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SkyeandRaasayTourismInfrastructure:ADynamicWorkshopApproachDRAFTSTRATEGY1

RonaldMacDonaldDonaldMacRae

1. IntroductionTourisminfrastructureissueshavecometoawatershedthisyearonSkyeandRaasaywiththealmostexponentialgrowthintouristnumberscollidingwithaninfrastructurethatisnotfitforpurpose.Theresultingcrash,althoughperhapsnotquiteasbadasportrayedinthemedia,nonethelessneedstobeaddressedwithamatterofurgencyandwithanongoingsustainablestrategyinplace.Boldsolutionsareneededtoaddresstheextantissuesandprovideasustainabletourismmodelforbothlocalsandtourists.Centraltotheapproachproposedinthispaperistohavealongtermsustainableanchorplan,intheformoflongtermprojectsforlandandseabornetourism,thatrecognizeboththeislandsongoinglandwardpotentialbutalsoitshithertounexploitedmaritimepotential.Morespecifically,inthispaperwebringtogethersomeofthesalientissuesinthecurrent‘tourisminfrastructurecrisis’onSkye,outlinetheexpectedimprovementsgoingintothenexttouristseasonthatcouldbetakenupasshort-termprojects(1-2years),andofferaworkshop-basedprocessto(a)identifyandbroadlyspecifyproposedmedium-term(2-3years)andlong-term(3-5years)projects;(b)assignproponentstoproposedprojects;and(c)agreeoncriteriatoprioritisetheseprojects.TheprocessisdescribedinAttachmentAofthispaper.Thenextstepaftertheworkshopsistoprepareproposedprojectstatementsbasedonresponsestotheprioritiescriteria.2Twoexamplesofproposedlong-termprojectstatementsrespondingtotheprioritiescriteriaareprovidedinAttachmentB(caseforadualWorldHeritageSitelistingforSkye)andAttachmentC(proposedTallShipsproject).Theseprojectsareintendedaslongtermsustainableanchorsfortourismtowhichstrategycanbeaimedatintheshorttomedium1TheauthorswouldliketothankKateForbesMSP,ShirleySpear(SkyeConnect),Dr.CatrionaMacDonald,ColinSimpson(HighlandCouncil),forhelpfulcommentsonanearlierdraftofthispaper.Anyremainingerrorsofomissionorcommissionaretheauthorsown.TheauthorswrotethispaperonaprobonobasisgiventheirloveofSkyeandRaasayanddedicatethepapertotheirBernisdaleGrandparentsDonaldandJeanMacRae,andtoRonald’sgreatgrandfather–JohnMacDonald-whowasashepherdonthenowworldfamousQuirainqlandformandwhohadashepherd’sbothythereatàirighant-seasain,nearlùbnah-aibhne,theremainsofwhichcanstillbeseentoday.2Itisimportanttonote,enpassant,thatSkyehasnotbeenshortofinfrastructureproposalsoverthelasttenyearsorsoduelargelytotheworkdonebycommunitycouncilsandcommunitytrusts.Forexample,parkinginPortreehasbeenanissueoverthelastdecadeandplansfromtheHighlandCouncilexisttoaddresstheseintermsofamajorredevelopmentatBayfield.SomeoftheroadinfrastructureinPortreehasbeeninplacesinceThomasTelford’stimeandthePierheadisatraditional‘pufferpier’whichmayhavebeenfitforpurposeintheearly20thcenturybutiscertainlynottoday.However,since2001planshaveexistedalsoforanewroadschemeforthecentreofPortreewhichwouldhavebeentransformationalforaccesstotheharborareaandtheverydetailedplansforthecompleterenovationofPortreeharborandwaterfront,discussedinthispaper,wouldhavebroughthugesocio-economicbenefitstothewholeofSkyeandbeyond.Similarly,theextremelyinnovativeproposalbyFirstStartforan‘extended’outdoorcentrewithclimbingwallwouldhavebeenalmostrevolutionaryinitsimpact.

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termandtoaidinattractingfundsfromamuchwidervarietyofsourcesthanintheabsenceoftheseprojects,especiallygiventhefundingconstraintsfacingtheHighlandCouncil.inthelightofHarbourinfrastructureinalloftheSkyeportsispoorandthisisalsothecaseinmanyotherportsinScotland.MuchplanninghasalreadybeendoneintrytorevitalizethewaterfrontandharbourareainPortree(summaryinattachmentD)butafailuretocaptureappropriatefundinghasresultedinPortreeandindeedalloftheSkyeportsremainingpartofthesleepingGiantoftheleisuremarinesector(link http://www.sailscotland.co.uk/media/27975/Awakening-the-Giant.pdf).TheTallShipsprojecthasasitsaimchangingharbourinfrastructurecultureandprovidingameansofachievingfitforpurposeharbourfacilitiesforthemarineleisuresectorandtherebyattractingfundingthatwouldotherwisenotbeavailable.ItwouldbehopedthattheseplanscouldbedovetailedwithparticularlyHIE’splansfortheoverallmarinesectorinScotlandsothatultimatelysailorswouldknowthataday’ssailwouldtakethemfromoneiconicScottishtouristdestinationtothenext.WeviewtheWorldHeritagesiteproposalasthelandbasedcounterparttothemarineproposal.Thoughtstartersfortwoproposedmedium-termprojectsareprovidedinAttachmentE(towardacaseforaSkyeHeritageCentre–IonadDualcaisSkye–birthingfromtheeffortrequiredtoachievedualWHSitestatus)andAttachmentF(towardacaseforaSkyeIdeaproject–acentreforleadership,innovation,business,sporting&outdooractivitiesandincubationofthehighpriorityprojectsidentifiedbythestakeholder-drivenworkshopprocess).Theseareinterpretedasbridgingprojectsforthelonger-termobjectiveofachievingthedualWorldHeritagelisting.Bothoftheseproposalswillbepreparedasproposedprojectstatementsrespondingtotheprioritiescriteriabeforetheworkshop.TheproposedprojectstatementspreparedbytheirproponentswillthenbeprovidedtoworkshopparticipantstoassignprioritiescriteriascoresasperAttachmentG.Compilationofscoreswouldthenbecirculatedtoworkshopparticipantspriortoameetingtoagreeonprojectstobepursued.InAttachmentHwehavegroupedsomeotherproposalsthathavebeenforwardedandotherswilldoubtlesscomeforwardpriortotheworkshopprocessstarting.Theselectionprocessesdescribedinthispaperareintendedtobedynamicandonon-goingwithaneedtocontinuallyappraiseandupdatetheTIneedsofSkyeandRaasayacrossthethreeplanninghorizons.1.1OverallobjectivesAkeyoverallobjectiveoftourisminfrastructuremodellingshouldbethemaintenanceofthekeyiconicandothersitessuchastheFairyPools,theQuiraingandtheStorr,sothattheymaybeenjoyedinasclosetotheiroriginalconditionbycurrentandfuturegenerations.Additionally,inthinkingthroughthetourisminfrastructureissue,itisvitalthatlocalpeopleareabletogoabouttheireverydaybusinesswithoutbeingimpededbythevariousformsofcongestionandoverspillfromatourismboom.Third,andcruciallyfortheruraleconomiesthetourismsectorhastobesustainableasitissuchanimportantdriverofgrowthinthelocaleconomy.Thispointisofcourserelatedtothepreviouspointsbutiswiderinthesensethateveryaspectofthetouristsvisitshouldbeofahighstandardsothat

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theyreturn.Theseoverarchingobjectivesaresurelyonesallcanagreeon.Relatedtothisareanumberofotherobjectives,whichwediscussindetailinthispaper,thatpeoplewillwanttoprioritiseindifferentways,butwhicharevitaltotherevitalizationandrenewaloftheoverallinfrastructure.1.2TourismisgrowingTable1takenfromthe‘SteamFinalTrendreportfor2013-14forSkyeandLochalsh’thatgivesaflavouroftouristnumbersacrossvariouscategories,fromthosestayinginpaidaccommodationtodayvisitors.Table1.KeyTouristperformanceindicatorsforSkyeandLochalsh2013/2014

Source:SteamFinalTrendPaperWenoteasignificant3.3%riseinoverallvisitortypes,withtheheadlinefigureforthecategoryofvisitorin2014of1.3million.Interestinglymuchofthisnumberismadeupfromadramaticincreaseinnon-servicedpaidaccommodation(8%)whichoffsetsasharpdeclineinthosestayingwithfriendsandrelatives.AlthoughcomparablefiguresdonotexistforthecurrentperioditisnoteworthythatfortheHighlandsasawholetherewasa12.7%increaseintouristnumbersbetween2014and2016anda14.3%invisitordays.ItisnotunreasonabletoapplythesenumberstoSkye,suggestingthatthetrendintourismnumbersshowsanincreasingrateofgrowthandcouldindeedbedescribedasexponential,whichisverymuchconsistentwiththeactualobservationofthoselivinghere.

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1.3TourismrevenuesThattourismisakeyeconomicdriverintheareacanbeseenbytheemploymentandexpenditurefiguresinTable1whichshowaverysignificantgrowthrateacrossallcategories.OnekeyfigurethatcanbebackedoutoftheseexpenditurefiguresisanestimateofVATforSkyeandLochalshwhichcomesinatapprox.£20.9mfor2016.SinceHighlandtourismspendgrewby18%from2014to2016thissuggestsSkye&Lochalsh’sVATcontributionwillhaveincreasedbyaround£3-£3.5minjust2years.OfcoursetheseVATrevenuesdonotgototheHighlandCouncilanddonotyetgotoHolyrood,buttheyaresurelyanimportantindicatorthatasignificantamountofinfrastructuresupportshouldbesuppliedbycentralgovernmentiftheserevenuefigures,andparticularlytheirgrowth,aretobemaintainedgoingforward.31.4DriversforgrowthintourismThereareanumberofdriversfortherecenttourismexplosioninSkyeandbeyond.ThereisofcoursethegeneralbackgroundvoiceofVisitScotlandwhichhasbeenencouragingthetouristindustrybothtoexpandandtomoveupmarket.TherehasbeenintensemediaexposureofmanyspotsonSkye,suchastheFairyPoolswhichisnowinthetop10wildswimmingdestinationsintheWorld.ManymoviesandpromotionalvideoshavebeenmadeontheTrotternishRidge,particularlyattheQuiraingandtheStorr,makingthemmustseedestinations.Additionally,therehasbeenmorestayathomeholidays,foravarietyofreasons(thefallinthevalueofthepound,airportsecurity,terroristthreatsabroadetc),andmostrecentlyasharpriseinoverseasvisitorsduetothesharpfallinthepound.Furthermore,Skyehasbecomeakeydestinationforvariousgroupsofspecialinterestgroups,rangingfromnaturalist,geologistsandthehugeinfluxofphotographictoursmakingSkyeoneoftheworld’siconicphotographicdestinationsalongwithlocationssuchastheLoftonIslandsinNorwayandtheGrandCanyon.Clearlytransitorydriversoftheboomintourism,suchasthedepreciationofthepound,mayturnaroundquitequickly,buttheotherfactorsdrivingtouristnumberslooksettocontinueunlessofcoursetheunderlyinginfrastructurecannotcopewiththegrowingnumbers.1.5ThetouristexperienceMainstreamandsocialmediatendtofocusonissuesarisingfrominadequacyofcurrentinfrastructure,butindevelopingthisstrategyitshouldbeemphasizedthatdespitethechallengesmanypeoplevisitingSkyecontinuetohaveagreatexperienceandcontinuetoenthuseaboutitratherthanbeingfocusedontheissuesweareawareofandseekingtoaddress.CruiseshippassengersforexampleconsistentlyratetheirsatisfactionofdisembarkinginPortreehighlyleadingtorepeatbookingsfromcruisecompaniesandofcourseifwecouldimprovetheinfrastructureinandaroundPortreeharborthenumberofoceangoinglinersdockingatPortreecouldbegreatlyincreased.

