Options to develop sites in Portree as ‘Mobility Hubs’ have provisionally been backed by members of Highland Council’s Isle of Skye and Raasay Committee.
At today’s meeting (1 June 2026), a report identified potential locations for these hubs, which would support park and ride schemes to reduce vehicle movements in the centre of the town. However, members felt that more work was needed to better understand the merits of the sites brought forward by officers.
Key targets for hub locations include 160 spaces for motorised vehicles – double the number which would be removed and reallocated from the town centre as part of the proposals. These would also include space for bus stances and cycle parking spaces.
The Portree Active Travel Masterplan (published in 2022) identified the requirement for mobility hubs surrounding Portree, consistent with ‘park and ride’ locations identified as part of a parking study carried out in 2018.
The masterplan envisages enhancements to Somerled Square, the Harbour and pedestrianisation on Wentworth Street, and these developments will include the removal of some parking spaces.
Members agreed that officers should further explore the deliverability of options and report back to the committee.
Also on the agenda at Monday’s meeting:
Roads update
A roads update detailed the progress on the rolling programme of capital works since February and the ongoing works that are taking place in different locations across Skye & Raasay.
£300,000 will be spent on village roads and footpaths in Portree, the funding for this sourced from the strategic allocation out of a total 2026-27 capital fund of £3,187,975 for Skye and Raasay.
Works have also recently been completed on schemes at Portree and Armadale, with work continuing on several sections of the road at Carbost and Fiskavaig.
Members and officers last week hosted a Ward Forum for Community Councils about the issue of roads. The event was well attended and provided an update about the planned programme, funding allocations and general information about how the projects are taking shape.
Community Regeneration Funding
Portree Community Centre Association - on behalf of Portree Amateur Dramatics Society and Portree Community Panto Group – have been awarded a CRF grant of £39,493.16.
The money will help furnish the community centre with modern, professional and accessible lighting and sound equipment, enhancing the space for all performances.
Approval of the application leaves £261,824.50 remaining in the Isle of Skye & Raasay CRF budget for 2025-26. This sum can be carried forward into the 2026-27 budget.
The Committee also noted Ward 10 Discretionary Budget applications approved since the last meeting of the committee to support:
- Glendale Trust - Glendale Film Show & Archive Event - £910
- Highland Good Food Partnership & ReRoot - Feel Heal Real Food -£608
- Radio Skye - Young Woman in Radio - £1,894.
Chair of the Skye and Raasay Committee, Cllr John Finlayson, said: “I am encouraged by the work that goes on across the ward to respond to local priorities, and support our communities.
“The roads update shows us that our roads allocation is being spent across many locations, and this issue was discussed with local representatives from community councils last week at a positive and constructive ward forum meeting.
“Credit must go to the local road teams for all their efforts as we continue to strive to improve infrastructure for Skye and Raasay using the resources available to us.
“It was also encouraging to hear that ongoing recruitment is taking place to further strengthen the work that requires to be done in the ward.
“The work on the mobility hubs is worthy of further exploration. It offers us a chance to address some long-standing concerns about parking and congestion in Portree, especially during the busy summer months, as well as to help to improve public spaces and encourage active travel, supporting healthier lifestyles and a more climate-friendly approach to transport.
“I am also delighted to see funds approved to better equip the Portree Community Centre, enhancing the space for all performances and supporting the local groups who rely on this valuable facility.”
Read the full reports on the committee here https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/5353/isle-of-skye-and-raasay-committee