Press release issued 8.4.23
Construction work has begun on a new outdoor events space for the South Skye community. The space is located next to Camping Skye, the community-owned campsite in Broadford. It will host a wide range of community and cultural events and also provide additional campervan spaces for Camping Skye.
Market days, musical events and community festivals are among the activities that are being planned. The approx. 40 metre square site will have the capacity to accommodate a marquee or small-scale festival tent, or several market stalls. When not in use for events it will provide 12 campervan spaces. This capacity is urgently needed by Camping Skye, who reported turning away over 4000 campervans last year.
The land belongs to Broadford and Strath Community Company (BSCC), the community-owned company and charity who have initiated the project. Neil Hope, Chair of BSCC’s voluntary Board of Directors, said: “This project will be a ‘win win’ for Skye and our local community. By extending the capacity of Camping Skye it will encourage more people to stay in our area and help alleviate the pressure on Skye’s tourism infrastructure. At the same time it will provide a welcome cultural and community facility through the ability to host a wide-ranging and accessible programme of events.” He added: “All profits from Camping Skye are reinvested in the local community. Since opening in 2018 the campsite has supported numerous projects including nature restoration, Horticultural Therapy sessions and outdoor learning activities. This initiative will further strengthen the campsite’s business operations and help provide an ongoing income stream for the benefit of Broadford and Strath residents.”
Nicholas Kelly, Project Officer, said: “The desire for an events space in this area stretches back to our initial community consultations around the campsite over 10 years ago. It’s fantastic to see this long-held ambition finally come to fruition. The multi-use space will provide opportunities for local groups to host their own fundraising events, offering an important lifeline to voluntary groups and helping our community to become more self-sufficient. We’re also in discussion with a number of arts and cultural organisations who have some great ideas for events from 2024 onwards.”
The works will include building a hard-standing gravel area, extensive tree-planting and the creation of access paths and a hedgerow. Construction is by local contractor MacKinnon Groundworks and will complete mid-summer 2023, and events will take place from Spring 2024. When complete the development will be managed by Camping Skye staff, BSCC volunteer directors and a community fundraising group. The £150,000 project , which includes the purchase of land adjacent to Camping Skye, has been funded by The Highland Council Community Regeneration Fund, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Land Fund, Camping Skye and through a community loan from the Highland Council. Anyone interested in organising an event should contact nicholas@broadforandstrath.org