3WearegratefultoColinSimpsonforaccesstotheSteamFinalTrendpaperandthenumbersabove.

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Overallanddespitetheinadequacyofthecurrentinfrastructure,wearefortunatethat“complaints”arerelativelyfewandfarbetween,buttheprofiledepictedinthePressandwidermediaoverrecentmonthshaspaintedaverypoorpictureandweneedtorecoverfromthisinaproactiveway.42.Iconicsites,zeroentrypriceandtheoveruseanderosionofsitesandassociatedinfrastructureTheessentialissueattheheartofthe‘SkyeTourismproblem’,andthisisageneralpointthatmaybeappliedtoalltouristareas,isthat,atthepointofentry,keytouristspotsareingeneralessentially‘free’toenter.Freeentrytooutdoorareas,orindeedthefreepriceofanygoodorservice,typicallyleadstocongestion(excessdemand)andqueuingissues(i.e.intermsofparking)andcanleadtoseriousissuesoferosionandspoilofthesitesthemselvesandthesupportinginfrastructure,whichconflictswithakeyelementnotedabove–howtomaintainthesesitesmovingforward.Thiscanbecomeaparticularproblemwhenitisprofitableforprivateagentsoroperatorstomaximizethenumberofpeopletheybringtotheselocationswithnocognizanceofthedamagetheyaredoingtothesupportinginfrastructure(roadvergessay)ortotheactualsitesthemselves.Sopartofthesolutionhastobehowonemakessuchoperatorsrecognizetheimplicationstheyarehaving–thismaybebyprice(i.e.someformoflicensing),someformofquotainvolvingsayparkingandororganisedtransporttokeyareas(whichhappensinkeyinternationaltouristsitessuchasMachuPicchu,Peru)andorsomeothermechanismwhichmakesindividualsandcommercialoperatorsrecognizethatitisintheirmutualinteresttorecognizetheeffectstheyarehavingonthesitesthemselvesandtheassociatedinfrastructure.Toillustratethezero-pricingissue,andthecorrespondingoverdevelopmentofanaturalresource,itmaybeworthusingtheexampleoftheevolutionoffishingpolicyinUKwatersinthepostwarperiod.Priortothecurrentquotasystembeingintroduced,fishermeninthemainportsrealisedtheycouldmakelargeprofitsbybuyingaboat(analogywithabussay),crewingtheboat(bus)andsendingthecrewouttoseawheretherewereabundantstockandwherefishwerefreetocatchinallofthemainfishinggrounds.Thefishingboatownerswouldarguethatthefishwerenotreally‘free’sincetheyhadtopaywages,theyboughtsuppliesetc.Todaybus,tourcompaniesandothercommercialoperatorsonSkyemakesimilarargumentsthattheservicetheyprovideisnotfreeandbringsemploymentandspendintothelocaleconomy,whichisofcoursetrue.However,thismissesthekeyelementoftheaboveexamplewhichisfromthefishinganalogythatthefishinghotspotsbecameoverfishedandaquotaandlicensingsystemhadtobeintroducedotherwisethefishstockswouldhavebeenannihilated.AsimilarargumentappliestothenaturalresourceoficonicsitesonSkye–theirdemisewillcomefromerosionandoveruseifappropriatemechanisms

4IndeedsurveysconductedbyFSBandVisitScotlandbothhighlightfrustrationswithbroadband/receptionwellinadvanceofanyotherfrustrationswithinfrastructure;peoplevisitingSkyepresumablyhaveanexpectationofsingletrackroadsetc.althoughofcoursetheyexpectthemtobeingoodcondition.

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arenotputinplacewhichmaybeassimpleasappropriateparkingcharges,strictenforcementofparking(i.e.aquota)orsomeothermechanisminvolvingcontrolledaccess.Ofcourse,notallofthetouristissueswecurrentlyobserveareduetocoachesbuttheanalogycanstillbeappliedtootheroperatorsandactivitiestoo–themanycommerciallyorganizedhobbytourswhichnowcometoSkye,withphotographictoursperhapsbeingonetheofthefastestgrowingandlucrativeofthese,equallytaketheirtollonthelandscapeandassociatedinfrastructure.Furthermore,themotorhomehirecompaniesmustalsounderstandtheeffectsofpromotingvanhireonthebackofouriconicbeautyspots.Howdoweembracetheircontributiontowardsthemaintenanceandupkeepofourarea?ThistypeofvisitortoSkyeisbrandnew,wastotallyunpredictedandisabigissueforthecommunityduetothesheernumbersofmotorhomesnowontheroads.Inthepast,towedcaravanswereleftatcampingsiteswhilevisitorstouredtheislandintheirvehicle.Itisverydifferentnowandalso,wildcampinghasbecome“accepted”asnormalbehavior.5Clearlytherecannotbeaonesizefitsallpolicytodealwiththisbutattheveryleastrecognitionofthezeropriceissueshouldbeinourmindswhentryingtofindsolutionswhichwillultimatelyneedtobemulti-faceted.Insum,muchofwherewearetodayintermsofthetouristinfrastructurecrisisisthepromotionoftheSkyelandscapebybusinessesandothersutilizingandexploitingthis‘free’yetpricelessresource.Thismayultimatelyonlybealleviatedbymakingthekeyareas‘mininationalparks’wheretheareasarecontrolledandanentrypriceattached,orquotasareimposedeitherthroughappropriateparkingchargesandassociatedrestrictions,orthroughorganizedtoursfromacentrallocationsuchasPortree.Asnotedabove,thisiswhathappensforexampleinareassuchasMachuPicchuinPeru,andmanyoftheleadingwalkingtrailsinNewZealand,andsomeofoursitesareclearlytakingonaniconicstatusparallelingthese.ThisperhapsmaybeseenasalongertermgoaliftouristnumberscontinuegrowingastheyhavebeenrecentlyorperhapsitwillbeanecessaryasashorttermobjectiveforkeysitessuchastheQuiraingwhereroadaccessisparticularlychallenging,andifparkingchangesandrelatedrestrictionsdonoteasetheproblem(i.e.membersoflargecoachtourswhowishtovisittheQuiraingmustdisembarkinUig(wherethereshouldbebusparkingavailable,andalsocafé/barfacilitiesetcforthosewhowishtostaynearthelargeCoachwhileothersaretakentotheQuirainginsmallerminibuses).ItisunlikelythataparkandrideplanwouldprovideauniversalsolutiontoalloftheTIissues(althoughsincestartingtowritethispapersuchaproposal–theGeoParkproposal-hascomeforward),butifitistobedeveloped,buttheremustbeparking,toiletsandrefreshmentsattheparkingareas,toencouragepeopletousethemforonwardtransporttothespecialsitesandbackagain.Adviceandinformationpointswouldbeintegraltothesefacilities.Forexample,inLanzaroteno-oneisallowedtotaketheirowncarsorwalkonthe

5Cyclingandkayakingaredefinitelyontheincreasetooandmustalsobecateredfor.

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lavafieldsastheyareprotected.Atourcanonlytakeplacebycoach.Thelavafieldsareprotectedasasiteofscientificinterest(oritsequivalent)andthiscouldbeintroducedtoourgeologicalsitessuchasthosefoundinTrotternish.ForNeistPoint,theparkingareashouldbeinGlendaleattheLephinCafé,oratwhateverisdevelopedforBorrodaleSchool.FortheFairyPools,parkingcouldbeattheDistilleryorCarbostInn.ForFairyGlen,Uigshouldbethemainpointofarrival.Otherbusinesswilldevelopandflourisharoundthesesites.Andthereisanissueofwhetherburgerandteavansshouldbebannedfromsetting-uptheirstallsattheiconicsites.3.TourismprofileandrecentchangesinprofileApproximately10-15yearsagothekeyprofileofthosevisitingSkyewould,intermsofthevehiclesused,be:traditionalcampers;privateindividualswithaccesstoacarandstandardsizedcoachtours;afairlyconstantmotorhomecontingent(largelyforeignparticularlyinJulyandAugustandlargelyownerowned).Morerecentlytherehasbeenaconsiderablegrowthinthevolumeofallthesecategoriesbut,additionally,therehasbeenahugegrowthinhirecars–the‘17plate’phenomenon–adramaticincreasetowardsmedium(midi)sizedcoacheswhichseemtobeincreasingatanalmostexponentialrateannually(oneoperatorhas,forexample,approx.12midicoacheseverynightbasedinPortreeandtherearenowmanysimilaroperatorsinPortreepushingthetotalupto40).Unliketraditionalcoaches,thetravelersonthesemidicoachesareactiveparticipantsinandaroundthekeytouristsitesandtheirparkinghasundoubtedlycontributedtothecollapseofmanyverges.Asnotedabove,therehasalsobeenahugeincreaseinmotorhomeandassociatedformsofcampingandmanyoftheadditionalmotorhomesarehiredvanswhowithlimitedaccessatthekeycampsitesendupparkinginallmannerofplacesincludinglocalgraveyards,whichcannotbeoptimal.“Servicepoints”arealsourgentlyrequiredwheremotorhomescanrefuel,rechargebatteries,emptychemicaltoilets,cleanvans,top-upfreshwater,etc.,Presentcampingsites,althoughverygood,donotseemtobeabletocopewithanymoreovernightstays.Doweneedtoencouragemoresitesandan“opendoor”approachtothosewhoneedtousetheirfacilitiesforafee?ItisalsoimportantinthisworktoacknowledgethatappropriatelocalhealthandsocialcareinfrastructureonSkyeisessentialtosupportboththelocalpopulationwhoofcourseareheavilyinvolvedinthetouristindustryandtheincreasingvisitorpopulation.ThecurrentchangingserviceprofileisofsignificantconcerntothemajoritylivingonSkyewithoutwhomthetourismindustrywouldnotfunction.Anditalsoisplacingincreasingstrainsonvoluntaryorganisations,suchasSkyeMountainrescueandtheRNLI.4.KeyinfrastructureIssues:Toilets,parking,broadband/WiFi,roads,3G&4Gphonereception,publictransport,wetweatherfacilities,affordablehousing,offpeakevents(suchasfestivals),transportation/distributioncosts.

