The road leading to a world-renowned tourist hotspot will be upgraded following an intervention from SNP MSP Kate Forbes.

Highland Council will receive £350,000 from the Islands Programme Fund to upgrade the final stretch of single track road to Skye's Fairy Pools, which has struggled to cope with over 200,000 visitors annually.

The road,  which also serves the township of Glenbrittle, has deteriorated under the volume of vehicles coming to the iconic attraction.

A supportive letter by Skye MSP Kate Forbes was included as part of the council’s bid.

The finance secretary said she was aware of people being unable to access hospital appointments on time and care assistants struggling to attend to their patients.

Skye's Fairy Pools attract around 200,000 visitors each year Skye's Fairy Pools attract around 200,000 visitors each year (Image: PA)

"Most of these are caused by single track roads being blocked by congestion – or occasionally by vehicles becoming stuck on verges," she said.

 “Everyone in Skye is aware of the long-standing pressures on local roads as visitors from around the world flock to iconic sites on the island each year.

“I am delighted that the Highland Council has received this Scottish Government funding, and I expect it will make a huge difference – especially for residents.”


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Improvements are also planned separately for the Claggan Road and Neist Point.

The MSP added: “I met with communities on Skye on a number of occasions and I am aware that significantly increased numbers of visitors in recent years have greatly exacerbated many of the existing roads issues.

“Over the course of this summer, I have heard from local residents of people being unable to access hospital appointments on time, care assistants being unable to attend to their patients, or take their children to scheduled activities – most of these are caused by single track roads being blocked by congestion – or occasionally by vehicles becoming stuck on verges.

"Put simply, the present setup was never designed to cope with the current volume of traffic."