31 October 2023).
The ballot papers need to be completed and returned by the deadline of 12 noon on Monday 27 November 2023.
Candidates were invited to submit a statement to support their candidacy and these statements are now published online at the community council elections section of the Council’s website
The counting of the votes for the ten contested Community Councils will take place from 12noon onwards on Monday 27 November 2023 and the count process will be broadcast live on the Council’s social media channels.
You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh live at the times below by clicking on the banner.
New Skye wind farm website launched as businesswoman warns of impacts
A Skye businesswoman is urging all community councils across the island and on Raasay to consider and be aware of the the impact of wind farms which are proposed for the area.
Faye MacLeod, who lives on Skye and runs the accountancy firm Campbell Stewart MacLennan and Co, has written to all the community councils across the area to express her extreme concerns for what she argues would be the consequences for residents, businesses, and the island in general from the cumulative effect of the proposed wind farm developments on Skye.
On Monday Ms MacLeod contacted Radio Skye about the launch of a new website focussing on the developments – skyewind.co.uk has been created using publicly available information.
The website contains news concerning the plans for new or upgraded wind farms on Skye, local opinions on the matter, as well as examples of the economic impact that community-owned developments have had in the Western Isles
At present plans for nine different developments from Breakish in the south east to Waternish in the north west of the island been submitted to the Highland Council which are either at planning or scooping stage.
Plans underway to transform Tigh na Sgire into Portree hub
The Highland Council offices in Portree could be transformed into a central hub for local and national agencies through a new project.
Through the Portree demonstrator project, options are being explored to house the Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Skills Development Scotland, Nature Scot, and potentially other local organisations in the same building to provide a one-stop shop for service users.
Skye and Raasay Councillors discussed the plans with the Scottish Goverment Minister for Local Government Empowerment, Joe Fitzpatrick, during the minister visit to Skye on Monday.
Remedial works are set to take place in 2024, the first phase of project is being funded by the Scottish Goverment – £800,000, and Highland Council, and HIE – £100,000.
The works will be undertaken pending further site investigation, design development and statutory consents being applied for and approved.
Commenting to Radio Skye, Skye and Raasay Councillor John Finlayson said that a building condition survey has taken place and is under review to ensure capital allocation presents value for money within the budget currently committed.
Fellow local member Councillor Calum Munro, meanwhile. told Radio Skye, he hoped it would be a significant development in revitalising Tigh na Sgìre and maintaining a public sector presence in the centre of Portree.
Beaches cleans to form fifty years of Skye litter study
A research group from Loughborough University will be taking part in a series of beach cleans on Skye across July and August as part of project looking at 50 years of litter across the island
The group are teaming up with Skye Beach Cleans and will visit eight beaches starting with Elgol on 23rd July and finishing at Knock Bay on 3rd August.
SLCVO to host volunteering event
A host of community groups and organisation are set to take part in an event in Portree next week to highlight volunteering opportunities within the area
The Skye and Lochalsh Council of Volunteer Organisations are hosting the event which Radio Skye will be involved in at the community centre in the Skye capital between 1 and 3 on Tuesday 25th July.
You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh live at the times below by clicking on the banner.
Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh pupils to take on 500-mile defibrillator fundraiser
Pupils from Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh are taking on a 500-mile walking challenge to raise funds for a defibrillator outside the school.
Five pupils from Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh spoke to Radio Skye about the venture, which take places this Wednesday (25th May).
The defibrillator will be acquired through Skye-based charity Lucky2BHere.
Speaking to Radio Skye, pupils from P3/P4 Sgoil Araich chatted about the fundraiser.
Sandy MacDonald said: “We are trying to get a defibrillator, because there are 3,000 cases of cardiac arrest every year, and easily one of those people could be one of the people in our school.
“The defibrillator will be placed out of our school, where our school can use it and anyone else that needs it.”
Fellow pupil, Edith MacDonald said: “The walk will be up at shinty clubhouse, and we are going to walk 500 miles. We are going to walk around the clubhouse and the school.”
Ruby Latton, who is also in P3/P4 added: “We are having a coffee morning in the school, on the 16th June at 11 am.”
Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh is aiming to raise £2,000.
For more information and to donate click below on the social media post.
Deadline for Kilt Rock car park project extended
Work to redevelop the car park at the Kilt Rock visitor attraction on Skye is to be extended due to emergency road repairs.
The facilities at the beauty spot were scheduled to reopen at the end of May, but in an update today the Highland Council said the works would be extended due to local emergency road repairs and resources the works will now be extended.
