Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has initiated a competitive tendering process to secure contractors for the development works.

The project forms part of wider investment by HIE to create flexible workspaces in rural locations around the region.

Broadford was selected as the initial development based on existing level of interest.

HIE developed the Broadford Industrial Estate in the 1980s. It plans to develop a block of eight units providing a range of internal flexible space options, plus associated infrastructure.

The units have been designed by Threesixty Architecture to meet modern building standards and to maximise the efficiency of the internal areas. Air-source heat pumps will enhance their environmental credentials and contribution towards the goal of net zero.

HIE also plans to upgrade the estate road to facilitate access to a further development plot, which subject to planning, will also become available as part of the works.

Alastair Nicolson, HIE’s area manager for Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross, said: “We know there is considerable interest in new flexible commercial premises on Skye, either from local firms thinking about growth or companies from elsewhere looking to set up operations on the island. This has been demonstrated each time a unit at Broadford has become available.

“The new units we’re developing are designed with flexibility to meet the needs of different types of commercial activity and office space. We hope to have contractors on site by the end of the summer, with works completed in autumn 2023.”