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Portnalong Pier Community Housing Project

Proposal code: THC-2026-08-202

Minginish Community Association’s Portnalong Pier Community Housing Project aims to establish a modern mixed-tenure housing development of six homes and one self-build plot.

MCA are seeking funding to appoint a Quantity Surveyor to undertake the Employer's Agent role for the Portnalong Pier Community Housing Project. This will provide a Bill of Quantities, projecting project costs, and overseeing contractor procurement. The outcomes will be the production and issuing of a legally compliant Tender Package sent to a wide geographical network of contractors and reviewing returns. The role also covers contract administration and project management throughout construction until the End of Defects period.

This is the critical next step in delivering six homes (2× two-bed and 2× three-bed affordable rent, 2× three-bed low-cost home ownership) plus one self-build plot at Portnalong Pier. Given the current high-inflation construction climate and the 30% premium associated with remote island builds, this professional procurement management is essential to safeguard public funds, manage risk, and secure competitive contractor pricing. The Minginish peninsula, Isle of Skye, is suffering a housing crisis, driving out-migration of younger people and families and harming the school roll and local economy. A 2021 Communities Housing Trust survey of 105 residents found sixty considering moving within 5 years, with 74% unable to find alternative local housing; a further twenty-five potential future household leavers were identified, twelve needing housing within 5 years. Low-cost ownership, low-cost rent, and self-build were the most preferred tenures. The survey also found 4 of 13 local businesses struggling to recruit and retain staff due to a lack of housing, with three considering reducing operations as a result. Carbost Primary's roll has fallen from twenty-four pupils (2016) to 16 today, projected to fall to thirteen by 2030. The project is a named element of the Skye and Raasay Futures programme and directly aligns with the Area Place Plan's aims of retaining population and supporting the local school and economy. Delivering six homes and a self-build plot, which will be secured for the community in perpetuity through a rural housing burden or community ownership mechanism, will directly address the demonstrated local demand for low-cost ownership, affordable rent and self-build tenures. Expected outcomes include.

• population growth and retention, particularly working-age families with children and those looking to leave home but remain in the area after completing education.
• safeguarding Carbost Primary School's future rather than allowing its roll to continue declining.
• supporting four local businesses currently struggling to recruit and retain staff to fill posts and reduce turnover, protecting against operational cuts.

To date MCA has achieved

• a housing needs survey and business plan completed by the Communities Housing Trust, providing a business case and evidence of community engagement and support. Funded by SLF and MCA
• secured the Portnalong Pier site from the Scottish Ministers, taking it into community ownership. Funded by HIE.
• ground conditions, drainage and flood risk assessments undertaken by Cameron & Ross to confirm site suitability and architectural layouts finalised by Catoe/Brown Architects, ensuring site suitability and project viability. Funded by HIE, MCA and RIHF.
• the recruitment of a Project Officer. Funded by HIE.
• positive pre-application planning feedback confirming alignment with National Planning Framework 4 (Policy 17: Rural Homes), with the full planning application completed and awaiting submission.

The next step is to appoint a Quantity Surveyor/Employer's Agent to compile and issue the tender package, assess returns, and manage the contract through construction to the End of Defects period. This essential stage of the project will safeguard public funds, manage risk, and secure competitive contractor pricing. MCA aims to submit the planning application and appoint the Employer's Agent during the last quarter of 2026. Construction will commence once tendering for a contractor and the funding package is secured.

• Housing & Accommodation

• Isle of Skye & Raasay