Skyecomuseum

WORK is progressing well on the new Skye Ecomuseum viewing platform at Lealt and it is hoped the new attraction will be opened later this month. 
The community-led development is being delivered by two contractors, MacDonald Contracting Ltd and Staffin Groundworks. 
Staffin Community Trust (SCT) hopes the year-round public attraction will showcase the Trotternish landscape and looks forward to telling the story of Lealt and the rest of the district through new interpretation signage.
The new platform will offer excellent views of ...

CONTRACTORS have suspended work at the new Staffin viewing platform today (14.6.18) because of the high winds and wet ground. 
The weather front, officially named “Storm Hector”, saw heavy rain and higher winds blow into Skye after more than three weeks of largely dry and sunny conditions. However, the public is reminded the site at Lealt remains closed to the public and walkers should not attempt to access the construction site, car park or main footpath. 
MacDonald Contracting Ltd’s Scott MacDonald said ...

A MAJOR community-led heritage development will take a big step forward next week when work commences on a new viewing platform and car park at Lealt gorge, Staffin.
The scheme represents a significant infrastructure investment for the island, which has seen an unprecedented rise in the number of visitors in recent years putting scenic spots under serious pressure.  
The capital works is a new phase of Staffin Community Trust’s (SCT) Skye Ecomuseum project which also includes new interpretation and a wide ...

 
A BULKY sign at the start of a popular Staffin walk, which is part of the Skye Ecomuseum, has gone missing.
The interpretation panel was installed in Digg 10 years ago but appears to have been removed several days ago.

The panel was one of more than a dozen across Staffin which highlight popular walks and locations within the ecomuseum, also known as Ceumannan. Whoever has removed would have had to have gone a lot of effort as it was screwed on to a frame.

STAFFIN Community Trust (SCT) has reiterated its backing for two new organic salmon farms, before the proposals come before Highland councillors for planning permission.
The SCT is supportive of the proposed fish farms at Tote and Culnacnoc and has highlighted the economic and social benefits to the district, which is classed as “fragile” by the Scottish Government. Fourteen fish-farming jobs will be created along with direct community benefit and additional infrastructure investment at Staffin’s harbour if the planning outcome is ...

STAFFIN COMMUNITY TRUST (SCT) is delighted to confirm that full planning consent has been secured for its much needed affgordable hosuing development, which would be the first in almost 20 years.
Highland Council has approved a planning application for six new three-bedroom houses on a common grazing tenanted by the Stenscholl crofting township. It comes after the community has suffered a significant population decline and shrinking primary school roll in recent years.
SCT is working in partnership with the Highlands ...

THE WRAPPING of your last Easter egg has been discarded and you want to move on from that enjoyable but heavy chocolate binge… well the Staffin Gym’s doors are always open! 
The popular community-run gym, which is based in the Staffin Hall, has offered a range of different classes since its opening two years ago. It has now thrown some new classes into the mix and they are open for local residents and visitors. Holidaymakers may want to loosen up and exercise after ...

DISCOUNT cafe vouchers for hungry holidaymakers, revamped and improved menus and extended opening hours – Staffin businesses are well and truly geared up for Easter and the coming visitor season. 
The days are stretching after the clocks changed last weekend, the weather is improving (some days) and the lambing is about to commence. Staffin is by no means a closed shop during the so-called “shoulder months” between October and March, with people still coming to see the dinosaur footprints at An Corran, the ...

RESIDENTS in Staffin and the wider Trotternish peninsula are warmly invited to view proposals for the long-awaited Staffin Crofters’ Memorial this week.
The idea for a lasting memorial to the crofters who took a stand against the landlord in the Taobh Sear was suggested at the very first meeting of the Staffin Community Trust (SCT) way back in the mid-1990s. Similar crofter-led revolts took place in Braes and Glendale and are marked by permanent memorials. It was strongly felt that something needed ...

TOOLS and equipment for repair works in the Staffin community can now be stored after the arrival of a steel container.
Staffin Community Trust (SCT) has purchased the 10ft storage container from Portree firm Jans Vans using a grant awarded by the tour operator Rabbie’s and Swiss firm Kinticki. It comes after Rabbie’s coach drivers and office staff worked with SCT and Highland Council last month to carry our major repairs a key site in the Skye Ecomuseum.
The council’s Skye ...

WITH the increasing visitor numbers to Skye and general lack of facilities, the Staffin Community Hall Association has taken the decision to open the toilets in the hall free of charge on Sundays for the first time.
After the Brogaig toilets were closed, Highland Council awarded the Comfort Grant to the hall to enable visitor facilities to continue to be provided and whilst the award covers some of the cost of running the toilets, it only runs April to September, ...

It has been a busy start to 2018 for the Staffin Community Trust (SCT). Here is an update for the community, and other interested parties, on recent progress with some of its various projects.
SKYE ECOMUSEUM – CAPITALWORKS
Test pits were dug near Lealt Gorge earlier this month by Ian MacDonald, Digg, and John Gillies, Sartle. This helped the viewing platform design engineer Geoff Freedman complete his calculations for the construction contract of the structure which will provide commanding views ...

As part of Skye Camanachd’s celebration of 125 years, the Skye Ecomuseum will host a special event at the Staffin Community Hall on Tuesday 20th of February. Two well known figures will give accounts of some important characters connected to Skye from the world of shinty.
We will be welcoming Dr Hugh Dan MacLennan to begin proceedings with a talk on John ‘Kaid’ MacLean, the great Gaelic bard and shinty raconteur. Norman MacDonald will then give a summary of the ...

Bliadhna Mhath Ùr dhuibh uile! // Happy New Year to you all!
Here’s a short update on some of the Ecomuseum plans for the first few months of the year

I will be starting regular classroom sessions with Staffin Primary from 22nd of January – Our first topic will be Early Man on Skye – looking at the site that was excavated at An Corran in 2015 and what Staffin would have been like then.  The next topic will be ...

A NEW “pop up” takeaway has become the 15th addition to the online Staffin directory just before the festive season.
The Hungry Gull, which is run by local chef Allan MacDonald, opened its doors in October within the Staffin Community Hall. 
It has proven a hugely popular attraction in Staffin for residents and visitors alike and Allan has a special Christmas and New Year Menu which has a range of dishes. It will be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays ...