A transformation refurbishment project for buildings of local significance, to provide access to facilities and services for people living and working in North West Skye
Estimated Price
£1,500,000
The project takes two interconnected buildings of local significance (known as the Gaeltec Buildings), and to regenerate these underused and neglected spaces, developing them into a vibrant, multi-use hub. The Gaeltec Community Buildings project is designed to incorporate a range of facilities: a gym to address the local defecit in fitness amenities, a childcare space responding to the urgent need for childcare services, co-working space to bolster local entrepreneurship and remote working opportunities and arts/crafts/workshop areas that will not only provide creative outlets but also host community events and skill-sharing activities. Community skills sharing will be expanded through the tool library, where resource sharing will improve sustainability and save users money. Local businesses and services will be supported with small rentable units, and our current local business tenant will enjoy a refurbished workshop space. Dunvegan Community Trust will also expand on their first energy project of installing solar PV by adding battery storage, low-carbon heating and a raft of other energy saving improvements throughout the refurbishment. The location already hosts our community minibus, with plans to encourage active travel including future e-bike hire. Collectively, these facilities are set to transform the buildings into a dynamic centre, achieving significant social, well-being and economic benfits for the region.
We are beginning to put together a funding plan for the refurbishment project, which will be carried out in two phases in order to allow each building to be refurbished and opened independantly. We are looking for funding for:
Phase 1 - external works, building 1 refurbishments to include multi-use space, tool library, installation of the gym with showering facilities and small commercial units. External works to include a new septic tank, battery for energy storage, carpark update and EV charging install
Phase 2 - building 2 refurbishments to include updated workshop for our current tenant, other small commercial units and a co-working space.
Key milestones achieved so far are that the building was brought into community ownership on 24 October 2025. Community engagement started on this project in 2023, although a previous in-house survey in 2021 highlighted local issues with lack of employment opportunities, lack of infrastructure and facilities and the improtance of community social spaces and events. A comprehensive survey in August 2023, facilitated by Impact Hub Inverness with support from Just Enterprise indicated strong community support for progressing with the building purchase and the kind of services and facilities people would like to see provided within. Impact Hub also developed a 5 year business plan for the Gaeltec Community Buildings, indicating financial sustainability for the refurbished spaces. We received planning permission for external alterations and change of use on 27 July 2024, and have a building warrant for the internal refurbishments approved on 13 March 2026. We received funding from CARES to install 30 solar PV panels, which came online on 26 January 2026. We're currently in the midst of an initial period of maintenance and improvements to create a more pleasant working environment, and concurrently the Architect on the project, Rural Design, is preparing tender drawings.
The timeline for developments with the design and refurbishment provided by the Architect is:
Building warrant received 13 March 2026
Prepare tender drawings and specifications approx 6 - 8 weeks = early May
Bill of quantities prepared by QS approx 4 weeks = early June
With the following timeline being funding dependant:
Out to tender mid June
Tender period allow 4 weeks
Tender return = end July
Tender acceptance and mobilisation approx 4 weeks
Start on site end Aug / early sept
We have a potential start date of September 2026, however anticipate a start date between then and April 2027, phase 1 is projected to take 9 months, with phase 2 an additional 6 months.
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.jpg "The Gaeltec Buildings")
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