The latest £300,000 development will add toilet and motorhome facilities to the island, which attracts thousands of visitors every year. This complements the ongoing projects to upgrade the existing footpath for visitors and to construct a new car park.

The £184,508 pathworks project, managed by the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS), will reduce the erosion and vegetation loss. The car park project, funded by LEADER, part of the new Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP), will enhance road safety by preventing cars parking on the main road.

The toilets and motorhome facilities are being funded by The Highland Council and the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund, which aims to support projects that focus on improving the visitor experience in rural parts of Scotland that have faced pressure on their infrastructure or negative impacts on communities due to the significant increases in visitor numbers.

Work on the pathworks project resumed on 22 June following the easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions by the Scottish Government.

The toilet and motorhome facilities are due to begin on 3 August and the principal contractor for the work is McGregor Construction (Highlands) Ltd. Highland Council’s property team will be managing the project.

Isle of Skye area committee chairman, Cllr John Gordon, said: “We are delighted to see work continuing at the Storr which will make a significant difference to the area for the enjoyment of locals and tourists alike.

“The infrastructure will transform the area from the additional parking as well as toilets along with motor home facilities which are so badly needed. The path works will protect and care for the environment as well as give a more enjoyable walk up to the Storr.”

He added: “Again we are seeing good partnership working that is delivering at various sites across Skye which will continue beyond these works as we look at future projects.”

Iain MacLeod, contracts manager at McGregor Construction (Highland) Ltd, said: “As Principal Contractor, McGregor Construction is pleased to be involved in the construction of this new facility by The Highland Council, which will enhance the facilities at the Old Man of Storr site.

“These facilities will improve the experience of locals and visitors alike, who visit the Storr and surrounding area, as well as providing much needed income for local businesses and employment opportunities.”

In addition to the work at the Old Man of Storr, the Highland Council with MGL Contractors have also restarted work at the £300,000 Bayfield Car Park in Portree, providing an additional 80 car parking spaces and additional eight motorhome parking bays for day parking with facilities to empty waste and fill water.