Skye and Raasay Future (SARF) is the region’s Area Place Plan, created in 2021 to set out shared priorities for development, services, and investment. Developed in partnership with communities, public sector bodies, and third sector organisations, it ensures local voices shape decision-making and resources are aligned with community needs.

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Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations is a board member of SARF and hosts the quarterly SARF meetings.​​

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Skye and Raasay Future Board​

• The Highland Council

• Highlands and Islands Enterprise

• Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association

• Representation from Local Developement Trusts

• Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations

• West Highland Chamber of Commerce

• NHS Highland

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The SARF Board:

• Oversee the adoption of a shared vision for Skye and Raasay, developed with residents, businesses, community groups, and public bodies.

• Support coordinated action and investment across sectors.

• Strengthen accountability by working towards outcomes agreed

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The Board meets quarterly, operates on the principles of collective leadership, and serves as a forum for strategic decision-making, resource sharing, and community engagement.

 

To contact the SARF Board email info@slcvo.org.uk 

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Skye and Raasay Future Outcomes and Priorities

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Climate Action and Resilience - A net-zero area with decarbonised buildings and transport, and communities ready for climate impacts.

• Support climate strategies - Promote choices and actions that reduce emissions and protect the economy, communities, and environment.

• Decarbonise homes and buildings - Raise awareness of upcoming regulations (e.g. heating systems, wood-burning stoves) and tackle fuel poverty through greener, more efficient housing.

• Upgrade electricity infrastructure - Reinforce and future-proof the 132kV overhead line to secure supply and enable renewable energy growth.

• Develop hydrogen economy - Use constrained renewable energy to produce hydrogen for decarbonising transport and buildings.

• Expand EV infrastructure - Improve electric vehicle charging for residents and visitors to support low-carbon travel.

• Support sustainable agriculture - Keep crofting and farming central to rural life while contributing to climate and biodiversity goals.

• Achieve net zero across sectors - Decarbonise transport, housing, industry, and agriculture; offset remaining emissions through carbon sequestration (e.g. tree planting, peatland restoration).

• Prepare for climate impacts - Build resilience to extreme weather, flooding, droughts, and rising temperatures already affecting communities.

• Align projects with climate goals -  Ensure all projects reduce emissions or improve climate readiness to attract funding and demonstrate commitment.

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Strengthening Communities - Resilient, inclusive communities with affordable housing, essential services, and celebration of Gaelic culture.

• Gaelic Culture

• Strategic Integration - Ensure local Gaelic priorities are embedded in the Highland Gaelic Language Plan 

• Align with the National Gaelic Language Plan through collaboration with Bòrd na Gàidhlig and partners.

• Community-Based Initiatives - Integrate Gaelic culture and language promotion into local development projects.

• Support opportunities for Gaelic learning, use, and visibility in daily life.

• Cultural Development - Leverage Gaelic language as a tool for economic, educational, and social enrichment.

• Support intergenerational language transmission and cultural activities.

• Affordable Housing Availability  

• Prioritise accessible, inclusive, and quality housing to retain young people and families.

• Tackle barriers such as limited land availability and private rental constraints.

• Support flexible tenure models for local workforce needs.

• Strategic Housing Initiatives - Free up land through better public sector asset management.

• Secure strategic housing sites via partnerships.

• Promote and support community-led housing projects (e.g. Staffin, Raasay).

• Advocate for local housing needs with national decision-makers.

• Access to Services - Improve care provision and accessible housing for self-directed care.

• Ensure service accessibility supports population balance and wellbeing.

• Housing Promotion and Engagement

• Run campaigns to promote the Highland Housing Register (HHR).

• Educate residents on how to register and navigate the HHR process.

• Community Capacity Building

• Support vulnerable communities through targeted development and resource access.

• Strengthen community organisations to take ownership of local priorities and assets.

• Inclusive Participation - Encourage broad involvement in social, cultural, and recreational opportunities.

• Remove barriers to participation for marginalised and underrepresented groups.

• Collaborative Networks and Partnerships - Develop strong community networks for shared learning and delivery of services.

• Promote mutual support frameworks to reduce pressure on smaller community groups.

• Establish inclusive partnerships to co-create and deliver the Skye and Raasay vision.

• Sustainable Project Support - Secure long-term resources to support community-led project delivery.

• Share best practices from successful projects to scale impact across the area.

 

Diverse and Green Economy- A thriving economy built on natural assets, sustainable tourism, and varied job opportunities.

• Diversify the economy - Build a flexible, resilient business community less reliant on tourism.

• Encourage interconnected local enterprise - Support a cycle of economic activity where businesses collaborate and create more job opportunities.

• Invest in skills and training - Provide reskilling and education for residents, and attract new and returning workers to meet labour market needs.

• Support the green economy transition - Adapt to climate-driven changes in land use, work patterns, and travel through sustainable practices.

• Enable flexible working - Improve digital infrastructure and skills to attract remote workers and support local employment.

• Promote sustainable tourism - Celebrate cultural and environmental assets while creating year-round tourism jobs that support community wellbeing.

