Skye is Scotland’s second most popular destination. The data shows that visitor numbers continue to grow each year and now exceed pre-covid levels. It is alarming that a destination like Skye faces the real possibility of not having a body...
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Mini Bite – from Alistair Danter – 13th June 2022
In Alistair's Mini Bite below you'll find information on Alistair Danter's work as Project Manager for SkyeConnect.
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We are now in June and moving around is taking longer as our area gets increasingly busy. I met a French tour operator who explained that he had too much business but not the resources to support the demand. This sums up the strange times we are in. Here are a few snippets from SkyeConnect:
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Member Spotlight - Ronald MacDonald Photography
Ronald MacDonald OBE is a photographer living in Portree on the Isle of Skye who has been producing and selling landscape photographs of the rugged Skye landscape since the early 1980’s. Although his landscape work is primarily in colour, Ronald also has a keen interest in black and white photography and pushing the limits of his landscape work through his abstract photographs.
In 2010 Ronald and his wife Catriona opened their Skye Gallery, An t-Eilean Gallery in Portree, which is dedicated to Ronald’s landscape photographs and also includes a range of high quality gifts. Most of the photographs on display are Isle of Skye prints. Ronald prints, mounts and frames all of his work in his Portree workshop using archival quality materials on a range of media, including the highest quality photo rag paper, polycotton canvas, aluminium and acrylic.
Skye Connect – Annual General Meeting Update
At our AGM this week, Chair, Dave Till stood down following his three year term of office. He plans to stay on the board until new Directors have been recruited to take on the Finance and Company secretary roles. At a directors meeting immediately after the AGM, Gary Curley was unanimously elected Chair for a three year term. We thank Dave for his service to SkyeConnect and wish Gary well in the role at such a challenging time for our industry.
Euronews
Skye’s significance as a destination is clearly now recognised on the global stage. Last week, our Communications Director, Simon Cousins was interviewed for an article in Euronews looking at the challenges faced by the industry in Venice, Florence and Skye – https://bit.ly/3mERZkQ
Funding Opportunities
On a daily basis we receive information on funding opportunities for businesses making the journey to net zero. Here are just a few:
https://bit.ly/3QfG1f9 – a suite of resources and case studies are available to support and inspire your next steps.
https://bit.ly/3NGaeSR – particularly important for senior management to help embed good practice throughout your business – only available for free in June 2022, so be quick!!
https://bit.ly/3xsGVvY – committing to the Business Climate Hub provides access to tools and resources to help move towards net zero and network with other committed businesses.
https://bit.ly/3xsHjuN – provides free, impartial support to help SMEs save energy, carbon and money. Funding and training is currently available.
https://bit.ly/3ObVCuh – suite of support and resources available to help reduce emissions from your business transport.
https://bit.ly/3MP9idw – a new suite of tools to ensure your business can embed circular economy practices to reduce waste and save money.
Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund
Expressions of interest are now open for the next round of the Rural Tourism infrastructure fund https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/funding/rural-tourism-infrastructure-fund
Collaborative Business Housing Needs Survey
The business housing survey that was carried out by 56 Degrees insight is almost complete. SkyeConnect, HIE and the LSHA have reviewed a first draft of the report. The final document, along with a proposed advocacy and promotional campaign for the findings, will be published before the end of the month.
Skye Ranger Service
The Skye Ranger service is now back up and running for the season. This includes 3 permanent positions at the old Man of Storr. Recruitment has, so far, been successful for 2 out of the 3 posts.
Funding Opportunity
A funding opportunity has been announced for businesses wishing to upgrade / provide facilities for cyclists https://dmbins.com/campaigns/secure-bike-storage-scheme/
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