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{{Short description|Town on the Isle of Skye, Scotland}}
{{about|the town in Scotland|the community in Canada|Portree, Nova Scotia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox UK place
{{Infobox UK place
|map_type = Skye
| map_type = Skye
|official_name = Portree
| official_name = Portree
|country = Scotland
| country = Scotland
⚫
| os_grid_reference = NG483454
|population = 4,571
⚫
| coordinates = {{coord|57.412|-6.192|display=inline,title}}
|population_ref = (2001)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wwwold.highland.gov.uk/plintra/iandr/cen/pop_towns.htm|title=Census 2001|work=Population figures Portree |access-date=17 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.is/20120527041817/http://wwwold.highland.gov.uk/plintra/iandr/cen/pop_towns.htm|archive-date=27 May 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
⚫
|os_grid_reference = NG483454
⚫
|coordinates = {{coord|57.412|-6.192|display=inline,title}}
| population = {{Scottish locality populations|name|POP=Portree}}
| population = {{Scottish locality populations|name|POP=Portree}}
| population_ref = ({{United Kingdom statistics year|ScotSettlement}})<ref>{{Scotland settlement population citation}}</ref>
| population_ref = ({{United Kingdom statistics year|ScotSettlement}})<ref>{{Scotland settlement population citation}}</ref>
|post_town = PORTREE
| post_town = PORTREE
|postcode_area = IV
| postcode_area = IV
|postcode_district = IV51
| postcode_district = IV51
|edinburgh_distance_mi = 152
| edinburgh_distance_mi = 152
|london_distance_mi = 475
| london_distance_mi = 475
|dial_code = 01478
| dial_code = 01478
|gaelic_name = Port Rìgh
| gaelic_name = Port Rìgh
|constituency_westminster = [[Ross, Skye and Lochaber (UK Parliament constituency)|Ross, Skye and Lochaber]]
| constituency_westminster = [[Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire (UK Parliament constituency)|Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire]]
|constituency_scottish_parliament = [[Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Skye, Lochaber & Badenoch]]
| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Skye, Lochaber & Badenoch]]
|unitary_scotland = [[Highland (council area)|Highland]]
| unitary_scotland = [[Highland (council area)|Highland]]
|lieutenancy_scotland = [[Ross and Cromarty]]
| lieutenancy_scotland = [[Ross and Cromarty]]
| website =
|website = [http://www.isleofskye.com/ www.IsleofSkye.com]
|static_image_name=Portree harbour front 2016.jpg
| static_image_name = Portree Isle of Skye - September 2023.jpg
|static_image_caption= Portree Harbour
| static_image_caption = Portree Harbour
}}
}}


'''Portree''' ({{IPAc-en|p|ɔːr|ˈ|t|r|iː}}; {{lang-gd|Port Rìgh}}, {{IPA-gd|pʰɔrˠʃt̪ˈɾiː|pron}}) is the largest town on, and capital<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isleofskye.net/central/|title=Portree, Raasay & Central Skye|publisher=A Guide|access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref> of, the [[Isle of Skye]] in the [[Inner Hebrides]] of [[Scotland]].<ref name=MurHeb>[[W.H. Murray|Murray, W.H.]] (1966) ''The Hebrides''. London. Heinemann. Pages 154-155.</ref> It is the location for the only [[secondary school]] on the island, [[Portree High School]]. [[Public transport]] services are limited to buses.
'''Portree''' ({{IPAc-en|p|ɔːr|ˈ|t|r|iː}}; {{langx|gd|Port Rìgh}}, {{IPA-gd|pʰɔrˠʃt̪ˈɾiː|pron}}) is the capital<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isleofskye.net/central/|title=Portree, Raasay & Central Skye|publisher=A Guide|access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref> and largest town of the [[Isle of Skye]] in the [[Inner Hebrides]] of [[Scotland]].<ref name=MurHeb>[[W.H. Murray|Murray, W.H.]] (1966) ''The Hebrides''. London. Heinemann. Pages 154-155.</ref> It is a [[civil parishes in Scotland|civil parish]] and lies within the [[Highland (council area)|Highland council area]], around {{convert|74|mi}} from its administrative centre of [[Inverness]].


Portree has a harbour, fringed by cliffs, with a pier designed by [[Thomas Telford]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://portree-regeneration.org/living_landmarks.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117050439/http://portree-regeneration.org/living_landmarks.htm|archive-date=17 November 2007|title=Portree|author=Portree Regeneration|date=15 September 2007}}</ref>
Portree has a harbour, fringed by cliffs, with a pier designed by [[Thomas Telford]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://portree-regeneration.org/living_landmarks.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117050439/http://portree-regeneration.org/living_landmarks.htm|archive-date=17 November 2007|title=Portree|author=Portree Regeneration|date=15 September 2007}}</ref> Attractions in the town include the former Aros Centre, now the Isle of Skye Candle Co. Visitor Centre,<ref>Isle of Skye Candle Company, [https://skyecandles.co.uk/pages/visitor-centre Isle of Skye Candle Co. Visitor Centre], accessed 28 April 2024</ref> which celebrates the island's [[Gaels|Gaelic]] heritage. Further arts provision is made through arts organisation [[ATLAS Arts]], a [[Creative Scotland]] regularly-funded organisation.<ref>{{cite web|title=ATLAS Arts - bringing art and audiences together in Skye and Lochalsh|url=http://www.creativescotland.com/explore/read/stories/connecting/2015/atlas-arts|website=Creative Scotland|publisher=Creative Scotland|access-date=3 January 2016}}</ref> The town also serves as a centre for tourists exploring the island.<ref name="Smith">Haswell-Smith, Hamish. (2004) ''The Scottish Islands''. Edinburgh. Canongate, pages 173-4</ref>

