Portree Skye Image, RNLI Launch Facility, Visitor Centre, An Tuireann Arts Centre

Portree Harbour Building, Skye

Waterfront Development in north west Scotland design by Sutherland Hussey Architects

post updated 24 July 2025

Building in Portree Harbour

Design: Sutherland Hussey Architects

Sutherland Hussey Architects have just completed a feasibility study for a new harbour on the Isle of Skye. The development in Portree includes RNLI launch facilities and visitor centre, a Diaspora museum, RSPB mega hide and a new home for the An Tuireann Arts Centre.

image from architect

21 Mar 2006

Portree Harbour Regeneration

In the last two centuries Skye’s population has decreased by 90% devastating local communities and industries. The project is intended to help regenerate the town by improving existing infrastructure and provide better amenities for local seaborne industries, as well as radically developing tourist services.

In its new seafront location, the An Tuireann Arts Centre will augment its cultural role by strengthening the link between the island’s artistic traditions and visiting tourists. Beside it, new deep water moorings are to be created for the local fishing fleet and leisure vessels by inserting a new Harbour Wall. Within the wall sustainable electricity will be generated to power the buildings.

It is hoped the harbour will attract international cruise ships with a specific docking alongside the Diaspora Museum as well as creating a primary destination for yachting in the Northwest.

The Portree Regeneration Partnership believes the proposal will help transform the area into a leading tourist centre and will facilitate continual possibilities for future development. An application has been submitted to the Big Lottery ‘Living Landmarks’ scheme for £25 million funding towards a major regeneration development of over £40 million.

Affectionately known as ‘The Lump and the Line’ the project establishes a new composition between Portree’s Mound – The Lump, and the proposed manmade Harbour Wall. At the end of the journey the ‘Line’ embraces the Museum where two stacks are perceived to be detached from the town and convened in conversation with the immense Cuillin Ridge behind.

Portree Harbour – Information from Sutherland Hussey Architects 210306

The £25m Living Landmark funding submission was unsuccessful, 280406

Sutherland Hussey Architects

Location: Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK.