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The group will buy the former Borrodale School building as well as the adjoining grounds.
Thanks to a grant of £190,000 from the Scottish Land Fund, Glendale Trust aims to develop the site for community use. Proposals for the development include:
• Refurbishing the three-bedroom schoolhouse and making it available to rent
• Converting the school into a 16-bed bunkhouse
• Building a community hub and children's play area. The hub would also include a bar and restaurant, heritage and exhibition area, plus community laundrette, bike shed and meeting space.
Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, welcomed the announcement, saying: "I am delighted this grant will provide a range of new facilities for the people of Glendale. This is a project that encompasses affordable housing, tourist accommodation, a community hub and a children's play area which demonstrates the foresight and determination that communities are showing to take control of their own futures.
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"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting rural communities throughout Scotland so that communities can take control of local land and land assets and we look forward to helping further communities to fulfil their aspirations as we plan for the achievement of the million acre community land ownership target for 2020."
John Watt, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair, said: "Communities can achieve great things when they own and manage their own land and assets. Glendale lies in the north-west of Skye and visitors drive through the village to reach one of the island's most popular tourist destinations, Neist Point.
"Employment comes mainly from tourist related activities so the regeneration of Borrodale School will ultimately bring new jobs as well as volunteering opportunities. I am delighted the Scottish Land Fund is able to help this group realise its aspirations for community ownership and I look forward to seeing their future progress."
(JP/MH)