Skye and Raasay Councillor John Finlayson said the works at Kilt Rock were progressing well, but added that the weather would be a factor and a specific end date was difficult to give.
“The very welcome development works at Kilt Rock are progressing well and are now at the phase that puts works very much at the mercy of the weather,” he said
“This being the case, it is difficult to give a specific date for opening but we remain hopeful that subject to weather the tarring and line painting works can be completed as soon as possible, and the new facilities will be open very soon and certainly in time for peak demand.”
Skye artist part of Highland Memory Space pandemic project
A Skye sound artist and musician is leading a special project to commemorate the pandemic called Highland Memory Space.
Hector MacInnes from Skye is working in collaboration with Cat Meighan from Inverness and Sinéad Hargan Caithness on the Scottish Government initiative which will involve open workshops, drop-ins and sessions targeting specific communities,
Speaking to Radio Skye today, Hector MacInnes explained the project.
“It is part of a bigger project – over the last year – called Remembering Together which has been rolling out across Scotland.
“It is basically giving communities the chance to come together and talk about how they might want to create some way of remembering or commemorating the pandemic.
“At the heart of that are the people that want to remember the loved ones that they have lost. We recognised that is at the centre of the project.
He went on to say: “There are also host of other extremely diverse experiences and memories – there are funerals, weddings, and births that have been missed.
“The loss of livelihoods, the way of life, and then also all the different ways some people might have found a new role for themselves or a new relationship with their communities. And of course, the ways people are experiencing the pandemic are ongoing right now.
“These are things that might be appropriate to mark somehow or pause and reflect on together.”
For more information, you can visit the website here.
Some of the events upcoming as part of the project
Change afoot for Skye and Lochalsh constituency?
The Scottish Parliament constituency covering Skye and Lochalsh could be set to change if a new proposal goes ahead.
A month-long consultation by Boundaries Scotland is seeking views on proposals.
At present the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency currently covers an area of more than 12,000 square kilometres, with an electorate of 63,500.
Under the proposal the electorate would increase by 6.1 per cent, while the new boundary would also include part of the Inverness south ward.
The consultation runs until 17th June and you can take part by visiting the website.
News by Adam Gordon.
You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh at the times below by clicking on the banner.
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Skye and Lochalsh Mental Health Association: “I don’t know where I would be without it.”
A long-term member of the Skye and Lochalsh Health Mental Health Association has spoken out about the importance of seeking help and has praised the organisation for changing her life
Speaking to Radio Skye, during mental health awareness week, Victoria Goodridge said she didn’t know where she would be without the association, which is known locally as Am Fasgadh, and said there was no shame in seeking help.
She said: “I been on Skye for 20-odd years, but I have been coming here for about 30 years.
“I come here for my mental health, plus I had cancer as well. I wouldn’t have known I had cancer if it wasn’t for Am Fasgadh – they push me to go to see the doctor.
“All the staff have been brilliant with me through the cancer, they have taken me to my appointments, making sure I understood things.
“They always make sure I have a hot meal, as I can’t cook.”
Victoria said that she would be sure where she would be without Am Fasgadh.
“I have made loads of friends in here,” she said.
“If this place was not here, I don’t know where I would be to tell the truth. I would have probably ended up in hospital.
“This is a godsend this place. It is open seven days a week.
“You don’t need to talk to people if you don’t want to. But it is somewhere to come and if you have stuff on your chest you can get it out.
“All people have to do is pop in, have a cup of tea or coffee. It is not a shame to get a coffee, and meet new people, and find out what it is all about.
“There is always help in here.”
Sandra MacKenzie, who works as the centre manager, told Radio Skye: “We are here 365 days a year. People who come here suffer from health problems everyday and sometimes for years on end.
“It is good for people to focus and see what is available in their area, we have a social media presence, we are on Instagram, Twitter and on Facebook and our website.
“We help people through short-term illnesses or long-term, life-long, severe and enduring illnesses. We can offer advice, we can just be a pop-in, people don’t need to be referred to us.
“People can pop-in, give us a call, or reach out to us on social media, and we will get back to them.
Sandra said that despite its established presence within the community funding remains a constant challenge for the organisation which marks its 30th anniversary this year.
“The biggest stress for me is always funding,” she said.
“We are always short of money, and not knowing from year-to year where we are.
However, she added: “It is an amazing thing being able to spend your working life helping other people. That helps our mental health being able to do that.
