Committee allocates capital funding for iconic Isle of Skye site
At today’s (Wednesday 4 November) Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee, members gave their support to a project aimed at improving the visitor experience at the popular location of the Old Man of Storr site on the Isle of Skye which attracts people from all over the world.
The Committee have agreed capital investment of £530,000 over the next few years to the 82 hectare site and is in discussion with the Staffin Community Trust (SCT) about the purchase or lease of the land, or part of it, for the community benefit of Staffin. Potential proposals could involve a new off-road main car park, toilets, interpretation and refreshment kiosk.
The Storr has regularly featured in Hollywood films like Promethus and Macbeth, television programmes, commercials, newspapers and magazines.
Chair of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Audrey Sinclair said: “This area of Skye is very popular with tourists throughout the year and for many visitors, as well as locals, a walk to the Old Man of Storr is a highlight of any trip. Its extensive use in the recently released film, Macbeth, will attract more visitors to the area. I’m therefore delighted that members of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee have today agreed capital investment totalling £530,000. This will allow for significant improvements to be made to Storr Woodlands and also make a substantial contribution to essential visitor management improvements at Storr. I certainly look forward to following with interest the on-going talks about the proposal to give greater community involvement in the management and maintenance of the site. I would encourage people living in the area to contact Staffin Community Trust to let them know their views.”
Staffin Community Trust is now set to ask the community what it thinks in a major public consultation and will issue questionnaires to every household in Staffin next week.
Staffin Community Trust chairman, Donald MacDonald said: “There is an opportunity here to provide a fantastic, much needed, facility that will be able to support the increasing numbers of visitors that visit this iconic attraction. Time will be taken for consultation and for working with a design team so that the best possible facility is developed with linkages to other important sites throughout the community such as Lealt Gorge, The Kilt Rock and the Quiraing. The Storr is a gateway site for the community of Staffin and we welcome the opportunity for people to give their valuable input.”