Conceived of by a dynamic community with an exciting vision for their future, Ionad Thròndairnis (The Trotternish Centre) will provide visitors with a unique experience.
An arts venue with performance and gallery space, an educational hub, a café, an interpretation space – all set within a stunning original design, with the additional benefit of visitor accommodation.
These are the ambitions of this far-sighted community of Trotternish.
Come with us on a journey The people of Trotternish peninsula welcome Fàilte gu Sgìre you to a unique part of the world. The classic images of the Trotternish Ridge, the Quiraing with Thròndairnis its incredible basalt columnar structure, and the majestic Old Man of Storr have left visitors with unforgettable memories. The scenery is among the most outstanding on the planet – a place that sums up all that is special about the Isle of Skye. Stretching 18 miles from the tip of the north end of the island to the principal town of Portree, the peninsula is rich in geological wonders, stunning wildlife, history and culture.
The community of Trotternish have a vision they want to share with you. Within their marvellous environment they want to create a special place in which to welcome everyone to their part of the world – Ionad Thròndairnis – the Trotternish Centre.
3 Small Beginnings…
The township of Flodigarry, at the north end of the Trotternish peninsula, is a remarkable community. Formed in the early 20th century, it comprises twelve of the original fourteen families who were allocated crofts. Determined to preserve and promote their heritage, this small number of residents have for several years created and hosted a programme of events, open to everyone, which celebrate Gaelic (their first language), as well as the music and culture of the area.
4 From as early as 2009, following the centenary event Partnering with a strong network of local celebrating the formation of Flodigarry township, institutions, businesses and voluntary groups the kernel of an idea was planted. Building on the within the Trotternish peninsula, they developed success of this event, the community determined a vision to address the great need for such that they should turn their efforts to the creation a resource in the north end of the island. of a permanent public space: This project aims to develop that resource • to develop the Gaelic courses that they run in – a centre perfectly located next to the Flodigarry partnership with the National Centre for Gaelic township and overlooking the sea. To this end the Language and Culture, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig; community created a development trust – Urras • to host concerts, cèilidhs and other functions; Baile Fhlòdaigearraidh, (SC473087, also a company • for the interpretation of the history, geology limited by guarantee) and donated precious land and wildlife of the area; from their common grazing. This purchase will • to hold a wide variety of art exhibitions within be formally completed in May 2019. (and possibly inspired by) a unique landscape; • to showcase the rich variety of locally produced food and drink;
Most importantly, a social space in which to meet with each other and all the visitors who come to experience the splendour of this wonderful area.
5 The Location
There are several famous landmarks within the location of the site: the majestic Old Man of Storr, the imposing crags of the mysterious Quiraing; then there is the Kilt Rock – so called because of its resemblance to a kilt, with its pleats formed by basalt columns and its cross-weave patterns woven by the intruded sills of dolerite. These are some of the sights that visitors to Skye want to tick off their list of must-sees.
Urras Bàile Fhlòdaigearraidh
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1. View from cafe 2.Conceptual section view through building
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View of building from north RURAL DESIGN ARCHITECTS Urras Bàile Fhlòdaigearraidh Situated just off the popular A855 on the Ionad Thròndairnis aims to engage both north-east tip of the peninsula, Ionad Thròndairnis residents and visitors through: will be of immense benefit to the hundreds of • Gaelic language thousands of visitors who use this route whilst • traditional music and dance exploring the iconic sights of Skye.
1. 2. • visual arts • heritage and environment Currently, those who drive around the peninsula • local food and drink have limited opportunity to understand exactly what View key for interior images • interpretative spaces they are experiencing in terms of the local history and the incredible natural environment. How was Elements of the new Centre: the landscape formed, who lived here in earlier times, how did they live? These are the questions that • a main hall for concerts and functions, many visitors would like to ask. At the same time seating up to 150 people the local community would welcome the opportunity • music practice/classroom spaces to share their deep knowledge and love of the area. • a library and digital resource centre Importantly, they want to be able to offer their visitors • a display area for exhibitions vastly improved facilities for them to stop, rest • a café/restaurant and enjoy local food and drink. Perhaps to take • visitor accommodation in a concert – or even to stay? 1. View from cafe 2.Conceptual section view through building
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View of building from north RURAL DESIGN ARCHITECTS Placemaking
A world-class location such as this invites the prospect of strong interest from the design community. Ionad Thròndairnis will be designed to the highest specifications – sympathetic to the natural environment, yet as singular as the landscape against which it will be set. The huge panorama across to the mountains of Wester Ross, extending from Rubha Reidh to Torridon, offer an unparalleled opportunity for a truly special construction.
8 Urras Bàile Fhlòdaigearraidh
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1. View from cafe The design will be spacious, light, warm 2.Conceptualand section view through building welcoming, reflective of the multiple uses of Ionad Thròndairnis. It will marry the needs of the local community with those of the many visitors to Trotternish, serving as both a friendly, accessible gathering place and an inspiring and uplifting creative space.
In addition to the main design requirements of the Centre itself, the intention is to develop quality View of building from north RURAL DESIGN ARCHITECTS accommodation units, which will be scalable in design. These will be introduced into the project on a rolling programme as the Centre builds up capacity year-on-year.
The ambition is that Ionad Thròndairnis will become a carefully designed and thought-provoking destination in its own right. It aims to promote, educate and influence discussion about modern rural architecture.
9 A place to stop, reflect, recharge
The ever-increasing popularity of Skye as a tourist destination has created a challenge for the residents of Trotternish. It is currently estimated that more than three quarters of a million visitors every year travel around the peninsula.
10 How can visitors be adequately welcomed to a sensitive rural environment, and have their practical needs met, without impinging on the residents’ quality of life and importantly without negatively impacting this most precious of landscapes?
