Isle of Skye community company praises Highland Council's business loan company.
The Broadford & Strath Community Company (BSCC), the community organisation behind the successful community-owned Camping Skye campsite in Broadford, has praised the support received from Highland Opportunity (Investments) Limited (HOIL), The Highland Council's business loan company.
Through its Community Enterprise Loan Fund, HOIL provided vital financial support to help BSCC deliver ambitious development plans designed to enhance visitor facilities, support sustainable tourism and generate long-term benefits for the local community.
BSCC, was established in 2003. Its trading arm, Strath Leisure Limited, operates Camping Skye in Broadford. The campsite provides local employment, with all profits reinvested into community projects and initiatives across Broadford and Strath. Due to its unique location and growing popularity, Camping Skye has experienced exceptionally high demand for motorhome and campervan pitches throughout much of the year.
Today, Camping Skye is recognised as one of the leading visitor bases on the Isle of Skye, attracting guests from across the UK and overseas. The campsite consistently receives excellent reviews on travel platforms, with visitors praising its stunning mountain views, proximity to Broadford village high-quality, accessible facilities and welcoming and friendly staff.
In 2023, HOIL provided loan assistance to support BSCC's expansion plans to create additional motorhome pitches and the Skye Event Space, a community venue that would also serve as overflow camping accommodation during peak visitor periods. Prior to the expansion, more than 4,000 visitors had been turned away annually, resulting in motorhomes parking in lay-bys and roadside locations. While demand remains strong, the additional capacity has reduced visitors being turned away to fewer than 1,000 per year, helping lessen informal camping, litter, waste disposal and environmental pressures on the local community.
Successful community projects include an extensive community path network, the Broadford Community Garden, the Growers Hub and the coordination of the Broadford and Strath Local Place Plan. BSCC continues to deliver projects that enhance the natural and built environment. Current initiatives include expanding the Broadford Community Woodland, a new tree nursery, provision of outdoor learning opportunities for young people, supporting mental health and well-being through Flourish Together, provision of public toilets in Broadford and Elgol and progressing the Skye Cycle Way active travel project, as well as support for the South Skye Community Campus.
Accolades for BSCC include the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2022 and a visit from the President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, in September 2026, which provided an insight into how the community on Skye balances sustainable tourism with local community support and engagement.
Jackie Hendry, HOIL Chair said: “Highland Opportunity Investments Ltd were delighted to offer Community Loan assistance to BSCC to enable their expansion plans for the campsite. This community organisation recognised the need for additional pitches to discourage lay-by parking and the subsequent negative effects, whilst providing employment and opportunities for income to be invested into the local community for valuable projects. We wish them continued success.”
Jeff Geary, Volunteer Director of BSCC added: “Firstly, I would like to thank the excellent team at Camping Skye who have really made this project an on-going success fulfilling all of our primary objectives and now providing essential funds for our community projects. This initiative was built on multiple funders, the Scottish Land Fund, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise as well the BSCC. The HOIL loan was the critical final component that allowed the project to go ahead, and we are very grateful for their involvement.”