The Scottish Government has unveiled a £1.9m funding package to develop new business facilities at Skye.

The National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture (Sabhal Mor Ostaig) has been awarded funding to develop a 1,050 m2 building which will provide space for up to 20 new businesses. It will also offer accommodation for 20 staff at its Kilbeg Village site.

Up to 60 news jobs in the construction sector – including six youth apprenticeships – will be supported by the development.


Work on the £6.1m project is due to begin this month, with a completion date of the beginning of 2015, and is viewed as a central part of a long-term initiative to build a new conference centre, community sport facility and mixed tenure housing for the people of Skye.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made the announcement at a European Structural Funds event at Glasgow Caledonian University and said: "Investment in projects like the Sabhal Mor Ostaig on Skye is absolutely key for stimulating economic growth throughout Scotland.

"In these tough economic times it is vital that we support opportunities that help create new jobs and apprenticeship places while offering assistance to develop and improve our rural communities.

"This new building, which is due for completion in 2015, will provide much needed new facilities for the people of Skye, which will boost its reputation on a national level and help to attract more investment to the area."

(JP/CD)