An ambitious proposal to create a “Foundation” for Skye, Raasay and Lochalsh, funded by voluntary visitor donations, is set to be discussed at the SkyeConnect Spring Conference later this month.

The Board of SkyeConnect – the Destination Management Organisation for Skye and neighbouring areas – has been discussing the idea of a Foundation for some time and has looked at other well-established and successful foundations and Charitable Trusts in other environmentally sensitive visitor locations around the UK.

For example, the Snowdonia Society was established in 1967 as a charity to work with local communities, organisations, businesses and individuals to help look after Snowdonia. Much of the funding for the Snowdonia Society comes from voluntary donations and legacy gifts in Wills.

According to the DMO, now is the right time for Skye to consider creating its own Foundation. Pressures on public finances combined with the growing need for greater investment in Skye’s infrastructure mean innovative solutions need to be found to protect the unique environment and the interests of all those who live in, work in or visit the area now and in the future.

The proposal will be the main topic of discussion at SkyeConnect’s Spring Conference at the Sligachan Hotel on Thursday 27th of April.

Speakers confirmed for the event include Dan Visser of “Fix the Fells” and the Lake District Foundations and Sheila Gilmour of VisitArran which has established its own Trust to fund projects that look after the landscape and environment of Arran. There will also be a presentation from SkyeConnect Project Manager, Alistair Danter on the legal structures required to create a Foundation or Trust.

Tickets for the event will be available through Eventbrite (search for ’Spring Conference – A Foundation for Skye, Raasay and Lochalsh”)
and are free for SkyeConnect members and £8 for non-members.

SkyeConnect Chair, Gary Curley, is hoping for a large turnout to discuss the ambitious proposal.

“We know from our conversations that many people are more than happy to put something back into Skye after visiting our island. Lots of small, voluntary donations at the end of an activity, meal or overnight stay will soon add up to provide funds to support community projects, protect the environment and invest in our infrastructure. It may also be possible to tap into some of the potential income from the five windfarm developments currently under consideration. SkyeConnect fully supports the call for some of the windfarm revenue to be used for the benefit of everyone on Skye. I hope members and non-members alike will come along to our Spring Conference and engage in the discussion about whether there is a desire for a Foundation and, if so, what it might look like.”