“It is a privilege to be able help people and make their lives a little bit better.”
For more information on Am Fasgadh you can visit the website or call 01478613533.
Dunvegan Primary School bid decision expected by end of May
The chair of the Highland Council’s education committee has said the success of a funding bid for a new school in Dunvegan is expected to be decided later this month.
The council’s bid for the Dunvegan Primary School was submitted in October 2022 last year and was initially due to be decided in January.
However, the local authority is awaiting confirmation of which bids are successful from the Scottish Government due to external funding matters.
Speaking to Radio Skye, Highland Council Education Committee Chair, Councillor John Finlayson explained the current situation regarding the bid.
He said: “I am sure as everyone knows, the council is under huge financial pressures.
“In terms of our capital programme, we are still awaiting a response from the Scottish Goverment about the LEIP programme (Learning Estate Investment Programme) and whether our applications have been successful.
“We were due to get this information, which includes an application for Dunvegan Primary School, in January, and we are now expecting this announcement before the end of this month.”
He went on to say: “As for now, there are design programmes continuing and there is work continuing to prepare, hopefully for good news.”
The Highland Council has said the outcome of the bids will have a significant impact on its capital review that is underway, but this will not be completed until later this year.
Shiel shinty players to take on 15k obstacle course challenge
Ten Kinlochshiel shinty players will take on a gruelling 15k obstacle event next month to raise funds for the everyday running of the club.
Keith MacRae, Finlay MacRae, David Falconer, Colin MacDiarmid, Donald Nixon, Ali Nixon, Duncan DA MacRae, Seumas Martin, and Keiran Martin will take part in the Tough Mudder 15k event at Drumlanrig Castle and Garden in Thornhill which involves 30 obstacles on Saturday 3rd June.
Speaking to Radio Skye, Shiel forward Keith MacRae spoke about the challenge awaiting the players.
“It’s 15k and there’s 30 obstacles, I think it is about 9.3 miles, and there is quite a few of us taking part.
“We just thought we would do it for the club, we are trying to raise lots of funds for various things, like our bus – which is just about to give out – and that’s obviously all the teams’ transport from the under 14s to the ladies to the men’s first team.
“Us players, just want to do something for the club.”
For more information and to donate to the Shiel fundraising click here.
News by Adam Gordon
You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh at the times below by clicking on the banner
Councillor Stewart’s damning assessment came as the Highland Council published it latest Town Centre Health Check report this week which ranked the Skye capital as the second to worst town in a list of 14 places assessed by the local authority last year.
Only Wick scored lower than the Skye capital which received a total score of 30 from 55 in the Highland Council’s Town Centre Health Check conducted in 2022.
Fourteen town centres, in addition to Inverness, which are in the Highland Council’s local development plans, were selected for health checks on the basis of either having populations greater than 3,000 people or for their importance in a local context
The town centre health checks reports are calculated use 11 indicators which consider accessibility, community, property, activities and the physical environment.
On scale from one to five – one being the lowest grade and five being the highest, Portree received a score of one, very poor, for pavements and streets, with potholes, cracks, uneven surfaces and weeds highlighted in the report.
It has also been graded poorly on parking, pedestrian friendliness, public transport, cycling facilities, links – all two out of five.
However, it was given four out of five for open space and green infrastructure, tourist appeal and its evening economy.
Radio Skye approached all four Skye and Raasay councillors for comment on the findings of the report.
Councillor Stewart said that while he was disappointed by the results, he believed that news “should not come as a surprise to islanders” and argued that Skye and Raasay have been “continuously short-changed by the Highland Council.”
The Conservative members went on to say: “We have consistently been overlooked when it comes to providing adequate funding and resources, our communities deserve better, and I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that the needs and concerns of Skye are heard and those in the administration are held to account.
He contended that the report was “further proof if further proof is required that the Highland Council in its current form is not fit for purpose, and added: “I will continue to advocate for the break up for the Highland Council which is the only way to ensure a fair deal for our remote and rural communities.”
In its report, the Highland Council states that Portree is highly reliant upon the tourist industry, with one report indicating that visitors contributed over £211 million to the local economy, pre-pandemic.
However, fellow islands councillor, John Finlayson told Radio Skye that the report “reinforces the need for additionality to be directed to rural towns which clearly have different challenge to many others around the Moray Firth area.”