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5.WhopaysandfundingsourcesClearlytheamountofmoniesreceivedforthemaintenanceoftheroadstructureonSkye,andalloftheassociatedinfrastructure,wereinitiallyintendedlargelyifnotexclusivelyfortheresidentpopulation.Indeed,themoneyallocatedtotheHighlandCouncilfromtheScottishGovernmenteachyeardoesnotrecognize,withextrapayments,thenumeroustouristclusterswithinitsjurisdiction.AlthoughtheHighlandCouncilitselfhasincreasinglystartedtoprovidefundingandsupportinitstourismrelatedprojects,themoniesprovidedforroadsmaintenancearebasedonlocalpopulationprojectionsandtherethereforehastobeafurtherinputgoingforwardfromtheScottishGovernmentandperhapsalsofromWestminstertoo,especiallygiventheincreasedVATtakethathasarisenfromtherecenttouristboom.Ofcourse,thisraisestheimportantpointthatnoneoftheextrafundinggeneratedbytheboomintouristsactuallygoestoInverness.Forexample,andasnotedabovein2016itisestimatedthatVATrevenueraisedinSkyeandLochalshwascirca£20min2016andtheamountcontributedappearstobeincreasingdramaticallyastouristnumbersincrease.Thereisalsotherelatedincometaxgeneratedintheareamuchofthistouristrelatedtoobutagainthisalsogoestothe‘centre’(HolyroodandWestminster)ratherthanstayingintheHighlandarea,farlessinSkye.ThereislittledoubtthatlocalbusinessasrepresentedbySkyeConnect,manyofwhichareSME’s,feeltheyareearningandgeneratingaconsiderableamountofrevenueincorporationtax,employer’snationalinsurance,theirownincometaxandbusinessratesanddonotfeeltheygetasufficientreturnforthisespeciallyinlightofthefactthattheyhavestrictregulationsrefire,healthandsafetyandprovidestafftrainingetc.5.1CurrentFundingInitiativesforSkye

• ExtrafundingfromtheHC.(I).100kcommitmentfromHC’sPeoplefundtoaddressissuesatFairyPool;(ii)THCCommitmentsandtheStaffinCommunityTrustAssetTransferRequestattheStorrtobedetermined;(iii)commitmentfortheLocalWardfundsofcirca£20ktobeapprovedattheIsleofSkye&RaasayCommitteeonthe11thSeptembertowardsroadimprovementsattheQuiraingincludingwideningandstrengtheningtheverge.TheLeaderofCouncilisgoingtoleadaHighlandWideCouncilinitiative;(iv)HIE’sfundingforaProjectOfficerforSkyeConnect;(v)ScottishGovernmentsfundinginitiativeforHighlandarea.

5.2AdditionalFunding• ExtraFundingfromScottishGovernment?• ExtraFundingfromHIE?• ExtraFundingfromWestminster–ASkye/ruralHighlandequivalentoftheCityDeal?• ExtantdiscussionsamongstrelevantgroupssuchasSkyeConnectruleouttouristtax

andBridgeTollTaxgiventhehighrateofVAT.• Localrevenuecollection–chargetruecostofparkinginPortreeandBroadfordand

implicitlylevytouristtaxonparkinginmaintouristlocations.Provisionofnewtoiletsshouldreflectthefulleconomiccostofprovisionplusperhapsasmallreturn.

• Paymentsmadebymoviecompaniesforaccesstoiconiclocationsshouldbeassessed.

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• BIDpossibilityfortheIsland.• WorldHostrecognitionfortheIsland.• ApplicationforrecognitionasaNationalPark,oraSpecialSiteofScientificInterest,

orWorldHeritagesite,orsimilar?• DarkSkyeScotland?• ForestryCommission?• ScottishNaturalHeritage?• HeritageLottery?• HistoricScotland?• NationalTrust?• JohnMuirTrust?

6.OverallaimsgoingforwardTomaintainandpreservekeyiconicsites,includinggeologicalandneolithicsites;toallowresidentstogoabouttheirbusinessandleisureactivitieswithoutbeingcrowdedoutbythegrowthoftourismontheIsleofSkye;tocontinuetoattractvisitors,optimizevisitorexperience,easepressureonresidentsandprotectthenaturalheritage.Theneedtobuildpublicawarenessandcreateanattitudeofrespecttowardsprotectingtheseareasisimportanttoo.ThewildnessofSkyeisakeyattractionandneedstobepreserved.Incomparingwithcampaignstocleanuptheoceans,SkyeConnecthasmadeinitialcontactwithKeepScotlandBeautiful.7.Objectives[FORDISCUSSION;whatareshort,mediumandlong-termobjectives?]Forkeylocations:[FORDISCUSSION:Whatarekeylocations?]7.1Improveaccesstotoiletfacilities7.2Increaseparkingprovision7.3Improvetrafficmanagementandflows7.4Improveroadsandpassingplaces,whiteliningetc.RenewallbrokenormissingPassingPlacesigns.Noovernightparkingsignsasappropriateandalso,vehicleweightandwidthrestrictionadviceonsomeofournarrowestsingle-trackroads,suchastheapproachtoNeistPoint.7.5Seekimprovementsinmobilephonereceptionandbroadband7.6Seekimprovementsinpublictransportincludingbetterintegrationthereof7.7ImprovelitterprovisionandregularcollectionForislandasawhole:7.7Enhanceandprovidemorewetweatherfacilities7.8Providemoreaffordablehousing7.9Developmorewalkingandcyclingtracks7.10Identifyopportunitiesforoffpeakeventssuchasmusicfestivals7.11Reducedistributionandtransportationcosts7.12DevelopmajorinfrastructuresuchasPortreeandArmadaleHarbours,andairlinks(airportandhelipad)

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7.13(longterm)DiscussionaroundaSkyeSocialandCulturalHistoryMuseum,aSkyeologyScienceCentreandArtandCraftGallery,orall3integratedunderoneroof.Also,establishmuchbetterlinkswithregardtoDarkSkyScotlandwhichhasnotbeendonesufficientlywellinthepast.PerhapsSkye(atNeistPoint?)couldbecomeasatelliteofthenewnationalSeabirdCentreproposedforNorthBerwick–anEasttoWestCoastcollaboration?NB:Iconicsites–anticipateifthereremainstrendgrowthatthesesitesandtheimplicationsofthisforfutureprovision.8.StrategyGoingForward–Adynamic(i.e.ongoing/continuous)mappingexerciseItisproposedthatthreemaingroups,withmanyfeedinsfromotherrelevantpartiesandinterestedindividuals,wouldbeinvolvedinamappingexerciseforthefuturedevelopmentofinfrastructure:TheHighlandCouncilandspecificallytheEileana’CheòCouncillorsandrelevantofficersoftheCouncil,SkyeConnectandnationalpoliticianssuchasMSPandMPandappropriatefeedinsfromassociatedcommunitygroups,particularlyCommunityCouncilsandTrusts.

8.1CouncilandCommunityCouncils

• Councillors:GiventhecloselinkscouncillorshavewiththeCommunityCouncilstheyareideallyplacedtogatherinformationofdevelopinghotspots,tracknewdevelopmentsandalsotogetadvancenoticeofissuesthatarelikelytoariseinthenewtourismseason.TheproposalherewouldbetoaskallCC’stoincludeontheiragendaforeachmeetingatourismagendaitemwhichwouldbeintendedtocapturetheseissues.This,amongstotheritemsofconcern,wouldbereportedbacktotherelevantcouncillorandwouldbefedintotheregularWardBoardmeetings.

• LocalCouncillorsarewellplacedtoutilizetheofficersoftheCounciltoassessthemeritsofdifferentproposalsandprojects.Givenfiniteresources,therangeofissueswouldhavetobeprioritizedandpresumablyreprioritizedasnewissuescamein.Toenablethisclearlysomeformofprioritizationrankingwouldneedtobedevelopedthatwasfairandwidelyaccepted.Hopefullythiswouldberelativelystraightforward.Theoutcomeofthisprocesscouldthenbeactionedgiventheresourcebaseavailable.And/ortheinformationherefeedsintoawiderforumwithsimilarfeedscominginfromtheotherrelevantparties.10Councillorsarealsoideallyplacedtoreceiveproposalsandplansfromotherpartiesandwehaveprovidedtwoproposalsofplansreceivedtodatefortoiletprovision(KennyMacLeodandEwanLamont)andParking(MalcolmHenry),attachedtothisdocumentasAttachmentH1andAttachmentHrespectively.

• OtherCouncil:PrincipalTourism&FilmOfficer;WardManager;CommunityServices;Development&Infrastructure

8.2SkyeConnectSkyeConnect(SC)isahubrepresenting,andcommunicating,thebusinessneedsofSkyeandRaasay’severgrowinganddiversifyingtourismindustry.Oneofitskeyobjectivesistodevelopnewbusinessout-withthemainsummermonthsandprovidetrainingsupportfortheindustry.Thegroupiskeentoemphasisethat‘tourismiseveryone’s

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business’andarethereforekeentoengagewiththewidercommunityandlistentotheirneedsandconcerns.IllustratehowSCwouldfeedthroughinformationintotheplan.WouldSCactasaconduitfortheCommunitytrusts?SkyeConnect’sviewisthatitasessentialtokeepwell-and-trulyconnectedtoallpartiesinvolvedwiththe“SkyePlan”andtheywillbeabusinesstobusinesscommunicationhubreportingontheprogressofallworkon-going.TheyalsoforeseebeingabletoapproachfundingfromanumberofsourcespreviouslyuntappedbySkye.TheseresourcesareonlyavailableviaagroupsuchasaDMOlikeourown(DestinationManagementOrganisation)hencetheneedtohaveoneinplace.SkyeConnectwillrequiretobuildmembershipandafeesysteminordertocreatematch-fundingforanysupportmoniesandtheycanalsoencouragefinancialsupportfromothercommercialenterprises.SkyeConnectneedstobeseenasworthwhilejoiningandashavinganinfluentialroletoplayonbehalfofmembers.SkyeConnectwillalsobecomeasingular“voice”forSkye’sbusinesscommunity,particularlyforTourismandHospitality.TheywillworktowardsincorporatingtheFoodandDrinksector,crucialtoSkyeandseethemselvesashavingaroleencouragingthepracticeofworkingtogetherforthegoodofall.OtherareasalreadyhavehighlysuccessfulDMOsoperatingintheirareas.Weareoneofthelasttoparticipateinthistypeofactivityandhaveagreatdealtodotocatch-upwithothers.Weenvisagebeingabletoaccessfundsandassistdevelopmentofsomeoftheideaslistedhere.WeareamemberoftheScottishTourismAlliance,theTourismsector’sofficiallinkwiththeScottishGovernment,responsibleforimplementingtheNationalTourismStrategy2020,plustheSkillsInvestmentPlan.8.3Scottish/WestminsterMSPandMP:thelocalMPandMSPwillhavetheirownperspectiveoninfrastructureneedsandwillofcoursegetfeedinfromconstituentsastowhatishappening/neededatalocallevelandanticipationofneedsmovingforward;adviceonnationalfunding;macroperspectiveonScottishandUKwidetourisminitiativesandtrends;planninginputintothemediumandlongerruntrends.Theirinputwillbesupportedbyarangeofgovernmentagencies.