Mindful of this, Ionad Thròndairnis will be designed with the appropriate provision of parking, toilets and café facilities.
This is the perfect opportunity to offer visitors a chance to stop and reflect on the landscape, the natural environment, the history. The Centre will be foremost amongst visitor centres in the country in providing innovative digital technology to disseminate and interpret information about the peninsula.
11 Space to learn and explore
Ionad Thròndairnis will host a state-of-the-art digital resource hub which will hold all of the information collated from an ambitious community digital mapping programme, alongside easily accessible databases on the history, environment, geology, language and culture of the area. Want to find out the origins of the name of a particular landscape feature? This resource hub will help you. Looking for the exact spot where Macbeth was filmed? It will all be available, in downloadable form, here in Ionad Thròndairnis.
12 This landscape, possibly the setting for the longest continuous narrative of occupation in the British Isles and Europe, prompts many questions. The story of this occupation is extraordinarily detailed, and the evidence is rich. It is carried within the Gaelic language, one of the oldest surviving vernacular languages of Europe – a medium of deep integrity and authenticity.
Ionad Thròndairnis will continue to develop and enhance the community’s existing partnership with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture. Ionad Thròndairnis will provide a uniquely fitting environment as it is situated within an area where a thriving Gaelic community exists. Classroom space will be central to the project. It will engage with visitors but importantly with the local community itself.
13 Urras Bàile Fhlòdaigearraidh
A warm welcome
1. 2.
Hospitality is in the veins of the people of Trotternish. Ionad Thròndairnis wants to offer a warm and plentiful welcome to the many visitors who come to this part of the island. View key for interior images
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1. View from cafe 2.Conceptual section view through building
View of building from north RURAL DESIGN ARCHITECTS Urras Bàile Fhlòdaigearraidh
Ionad Thròndairnis will provide a café/restaurant space to cater for visitors and residents alike. The spectacular location and the well-considered design of the Centre offer a wonderful opportunity 1. 2. for a function space, available to hire.
Skye and the Hebrides have a fantastic supply of local fresh produce, and the food scene on the island has been gathering something of a reputation in recent years with many coming to explore the island specifically as a “foodie” destination.
Seasonality and sustainability will of course be View key for interior images important as Ionad Thròndairnis offers the chance to showcase all the delicious local produce of the area.
By providing safe and sheltered parking, the visitors’ experience of Skye can be vastly improved by offering superior facilities for a food or “bio” break – in addition to a fantastic photo-stop!
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1. View from cafe 2.Conceptual section view through building
View of building from north RURAL DESIGN ARCHITECTS A place for the people of Trotternish to thrive
Ionad Thròndairnis is conceived of as a place that will have many important community-building attributes. Living in a small island environment, with limited opportunities to meet, the residents of Trotternish can use Ionad Thròndairnis as a place to attend classes, use library and IT resources and participate in a rich variety of events.
16 The primary objective is to create a space for informal conversation, which is the most important social linking function. The health and well-being benefits of such a “living room” space, where the social silos of age and rural isolation can be broken down, have long been recognised.
An enterprising place The need for shelter from the often-challenging climate of Skye creates many different business opportunities for the residents of this area.
Ionad Thròndairnis can offer enterprise space for small, individual “guiding” and equipment hire businesses for walkers and climbers, acting as a vital information point for the whole peninsula. The feasibility of offering shuttle services to popular walking routes can be developed, thereby taking the increasing strain off existing unofficial stopping places, managing traffic flow and improving the stewardship of the environment.
17 Why we’re asking for your support
Ionad Thròndairnis is a space for everyone – our local community of Trotternish, our neighbouring communities on Skye and our many thousands of visitors. It will be a space catering for the diverse interests and needs of all who pass this destination every year.
There really will be something for everyone • a significant contribution to the protection – whether a simple resting place (with a great of the environment and improved road safety cup of coffee) or the start of a journey of discovery by creating managed facilities for passing road into the fascinating heritage of this area. It should users, public transport stops, as well as a rest inspire dinosaur-hunting children and wildlife-spotting and refreshment space, obsessives and it should keep Skye at the centre of • an economically and environmentally the itinerary of all visitors to Scotland. Importantly, sustainable infrastructure, the economic benefits of this influx of tourists will • the perfect setting for access to the Trotternish be retained within the local community. ridge – one of the most recognisable and awe- inspiring landscapes in the United Kingdom. This project aims high, with: This is an urgent, necessary and large-scale • bold and innovative architecture that harmonises project which creates the perfect opportunity for with this unique and sensitive location, Skye to offer so much more to our community and • the creation of a warm and welcoming centre our visitors, just as the island’s increasingly popular for the community to gather and host events, tourism destinations are being stretched to their • state-of-the-art use of technology to provide limits. This project represents a visionary model a terrific (and fun) educational experience for community empowerment. for all ages and backgrounds, • the creation of a dynamic forum in which Your organisation can help us realise that vision. to discover and experience first hand the vibrant music, literature, history and culture For more information contact Margaret Nicolson of the Gaidhealtachd, at [email protected] or call on 01470 552248. • increased local employment and business opportunities,
18 Tha m' aigne air a lìonadh le iarrtas ro-mhòr, Gum faicinn Eilean Sgiathach nan siantannan 's a' cheò.
• Màiri Mhòr nan Òran Mary MacPherson, Island of Skye, 1821—1898
Photography Cailean Maclean Calum Munro
Architectural concepts Alan Dickson, Rural Design
Design Andy Graham
19 trotternish.org
If you would like to join us on this journey and follow our progress, visit trotternish.org
@IonadInfo
Ionad Throndairnis
@ionadthrondairnis
Funding Partners
Cover image Cailean Maclean