Supermarket giant Tesco plans first store on Skye

Tesco said it was looking forward to feedback on the proposals

Supermarket giant Tesco is proposing to build its first store on the Isle of Skye.

The development - tabled by West Ranga Property Group and Lujo Properties - on Portree's Drovers Way would comprise a 32,000 sq ft (3,000 sq m) food store and a petrol filling station.

The proposed site for the Tesco store was previously earmarked for a new supermarket by Highland Council.

It would be next to the planned new Portree link road and new housing development is also expected nearby.

The new Tesco supermarket would be built at the northern edge of Portree

A detailed planning application is expected to be submitted before the end of the year and the developers hope the new Tesco store will be open late in 2027.

Public consultation events about the plans are to be held in Portree and Broadford on 27 September.

Co-op is currently the largest food retailer on Skye, with three stores on the island.

There has been concern about lack of competition and those worries heightened when the Co-op was hit by a recent cyberattack, which left shelves empty.

MSP for the area, Kate Forbes, revealed in July that she had held talks with a large company about opening a store on the island to introduce more competition.

She said she was "delighted" to publicly welcome the interest in opening a supermarket.

Matthew Price, Tesco Development Executive, said: "We are looking forward to feedback on the proposals to bring the first Tesco store to the Isle of Skye.

"We currently serve the island through our online business, and this new store will provide additional choice for residents in a central and well-accessed location."

Alastair Dickie, director of West Ranga/Lujo, said they were "delighted" to be bringing forward the plans.

"Tesco will be a significant addition to the islands retail provision," he added.

He said a detailed planning application would be submitted later this year in the hope the store could open in late 2027.