8.4NationalGovernmentAgencies:HIE,TransportScotland,ScottishNationalHeritage,andVisitScotland,Hi-TransandBusinessGateway.8.5CommunityTrusts

9.ActionPlan:SpecificObjectivesandInthinkingabouttourisminfrastructureplanning,andasnotedintheintroduction,webelieveitisimportanttohavethreeseparateplanninghorizonsinmind–short(whatcanbedoneinthenearfuture–i.e.introducingsigns,bollardsetctoalleviateparking),medium(actualconstruction/changestotheinfrastructuresuchasthecreationofnewparkingareas,toilets,etc)andthelongterm(TallShips,WorldHeritagestatusandmajorinfrastructureprojects,suchasharborredevelopmentsanddesignatingareasminiand,moregenerally,providingfacilitiesfortheunderlyingorlongertermtrend).

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Itistobehopedthatallstakeholdersassociatedwiththefollowingobjectives(andofcoursetheremaybemoreobjectivesthatpeoplewillwanttoadd)willbeabletoattendthefirstworkshopandparticipateintheworkshopprocessonanon-goingbasessothatwecanhaveaclearmappingofwhatisalreadyinplaceandwhatneedstobedonetoimproveontheseobjectives.Objective1:ToimproveaccesstotoiletfacilitiesCurrentsituation/workinprogress:CurrentPublicToilets:Broadford,Elgol,Sconser,Raasay,Portree(centreandpier),UigandDunveganComfortScheme:Kyleakin,Ardvasar,StaffinandMinginish-thereshouldbebettersignageatthesekeyareas.Other:TaliskerCoffeeShop(CCF),MuseumofIslandLife–Kilmuir;DunveganCastlecarpark?CalMacoffices?FairyPools:Shouldbeatleastpartiallyaddressedfornextyear?OldManofStorr:Theproposedfullprogrammemaynotbeinplacefor2018,butalternativetemporaryfacilitiesshouldbe.Portree:Toilets(revampingofexistingtoiletspaceincentreperhapsusingpartofexistingbuildingandprovisionofshowers;dedicateddisposalareaformotorhomewaste(PBCTplan)Partnersinvolved:Leadorganization/person:Timescale:Funding:Objective2:ToincreaseparkingprovisionIdentifyandanticipatenewareasthatcanbeusedtorelievecongestiononexistingsites.Thereisalotofconcerninthecommunity,oftenreportedonFacebook,forexample,ofSkyebecomingonegreatbigcarparkandinafewyears’timethesecarparkswillbeobsolete.Perhapsweshouldthinkabouthowparkingfacilitieswillbedistributed?TheplanninganddesignthathasgoneintotheStorrcarparkisexcellent,butitallcostsmoney,althoughhighlydesirable.Currentsituation/workinprogress:FairyGlen:Parking,roadaccessissuesFairyPools:Parking,shouldbeatleastpartiallyaddressedfornextyearOldManofStorr:Theproposedfullprogrammemaynotbeinplacefor2018,butalternativetemporarycarparkingfacilitiesshouldbe

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Quiraing:Parking,roadsideissues;Shouldbeaddressedwithnewplanfor2018Portree:Parkingissuesandneedforincreasedparkingbothcarsandmotorhomes–PBCTplanElgol:ParkingissuesNeistPointBroadford?MaintenanceofCoralBeachcarpark.Toiletsandlitterthere?Partnersinvolved:Leadorganization/person:Timescale:Funding:Objective3:ToimprovetrafficmanagementandflowsCurrentsituation/Workinprogress:CompletionofthePortreelinkroadshouldremoveasignificantamountofNorthboundbustrafficfromthecentreofPortree.Partnersinvolved:Leadorganization/person:Timescale:Funding:Objective4:ToimproveroadsCurrentsituation/Workinprogress:Partnersinvolved:HighlandCouncil&ScottishGovernment(TransportScotland)Leadorganization/person:Timescale:Funding:Objective5:ToseekimprovementsinmobilephonereceptionandbroadbandCurrentsituation/workinprogress:EEhaverecentlygreatlyimprovedhighspeedphoneconnectionontheislandwithPortreehavinganupgradefrom2Gto4G.ThereareothernodesontheislandsuchasBroadfordandKyleakinthathave3G.ContinuousaccesstoanysignalontheA87ispoorandthisisclearlyofaconcernforA&Ecallouts.Broadband/WiFi:SignificantinvestmentinBroadbandconnectivityinPortreeprovidingspeedsofupto50mbsalthough15-18mbsismorethenorm.TheNorthernBB(moredetail)initiativeseemstohavegotboggeddownandisnotgoingfurther.Scopehereforlineof

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sightWiFi(WiMAX)ashasbeensuccessfulelsewhereinthehighlands.NorthSkyeBroadbandGroupWebelievethisisakeydeterminant(alongwithadequateA&EinPortree)ofattractingprofessionalresidents,includingstaffofnewexportorientedenterprises,IT/Webfirms,designers,filmmakers,writers,artists,musicians.Andimportersoftechnicalservicessuchastelemedicine,supporttoorganisersofhighprofileevents,broadcastersoffestivals/eventstoregional/national/globalaudiencesPartnersinvolved:Leadorganization/person:Timescale:Funding:Objective6:ToseekimprovementsinpublictransportCurrentsituation/Workinprogress:UpgradingtheferryterminalsincludingatUigBetterconnectivitylinkssynergies,CalumMacLeod’spaperhere.Partnersinvolved:Leadorganization/person:Timescale:Funding:WhatabouttheFerries??FerryTerminals??Objective7:ToenhanceandprovidemorewetweatherfacilitiesCurrentsituation/Workinprogress:Partnersinvolved:Leadorganization/person:Timescale:Funding:Objective8:ToprovidemoreaffordablehousingCurrentsituation/Workinprogress:Partnersinvolved:Leadorganization/person:Timescale:Funding:Objective9:TodevelopmorewalkingandcyclingtracksCurrentsituation/Workinprogress:RecentlycompletedexampleinSkeabost-details?Edinbane?Anyothers?WalkHighlandshavecompliedawholesetofbooksandagreatwebsiteaboutSkyeandallotherareasofScotland.Theyhavebeenverysuccessful.Iwouldliketoembracetheirworkandknowledgesomehow.Partnersinvolved:Leadorganization/person:

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Timescale:Funding:Objective10:ToidentifyopportunitiesforoffpeakeventssuchasmusicfestivalsCurrentsituation/Workinprogress:ArosholdmanylivemusiceventsthroughouttheyearandSkyeLivehostavariedselectionoflivemusicasatwo-dayeventontheLumpinPortree.Partnersinvolved:Leadorganization/person:Timescale:Funding:AllparticularlygoodformaintainWinterbusinessandsustainingemploymentall-year-round.Objective11:ToreducedistributionandtransportationcostsCurrentsituation/Workinprogress:Partnersinvolved:Leadorganization/person:Timescale:Funding:Objective12:Todevelopothermajorinfrastructure(longertermobjectives)12.1HarboursCurrentsituation/workinprogress:Harboursanduntappedtourismmarkets.ThesailingareaaroundSkyeandtheWesternIslesisknowntobeoneofthefinestareasintheworldbutitisunderdevelopedandletdownbythepoorinfrastructureonSkyeandbeyond.TherehaveforsometimebeentransformationalplansforPortreeharbor,andotherharbours,whichcouldallowthecommunitytotapintothislucrativemarketandprovideawonderfulmarineexperience.ThePortreeandBraesCommunityTrustandtheArmadaleCommunityCouncilarecurrentlyworkingonplansforbothPortreeandArmadaleHarboursanditishopedthattheirplanswouldbebroughtforwardtothefirstworkshopmeeting.Ifotherports/harboursontheWestcoastofScotlandwerelinkedinsomeway,throughperhapsaninitiativesimilartotheRoad500initiative,thismaycreatethecircumstanceswithwhichSkyeharboursbecomeattractivetoprivatesectorinvestorsandthisinpartnershipwithgovernmentfundingcouldleadtoadramaticstepchangeinScottishTourismalongthelinesthatthesailingfraternityhavetransformedotherlocaleconomies(ine.g.theMediterranean).Asnoted,theTallShipsproposalisintendedasalong-runwayofaddressingissuesrelatingtomarineinfrastructure.Butthisisjustpartofthestory.ThefollowingeventsperhapsasabuilduptotheTallShipseventwouldinthemselvesmovetheissueforwardandfacilitatetheeventitself.

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1. TheHIEfundedAStrategicFrameworkforScotland’sMarineTourismSector:AwakeningtheGiantprovideandimportantmotivatorforimprovedmarinetourisminScotland:linkhttp://www.sailscotland.co.uk/media/27975/Awakening-the-Giant.pdf

2. Tallshipsproposedproject3. VolvoOceanRaceclassic(referredtoinAwakeningtheGiant)coveringsame

Portree-Uig-Stornaway-StKilda-Locmaddy-Ardvasar/Armidale/KylescourseasproposedintheTallShipsprojectstatement

4. OtheryachtingracesH&I/Skyecanattracttoracethiscourse,aspiringtomakeitaglobalannualclassic.

5. ProposedTallShiptrainingbaseinPortreecouldseeregulartourist-eventsailingstoKyles,Ardvasar/ArmidaleandUig

6. Acircum-Skyefour-portrace7. ExistingsailingracesinspiredbyPortreeHighlandgames.8. Existingcircum-Raasayrace9. Markedincreasesinsailingyachtsandcabincruiserstoallfourportsduetoglobal

exposureof1.to9.

Thentheworkshopmaybeabletofleshoutshort-termandlong-termprojectsforeachportandidentifytheproponents.WithgreatcasesandtheirimplementationH&IcontributionstoAwakeningtheGiantwouldbeformidable.ArmadaleHarbourproposalforthcomingforNovemberWorkshopPortreeHarbourWorkshopforthcomingforNovemberWorkshop OtherharbourPlans–Dunvegan,PooltielandUig?Partnersinvolved:Leadorganization/person:Timescale:Funding:ThereisagreatdealhappeningtodevelopMarineTourismaroundScotland’scoast,butparticularlytheWestcoast.InthepastanywherenorthofObanwasgreatlyignored,butthisischangingdramatically.Therearemanyopportunitiesassociatedwiththedevelopmentofourharboursandpiers,includingimprovedboattripsandwildlifetrips,visitstootherislands,etc.12.2AirportlinksCurrentsituation/workinprogress:Partnersinvolved:Leadorganization/person:Timescale:Funding:Oneday!ThesuccessfuldevelopmentofairtravelandrecentlandingfiguresinScottishairportscannotbeignored.Wehavenopossibleconnectiontothisuntappedresourceofbusiness.Everyonehastotravelbyroad,inthemain.TheAirportwouldalsoprovideopportunitiesfordevelopmentsoflocaltransportandcarhire.Alsoahugelyimportantresourceforlocalbusinessesforquickertravelconnections.Thisisnotonlyaboutvisitorswhocanaffordthefares.Allinvestigativeworkhasbeencompletedandpaidfor.Wastedasset!

