The Skye Iconic Sites Project (SISP) was a ground-breaking environmental restoration and protection project. From 2020 to 2023 the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS) delivered tailormade solutions on behalf of a larger partnership, to solve problems caused by overtourism at the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing and the Fairy Pools. Work included building and maintaining paths, bridges and viewpoints to protect the surrounding environment from footfall damage, the restoration of fragile upland environments caused by footfall and extremes of weather and installing co-ordinated interpretation of the unique landscape. SISP has transformed visitors’ experience of Skye and guaranteed the future of these sites.
An exponential rise in tourism to Skye has been driven by social media since 2015 and focused heavily on three internationally renowned heritage sites: the Fairy Pools, the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing. Increased visitor footfall combined with more frequent extreme weather conditions led to the upland paths and surrounding vegetation being overwhelmed and badly damaged, taking a heavy toll on the natural environment. The sites people came to see were becoming ugly and unmanageable scars, and unique plant-life and peatland was being destroyed. Preventing and reversing this presented a huge challenge.
SISP, an ongoing collaborative partnership project from OATS, Skye Connect, the Staffin Trust, Minginish Community Association, Highland Council, and the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate (SGRIPID), was developed to tackle this challenge.
By creating firm, well-drained paths and accessible bridges and viewpoints, the visitors now stick to the paths, preventing further long-term damage and enabling environmentally sensitive habitats to regenerate. The new and accessible bridges at The Fairy Pools mean burn crossings are no longer muddy hazardous wallows with serious degradation to the banks. At the same time extensive habitat restoration work at the Old Man of Storr, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), used novel techniques to fix the scars caused by feet and water.
SISP enabled positive communication within the community to help resolve environmental and touristic challenges, and to achieve the best outcomes for all involved. At the Quiraing this community support meant that natural weathered stone appropriate to the path extension at the site could be sourced four kilometres away. Discussions with the Crofters’ Grazing Committee enabled the use of “matching” turf from a nearby quarry for the large-scale restoration of grassland.
At The Old Man of Storr, SSSI, solutions had to be found to restore the large areas of badly degraded peatland. Novel techniques to collect species-rich seeds on the hill were developed. The team also developed the use of geo-jute (hessian netting) to stabilise the surface and allow seedlings and turfs to root and grow.
Wherever possible SISP has used local staff and companies, boosting the local economy. Local businesses can now profit from the huge growth in tourism, knowing the volume of visitors – 340,000 a year have been recorded at the Old Man of Storr – is not causing further environmental damage. For years to come the Skye Iconic Sites Project will continue to deliver visitor experience benefits on Skye, with positive impacts on the environment, local economy and community, and visitors. SISP has created a template that other busy visitor destinations can use and learn from, helping sustainable tourism development to be achieved in remote and fragile locations throughout the rest of the UK.