Explore
Where we are
The focus of this project is the Strathaird site, a non-crofted land holding which currently hosts a disused fish hatchery, several underutilised buildings, and a former church building which carries historic and cultural significance. It is also the start for a popular walking route to Camasunarie Bay that connects with the Skye Trail.
The site sits within the larger Strathaird Estate that the John Muir Trust has stewarded for many years, along with adjoining land in Sconser and Torrin. It is surrounded by land under active crofting tenure.
Explore the project themes on this page:
- Landscape and culture
- Community and land
- Conservation, climate and community
- Managing visitors
- Making the space and buildings work
Landscape and culture
From the standing stones to the church, to the farm and the hatchery, the landscape has supported the local community in different ways for many years.
- What development would continue to support the local community in the future while respecting the land’s history and culture?
- Is there an opportunity for a community enterprise at Faoilean?
- Could the church become a heritage/ visitor centre?
- How do we promote the Gaelic language as part of this project?
Community and land
The Strathaird site lies within the Cuillin Hills National Scenic Area. Its northern side is bordered by the Cuillins Special Protection Area, which hosts breeding pairs of golden eagles. The whole peninsula coastline is bordered by the Inner Hebrides and The Minches Special Area of Conservation, which is an area of particular importance for populations of harbour porpoise.
- What are the different ways that we could connect community and land on this site?
- Could we establish community allotments or polytunnels? Who would use them?
- Could we establish smallholdings that link crofting heritage to climate and conservation?
- How could we connect the Strathaird site to the landscape’s rare and special qualities?
Photo credit Nigel Rigden
/ food growing
Conservation, climate and community
- How could the work we do here help address biodiversity loss?
- How could it help address the climate crisis?
- Could we establish a community tree nursery?
- Could there be benefits to removing the dam wall?
- Could we create Skye’s first educational field centre here?
Managing visitors
We recognise there are challenges associated with increased numbers of visitors using the single-track road to Elgol, including casual parking, informal camping, high traffic volumes and pedestrians crossing from the layby to the Camasunarie track on a dangerous bend.
- How could the development of this site support the local economy?
- Are there any other visitor-related challenges you have noticed?
- In what way do these issues affect you?
- How could the development of this site address some of these issues?
- Should we extend the layby parking at the start of the path to Camasunarie? Or should this be relocated to the farm/ hatchery site?
- Could there be formal camping facilities here?
- Could the site provide opportunities for the community to enjoy outdoor activities? What about all-abilities access?
Making the space and buildings work
- Would a hot desking/ co-working space be used by people in the local community?
- Could we create a workshop space for local musicians, makers and artists?
- What about affordable residential housing linked to land use?
