Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review: Lochalsh and South Skye case study

About Lochalsh and South Skye

The Lochalsh and South Skye case study is a mixed area covering both island and coastal communities which have different degrees of remoteness and rurality.

Lochalsh is the mainland part of the Skye and Lochalsh district on the west coast in the Highland Council area. It is a predominantly rural coastal area, and the main settlement, Kyle of Lochalsh, is the site of the bridge connecting the mainland to the Isle of Skye. Prior to the bridge being opened in 1995, a ferry ran between Kyle of Lochalsh and Skye. Although the bridge means that visitors can move more quickly through the area on their way to Skye, which has over half a million visitors a year, Lochalsh is a popular tourist destination in its own right. Hospitality accounts for around a quarter of the employment in the area.

The Kyle railway line connects Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness and is considered one of the most scenic rail routes in Scotland. A community-owned museum about the line has been created at the Kyle Station. Kyle of Lochalsh has a bustling marina with much water-based industry, from fishing to tour boats. The South Skye area includes Kyleakin and Broadford, while the Isle of Raasay lies to the north, connected to Skye via a ferry.

Community Led Local Development in Lochalsh and South Skye

In 2023-24, Highland had the highest number of Community Led Local Development-funded projects, with its Local Action Group serving the largest area of any in Scotland. Community Led Local Development funding is supported administratively by Highland Council, with local area officers as contact points as well as a central resource in Inverness, but decision-making rests with the Local Action Group’s volunteer members.

There is significant community development activity happening in Lochlash. The Community Development Trust in Kyle has been instrumental in undertaking extensive community engagement leading to the preparation of a Community Action Plan, and this work involved lots of the local organisations working in collaboration. While certain areas in South Skye are experiencing population growth (e.g. Broadford and Kyleakin), Lochalsh and other areas, such as the Isle of Raasay, received less funding and investment from Community Led Local Development and other community development funds when compared to areas of North Skye.