1st December 2025
Steps towards introducing a short term let control area have been considered by Highland Council's Isle of Skye and Raasay area committee.
On Monday (1 December 2025) the committee heard evidence to justify the grounds for the introduction of a Short Term Let Control Area covering all or part of Skye and Raasay.
The steps agreed will include the opportunity for communities within the area to participate in a future consultation.
The Committee also agreed the following actions:
To note that the evidence demonstrates that the housing market within parts of Skye and Raasay is subject to significant pressure, exacerbated by high rates of potential dwellings being converted to Short Term Lets.
To note that the designation of any new Short Term Let Control Area will have no retrospective impact on existing Short Term Lets where no material change of use had occurred at the time of establishment, and will therefore only require planning permission from new Short Term Lets established after a Short Term Let Control Area comes into force.
To note that should the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee formally begin the process of introducing a Short Term Let Control Area, a process of further evidence gathering and public consultation with communities will take place.
Chair of the Skye and Raasay Committee, Councillor John Finlayson, said: "The overall indicators suggest that in Skye and Raasay houses are less affordable and have higher rates of STLs and second homes than Highland as a whole.
“Across Skye and Raasay 17 per cent of potential dwellings are currently licensed STLs, which is much higher than the five per cent across Highland as a whole.
“The availability and affordability of housing is a key issue of concern in the ward so it is only right that we consider steps that could potentially ease some of the existing pressures on the local housing market.
“Across Highland, data zones with adjusted STL rates above 11.17 per cent are considered to be outside the statistical normal range, and in Skye and Raasay, all areas exceed this threshold.
“Communities across Skye and Raasay who have created Local Place Plans also highlight the need for discussions to take place about issues that limit the availability of housing for people of all ages.
“Undertaking this consultation gives them a chance to air their views."
A report presented to the committee found that: “Relative to other areas of Highland, and to Highland as a whole, there is a high rate of potential dwellings being used as STLs in Skye and Raasay.”
It added: “Newbuild housing completions are being transferred to short-term letting at a higher rate (15.5 per cent) than Highland as a whole (five per cent).”
In Skye and Raasay, 17 per cent of potential dwellings are currently licensed STLs, which is higher than the five per cent figure across Highland as a whole.
This figure excludes unconventional accommodation STLs (pods, chalets and other forms of accommodation which would not be transferrable back to housing stock).
Of the total 387 housing completions in Skye and Raasay in the past five years, 60 have since become STLs, which equates to 15.5 per cent of completions.
This is more than double the Highland average of five per cent.
The high proportions of external sales, as in the case of Skye and Raasay, is also seen as an indication that the local housing market is being distorted by increased external demand.
The report which went before the committee can be read here (item 7): https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/5275/isle_of_skye_and_raasay_committee