Residents get a sneak peek of new hospital ahead of official opening

Skye has a long-awaited new hospital – 25 years after a campaign to build a replacement in Broadford.

Residents have been having tours of the new 24-bed facility ahead of its official opening next month.

Its setting, overlooking a bay and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, is exquisite.

All inpatient bedrooms are en-suite with spare beds in each room if needed by an accompanying relative.

The £22m facility features two consulting treatment rooms, A&E, imaging department and maternity unit.

There is space for physio and occupational therapies, chemotherapy, renal dialysis and an adjacent ambulance base.

Project director Tracy Ligema, of NHS Highland, said: “We’ve got so much space, so much light.

“The design takes real advantage of the views that we’ve got here, we’ve got to have the best views of any hospital anywhere, I think.

“And we’ve got inpatient rooms that are such a good size and such good facilities and that view that you can’t help but be proud of it.”

It will replace the nearby and ageing Mackinnon Hospital.

NHS Highland is currently recruiting staff for the new facility.

There will be a phased period of transition between the two hospitals before the Mackinnon is ultimately closed and sold.

Among residents enjoying an early peek was Skye councillor John Finlayson, who is confident improvements at Portree Hospital in the north of the island will mean huge benefits there too.

“If we have Portree Hospital upgraded – and the important thing is that we’re retaining Portree Hospital, and we’ve got the brand-new hospital here in Broadford – I think we’re well served in Skye and south-west Ross.”

Offering a reassurance, Ms Ligema said: “We’re still working through what we need to do for the north of Skye.

“There’s still a great deal of work going on with communities up in the north of Skye and we will continue to do that until we reach a satisfactory solution for everyone.”