The SARF programme is built around a set of core priorities that guide and connect a wide range of projects working to deliver meaningful change across Skye and Raasay. Each project supports one or more of SARF’s priority outcomes, including climate action, transport, housing, health, education, culture, and community resilience.​

​​

Diverse and Green Economy Priorities:

• Broaden the local economy to reduce reliance on tourism and improve resilience to change.

• Foster interconnected businesses that generate local employment and strengthen community ties.

• Develop a tourism management framework that balances visitor experiences with environmental and cultural protection.

• Involve both businesses and communities to ensure sustainable tourism benefits are widely shared.

• Invest in training and reskilling to meet local business needs and attract/retain skilled workers.

• Support the transition to a green economy in response to climate-related shifts in work, land use, and travel.

• Enhance digital infrastructure and skills to enable flexible working and attract remote workers.

• Promote Skye and Raasay as a model of sustainable tourism that supports year-round jobs and community wellbeing.

​

Digital infrastructure Priorities:

• Ensure access to reliable, affordable, and future-ready communication services for all, especially in rural areas.

• Strengthen digital connectivity to boost economic productivity and attract residents and visitors.

• Address digital exclusion by improving service reliability and affordability.

• Build on digital learning successes to support education, Gaelic language, culture, and the arts

​

Strengthening communities – Homes and services for all Priorities:

• Affordable Housing Availability

  • Prioritise accessible, inclusive, and quality housing to retain young people and families.

  • Tackle barriers such as limited land availability and private rental constraints.

  • Support flexible tenure models for local workforce needs.

• Strategic Housing Initiatives

  • Free up land through better public sector asset management.

  • Secure strategic housing sites via partnerships.

  • Promote and support community-led housing projects (e.g. Staffin, Raasay).

  • Advocate for local housing needs with national decision-makers.

• Access to Services

  • Improve care provision and accessible housing for self-directed care.

  • Ensure service accessibility supports population balance and wellbeing.

• Housing Promotion and Engagement

  • Run campaigns to promote the Highland Housing Register (HHR).

  • Educate residents on how to register and navigate the HHR process.

​

Strengthening communities - Gaelic Language and Culture Priorities:

• Strategic Integration

  • Ensure local Gaelic priorities are embedded in the Highland Gaelic Language Plan 

  • Align with the National Gaelic Language Plan through collaboration with Bòrd na Gàidhlig and partners.

• Community-Based Initiatives

  • Integrate Gaelic culture and language promotion into local development projects.

  • Support opportunities for Gaelic learning, use, and visibility in daily life.

• Cultural Development

  • Leverage Gaelic language as a tool for economic, educational, and social enrichment.

  • Support intergenerational language transmission and cultural activities.

​

Strengthening communities - Sustainable and Resilient Communities Priorities:

• Community Capacity Building

  • Support vulnerable communities through targeted development and resource access.

  • Strengthen community organisations to take ownership of local priorities and assets.

• Inclusive Participation

  • Encourage broad involvement in social, cultural, and recreational opportunities.

  • Remove barriers to participation for marginalised and underrepresented groups.

• Collaborative Networks and Partnerships

  • Develop strong community networks for shared learning and delivery of services.

  • Promote mutual support frameworks to reduce pressure on smaller community groups.

  • Establish inclusive partnerships to co-create and deliver the Skye and Raasay vision.

• Sustainable Project Support

  • Secure long-term resources to support community-led project delivery.

  • Share best practices from successful projects to scale impact across the area.

​

Health and Social Care Priorities:

• Accessible, High-Quality Rural Healthcare
  Residents across Skye and Raasay have access to high-quality, remote and rural health and social care services, including options for online consultations and reliable transport links to key facilities.

• Digitally-Enabled Services
  Healthcare and education services are modernised and resilient, supported by improved digital connectivity that meets the needs of remote communities.

• Future-Proofed Facilities for an Ageing Population
  Investment in healthcare infrastructure ensures facilities and services are equipped to meet the needs of an ageing population, supporting independent living and community wellbeing.

• Community-Led Health and Social Care Service Design
  Communities are empowered to shape local healthcare delivery through ongoing collaboration with NHS Highland, supported by the SARF process to ensure services reflect local needs and aspirations.

​

Education and Lifelong Learning Priorities:

• Expanded Learning Pathways for All Ages - A wide range of learner pathways, qualifications, and skills-based courses are available across Skye and Raasay through strong partnerships with schools, colleges, and training providers—ensuring education meets the needs of both young people and adults.

• Support for Young People’s Transitions - All young people are supported into employment, training, education, or volunteering through the Young Person’s Guarantee, delivered in collaboration with local employers, agencies, and youth voices.

• Equitable Access to Education -Young people across Skye and Raasay enjoy the same educational access and opportunities as their peers on mainland Scotland, regardless of geography or background.

• Youth Voice in Education Planning -Children and young people actively shape the delivery of local education plans, with their views reflected in decision-making and implementation.

• Promotion of Gaelic Medium Education -Gaelic Medium education is supported from early years to adulthood, helping preserve and grow Gaelic language and culture through partnerships with schools and national Gaelic bodies.

• Investment in Education Infrastructure - Learning environments are improved through continued collaboration on capital investment projects, including future phases of the Learning Estate Investment Programme.

• Closing the Attainment Gap - Educational outcomes for children living in poverty are improved through targeted support and national programmes like Pupil Equity Funding

​

Next: SARF Delivery Programme 

​