Ambitious £2million tourism plans to create a “luxury ecological resort hotel” on the Isle of Skye will fill a desperate accommodation gap on the island, the developer has claimed.
The proposed project will include posh accommodation pods, a bar and restaurant, and a sauna with a plunge pool, all on the site of the former golf course in Portree.
A planning application has just been lodged with Highland Council which includes proposals for 27 luxury “glamping” guest pods – all en-suite.
It also outlines plans for the bar and restaurant, sauna and plunge pool, a caravan site, and a car park accommodating up to 50 cars.
The application was submitted by businessman Charlie Garton Jones, 47, and his wife Miranda, who currently own the Cow Shed, a boutique bunkhouse in Uig – established on the site of a former maternity hospital.
Mr Garton Jones, who runs a real estate company based in Chelsea Bridge Wharf, said: “The aim is to provide a luxury ecological resort hotel on the Isle of Skye, which is a place I have loved since studying at Edinburgh University.
“We have taken on a Nordic idea to have a sauna with a freezing plunge pool.
“I currently own the Cow Shed bunkhouse in Skye which was a former hostel that we have upgraded into what we call a ‘poshtel’.
“This latest development aims to provide something even more luxurious on the Isle of Skye, but still at affordable prices in comparison to budget hotels.
“I am a big fan of Skye and it is in desperate need of more accommodation to meet the demands of increased tourism.
“The guest pods will sit in really well with the surrounding landscape and will all have an en suite shower room and underfloor heating.”
He added: “There is not enough accommodation on Skye and we are aiming to fill that gap with something a bit different.”
Mr Garton Jones studied politics at Edinburgh University before going on to co-found Garton Jones Real Estate with his wife in 2003.
The business has offices in Chelsea Bridge Wharf, Westminster and Nine Elms.
The proposal on the former golf course is for 27 guest pods in three clusters, while there are also five separate pods for staff members.
Plans for the main car park, which would be situated opposite the West Highland College, would accommodate up to 50 cars.