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12.3HelipadlinksforemergencyevacuationsandtourismCurrentsituation/workinprogress:ExistingsiteinPortreerecentlyupgraded(PBCT)Broadfordsite:Partnersinvolved:Leadorganization/person:Timescale:Funding:13.HealthCareinfrastructureAstherecentlocalelectionshavedemonstrated,thereisongoinguneaseaboutthehealthcareredesigninSkye,LochalshandSouthWestRoss.OneofanumberofseriousomissionsfromthedesignstatementisthetrendgrowthinthetouristpopulationinSkye,andparticularlyNorthSkye,andthefactthatthetouristindustryinPortreeespeciallyisnoweffectively24/7ratherthetraditionalsummermonthsblip.Theredesign,ineffectivelyignoringtheneedsofthesetouristsandthelocalpeoplewhoworkinthetouristindustryandtouristrelatedindustry(whichisnearlyeveryoneonSkye)iscausingincreasedconcernespeciallyintermsofoutofoursaccidentandemergencycare.Inparticular,atthesametimeaswehavetheexponentialgrowthoftouristnumbersandoneofthefastestpopulationgrowthsinPortree,12hospitalbedshavebeenclosedinPortreeandthe24/7doctorledoutofhoursemergencyserviceinPortreehasceasedandambulancesarenolongerabletostopinPortree.TherebyputtingthevatswatheofbothtouristsandlocalsinPortreeandtheNorthoutsidethecrucialgoldenhourperiod.AnadditionalconcernisthattheDunveganAmbulancehasnodedicatedparamedic.Clearlysuchaset-upisnotfitforthepurposeforthetouristcommunity,farlessthelocalcommunityandneedstobeaddressedwithsomeurgency.

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ConcludingCommentsInthispaperwehaveofferedadynamicstrategy,intermsofthreekeytimedimensions–short,mediumandlongterm-andalsointermsoftherollingworkshopnatureofourproposal,foraddressingtheSkyeandRaasaytourisminfrastructureissues.WeofferaninterpretationofhowandwhytheTourismInfrastructureissuehasarisen–thezero-pricingissue–whichimmediatelyflagsuppotentialsolutionsintheshorttermfordealingwithsomeofthemorepronouncedandobviousissues.Wehavegivenalistofcomprehensiveobjectiveswhichwilldoubtlessbeaddedtoandmodifiedaswemoveforward.Inaddition,thepaperproposesanorganizationalstructurefortakingtheobjectivesforwardandacomprehensivescoringmethodforassessingdifferentproposals.Aswehavenotedinthepaper,oneofthekeyfactorsthathasdisadvantagedSkyerelativetootherislands,suchasOrkney,Shetlandandothermaritimeareas,isthatkeyelementsofitsinfrastructure,andparticularlyitsharbours,havebeenstarvedoffundingovertheyears,holdingbackthedevelopmentofcrucialsustainabilityinitiativesfortheIsland.Thesocio-economicstudiesrelatedtothelongstandingextantplansforthetransformationofPortreeharbourandwaterfrontareademonstratethehugeuntappedgainstothewholeSkyeandRaasaycommunityandbeyond.Butthesepotentialgainsremainuntapped.TothisendwebelieveitisvitallyimportanttohavelongrunobjectivesforboththelandwardandthemaritimeaspectsofSkyeandRaasayandwhichcantrulyanchorthelongtermsustainabilityoftourismintheareaforcurrentandfuturegenerations.TothisendweproposetheWorldHeritageSiteduallistingandTallShipsinitiatives.InseekingtoachieveaWorldHeritageSiteduallisting,Skyewillneedtomeetnotonlygeological/scenic/wildlifecriteria,butalsonaturalmonolithiciconstatus(whichitcouldwellachieveforatleastthreeself-standingsites),culturalcriteriarelatedtomarkedtransformationsinthewayofcommunitylifeovercenturies/millennia(furtheraccentuatedinSkye’scasebybeing"frontandcentre"ofsomeofthemostcolourfulpassagesofWesternEuropeanhistory),anduniquelybytranscendingtheWorldHeritagesitecriteriathroughthedisplayofitsmaritimeheritageinawaythatconnectsitwithStKilda(Scotland’sfirstWorldHeritageSiteduallistingandadualoneatthat)andtheprospectiveWorldHeritageSiteduallistingoftheCallanishStonesofLewisthroughaproposedcompellingTallShipsinitiativeinvolvingthePortsofPortree,Uig,Stornaway,StKilda/Hirta,Lochmaddy,Ardvasar/ArmidaleandtheKyles.Soasameansofdeliveringeconomicallyproductive,environmentallyenhancingandsociallyintegratinginitiativesacrossabroadsweepoftheWesternHighlandsandIslands,aWorldHeritageSiteduallistingandanattendantTallShipsinitiativeforSkyeholdconsiderablepromise,andassucharelikelytosecurelong-termsustainableglobal/national/regionalfundingfromcommercial/private,public,philanthropicandcrowd-fundingsources.

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AttachmentA:WorkshoptoAgreeontheIdentificationofSkyeTourismInfrastructureObjectives/ProjectsandaProcessfortheirPrioritisation

Step1:AgreeonOverarchingObjectiveAgreementamongstakeholders(Councillors,NGO/Communityrepresentatives,Businessrepresentatives)participatingintheworkshoponthewordingofafewsentencesthatunambiguouslyexpressestheOverarchingObjectiveoftheSkyeTourismInfrastructurePlanusingthedraftstatementintheDiscussionPaperasastartingpointfordiscussion.Step2:IdentifyOpportunities,Threats,Strengths,WeaknessesInviteeachstakeholdertoidentify:

• Opportunity(ies)arisingfromtheachievementoftheOverarchingObjective• Threat(s)arisingfromthenon-achievementoftheOverarchingObjective• Strength(s)ofCouncil/Community/FinancialResourcesincontributingtothe

achievementoftheOverarchingObjective• Weakness(es)ofCouncil/Community/FinancialResourcesincontributingtothe

achievementoftheOverarchingObjectiveEachopportunity,threat,strengthandweaknesscouldbewrittenofalargePost-ITNoteanddisplayedonawhiteboard.Step3:ClusterOpportunities,Threats,Strengths,WeaknessesAgreementamongstakeholdersonclusteringthePost-ITNotes,say,70to100intoSkyeTourismInfrastructureObjectivesandenablingProjectsusingtheproposedObjectivesintheDiscussionPaperasaguide.(Notemagnet-backedHexagonscanfacilitateamoreeffectiveclusteringprocess:https://www.beesuccessful.com/index.php?section=idon_tools)Step4:DiscussProjectEvaluationCriteriaandAgreeonPreparersofProjectPurposedEvaluationCriteriaandasuggestedprocessfortheiruseinprioritisinganagreedsetofspecificObjectivesandProjectsissetoutbelowfordiscussionandfinalisation.Step5:AssignStakeholderstothePreparationofCriteria-BasedProjectStatementsAllocateresponsibilitiesforthepreparationofProjectStatementsbasedonresponsestotheevaluationcriteria.

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EvaluationCriteriatoPrioritiseSkyeTourismInfrastructureProjectsTheseevaluationcriteriawouldbeappliedtoProjectsproposedbyproponentstodeliveragreedTourismInfrastructure(TI)ObjectivessubjecttoanagreedOverarchingObjective.Attractiveness:LikelyBenefitsofTIProjectAmeasureofthelikelybenefitofsuccessfulTIprojectgivenbycompositescoreofscoresfortwoprioritiescriteria:

• PotentialBenefitsofTIProjectMaximumeconomic,environmentalandothersocialreturnspossibleforSkye(includesdirectbenefitstotheassociatedObjectiveandbenefitspotentiallyflowingontotheotherObjectives).

• DeliverabilityofPotentialBenefits

AbilityofSkye’sorganisationalcapacities(includingCouncil’s)todeliverthePotentialBenefitsintheformofcommercialand/orotherreturns.

Financeability:AbilitytoFinanceTIProjectAmeasureoftheabilitytofinancetheTIProjectgivenbycompositescoreofscoresfortwoprioritiescriteria:

• FinancingPotentialMaximumfundsthatcanbeattractedfromallsources(includingfromCouncil’sfinancialresources,commercialinterests,crowdfunding,andotherlevelsofgovernment).

• CapacitytoRealiseFinancingPotential

AbilityofSkye’sorganisationalcapacities(includingfromCouncil’sresources)toachievetheFinancingPotentialinatimelymanner.

Note:SimplestapproachisforstakeholderstoscorePotentialBenefitsandDeliverabilityfrom1(low)to10(high)andexpressAttractivenessasaproductofthesecriteriascores;i.e.1to100.Similarly,forFinancingPotential(1to10)andCapacitytoFinance(1to10)givingaFinanceabilityscoreof1to100.Alongsideeachofthefourscoresspacescouldbeprovidedforstakeholderstogivea“reason”fortheirscoreandanyclarificationorother“questions”theywishtoraise.Generally,stakeholderswouldprovidetheirscoressubjecttoasupportingProjectStatementpreparedbytheproponent.ThengraphtheaverageEvaluationCriteriascoresforeachProjectandprovideindicativeresourceinterpretationsasshownbelow.Afurtherworkshopwouldberequiredtodiscussthesescoresandagreeonresourceallocations.

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HighAttractiveness(1to100)ProjectwithhighLikelyBenefitsforwhichSkye/CouncilhavealowAbilitytoFinance:“ShouldSkye/Councilimprovefinancingabilities?”

ProjectwithhighLikelyBenefitsforwhichSkye/CouncilhaveahighAbilitytoFinance.

ProjectwithlowLikelyBenefitsforwhichSkye/CouncilhavealowAbilitytoFinance:“ShouldSkye/Councilbeinvolved?”

ProjectwithlowLikelyBenefitsforwhichSkye/CouncilhaveahighAbilitytoFinance:“ShouldSkye/CouncilshiftresourcestoProjectswithhigherLikelyBenefits?”

HighFinanceability(1to100)

HighPotentialBenefits(1to10)ProjectwithhighPotentialBenefitsforwhichSkye/CouncilhavealowDeliverability:“ShouldSkye/Councilimproveorganisationalcapacities?”

ProjectwithhighPotentialBenefitsforwhichSkye/CouncilhaveahighDeliverability.

ProjectwithlowPotentialBenefitsforwhichSkye/CouncilhavealowDeliverability:“ShouldSkye/Councilbeprovidingincreasedresources?”

ProjectwithlowPotentialBenefitsforwhichSkye/CouncilhaveahighDeliverability:“ShouldSkye/CouncilshiftresourcestoProjectswithhigherPotentialBenefits?”

HighDeliverability(1to10)

HighFinancingPotential(1to10)ProjectwithhighFinancingPotentialforwhichSkye/CouncilhavealowCapacitytoFinance:“ShouldSkye/Councilimproveorganisationalcapacities?”

ProjectwithhighFinancingPotentialforwhichSkye/CouncilhaveahighCapacitytoFinance.

ProjectwithlowFinancingPotentialforwhichSkye/CouncilhavealowCapacitytoFinance:“ShouldSkye/Councilbeprovidingincreasedresources?”