• Develop tourism management frameworks - Involve businesses and communities in managing visitor impact and protecting natural and cultural assets.

• Balance recovery and long-term growth - Support tourism-related recovery while prioritising broader economic development and diversification.

• Strengthen education-business links - Connect local education with job opportunities and support entrepreneurship among returners and working-age residents.

• Encourage longer visitor stays - Improve infrastructure and experiences to reduce ‘drive-by tourism’ and attract higher-value markets.

• Support marine and high-quality tourism - Expand access for marine tourism and shift from short-term lets to dedicated, high-quality accommodation.

• Empower community-led facilities - Enable Development Trusts to provide visitor infrastructure (e.g. toilets, parking, overnight stops) that generate income and support wider community goals.

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​​Transport Infrastructure - Integrated, well-maintained transport options that support inclusion, growth, and connectivity.

• Develop an integrated transport strategy - Create a joined-up plan for Skye and Raasay, supporting a just transition to sustainable travel.

• Improve public transport to tourist sites - Reduce car dependency and parking demand by offering dedicated services to key destinations.

• Expand community transport - Support flexible options for dispersed demand, including village travel, school transport, and feeder services.

• Encourage cycling to schools  Promote cycling infrastructure as an alternative to short-distance school transport, especially in summer.

• Deliver active travel infrastructure - Invest in safe walking and cycling routes to set a new standard for future mobility.

• Manage motorhome and traffic impacts - Address road capacity issues caused by increasing large vehicle use.

• Improve central belt connectivity - Support net-zero flight options and infrastructure upgrades at Ashaig to reintroduce scheduled services.

• Expand EV charging infrastructure - Plan for home, workplace, public, and private EV networks to meet rising demand and support the 2030 phase-out of petrol/diesel vehicles.

• Explore community car clubs - Offer low-carbon transport alternatives for residents and visitors.

• Pilot Mobility as a Service (MaaS) - Support Go-Hi platform to enable seamless booking of buses, ferries, car clubs, and bike hire.

• Create transport hubs - Combine flexible, demand-responsive services with parking management to offer viable alternatives to private cars.

• Align with low-carbon travel plans - Coordinate active travel, road, public transport, ferries, and air to support sustainable movement of residents and visitors.

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Health and Social Care - Modern services that meet local needs and support community wellbeing.

• Accessible, High-Quality Rural Healthcare - Residents across Skye and Raasay have access to high-quality, remote and rural health and social care services, including options for online consultations and reliable transport links to key facilities.

• Digitally-Enabled Services - Healthcare and education services are modernised and resilient, supported by improved digital connectivity that meets the needs of remote communities.

• Future-Proofed Facilities for an Ageing Population - Investment in healthcare infrastructure ensures facilities and services are equipped to meet the needs of an ageing population, supporting independent living and community wellbeing.

• Community-Led Health and Social Care Service Design - Communities are empowered to shape local healthcare delivery through ongoing collaboration with NHS Highland, supported by the SARF process to ensure services reflect local needs and aspirations.

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Education and Lifelong Learning - Tailored learning services that promote growth and sustainability.

• Expanded Learning Pathways for All Ages - A wide range of learner pathways, qualifications, and skills-based courses are available across Skye and Raasay through strong partnerships with schools, colleges, and training providers—ensuring education meets the needs of both young people and adults.

• Support for Young People’s Transitions - All young people are supported into employment, training, education, or volunteering through the Young Person’s Guarantee, delivered in collaboration with local employers, agencies, and youth voices.

• Equitable Access to Education -Young people across Skye and Raasay enjoy the same educational access and opportunities as their peers on mainland Scotland, regardless of geography or background.

• Youth Voice in Education Planning -Children and young people actively shape the delivery of local education plans, with their views reflected in decision-making and implementation.

• Promotion of Gaelic Medium Education -Gaelic Medium education is supported from early years to adulthood, helping preserve and grow Gaelic language and culture through partnerships with schools and national Gaelic bodies.

• Investment in Education Infrastructure - Learning environments are improved through continued collaboration on capital investment projects, including future phases of the Learning Estate Investment Programme.

• Closing the Attainment Gap - Educational outcomes for children living in poverty are improved through targeted support and national programmes like Pupil Equity Funding

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Digital Infrastructure - Reliable, affordable digital access for all, supporting economic and community development.

• Ensure reliable and affordable digital access - Provide future-proofed connectivity to support participation in modern life, especially in rural areas.

• Boost economic and community growth - Use digital connectivity to attract residents and visitors, while addressing digital exclusion.

• Enhance digital learning - Review and build on online education experiences to support learning, Gaelic language, culture, and the arts.

• Expand gigabit broadband coverage - Support rollout through R100, private investment, and public funding (e.g. City-Region Deal) to reach more premises.

• Coordinate with national initiatives - Align with UK and Scottish Government commitments to increase gigabit access and improve infrastructure.

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Organising Ourselves
Inclusive partnerships working together to deliver the shared vision for Skye and Raasay.​

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