Contract awarded for Portree Link Road

The contract for the Portree Link Road on the Isle of Skye has been awarded to Strath Civil Engineering Ltd.

The £1.9 million contract for the construction of the last section of the northern distributor road around Portree will begin in 2026 thanks to funding from the Scottish Government and the Highland Council.

The road is expected to be open during the autumn of 2026.

The creation of a Link Road forms an integral part of the long term and strategic expansion of Portree.

The link road serves both the development at Home Farm and connects the A87 Dunvegan Road with the A855 Staffin Road.

Completion of the route between the A87 and A855 will allow for better distribution of traffic in the area, avoiding the need to travel through the town centre.

This will help reduce congestion in the town centre and at the junction to the harbour.

Skye and Raasay Area Committee Chair, Cllr John Finlayson, said: “The awarding of this contract is really positive news, and I sincerely hope that it is now finally, all systems go on this key transport link.

“We are all eager to see work starting on this project which will open up a range of opportunities relating to housing, co-location of public services and other amenities, all of them vital to future development that will benefit Portree and the wider Skye area.”

Skye and Raasay Area Committee vice chair, Cllr Drew Millar, said: “Having waited almost 30 years to see this project come to fruition I am delighted to see the contracted awarded.

“It represents a substantial investment into Skye infrastructure.

“As well as easing the pressure on traffic through the centre of Portree, and on Bosville Terrace in particular, this road offers the potential for a range of major regeneration opportunities for the area.

"I look forward to seeing the development taking shape in 2026.”