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Raasay, located between Skye and the Applecross peninsula, is home to around 180 residents. Tourism, whisky distilling, crofting and forestry are the main industries, but like many island communities, Raasay has faced limited year-round jobs, healthcare access, and a severe lack of affordable housing.
Despite new opportunities created by the distillery and Raasay House, many workers were housed in caravans, and affordable homes remained the main barrier to retaining young people, families and key workers. In 2023, 32 people were on the Highland Housing Register with Raasay as their preferred location.
To address this, Raasay Development Trust (RDT), with support from Communities Housing Trust (CHT), delivered the island’s first affordable rented homes in over a decade: two for social rent with Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association (LSHA), and three community-owned homes with RDT.
The project was made possible through land provided by the North Raasay Sheep Stock Club (NRSSC) and purchased with Scottish Land Fund support, alongside funding from the Rural & Islands Housing Fund, LSHA land purchase, and Ecology Building Society.
Despite new opportunities created by the distillery and Raasay House, many workers were housed in caravans, and affordable homes remained the main barrier to retaining young people, families and key workers. In 2023, 32 people were on the Highland Housing Register with Raasay as their preferred location.
To address this, Raasay Development Trust (RDT), with support from Communities Housing Trust (CHT), delivered the island’s first affordable rented homes in over a decade: two for social rent with Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association (LSHA), and three community-owned homes with RDT.
The project was made possible through land provided by the North Raasay Sheep Stock Club (NRSSC) and purchased with Scottish Land Fund support, alongside funding from the Rural & Islands Housing Fund, LSHA land purchase, and Ecology Building Society.
For further details, download the fact sheet:
