WE are all fortunate enough to live and work on the Isle of Skye and Raasay. Over many years, these islands’ residents have built up the tourism industry so that Skye boasts a warm welcome, excellent hospitality and a unique experience.
Nearly everybody on the islands is linked in some way to tourism, and the economic opportunities of the tourism industry support the rural and remote communities of Skye, Raasay and beyond.
The tourist industry can be unpredictable and so it concerns us to see sensationalist stories in the press, for a second year running, which could jeopardise the jobs, businesses and income of local people. We would hate to see an industry which has taken many years to develop undermined by a few stories which don’t fairly depict the efforts of hard-working people across the area. Whilst it is true that some areas of the island are busy, it is no more so than the North Coast 500 or the likes of Morar Sands.
READ MORE: Skye is 'open for business' as residents issue tourism call
We are in the business of making Skye an even better place, by targeting public investment in infrastructure, growing local businesses and ensuring that visitors want to return. For example, in the last year alone, the Fairy Pools has secured funds to build a car park and toilets, to make access easier for visitors and locals alike. The road and car park at Neist Point have been improved, roadside parking has been secured at the Quiraing, work on a car park extension at Storr will begin before the summer is out, and there is a new viewing platform at the Lealt Gorge. Businesses, communities, Highland Council and SkyeConnect are working exceedingly hard to offer the best visitor experience.
The Isle of Skye and Raasay, like many areas of the Highlands and Islands, is home to communities whose future is dependent on good jobs, steady incomes and business opportunities. Tourism makes a critical contribution to the local economy, and indeed the wider Scottish economy, and indirectly enables people to live, work and raise a family on the island.
We write to categorically assert that Skye and Raasay is well and truly open for business.
Lynne Anstice-Brown, Skye Jeep Tours
Sam Anstice-Brown, Skye Jeep Tours
Eileen Armstrong The Hirsel on Skye
Mr & Mrs Arthur – Portacullin Holidays
Dan Barratt, DB Woodmastercrafts
Martin Benson, Strath Print
Ian Blackford, MP for Skye, Lochaber and Ross
Denis Blackham, Teeny’s Cottage
Rose Blackham, Teeny’s Cottage
Inga Bonk, Inga’s sweet Treats
Carol Boyd, Kingsburgh BoatHouse Self Catering
Steve Braggington, Island Cycles
David Brown, AquaXplore.
Stuart Brumpton, Skye Picture House
Christina Campbell, Almond Bank Self Catering Bernisdale
Donald John Campbell, Almondbank Self Catering Bernisdale
Sarah Campbell, Guest Service Manager, 3 Chimneys
Chris Cartwright, Estate Manager, Armadale Castle, Gardens & Museum of the Isles
Birgit Chaplin, Under The Rowan
Julia Christie, Knoydart B&B, Ardvasar
John Coghill, Central Skye Hotels
Janice Cooney, Seaflower Skye
Dan Corrigall - Harbour Fish and Chip Shop Portree
Joan Corrigall - Stardust Boat Trips Portree.
Mark Crowe, Skye Bike Shack
Sam Crowe, Old Croft House B&B
Laura Cunningham, Wildlife Croft
Alistair Danter, Project Manager for SkyeConnect
Jannie Diez, South Skye Sea Kayak, Sleat
Nick Duffill, Minginish Community Hall Association
Andi Dunkel, SkyeXplore Boat Trips
Peter Dunlop, Strath Print
Irina Emerson, Bracadale Holiday Cottages
Tony Emerson, Bracadale Holiday Cottages
Charmian Entwistle – Isle of Skye Yachts
Mark Entwistle – Isle of Skye Yachts
Mairi Evans, Just Hooked
Tom Eveling, Café Sia, Broadford
Elgar Finlay, Rural Development and Business Consultant
John Finlayson, Councillor for Eilean a’ Cheo Ward
Leslie Foale – Highland Natural Accents
Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch
Hamish Fraser, SkyeVac
Hamish Fraser, the Torabhaig Distillery, Sleat
Cathy Freeman, Isle of Skye Crafts
Alison Gainsford, Acting Chair of the Skye Tourism Task Force
Anne Gillies, chair of Raasay Community Council
Janet Gillies, J.M.MacDonald Opticians, Portree
Nina Gita, Marmalade & Boseville Hotels
John Gordon, Councillor for Eilean a’ Cheo Ward
Anne Gracie Gunn, Sonas Hospitality Ltd
Ewen Grant, Seaflower Skye
Nigel Grounds, Nigel Grounds Gallery, Armadale, Sleat
Penny Hardie, Penny Hardie Photography, Taigh na Cùil, Duisdale, Sleat
Lisa Harris, Harris Furnishings
Paul Harris, Harris Furnishings
Matt Harrison – Ace Target Sports
Katie Heron, Taigh Ailean Hotel
Andrea Holden, Skye Weavers
Roger Holden, Skye Weavers
Brian Howard Ullinish Country Lodge
Pam Howard Ullinish Country Lodge
Denise Huddleston, Cuckoo Tree Art Studio.
