The Storr

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 of establishing a retail outlet at the Old Man of Storr site on the Isle of Skye, Scotland.
Glenmorven was asked to develop a business case that considered future development opportunities at The Storr, located on the Trotternish Peninsula in the north of the island. The Storr, home to the iconic Old Man of Storr rock formation, attracts many thousands of visitors to the area each year.

Building on the improvements made to The Storr site over the preceding two years, Glenmorven Associates Ltd undertook a comprehensive review which highlighted significant development potential across a range of areas.

The recommendations presented to The Highland Council sought to capitalise on these opportunities through a three-phase site management implementation plan, each phase sharing a common focus on:

  • Technological innovation

  • Community benefit

  • Sustainability

  • Financial stability

  • Visitor experience

Glenmorven’s framework was designed as a modular strategy, enabling incremental adoption of recommendations while ensuring minimal disruption to the sensitive environment and habitats surrounding the site.
The project encompassed:

  • A full programme of community and organisational consultation

  • Desk-based research and analysis

  • Detailed reporting and publication

  • Film production

  • Committee submission preparation

Recognition and Endorsement

During the course of the project, Glenmorven’s work at The Storr came to be recognised as a potential model for future developments within The Highland Council’s wider portfolio.

Allan Gunn, Executive Chief Officer for Transformation at The Highland Council, commented:

“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 for 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.”

A short film commissioned as part of The Storr project

In November 2021, Glenmorven’s recommendations were formally approved by the Isle of Skye and Raasay Area Committee.
Committee Chair, Cllr John Gordon, stated:

“Members’ approval marks significant progress 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 The Storr. The work 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. The proposed developments demonstrate innovation, support the local circular economy, and are considerate of the environment and our Gaelic culture.”

Alignment with Regional Strategy

In undertaking this project, Glenmorven Associates Ltd. were acutely aware of the importance of aligning The Storr’s future with existing regional and national strategies.
Local councillor and Education Chair, John Finlayson, noted:

“Developing place-based projects like this will not only generate income but also support the long-term management of the whole site to ensure it has a sustainable future. These improvements deliver directly against the strategic aspirations and objectives set out in the Skye & Raasay Future (SARF) place-based investment framework. Similarly, the ongoing development of The Storr provides an excellent example of how projects can support the key aims of the Future Highlands – Health and Prosperity Strategic Partnership Plan, approved by The Highland Council in September 2021.”

Project Impact

The adoption of Glenmorven Associates Ltd.’s ambitious strategy for The Storr demonstrates the company’s unique approach to positioning regional projects within an international context, enhancing their impact, visibility, and long-term sustainability.

Click the image or the button below to read a BBC article about this project.

Click here for BBC article on The Storr

Project Contacts

To discuss how Glenmorven Associates Ltd. could assist with your project, please visit our Contact page — we would be delighted to hear from you.

Reference contact:
Allan Gunn
Executive Chief Officer – Transformation
The Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness
IV3 5NX