Two new traffic free routes on Skye have officially opened, creating safer and more accessible options for walking, wheeling and cycling for local people and visitors alike.

The Moll Road and Old Sleat Road projects were formally opened on Friday 26 June, with community representatives, residents and partners gathering at Sconser and Drumfearn to celebrate the completion of the schemes.

Both projects were led by local communities and supported through Walking Scotland’s Ian Findlay Path Fund, which is funded by Transport Scotland, alongside financial and practical assistance from The Highland Council.

Together, the routes add more than 17 kilometres of active travel infrastructure to the island, improving connections between communities and offering alternatives to travelling by car.

Councillor John Finlayson, Chair of The Highland Council’s Isle of Skye and Raasay Committee, said the new routes represented another important step forward for active travel on Skye.

“We’re delighted with these new routes and are very grateful to Walking Scotland and others involved for bringing them to fruition and to the positive partnership working that has successfully delivered these two important projects.

“Every improvement in our active travel infrastructure is very welcome as we steadily build towards better connections across the island for those who are looking for a non-driving option.”

The reopening of the Moll Road has particular significance for communities around the Sconser peninsula after a landslide blocked the route in 2018.

Work has involved clearing the landslide, resurfacing sections of the road and improving signage from the main road.

Heather Nicolson, Chair of Sconser Community Council, said the route now provides an attractive and largely traffic free option for people exploring the peninsula.

“The Moll Road round the peninsula was closed to traffic following a landslide in 2018 which blocked it halfway along.

“The active travel project has involved clearing the landslide, resurfacing sections of the road and signing to it from the main road.

“The buildings on the peninsula are of course accessible from either side but vehicles can’t get right round, meaning that there is very little traffic so it’s an ideal route for a cycle or a walk.”

At the southern end of the island, work on the Old Sleat Road has restored sections of the former carriageway that had become heavily overgrown after the main road was upgraded.

The route now includes improved surfaces, rest areas and signage designed to encourage more people to travel actively.

Ian Hall from Sleat Community Trust said restoring the old road had created an excellent opportunity for residents and visitors to experience the area at a slower pace.

“When the Sleat road was upgraded some time ago, long stretches of the old road remained alongside but had become really overgrown.

“Our project has restored the old carriageway and installed rest spots and signage to make an excellent route for a walk, wheel or cycle.”

Graeme Anderson, Walking Environments Technical Officer at Walking Scotland, described the routes as an example of successful community collaboration delivering practical improvements that make everyday journeys safer, healthier and more enjoyable.