ProjectwithlowFinancingPotentialforwhichSkye/CouncilhaveahighCapacitytoFinance:“ShouldSkye/CouncilshiftresourcestoProjectswithhigherFinancingPotential?”

HighCapacitytoFinance(1to10)

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AttachmentB:DualWorldHeritageSiteProposalBackgroundUNESCO:“WorldHeritageisourlegacyfromthepast,whatwelivewithtoday,andwhatwepassontofuturegenerations.Ourculturalandnaturalheritagearebothirreplaceablesourcesoflifeandinspiration.”WorldHeritage(WH)sitesbelongtoalltheworld’speoples,irrespectiveoftheterritoryonwhichtheyarelocated.TheWHListcurrentlycomprises1073propertiesofwhich78%areculturaland19%natural.Lessthan3%aredualcultural/naturallistings.TheIsleofSkyehasanumberoficonicnaturalsitesthatalonecouldcrediblyachieveWHlisting.Culturally,Skyeasawholehasagloballyrenownedstorythatcoulddeliverawinningnomination.Skyewouldnotbethelargestislandonthelist(currentlythat’saccordedtoFraserIsland,Australia).TobeincludedontheWorldHeritageList,sitesmustbeofoutstandinguniversalvalueandmeetatleastoneoutoftenselectioncriteria(AppendixA).PerusalconfirmsthatSkyecrediblymeetsseveralofthesecriteriaandhasstrongprospectsforachievingthestatusofaDualWorldHeritageSitelisting.UNESCOconductsanannualworkshoptotrainWHproponentstopreparetheirnominations(AppendixB).PotentialBenefitsBenefitsofworldheritagestatus:• Identity:Enhancedglobalidentity,confirmingtheoutstandingandexceptionalattributesof

Skye’snaturalandsitesandculturalstory.

• Funding:Securelong-termUNESCOfundsforawiderangeofprotectionandconservationprojects.

• Tourism:Internationalacclaimensuringnational/localeconomicbenefits.• Management:Enhancedaccesstoglobalprojectmanagementresources,particularlyasthis

pertainstoachievingequityintheredistributionofbenefits.Benefitsasavoideddisbenefits:• Exploitationbymoney-focusedcommercialinterests;e.g.,GalapagosIslandssufferingacute

environmentaldegradationandoverfishingfromexcessivetourism.

• Degradationofsiteenvironsfromineffectivemanagementofrapidvisitorgrowth.• Failuretolearnfirst-handfromdisbenefitsofexistinglistedsitesinScotland,UKandglobally,

includingthetwodelistedWHSites.

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DeliverabilityofPotentialBenefitsForgenerationstheSkyecommunityhasfosteredthegrowthofvisitorstoitsincreasinglyrenownediconicsites.Thecommunityisnowlivingwiththerealisationthatitneedstomanagethisgrowthtomaintainthequalityofexperienceofvisitorswhileenhancingtheirownlivingconditions.UndertakingthetrainingforandsubsequentpreparationofacompellingsubmissiontoUNESCOtolistSkyeasaWHSiteiswellwithinthecapacitiesofthecommunityanditslocalCouncilanditsreach.InclusionofaconvincingplantoredistributeincreasingcommercialreturnsfromaWHSitelistingtobenefitallresidents(especiallythoseworkinginallmannerofsupportservices)wouldbeamajorfeatureofthenomination.FinancingPotentialThecommunityhasaccesstothefundingrequiredforitsrepresentativestoparticipateintheannualtrainingworkshop.AppendixBoutlineswhatthistrainingwouldentailandthescaleofcommitmentsandfundingrequired.TheresultsofthistrainingwouldprovideaclearindicationofresourcestobesourcedfromCouncil(Ward/HC),HIE,SkyeConnect,national,regionalandlocalgovernments,thecommunityitself,commercialinterestsoperatinglocally,nationallyandglobally,innovativecrowdfunding,theyouthofSkyeandsoon.CapacitytoRealiseFinancingPotentialThecommunityhasthecollectiveacumentoharnessthepoliticalwherewithalandtheprofessionalskillstoconverttheforegoingpotentialtoafinancialreality.InsodoingithasrecentlybecomewellplacedtomobilisetheIsland’semergingfilmindustrytocreateworld-classimageryandaccompanyingsoundtrackstoportrayitsiconicnaturalsitesanditshistoricallymomentousandmysticalculturalheritage.ThiscouldnotonlyforeruntheUNESCOtrainingandattendantpreparationstocommencetheWHSitenominationprocessbutgreatlyaccelerateitsprogresssubjecttothecommunity’sdecisiontoproceed.AppendixA:WHList:SelectionCriteria

TobeincludedontheWorldHeritageList,sitesmustbeofoutstandinguniversalvalueandmeetatleastoneoutoftenselectioncriteria:

(i) torepresentamasterpieceofhumancreativegenius;

(ii) toexhibitanimportantinterchangeofhumanvalues,overaspanoftimeorwithinaculturalareaoftheworld,ondevelopmentsinarchitectureortechnology,monumentalarts,town-planningorlandscapedesign;

(iii) tobearauniqueoratleastexceptionaltestimonytoaculturaltraditionortoacivilization

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whichislivingorwhichhasdisappeared;(iv) tobeanoutstandingexampleofatypeofbuilding,architecturalortechnologicalensembleor

landscapewhichillustratessignificantstage(s)inhumanhistory:(v) tobeanoutstandingexampleofatraditionalhumansettlement,land-use,orsea-usewhichis

representativeofaculture(orcultures),orhumaninteractionwiththeenvironmentespeciallywhenithasbecomevulnerableundertheimpactofirreversiblechange;

(vi) tobedirectlyortangiblyassociatedwitheventsorlivingtraditions,withideas,orwithbeliefs,

withartisticandliteraryworksofoutstandinguniversalsignificance.(TheCommitteeconsidersthatthiscriterionshouldpreferablybeusedinconjunctionwithothercriteria);

(vii) tocontainsuperlativenaturalphenomenaorareasofexceptionalnaturalbeautyand

aestheticimportance;(viii) tobeoutstandingexamplesrepresentingmajorstagesofearth'shistory,includingtherecord

oflife,significanton-goinggeologicalprocessesinthedevelopmentoflandforms,orsignificantgeomorphicorphysiographicfeatures

(ix) tobeoutstandingexamplesrepresentingsignificanton-goingecologicalandbiological

processesintheevolutionanddevelopmentofterrestrial,freshwater,coastalandmarineecosystemsandcommunitiesofplantsandanimals;

(x) tocontainthemostimportantandsignificantnaturalhabitatsforin-situconservationof

biologicaldiversity,includingthosecontainingthreatenedspeciesofoutstandinguniversalvaluefromthepointofviewofscienceorconservation.

AppendixB:2017WorkshopTheUnitedNationsInstituteforTrainingandResearch(UNITAR)ispleasedtoannouncethecallforapplicationsforthe14thannualworkshopofitsWorldHeritageNominationsTrainingSeries,withadeadlineof15September.Theworkshopwilltakeplacefrom27Novemberto1December2017inHiroshimaJapan.FeaturingleadingexpertsfromtheUNESCOWorldHeritageCentre,ICCROM,ICOMOSandIUCN,theworkshopwillequipparticipantsfromaroundtheglobewithadeeperunderstandingofnotonlythebasicsofWorldHeritageNominations,butalsothecrucialareaofComparativeAnalysis,anditscentralroletoTentativeListsandNominationsDossiers.Theworkshopincludesinteractivelectures,studytourstotwoWorldHeritagesitesandreal-worldsimulationexercises.TheworkshopistargetedatparticipantswhoareinvolvedinthepreparationofWorldHeritagenominations;StatePartyMembers;PotentialorcurrentWorldHeritagesitemanagers;Natural/culturalconservationspecialistsandtrainers;Decisionmakersandgovernmentofficers;andRepresentativesofacademicinstitutions,think-tanks,andcivilsociety.

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AttachmentC:PortreeHarbour:VenueforTallShipRaces,RegattasandTrainingBase?

BackgroundOvertheseatoSkye:ArefrainalmostascherishedintheglobalpsycheasOldLangSyne.Andformanyadreamtosailwithwildnature,amidstindescribableviewsofmountains,coasts,coves,enchantingfishingvillagesanddistantislands.Offeringasheltereddeep-wateranchorage,Portreeharbouriswellplacedtomakesuch“adreamcometrue”.AnddoitinTallShipsevokingtherefrain’simageryof“Carrytheladthat’sborntobeking”.Comingbacktosealevel,theorganisationbestplacedtodeliverthisandmuchmoreisSailTrainingInternationalwhoorganise:• TallShipRacesinvolvingupto80shipsfrommanycountrieswithafour-yearplanningperiod• TallShipRegattasforwell-planned/organisedgatheringsofupto40ships• TallShiptrainingvisitstoports

TheywouldalsobewellplacedtosupportPortreeinhostingapermanentbaseforaTallShipandassociatedtrainingprogramfortheyouthofthehighlandsandislandsand,ofcourse,thedreamers.PotentialBenefitsTheTallShipsRaces:Therearemanyeconomic,socialandcommunity-orientedreasonswhyaportmaybidtohosttheraces.Traditionally,hugecrowds(frommanyhundredsofthousandstowelloveramillion)visitaportduringthefourdaysoftheevent,bringingwelcomeincometotheport,cityandlocalbusinesses,plentyofnationalandinternationalmediaattention,andarangeofopportunitiesforcommunityinvolvementandenjoyment.AppendixAoutlinesonerace-routeoptionbetweendualWorldHeritageSitesSkye(ifwewinit)andStKilda.TallShipsRegattas:TypicallyhaveasmallerfleetofsailtrainingvesselsbutstillofferaspectaculargatheringofTallShipsofallclasses,attractinghundredsofthousandsofvisitors.TallShipSailtrainingvisits:provideanoutdooradventureactivity,mainlyforyoungpeopleinsailhandling,navigation,passagemaking,safetyatsea,andshipmanagement.Butitspurposegoesfarbeyondthis.Sailtrainingusesthisexperienceprincipallyasameanstohelpyoungpeoplelearnaboutthemselves,discoverhiddenstrengthsandtalents,andunderstandthevalueofothersandofworkingasateam.Benefitsasavoideddisbenefits:ThebidprocessofSailTrainingInternationalwilllargelyensurethisoutcome.Addtothis,evaluationsofthesuccessorotherwiseofpastRacesandRegattasconductedinScotland.Forexample,the2011racesfromGreenocktoDunoonandLerwicktoStavanger(Norway).DeliverabilityofPotentialBenefitsDeliberationoftheselectioncriteria(AppendixB)forbidstohostTallShipRaceswouldindicatewhetherPortreeisreadyorcouldbecomesowithinafour-yearperiodtohostupto80trainingvesselsfromabout30countries.Regattasaresmallereventsgenerallyinvolvingthespectacleof

