Bid to crowdfund new micro-abattoir in Portree, Skye

The plant has been proposed for a site in Portree

A crowdfunding campaign is to be launched to raise some of the £1.5m needed to build a small abattoir on Skye.

The island had an abattoir before it closed several years ago.

Dubbed a micro-abattoir, the new facility planned for a site in Portree would provide a service to local crofters and meat to island businesses.

Skye and Lochalsh Meat Supply Group hopes to raise 5% of the cost of the plant through crowdfunding.

Crowdfunding involves generating investment through small to large contributions of money from a large number of people.

The nearest abattoir to Skye is more than 70 miles (112.6km) away in Dingwall.

'Strong evidence'

MSP Kate Forbes, middle, has offered her support to the abattoir project team

Micro-abattoir project officer Rachael Jackson said: "We have a project in place that is literally shovel-ready.

"We have a site with full planning permission, fully costed plans and a business structure.

"There is also a groundswell of goodwill behind this development and strong evidence of demand for the service from both consumers and producers."

Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, and Shirley Spear, proprietor of Skye's award-winning Three Chimneys restaurant and chairwoman of the Scottish Food Commission, have offered their support to the project.

Ms Forbes said: "Currently, it is very costly in terms of time, labour and money to travel to the closest abattoir in Dingwall and we need one in Skye."

She added: "The Skye brand is globally renowned and is growing year on year. I would love to see every stage of food production taking place on Skye."

The plan is to produce meat to supply local businesses