Rural Design has prepared a masterplan for 250 new homes on behalf of Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association to extend the northern outskirts of the settlement at Kiltaraglen over the next two decades.

The practice wrote: “The topography and natural habitat has suggested two different placemaking approaches. The more elevated or ‘rural’ areas allow the open wild landscape to sit between the dispersed clusters of new homes. The homes in the lower or ‘suburban’ area will be more densely arranged and gathered around a series of small green spaces.

“Small commercial units, a community shop, garden and extensive park and outdoor play areas are also proposed. These will be located to serve both the new housing and the existing neighbourhoods to the south - so binding the new development to the north edge of Portree.”

A landscape strategy by Raeburn Farquhar Bowen will create a series of neighbourhoods linked by off-road paths and cycleways are planned for the phased build, which will retain stone dykes and tributaries around clusters of new homes, Urban Realm reports.