An update on active travel projects taking shape in Skye was delivered to members of Highland Council’s Isle of Skye and Raasay Committee on Monday (16 February).
Members agreed that they would support efforts to secure additional funding for delivery of Active Travel projects in the ward.
An Active Travel Project Officer has been created and £100,000 was previously allocated towards capital works on Skye, with a view to unlocking additional investment to fund a variety of projects.
Projects undertaken to date include:
Opening up the Moll Road
This project is being funded primarily by Walking Scotland, through the Iain Findlay Paths Fund, and has a total budget of £230,000. It has been agreed that The Highland Council will provide a budget contribution of £40,000 from the Active Travel capital allocation towards this project and a £40,000 in-kind contribution from Roads. The remainder comes from IFPF via Sconser Community Council, who are acting as the community applicant for the funding.
The works are scheduled to be completed by the end of February 2026.
Old Sleat Road
Good progress has been made towards a project to open a significant portion of the Old Sleat Road, adjacent to the A851, for Active Travel purposes.
The works will again be undertaken by the Roads Operations Manager and will have a total budget of £240,000. The Highland Council has agreed a capital contribution of £10,000 as match funding, with a further £10,000 earmarked to support additional costs and fees not coverable by Scottish Government funding.
Portree Mobility Hubs
Money from the Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation was identified to progress actions within the Portree Active Travel Masterplan.
The completion of the Portree Link Road will act as an enabling factor in the development of a series of interlinked actions, including:
- Junction Improvements – prioritising access for walking/wheeling/cycling.
- Somerled Square enhancements – improvements including cycle parking/storage.
- Reallocation of parking to mobility hub locations.
ARUP have been commissioned to produce a short report which identifies, assesses and ranks potential sites for a Portree Mobility Hub or Hubs.
Future Active Travel projects identified include:
- A walking, wheeling and cycling path adjacent to the A87, running from the Isle of Candle Company/Las Cinema to Sluggans Wood in Portree.
- A shared 400m cycle track at footway level along the A855 between the A87 and Somerled Square, Portree.
- A path in Edinbane to allow accessible active travel linking the village centre with residential areas and visitor accommodation
- The Skye Cycle way in South Skye
- Hospital path in Broadford
- Community centre path in Raasay
Cllr John Finlayson, chair of the Skye and Raasay Committee, said: “I welcome the work that has taken place in Skye and Raasay to encourage these projects, which are being taken forward to meet community ambitions.
“Supporting active travel is a commitment to make it easier, safer and more convenient for people to walk, wheel and cycle – this benefits individual health, improves local amenities and is good for our environment.”
Read the full report here, Item 14 https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/5307/isle_of_skye_and_raasay_committee
Monday’s agenda also included:
- A presentation from SSEN Transmission on the Skye Re-inforcement Project Community Benefit Fund
- An update on the associated school group for Portree High School which showed a generally encouraging picture in regard to literacy, attainment and attendance
- A presentation on the work and projects of the Dunvegan Community Trust
- An update on Children’s disability services within the Skye and Raasay area.
- A report on the latest performance figures from the local housing team
- The latest local committee performance report from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Details of the items discussed can be read at this link: https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/5307/isle_of_skye_and_raasay_committee