He said: “Despite the fact that Skye is Scotland’s second busiest visitor attraction and Scotland’s second biggest island, we do not get the investment that is needed, and the recent bad news in terms of the Portree harbour levelling pp bid, and also the distribution of cash to island authorities and none to Skye shows that there needs to be a change of thinking at all levels of government.
Councillor Drew Millar also expressed his disappointment at the report but was keen to commend the work being carried out by the Portree and Braes Community Trust around the Skye capital.
Picking up on his colleague Councillor Finlayson’s point, Mr Millar said that Portree harbour had lacked investment for many years and that it was a big blow that the bid to transform the asset had been rejected.
However, he said there was an opportunity to submit another bid, and added that the Highland Council had also pledged money for improvements to the harbour.
Addressing Councillor Stewart’s premised about the break up of the council, Councillor Millar said: “It is very well for some politicians to call for change, but they don’t have any substance in their claim that we are suffering.
“The Highland Council is a big local authority, and there is nothing to suggest that we would be better off out of it.”
Mr Finlayson concluded by saying that local members will look at the findings of this report and then make representation about what should happen next.
Fort William was credited as being the top Highland place of the 14 visited in the this week’s report, receiving 50 marks out of 55.
In 2018, Portree finished bottom of the Highland towns assessed receiving a mark of just 26 out of 50.
Highland Council Town Health Check report
1. Fort William – 50/55
2. Alness – 45/55
3. Beauly – 45/55
4. Brora – 45/55
5. Nairn – 44/55
6. Dingwall – 42/55
7. Dornoch – 42/55
8. Thurso – 42/55
9. Golspie – 40/55
10. Ullapool – 38/55
11. Invergordon – 34/55
12. Tain – 34/55
13. Portree – 30/55
14. Wick – 29/55
Article by Adam Gordon.
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The rejection of an ambitious £50 million bid to transform Portree’s historic waterfront has been described as “a massive blow” to the island capital by a Skye councillor.
The proposal led by the Portree and Braes Community Trust was submitted by the Highland Council in July 2022 to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
More than 100 projects were awarded a share of £2.1 billion from round two of the government’s flagship Levelling Up Fund, which was announced on Thursday 19th January, including 10 projects across Scotland.
Nearly £27 million has been guaranteed for a new roll-on, roll-off ferry for Fair Isle in the Shetland Islands. The service is a lifeline for the island, supporting its residents, visitors and supply chains, and without its replacement the community will become further isolated.
The vision to transform Portree harbour area, included plans to redevelop the 200-year-old pier built by Thomas Telford, while other aspects of the bid focused on a new access route from Bayfield, a breakwater, pontoons for leisure craft and a safe embarkation point for the RNLI.
Disappointment
Reacting to the news, Portree and Braes Community Trust development officer, Fiona Thomson told Radio Skye that it was disappointing not to see Portree on the list of projects receiving support from the Levelling up fund, especially given the urgent need for investment in Portree harbour, however she believes the verdict was not entirely surprising as it was a hugely competitive fund.
She added that the bid was strong and nothing more could have been done by the community or the Highland Council to change the outcome.
Councillors John Finlayson and Calum Munro told Radio Skye they were both extremely disappointed by the decision, and paid tribute to the hard work behind the bid by the community and council officers. The local members also expressed concern over future source of funding of projects in rural Highlands and Islands.
Meanwhile, fellow islands councillor Drew Millar described the decision as a “massive blow to the future of Portree”
Highlighting the long-running need for the redevelopment of the asset, councillor Millar told Radio Skye said that the harbour improvement had been on the agenda since before the inception of the Highland Council along with improvements to Bayfield and the Portree Link road.
However, he went on to say that he was sure the decision didn’t signal the end of the dream and added that he would be contacting MSP Kate Forbes and MP Ian Blackford over the next few days to see where and how the plan could be taken forward.
Major initiative for the whole of the islands
In an interview with Radio Skye on Thursday, Skye MP Ian Blackford said that the decision was “deeply disappointing” as the harbour plans were a “major initiative not just for Portree but for the whole of the islands.”
Mr. Blackford went on to say: “This was a well thought through bid that was put in, and I think what I am going to have to do with the Highland Council is to make sure we engage with the officials in the Levelling Up department, and I think consideration should be given to putting in a revamped bid for round three, which will be coming, but I think it is important that we take stock of where we are.”
Asked by Radio Skye if he could have done more to push the bid, he said: “I made sure I lobbied the secretary of state, Michael Gove quite aggressively to make sure we got this on the table…”
Full interview with Ian Blackford
Article and interview by Adam Gordon.
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