The Isle of Skye will reap the benefits from a series of major Highland Council-led infrastructure and service improvement projects currently taking shape on the island.
An update on five separate developments, which together represent an investment of close to £50 million, came before Highland Council’s Skye and Raasay Committee on Monday.
In addition to road, school, office and harbour developments, the committee was also updated on another hugely successful year for the Council’s Old Man of Storr project.
The Storr, which supports seven full-time jobs, generated a financial surplus of £470,274, annual visitor numbers passed through the 300,000 mark and completion of a second phase of development, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, created additional space for retail, community events and weddings.
Councillors on the committee also praised the progress of work on:
- New primary schools at Broadford and Dunvegan
- Tigh na Sgìre – a new shared services hub in Portree
- The Portree Link Road
- Repair work to Portree Harbour
Chair of the Skye and Raasay Committee, Cllr John Finlayson, said: “These projects all carry enormous benefits for education, transport, the economy and our communities in general. It is really encouraging to see the progress that is being made.
“In the next year we’ll have a brand-new primary school in Broadford, with another underway in Dunvegan. The link road in Portree will be complete, opening up a range of opportunities for housing and other amenities, while the refurbished Tigh na Sgìre will establish a modern and much-needed hub building shared by various public bodies, the Highland Council Service Point and other council services.
“We’ve also seen work to improve the harbour, while the Storr project goes from strength to strength, with income streams supporting investment in local infrastructure while also creating good local jobs and supporting a wide variety of other local businesses and suppliers.
“This level of investment is transformational and will leave a legacy of enhanced services, improved facilities and strengthened communities across the ward.”
Updates included:
Broadford Primary School
Total cost: £21 million
Work on a new school in the largest settlement in south Skye started in May 2026. Contractors Morgan Sindal are now busy on site and the project remains programmed for completion in December 2027 and within approved budget.
An illustration of the planned new school at Dunvegan
Dunvegan Primary School
Estimated cost: £18 million
In Dunvegan, planning permission is secured and a pre-construction Services Agreement has been formally signed with Morgan Sindall.
The project remains on track to start in November 2026, with completion of the new school programmed for April 2028.
A co-ordinated delivery approach across Dunvegan and Broadford projects enables shared learning, procurement and contractor engagement, helping to support efficient delivery of both schools.
Community benefits
- Modern, sustainable learning environments.
- The schools showcase the Council's ambitions for energy efficiency and reduced operational costs.
- Broadford Primary will be a modern community hub, incorporating a games hall, Highland Council Service Point and High Life Highland Library, while a community-developed sports pitch will complement facilities.
- In Dunvegan a site masterplan developed in partnership by Highland Council and Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association includes development of adjacent land for housing and a new community sports pitch.
- An upgraded access road serving the entire Dunvegan development has been carried out by the council’s in-house roads team at a cost of approximately £2.6 million.
- Throughout the construction phase the developments are helping to support local employment.
Tigh na Sgìre – shared services hub in Portree
Projected cost: £5 million.
The work at Tigh na Sgire which is being delivered as part the Portree Demonstrator Project, represents one of the most significant public sector investments undertaken in Portree in recent years.
The building will bring together a range of public and third sector services - including Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Citizens Advice Bureau - within a modern, single facility that will improve public access to services.
Completion is scheduled for late 2026.
The Portree Link Road
Portree Link Road
Approximate cost: £2.5 million
Work on this long-awaited project began in November 2025 and it is expected that the road will be completed in early October.
The Link Road connects the A87 Dunvegan Road with the A855 Staffin Road and forms an integral part of the long term and strategic expansion of Portree, providing access for future development at Home Farm and Kiltaraglen.
Completion of the route will allow for better distribution of traffic in the area, easing congestion through the town centre.
Portree Harbour Repairs
Cost: £1.9 million
A contract was awarded to Mackenzie Construction Ltd for the repairs to the commercial section of the harbour as a phased approach to the repairs.
The work includes concrete deck repairs, repairs to the hexagonal piles and berthing face piles as well as cathodic protection of the steelwork. Works started in March are due to be completed later in September.
The design works for a further contract for repairs to the masonry stonework, fencing and any outstanding defects is in progress and will be tendered later this year, with a view towards completion by March 2027.
Read the full reports which went before the committee here: https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/5397/isle-of-skye-and-raasay-committee