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about40vesselsfrom16countries.FinancingPotentialItwouldappearthatthemostambitiousexistingplanstoimprovePortreeharbour(AttachmentD)wouldmeetconditionsofthe“In-portfacilities,infrastructureandarrangements”criterion.ConsultationswithSTIwoulddeterminewhatfurtherworkswouldberequired.Itwouldalsobeofvaluetodeterminethefinancingrequiredtoown/leaseatallshipandhostyear-roundsail-trainingprogramsfortheyouthofthehighlandsandislands?Clearly,sourcingenablingresourceswillinvolvetheactiveconsiderationsofCouncil(Ward/HC),HIE,SkyeConnect,national,regionalandlocalgovernments,thecommunityitself,commercialinterestsoperatinglocally,nationallyandglobally,innovativecrowdfunding,theyouthofSkye,etc.CapacitytoRealiseFinancingPotentialSTIislikelytobeasoundsourceofadviceinprovidingleadstosourcefundingforadditionalcapitalimprovementsthatmayberequireincludingapermanenttrainingcapacity?Itmaybeappropriatetocanvassoptionswithwindandwaveenergyenterprises.PossibilitiesincludeGlasgow-basedGaia-Wind,DanishcompanyVestas,theworld’slargestmanufacturerofwindturbines,andNorwegiancompanyStatoilwhoaretransitioninglong-termfromoilandgastorenewableenergy,includingtheconstructionoftheworld’sfirstfloatingwindfarmofthenortheastcoastofScotland-HywindScotland.Andforwave-powernegotiatewithHIEsubsidiaryWaveEnergyScotlandbasedinInverness.Inaddition,itcouldbeworthcatchingtheimaginationofbillionairerace-sailingenthusiastsfromtheUSA,Europe,AustraliaandNewZealand.Forexample,LarryEllisonofOracleandsponsorofwinningAmerica’sCupcampaignsandRobertOatley,ownerofmultipleWildOatsmaxi-yachtwinnersoftheSydneytoHobartClassic.Link/leverageScotland’sYearofYoungPeople2018andtheInternationalChildren’sDay(every1JuneinUK).ThereisnodoubttheSkyecommunityhasthecollectiveacumentoharnessthepoliticalwherewithalandtheprofessionalskillstoconverttheforegoingpotentialtoafinancialreality.InsodoingthecommunityhasrecentlybecomewellplacedtomobilisetheIsland’semergingfilmindustrytocreateworld-classimageryandaccompanyingsoundtracksthatportraythedreamexperienceofsailingovertheseatoSkye.Perhapsfromthedecksandmastsofabillionaire-sponsoredtallshipcarryingthenameBonniePrinceCharlie.AppendixA:ProposedTallShips’RaceRouteInrelationtotheTallShips'raceroute,manyoptionsexist.Itmaybeworthpromotingitasamulti-stageracewithstagewinnersandanoverallwinnersimilartotheTourdeFrance.Apossibleroutecouldbebetweenthetwodual-listedWorldHeritageSitesofSkye(ifwecanswingaduallistingonbothnaturalandculturalgrounds)andStKilda(whichalreadyhasafairlyrare

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duallisting).(Interestingthereisalreadyaspeed-boattripfromUigtoStKilda.)TheTallShips’routecouldtakeinUigforadayandovernightstoptoallowbusinghighpayingpassengerstoTotternish’snaturaliconsandculturaldisplays.NextstopcouldbeStornawaytoprovidehighpayingpassengerstheopportunitytovisittheCallanishStones(currentlyseekingWHSiteListing)thenontoandaroundStKildaswingingbacktoLochmaddy.(CouldbeoptionsforpassengerstoferrybacktoSkyefromStornawayandLochmaddy).ThenextlegcouldbeLochmaddytoArdvasarsailingpastBenbecula,Eriskay,BarraandMingulaythennorthofRùmforviewsoftheBlackCuillin.PerhapsthelegfromArdvasarwithastopoverinKylescouldtakeinEileanDonanCastlewithare-enactmentofthethreeEnglishwarshipsthatreducedittorubble.ThenbacktoPortreetodeclarethewinnerofthevariousclassesandamightyparty.AwebsiteproposingsuchaTallShipsracemayswayabiddecisioninourfavourandbeusedtoattractsponsorshipofthe“SkyetoStKildaClassic”bybillionairephilanthropistsaswellasthelargestwindpowerandwavepowercompaniesoperatinginScotlandandgloballygiventhenatureoftheevent.CreatingsuchawebsitetosupportourTallShipsbid(andraceroute)couldminethewealthofimaginativestirringmaterialalreadyonlineincludinggreatrenditionsofsongsoftheWesternIslesandHebrides:"SkyeBoatSong”,“AFairy’sLoveSong”,“TheSkylineofSkye”,“TheDarkIsland”,“AirFaLaLaLo”,“MakeYourWaytoStornaway”,“EriskayLoveLilt”,“MingulayBoatSong”,“GoingHome:Runrig:IsleofSkye”andothers.SailTrainingInternational(STI)isparticularlyinterestedinportssupportingtheirowntall-shipbaseandthatoffer:• No-costorlow-costberthingandaccesstotugs• Eliminationorreductionofharbourfees• Helpwithbunkering• Accesstolaundryfacilities,showersandlavatoriesforthesmallervessels• AssistancewithcustomsandimmigrationformalitiesToaidportsintheirhandlingofsailtrainingvessels,SailTrainingInternationalhasproducedaPortGuide.AppendixB:Criteriaforselectionareinsixcategories:1. In-portfacilities,infrastructureandarrangements

Berthingareaandgeneralberthingplan,showinglocation,lengthofquayspaceandwaterdepths;plannedlocationsforcrewlavatoriesshowers/CrewCentre;plannedlocationforracemanagementteamofficesandaccommodation.

2. In-portprogrammeandplansforcommunityinvolvement

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Social/sports/culturalprogrammeforthetraineecrewsandships’officers;plansforcommunityinvolvement,includingvolunteers.

3. ProvisionoftraineesandopportunitiesforClassAships’incomeinportProvisionandfundingoftrainees(minimumof25)tosailintherace;opportunitiesforClassATallShipstogenerateincomeinportfromcorporateentertainmentandday-sailing.

4. PromotionoftheeventMarketingandpromotionalplanstopromotetheeventtothelocalcommunityandnationally.

5. SupportforandinvolvementinsailtrainingforyoungpeopleTheport’sinvolvement,currentorplanned,tosupportandencouragesailtrainingforyoungpeopleyear-round.

6. RaceCoursePlanningTheport'slocationwithinthechosenseaareaanditssuitabilitytoformpartofagoodraceseries.Thefrequencythattheraceshavevisitedthatport/countrybeforeandtheforthcomingracesandregattasthatareplannedtotakeplaceinthatcountry.

PinterestTallShipsphotographs.Friend(wholivedinDunoonatthetimeoftherace)tookthesephotographs.

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AttachmentD

SummaryofPortreeWaterfrontRegenerationPlan

By

NeilCampbell

Theseplansareausefulbenchmark,orLong-RunSolution,fortheBayfieldAreaandHarbour

WaterfrontinPortree.

(ThefullsetofplanswillbeavailableatHISkye.Site)

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PortreeHarbour/WaterfrontToday

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ProposedLong-RunSolutionforBayfieldandPortreeHarbour

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AlternativeElevationoftheLong-RunRegenerationofPortreeHarbour

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AttachmentE–SkyeHeritageCentre–IonadDualchaisSkye‘Thoughtstarters’forthisproposalSecuringthedualWorldHeritageSitelistingforSkyeonculturalandnaturalgrounds,providesanopportunitytocreateaSkyeHeritageCentre–IonadDualchaisSkye,initiallychargedwiththismandate.Thegrowthofthiscentrecouldbeguidedbytheconcept/design/planrequiredtoachievedualWorldHeritageSitestatusforSkye.It’senvisagedthattherecouldbekeyrolesfortheSkyeMuseumofIslandLifeandtheGaelicCollegeinsecuringthelistingandmanagingthegrowthoftheCentre.It’sverylikelythatGaelicliterature(includingpoetryandsong)willprovideagreatdealofthecaseforachievingaduallisting.PerhapstheSkyeHeritageCentrecouldevolvebymeansofanexpandablebuildingstartingasakerneltoachievetheduallistingintheproposedSkyeIDEACentreoutlinedbelow.ThenextstagecouldthenbeacorebuildingreflectingtheroutetoandtheachievementofthedualWHSitelisting.Subsequentsub-centrebuildingsmayincludesuchinitiativesas:

1. TheIcons–MuseumofIslandLife,Quiraing,Storr,FairyGlen,Neist,FairyPools,BlackCuillinwithabusshuttletosites.

2. ThepipingheritageintermsofTheMacCrimmonlink(withabusshuttletositesnearDunvegan)andtheworldfamousSilverChanterleadingtoapipingcentrewithlinkstotheGlasgowPipingCentre.

3. MaritimeHeritage(includestoursofTallShip,fishingvessels,rowboattoStKilda.4. Folklore(e.g.,fairiesfromtheFairyFlag,FairyPools,FairyGlen,totheFairy'sLove

Story–ThamiSgìth–andsoonwithbusshuttlestoandfromthesites). 5. TheDiaspora–perhapsinvolvingtheEdinburgh-basedScottishCentreforDiaspora

Studies.6. AnIMAX/Holography/Skye-Filmtheatredisplayingnotonlyblockbustersforthe

localsinoff-peakseasonsbutalso- Mindblowingvisuals/holographs/VRsoftheIcons- Greatpipingclips- DannyMacAskill'sBMXridefromEdinburghtoDunvegan(andaheapofhis

otherclipsviewedbetween40-80milliontimes- Othervisual/VR/holographicdisplaysofthe"lightfantastic”beamedinfrom

live/delayed/recordedperformancesworldwide

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AttachmentF–SkyeIDEA–ThoughtStartersThisisaproposaltoestablishamulti-purposecentreasdepictedbelow.