Mary Hyslop, Sonas Bed and Breakfast, Ardvasar Sleat
Tom Hyslop, Isle of Skye Leather Company, Sleat
Christine Jenkins, Greenwood Barn Self-Catering, Duisdale
Mairi Lamont, The Lane Restaurant
C Lates, Skye Base Camp Climber Hostel
Mike Lates, Skye Guides
Robert MacAskill, Relish
Angus Macdonald - Skyefish Portree
Catriona MacDonald, En t’Eillean Gallery, Portree
Donald MacDonald, Aros Centre
Isabella MacDonald, Kinloch Lodge
Jim MacDonald, self-catering operator
Ronald MacDonald, Councillor for Eilean a’ Cheo Ward
Sarah Macdonald, Floraidh Skye, Isle Ornsay
Duncan MacInnes, Artistic Director, SEALL , Skye Events for All
Donald Mackenzie, Artist, The Blue Studio Tarskavaig
Diane Mackie, No. 10 Self Catering, Artist Gallery
Lyn-Anne Mackinnon, The wee Croft House, Sasaig
Stuart Mackinnon, Skye Luxury Tours
Catriona Maclean – Torvaig Campsite + Independent Guide
Flora Maclean, Braeside Cottage Self-Catering, Tarskavaig
DJ MacLennan, Camus Cottage Self-Catering, Camscross
Macleod Estates
Joan Macleod, Blas, Dunvegan
Mark Macleod, Skyeness Tours
William Macphee, Hebridean Jewellery
Tanya Macpherson, Ragamuffin, Armadale.
Doreen Macrae, Top 10 Creations & 3D Komputers
Moira MacTagart, Perle Hotels
Gavin Major, Skye Batiks
Fiona Mandeville, Self Catering Provider
John Masson, Skye Music Shop
Jane McDermott, Aird Old Church Gallery, Sleat
Peter McDermott, Aird Old Church Gallery, Sleat
Peter McDermott, McDermott Creative Skye
Angus McGhie, Stein Inn
Teresa McGhie, Stein Inn
Paul McGlynn, Oyster Shed
Gordon McRirrick, Just Hooked
Henrik Micski, Project Officer for Minginish Community Hall Association
David Mills, The Old Potato Shed, Self-Catering, Sleat
Louise Mills, The Old Potato Shed, Self-Catering, Sleat
Minikoi B and B
Calum Montgomery, The Lodge, Edinbane
Catherine Morrison , Shorefield self catering cottage, Portnalong
Dorothy Morrison, Isle of Skye Holiday Cottages
Finlay Morrison – Joiner
Finlay Morrison, Broadford & Strath Community Council
Norma Morrison, Broadford & Strath Community Council
Ali Morton, Mint Skye Croft
Shaz Morton, Mint Skye Croft
Martin Nel – Hotel Eilean Iarmain, Isleornsay
Lady Lucilla Noble – The Gaelic Whiskies, Isleornsay
Alison Phillips, The Old Croft House Self-Catering, Aird, Sleat
Richard Powell, Hebridean Alpaca Co.
Sandra Powell, Hebridean Alpaca Co.
Vivienne Roberts, Abhaig B&B & Walking Pet Services
James Robertson, Isle of Skye Candle Co.
Jeremy Rossiter – JR Art
June Sanderson, Golf Highland High9’s Tour
Jake Sayles, NFU
Nicky Sellier, Skye Camping and Caravan Club
Norah Shann, Hazelbank, Waternish
Roger Shann, Hazelbank, Waternish
Nigel Smith, Seaprobe Atlantis
Rosie Somerville, SkyeTrak Safari
Shirley Spear OBE, Chairperson, SkyeConnect, and Owner, The Three Chimneys
Stay on the Bay, Skye
Kevin Stockley, Caorann Crafts
Dave Till, SkyeSkyns
Jenny Till, Sea2Skye
TippeCannou
Adam Tweedie, Loch Eyre House
Eddie Tweedie, No. 1 Boseville Terrace
Peter Urquhart, “Portree Chippy”
Gary Wallace – Ferean Eilean Iarmain, Isleornsay
Rob Ware, Manager Visit Sleat Tourism Group
Stuart Watley, Edinbane Pottery
David S Weller, Skye Camping and Caravan Club
Alison West, West Highland Crafts
Graham West, Shepherds Cottage B&B
John White – Whitewave Activities
Liz White, Shore Cottage Self-Catering, Ord, Sleat
Peter White, Shore Cottage Self-Catering, Ord, Sleat
Edward Wickman, Cuillin Hills Hotel
Kevin Wickman, Cuillin Hills Hotel
Mary Wickman, Cuillin Hills Hotel
Ali Wilkinson, Henderson House, Stein
David Wilkinson, Henderson House, Stein
David Williamson, Isles Hotel, Portree
Sharon Williamson, Isles Hotel, Portree
Clare Winskill, Coruisk House,
Paul Wood, West Highland Publishing Company Limited
Dianne Young, Fourwinds Self-Catering, Teangue, Sleat
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