31 December 2024

2024 Roundup

We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of everyone who contributes to our vibrant community. A heartfelt thank you to our funders and volunteers for their dedication and hard work. Your efforts enable us to continue our ongoing projects and bring exciting new ideas to life in the New Year.

We are proud to be involved in so many impactful initiatives, including the community helipad, which serves as a vital lifeline to the mainland, the Footpaths Group, constantly enhancing our local walking network.

Light Up Portree, which hosts incredible community events, and Work on Skye, creating opportunities for NHS workers on the island.

Each year, we continue to grow stronger, and 2024 promises to be another fantastic chapter. Thank you for being part of our journey to make Portree and Braes an even better place to call home.

Here are some highlights and updates from the PBCT Team!

King George V Playing Field Buyout

Thanks to the incredible support of our community, earlier this year, we were thrilled to announce that we had successfully met our fundraising goal! This achievement brings us one step closer to finalising the buyout of the King George V Playing Field, which is scheduled to take place at the start of the New Year. This milestone marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our community as we look forward to transforming the space into a vibrant hub for a variety of events and activities.

The King George V Playing Field holds tremendous potential to become a cornerstone of local life, providing a space where people of all ages can gather, celebrate, and connect. From sports and outdoor activities to cultural events and festivals, the possibilities for utilizing this space are endless.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to this achievement. Whether you donated, spread the word, or volunteered your time, your efforts have made this dream a reality. This accomplishment is a testament to the strength and unity of our community. As we move forward, we are excited to share our plans and invite everyone to join us in creating a shared space that benefits us all. Thank you for your incredible support!

Light Up Portree

This year’s Light Up Portree events have brought the community together on several memorable occasions. The recent Christmas celebrations were no exception, with the Reindeer Parade, generously sponsored by Dan Corrigal, being a standout highlight. Families lined the streets to see the Santa and the reindeer, make their way to Portree Community Centre, where a bustling Christmas Fair offered festive treats, crafts, and gifts.

Separately, Light Up Portree hosted the much-anticipated switching on of the Christmas lights and unveiling of the beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Thanks to the generous support of Jans, this moment lit up the heart of the village and marked the official start of the holiday season.

Earlier in the year, the organization also hosted a Halloween Kids’ Disco, which was a huge hit with local families.

Looking ahead, details for the upcoming Hogmanay Party will be announced soon, promising yet another opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate.

A heartfelt thanks goes to all the volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, to Jans for their vital support, and to everyone who attended and took part in these events. Your enthusiasm and involvement continue to make these celebrations truly special for Portree.

Portree Community Allotments

There’s been more progress at the allotments this year. The polytunnels have been improved with a drainage system and raised beds, and a communal picnic area set up in front of the summer house. In the summer there was another Seed Swap BBQ organised by Atlas Arts and three hard-working Portree High School pupils achieved their Junior Forester Award after attending sessions at the allotments. Most recently, a composting toilet was custom-built with solar indoor lighting and wind-powered air extraction.

The allotments are comprised of 28 plots and 4 raised beds, with plotholders made up of individuals, friends, families, local charities and schools. The allotments provide an opportunity to grow fresh produce, connect with nature, and engage in community-building activities.

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or simply curious about getting involved, we invite you to join us.

Email allotments@portreeandbraes.org to learn more and be part of this exciting initiative!

The Return of Skye Week

We were delighted to announce the return of Skye Week this summer, hosted by Light Up Portree, and what a week it was! Packed with activities and events for all ages, there truly was something for everyone to enjoy. From the excitement of Gala Day and the thrill of the boat race to engaging workshops and vibrant live music, the week was a celebration embraced by both locals and visitors.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who made it possible, from our dedicated volunteers to the generous funders who supported us. Your contributions helped create an unforgettable experience for the entire community.

As we wrap up this year’s festivities, planning is already underway for Skye Week 2025. We can’t wait to welcome you back next year for more fun, connection, and celebration. Thank you for being a part of this fantastic event!

Portree ‘Go’ Board

On Tuesday 23rd July, Carel Goodheir and Jurriaan Dijkman played the first Go game ever on a newly installed outdoor Go board on Somerled Square, just opposite the Granary. Until 2020, Skye was home to a bi-annual Go Tournament that outperformed the Scottish national tournament for attendance, and featured on BBC’s An Là, you can see the appearance here.

Unfortunately, the last two tournaments were in March 2018 and 2020, coinciding in turn with the Beast from the East and the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since COVID-19, there has not been a Go tournament on Skye.

However, the installation of this concrete Go board keeps the story going and, who knows, maybe another tournament could happen on Skye one day…? After making the board in concrete, Carel asked for assistance from Ross Cowie and Portree & Braes Community Trust in getting the board installed in Somerled Square.

Remembering Ross

We were devastated to lose one of our founding members and serving trustees, Ross Cowie, in October. Ross had a very special place in our community and beyond and was a prime mover in the establishment of Skye Community Response as a project of the Trust.

He was always coming up with ideas for village improvements – he was never afraid of the scale of a project – and we will miss the “ideas man” more than we can say. We are currently discussing a suitable memorial to Ross.

Welcoming New faces

We’d like to extend a special congratulations to our Development Officer Fiona and partner Bryon on the birth of Murdo, and to Sophie, our Work on Skye lead and her husband Allan on the arrival of Romy.

A warm welcome to our new teammates Lottie McIntyre, who will be working on the Work on Skye project, and Luke Slater stepping in as Finance and Administration Officer. Iona MacDonald has stepped into the role of Development Officer while Fiona is on maternity leave.

We’re thrilled to have you all as part of the PBCT family!

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone for their support and contributions over the past year. Wishing you a joyful and peaceful festive season!

Warm regards, The PBCT Team