Skye projects success with Islands Programme funding

The Scottish Government has recently informed two Skye projects of their success in securing financial support from the Islands Programme (IP) that will enable major essential infrastructure improvements in Staffin and to Community and Public Access Improvements on routes at key locations across Skye.

The Highland Council led on a bid for passing place improvements at Claigan Road, Neist Point and Glen Brittle (Fairy Pools) and £350k was awarded from the Scottish Government’s Islands Programme which supports delivery of the National Islands Plan.

Economy and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: “The Highland Council are delighted that the Scottish Government has awarded much needed funds via the Islands Programme (IP) to essential projects that will improve routes that have seen an increase in road use capacity over the years, causing significant disruption.  The funds give the Council the opportunity to extend passing places and create new ones in parts of the road network that are now used more frequently by motorhomes, tour buses and visitors to the Island.

“The focus of the Islands Programme funding on passing places allows the Council to fully utilise its Roads Maintenance Programme, which along with support from local Members disaggregated budgets, demonstrates the partnership commitment to continuing to improve the road network for all users.”

The £350k awarded to the Community and Public Access Improvements project will be used for the following projects-

• Claigan Road – Extending the length of existing passing places and provision of new passing places – total project cost £150k. This cost is in addition to the works planned within the 2024/25 Roads Maintenance Programme for statutory works for which £130k has been allocated.
• Neist Point – Extending the length of existing passing places and provision of new passing places.
• Glen Brittle – Extending the length of existing passing places and provision of new passing places – total project cost £150k. This cost in addition to the allocation from the 24/25 Roads Programme of £240k to manage & maintain the road as is.

Staffin Community Trust were also successful in their application to the Islands Programme, to support the new Staffin Harbour major regeneration.  They were awarded £409,258 to deliver new onshore facilities at Staffin Harbour.

Skye and Raasay Area Committee Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said:  “I am pleased to see support given to key projects on Skye, including the newly purchased and community owned Staffin Harbour, in the northeast of Skye, which is currently undergoing a major transformation with an investment of more than £2million since 2022 - which has included the construction of a 3,000sq onshore hardstanding area, an upgraded access road and the provision of electricity for the first time.

“The Islands Programme funding awarded to the Staffin Community Trust will enable the construction of much needed onshore facilities, such as businesses units available for rent, harbour facilities with income generating toilets and showers and the purchase of a new telehandler to enable sustainable community management at the new harbour, safeguarding and creating employment alongside wider socio-economic benefits to the local community via spend locally.”

This project is broken down in three elements:

• Civils works related to construction of seven new business units. Seven business tenants will be renting the harbour units / workshops from Staffin Community Trust, creating new employment and business opportunities in Staffin.
• Civils works and construction of Harbour Facilities Building with WCs, showers, office / retail and solar PV. Staffin Harbour Facilities Building will provide a main base and real economic benefit through revenue generating opportunities for the community including the use of fee-paying showers and WCs, and a retail / office space within the new property.
• Purchase of a telehandler to support sustainable community-run boat lifting service and harbour operations. The telehandler will be playing a crucial role in the community management of Staffin Harbour and generating a revenue by supporting a storage service, the delivery of supplies and launching and recovering smaller boats/yachts.