Sconser Ferry Terminal Upgrade

The Highland Council is preparing plans for a £3.5 million upgrade at Sconser Ferry Terminal, Skye to accommodate increased usage of the ferry service to the island of Raasay.

Phase one envisages the creation of a new assembly area, with car parking for 30 vehicles and a marshalling area for 24 vehicles. This will double the current capacity.

Phase two will see the widening of the slipway and realignment of the pier – improvements which will better accommodate a larger or new ferry should Caledonian MacBrayne decide to introduce one on the route.

It is hoped that work can begin on the assembly area by the end of this year.

European funding of £500,000 has been secured for the overall project.

The Council recently opened a £12 million new ferry terminal at Raasay, which has enhanced access from Skye to the island.

Councillor John Laing, Chairman of the Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee, is delighted at the latest investment in Skye.

He said:  “This is a much-needed project, which will significantly ease parking congestion at Sconser and the risk of overflow parking on the busy trunk road to Portree.

“It is a real bonus that we have attracted funding from the European Regional Development Fund.  We still have preparation work to complete but we are aiming to award a contract for the assembly area, totalling £1.6 million, by the end of this year. The upgrade of the slipway will follow in a second phase. 

“Coming of top of the Raasay ferry terminal opening, this is another boost for the Skye community.”