The Storr, Isle of Skye Following a formal procurement procedure by the Highland Council, Glenmorven Associates Ltd was commissioned in the summer of 2021 to produce a detailed business case on the viability for a retail outlet at the Old Man of Storr site on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Glenmorven Associates Ltd. were asked to draft a business case that considered future development at The Storr on the Trotternish Peninsula in the North of the island. The Storr hosts the iconic Old Man of Storr rock formation and draws many thousands of visitors to the area annually. Link to our short video production which accompanied this report: Storr | For the Future Building on improvements made to the Storr site over the preceding two years, Glenmorven Associates Ltd. undertook a comprehensive review of the site which highlighted significant development potential across a range of areas. The recommendations presented to The Highland Council sought to capitalise on these by adopting three phases of site management implementation. The three phases were characterised by a shared focus on technological innovation, community benefit, sustainability, financial stability and visitor experience. The Glenmorven Associates Ltd. framework comprised a modular approach, offering incremental adoption of the full suite of recommendations as well as ensuring minimal disruption to the sensitive environment and habitat surrounding the site. Glenmorven Associates Ltd. undertook a full programme of community and organisational consultation, detailed desk-based research and analysis, full report publication, film production and committee submission preparation. During the course of the project, Glenmorven Associates Ltd. work at the Storr came to be acknowledged as a possible framework for other similar projects within the Highland Council’s wider portfolio to follow. Glenmorven Associates Ltd. engagement was noted for its sensitivity, holistic approach and focus on community inclusion, as highlighted by Allan Gunn, Executive Chief Officer for Transformation at Highland Council Inverness Headoffice: “The comprehensive work undertaken by Glenmorven Associates Ltd. was carried out with great care and attention, ensuring effective stakeholder engagement whilst providing a range of options and opportunities for sustainable and effective site management and income generation at the iconic Storr site. The developments proposed demonstrated innovation and support for the local circular economy, with due consideration to the environment and Gaelic culture. In working with Glenmorven Associates Ltd., I have been impressed by their professionalism and capability - they have demonstrated their expertise in their field, and I would recommend their services” In November 2021, Glenmorven Associates Ltd. recommendations were approved by the Isle of Skye and Raasay Area Committee. Committee Chair, Cllr John Gordon said: “Members’ approval marks significant progression for all involved in getting the Storr future development to this stage. It acknowledges the comprehensive work by Glenmorven Associates Ltd., to establish a viable business case for Storr. It has been carried out with great care and attention, ensuring effective stakeholder engagement whilst providing a range of options and opportunities for sustainable and effective site management and income generation at the Storr site. The developments proposed demonstrate innovation, support the local circular economy and are considerate of the environment and our Gaelic culture.” In engaging with the Storr project, Glenmorven Associates Ltd. were acutely aware of the importance of aligning the area’s future with existing regional and national strategies. Local councillor and Education Chair, John Finlayson said: “Developing place-based projects like this will not only be income generating but will also support management of the whole site to ensure it has a sustainable future. These further improvements deliver against the strategic aspirations and objectives set out in the place-based investment framework for the area known as Skye & Raasay Future (SARF). Similarly, the ongoing development of the Storr is an excellent example in supporting the key Council’s aims in the Future Highlands – Health and Prosperity Strategic Partnership Plan approved by The Highland Council in September 2021”. The adoption of Glenmorven Associates Ltd. ambitious strategy for the Storr evidences our unique approach of positioning regional projects within an international contextual focus to enhance and capitalise the opportunity and efficacy of end product delivery. To discuss the ways in which Glenmorven Associates Ltd. may assist with your project, visit our Contact page and get in touch – we would be delighted to have a conversation with you. Reference contact details Alan Gunn Executive Chief Officer – Transformation The Highland Council Glenurquhart Road Inverness IV3 5NX Link to a BBC News article about the project