ThisisanoutlineofaprojectproposaldevelopedbyDaveSandssomeyearsago.Davehasbeencontactedaboutpreparingaproposedprojectstatement.Insummary,itencompassesfourfoundationthemesWell-Being,Education,EnvironmentandHealthunderpinningthefollowingpurposes:

• OutdoorLeadershipbuiltaroundmountaineering,hillwalking,seakayaking,mountainbiking,sailingandindoorclimbing

• BespokeVocationalHolidaysengagingintrepidcustomersintheforegoing• UniversityFaculty(s)tosupportthedeliveryoftheotherpurposesandprovide

opportunitiesforstudentstolearninanoperatingbusinessenvironment• TheSpaceforimaginativeeventscomplementingtheforegoingtoandtoattract

visitorsbeyondtheintrepid• TheInnovationFactoryhousingasmallconsultancycapabilitywithafocuson

innovationandbusinessdevelopmentandadvisoryservicestotheSkyecommunity• TheWall–astateoftheartclimbingwall–servingasaniconiccentreforSkye

IDEAandinvitingtoalllevelsofcapabilityallthewaytoOlympicelites Thisinitiativecouldharmonisewithandincentiviseotherproposedprojectsinmanywayswhichinclude:

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1.TheestablishmentofaresidentTallShiptrainingbaseinPortreecouldstrengthenthecasefortheoperationoftheOutdoorLeadershippurpose.2.AnOutwardBoundSchoolbasedinPortreewouldbestrengthenedbyaTallShiptrainingbase,theOutdoorLeadershippurposeandtheclimbingWall.3.ExistingsailingracesfeaturedatthePortreeHighlandGames,asamorerecentattraction,couldbecomplementedbybeginnertoOlympicstandardWallclimbingcompetitions(attractingthebestintheworldandtherebyfurtherenliveningtheGamesandextendingtheirrenownparticularlyamongtheyoung).4.BespokeVocationalHolidayscouldbeaddedtobyallowingforhighpayingpassengersintheproposedTallShipsracesandtheoperationofaresidentTallShip.5.TheInnovationFactorycouldserveasanincubatorforthehighpriorityprojectsdeterminedbystakeholdersparticipatingintheworkshopprocess.ItcouldalsosupportandbeextendedbyproposedindustryinitiativesfortheHighlands&IslandsandSkye(HISkye)beingresearchedbytheauthors.6.UniversityFaculty(s)oneofanumbercouldincludetheAdamSmithBusinessSchoolasabrain’strustforHISkyeproposedindustryinitiativesandinitiativespertainingtoRuralSustainabilityandSportsScience.7.TheSpaceinadditiontothesupporteventsraisedabove,possibilitiescouldbelinkedtotherisein(a)HISkyephotographytourism(landandmarinebased)withexhibitions,competitions,sales;(b)displaysoflocalandvisitingartists;(c)attractionofBardoftheMod(extendedtotheScottishdiaspora)andanactiveprogramofceilidhs.

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AttachmentD:IndividualPrioritiesScores,ReasonsandQuestions

LongTermProject1:DualWorldHeritageListingfortheIsleofSkye

CRITERION SCORE1Lowto10High

REASONS QUESTIONS

PotentialBenefitsMaximumeconomic,environmentalandothersocialreturnspossibleforSkye

DeliverabilityofPotentialBenefitsAbilityofSkye’sorganisationalcapacitiestodeliverPotentialBenefitsintheformofcommercialand/orotherreturns

FinancingPotentialMaximumfundsthatcanbeattractedfromallsources

CapacitytoRealiseFinancingPotentialAbilityofSkye’sorganisationalcapacitiestoachievetheFinancingPotentialinatimelymanner

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AttachmentH-OtherProposalsH1.PublicConveniencesProposalfromKennyMacLeodandEwanLamont(OriginallylettertoSkyeConnect)Wethoughtyoumightbeinterestedinlearningofanewbusinessideathatwearedeveloping,tohelpaddressthepresentlackoftoiletfacilitiesattouristhot-spotsonSkye.Wearehopingtopurchasesomemobiletoiletunitsthatcouldbelocatedatbusyareaswheresuchfacilitiesarepresentlylacking(LealtFalls/TheQuiraing/TheStorretc.)Thesewouldbefairlyhigh-specunitswithpay-to-entersystems,andwouldberegularlymaintained.Weareindiscussionswithapotentialsupplierfortheunitswhoiskeentocomeupandmeetwithustodevelopourideasinthecomingweeks.WehavealsodiscussedourideawithCllr.JohnGordonandarewaitingtohearbackfromhimregardingameetingwithhimandotherHighlandCouncilreps.tolookathowwecantakethingsforward-hopefullywiththeirsupport.Wewouldalsovalueyourinput,asyouarebestplacedforanoverviewofeverythinggoingonatpresenttoaddressthecurrentinfrastructureissuesfacingtheisland.WehavediscussedourideawitharepresentativefromStaffinCommunityTrustandwouldliketogetintouchwithanyothercommunitygroupsthatwecouldpossiblyworkinpartnershipwith-evenonaninterimbasisuntilanyotherplansformorepermanenttoiletfacilitiescometofruition.Wearestillatarelativelyearlystageofdevelopment,sowouldreallyappreciateanyinputorideasfromyourselvesaboutallofthis.Wedon'twanttotreadonanyone'stoeseither-soyourknowledgeofwhatiscurrentlyinthepipelinemayalsohelpustoavoidgoingtoofardownthisplannedrouteifyouknowofanythingelsethatisbeingplannedalongsimilarlines.

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H2.Proposalfor:TrafficManagementatCongestedTouristSitesontheIsleofSkyeMalcolmHenry.V.29/08/2017

ThequantityofvisitorsatseveraliconicsitesonSkyeiscausingunacceptablelevelsoftrafficcongestion.Itisnotpossibletoquantifypeakdemand,thereforetheconstructionofparkingspacesatthesesitesmustbeaccompaniedbytrafficmanagementmeasuresthatcontrolthequantityofvehiclesseekingaccesstothesitesatanygiventimeofday.Failuretoimplementeffectivetrafficmanagementmeasuresalongwithcarparkprovisionwillresultinacontinuationofthecongestionproblems.Thereisadangerthattheprovisionofformalparkingandfacilitieswillincreasethequantityofvisitorsattemptingtoaccessthesesites,exacerbatingratherthanmitigatingthecurrentcongestionproblems.Thisproposaloffersastrategyformanagingtrafficatthesesites.Theconceptwillcopewithanylevelofdemandusinginfrastructureofmodestscaleandcost.Ateachofthesitesitisproposedthat:

• theexistingadhoccarparkisformalisedand,insomecases,modestlyextended.• accesstothecarparkiscontrolledbyautomaticticket-issuing/validatingbarriersat

strategiclocationsontheaccessroadstothesites.• paymentforparkingismadeatapay-on-footmachineatthecarpark.• automaticsignsareinstalledatstrategiclocationstoinformvisitorsofparking

availability.• amobileappprovidesreal-timeparkinginformation.• anautonomous“offgrid”twinWCpodisinstalledadjacenttothecarpark.• aformalsiteforamobilecateringunitisprovidedatthecarpark.• parkinginsidethebarrierswillbestrictlylimitedtotheformalcarpark.• provisionismadeforfreepassagethroughthebarriersforvehiclesintransit.

Itisproposedthatallofthesitesandthetrafficmanagementsystemsaredesignedandownedbyasinglenon-profitcommunitycompany.Itisproposedthatallofthesitesarespecified,developedandmanagedbyasinglecommercialcompanyundera“buildandoperate”contract.Capitaldevelopmentcostswillbefundedbyamixofgrantsandprivateinvestment.Revenuefromparkingfees,cateringunitrent;etc.willaccruetotheoperatingcompany.Theoperatingcompanywillpayannualrenttotheownerforthedurationofthecontract.Thevalueoftherentwillreflecttheratioofcapitalinvestmentprovidedbyeachparty.

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H3.HealthCareProposal-RonaldMacDonaldandDonaldMacRaeFormany,healthcareisthecornerstoneofourlocalinfrastructureandiscriticallyimportantforbothlocalsandtourists.InthisregardtherecentredesignofhealthcarefortheareaofSkye,LochalshandSouthWestRossiswelcomed,butthisprocesshasbeenflawedastherapidexpansionintouristnumbershasastonishinglybeenessentiallyignoredintheredesignandthereforetheprovisionforthosewhovisitSkyeisnotoptimal;justasitisnotoptimalforthemanypeoplewhoworkinthetouristsectorandtheincreasingpopulationnumbersdrawntotheisland.CentraltotheflawedredesignprocessisthefailuretorecognizethattheareaofSLSWRisnotwhollyaruralarea,asassumed,butavastruralareawithasignificanturbanpopulationinPortreeandasubstantialruralareahinterlandbeyond.Indeed,Portreeisthemainemploymenthubofthearea,itisthemaintouristhub,themaineducationalhub,themainpopulation(inabsoluteandgrowthterms)hubandtransporthub.CorrespondinglyithasariskprofilesimilartootherurbanareasinHighland,suchasFortWilliamandWick,andverydifferenttothesurroundingruralareas.PortreealsohasoneofthehighestabsolutelevelsofdeprivationinScotland,(alongwithNorthSkye)andthisisrelativelyhigherthananywherewithinSLSWR.Despitethis,notonlyhasitsoutofhoursEmergencyandAccidentfacilitybeendowngradedfromadoctorled24/7combinedwithcommunityhospitalservicetoanon-doctorpartialoutofhourscover(closed11-6am7daysperweek).Thisissimplynotasustainablemodeleithermorallyoreconomicallyandintermsofthelatterwearealreadyseeingpeoplewithserioushealthconditionsleavingtheislandandthiswilldoubtlesscontinue.Informaltermstheissuemaybeseenintermsofstatisticaldistributions.SinceNHSHhaveassumedthataruraldistributionisthenormfortheSLSWRareawecanthinkofthisintermsoftheclassicnormal‘bellshaped’distributionwithallofitscharacteristicsofmeanand‘normal’tails.Incontrast,andgiventhekeydifferencesoftheurbanareanotedabove,thedistributionoftheurbanareaisverydifferentwithaskeweddistributionaboutthemeanandfattertailsdenotingthehigherprobabilityofthepopulationintheurbanarearequiringAandE.WhichisofcoursewhatthehistoricalSASambulancefiguresshow,andwiththerelativeprojectedpopulationtrendsandincreasetouristnumbersthiscanonlybeexpectedtoincreaseovertime.Therefore,forthesustainabilityofthetouristindustryandforthosewhoserveintheindustry,werecommendthatwithsomeurgencya24/7emergencyserviceakintowhatwasinplacesince1964isrestoredsothatallinPortreeandNorthSkye–localsandtourists-arebroughtbackwithinthegoldenhourhorizonandinmovingforwardafullyfitforpurposehealthcaremodelofcareforbothtouristsandlocalsisputinplacethatwellcaterfortherapidlygrowingtouristpopulationandensurethatcaresupportsasustainabletouristsectorforthecurrentandfuturegenerations.

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Whiletheauthorsareabletodevelopacompellingcaseofthedamagetothepublicpurseofignoringtheonsetofavoidabledeaths67byimplementingtheenvisagedprocess–damagesthatgreatlyoutweightheinvestment(notcost)inprovidingadequateA&EforPortreeandthetownshipsandvillagesitservicesintheNorthofSkye–theywouldprefernottohavetotakethiscourseofaction.

6Itisrelevanttonotetheextensiveeconomicliteratureofthepast40yearsonthistopicsuchasthe1976doctoraldissertationValueofSavingaLife:EvidencefromtheLaborMarketbyRichardThaler(winnerofthe2017NobelPrizeinEconomics)andhissupervisorSherwinRosen.7"MortalityRiskValuation".EPA.Retrieved2017-04-25.Supposeeachpersoninasampleof100,000peoplewereaskedhowmuchheorshewouldbewillingtopayforareductionintheirindividualriskofdyingof1in100,000,or0.001%,overthenextyear.Sincethisreductioninriskwouldmeanthatwewouldexpectonefewerdeathamongthesampleof100,000peopleoverthenextyearonaverage,thisissometimesdescribedas"onestatisticallifesaved.”Nowsupposethattheaverageresponsetothishypotheticalquestionwas$100.Thenthetotaldollaramountthatthegroupwouldbewillingtopaytosaveonestatisticallifeinayearwouldbe$100perperson×100,000people,or$10million.Thisiswhatismeantbythe"valueofastatisticallife.”