Attractions in the town include the Aros centre which celebrates the island's [[Gaels|Gaelic]] heritage. Further arts provision is made through arts organisation [[ATLAS Arts]], a [[Creative Scotland]] regularly-funded organisation.<ref>{{cite web|title=ATLAS Arts - bringing art and audiences together in Skye and Lochalsh|url=http://www.creativescotland.com/explore/read/stories/connecting/2015/atlas-arts|website=Creative Scotland|publisher=Creative Scotland|access-date=3 January 2016}}</ref> The town also serves as a centre for tourists exploring the island.<ref>[http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/skye/portree/index.html "Portree"] Undiscovered Scotland. Retrieved on 15 September 2007.</ref>

⚫
The Royal Hotel is the site of MacNab's Inn, the last meeting place of [[Flora MacDonald]] and [[Bonnie Prince Charlie]] in 1746.<ref name="MurHeb"/><ref name=Smith>Haswell-Smith, Hamish. (2004) ''The Scottish Islands''. Edinburgh. Canongate. Pages 173-4</ref>


Around 939 people (37.72% of the population) can speak [[Scottish Gaelic]].
Around 939 people (37.72% of the population) can speak [[Scottish Gaelic]].


The [[A855 road]] leads north out of the town, passing through villages such as [[Achachork]], [[Staffin]] and passes the rocky landscape of [[the Storr]] before reaching the landslip of the [[Quiraing]].
Portree is connected to the [[Skye Bridge]] by the [[A87 road]], which then leads northwards to [[Uig, Snizort|Uig]]. The [[A855 road]] also leads north out of the town, passing through villages such as [[Achachork]], [[Staffin]] and passes the rocky landscape of [[the Storr]] before reaching the landslip of the [[Quiraing]].

{{Imagemap Skye}}
[[File:Isle of Skye UK relief location map labels.jpg|thumb|Map of Skye showing Portree]]


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
Line 47: Line 38:


Prior to the 16th century the settlement's name was Kiltaraglen ('the church of [[St. Talarican]]') from Gaelic ''{{lang|mga|Cill Targhlain}}''.
Prior to the 16th century the settlement's name was Kiltaraglen ('the church of [[St. Talarican]]') from Gaelic ''{{lang|mga|Cill Targhlain}}''.

== Prehistory and archaeology ==
Archaeological investigations in advance of construction of a housing development in 2006–2007, by CFA Archaeology, uncovered evidence of occupation of Portree from the [[Bronze Age Britain|Early Bronze Age]] to the [[Scotland in the Middle Ages|Medieval period]] (the earliest [[Radiocarbon dating|radiocarbon date]] was 2570 BC, and the latest was AD 1400). They also found stone tools that indicated people were in the area in the Early to Mid [[Neolithic British Isles|Neolithic]], possibly as far back as the Late [[Mesolithic Britain|Mesolithic]].<ref name=":0" />

The archaeologists discovered the remains of timber roundhouses, a circular ditch-defined enclosure, miniature [[Souterrain|souterrains]], probable standing stone sockets and an assortment of pits. While not many artefacts were recovered there was an assemblage of [[Bell Beaker culture|Beaker pottery]]. This was the first discovery of a site dating from the Later Bronze Age on the Isle of Skye.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Vol 54 (2013): Excavation of post-built roundhouses and a circular ditched enclosure at Kiltaraglen, Portree, Isle of Skye 2006-07 {{!}} Scottish Archaeological Internet Reports|url=http://journals.socantscot.org/index.php/sair/issue/view/84|access-date=2021-08-24|website=journals.socantscot.org}}</ref>

The archaeologists also found evidence of the shooting range that was created in the 1800s with the formation of the Rifle Volunteer movement, set up in 1859 to defend the country against a potential French invasion. The first official unit in Portree was the 8th Inverness-shire Rifle Volunteer Corps, formed in July 1867.<ref name=":0" />


==History==
==History==
In the 1700s, the town was a popular point of departure for Scots sailing to America to escape poverty. This form of use repeated during the potato famine in the 1840s. Both times, the town was saved by an influx of boats, often going between mainland Scotland and the Outer Hebrides, who used Portree's pier as a rest point. The town also began exporting fish at this time, which contributed greatly to the local economy.
In the 1700s, the town was a popular point of departure for Scots sailing to America to escape poverty. This form of use repeated during the [[Scottish potato famine|famine]] in the 1840s. Both times, the town was saved by an influx of boats, often going between mainland Scotland and the Outer Hebrides, who used Portree's pier as a rest point. The town also began exporting fish at this time, which contributed greatly to the local economy.


⚫
The Royal Hotel is the site of MacNab's Inn, the last meeting place of [[Flora MacDonald]] and [[Bonnie Prince Charlie]] in 1746.<ref>[http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/skye/portree/index.html "Portree"] Undiscovered Scotland. Retrieved on 15 September 2007.</ref><ref name="MurHeb" />
⚫
The town had the last manual telephone exchange in the UK, which closed in 1976.<ref>[http://www.btplc.com/Thegroup/BTsHistory/1969to1980/1976.htm BT History 1976]</ref>

⚫
The town had the last manual [[telephone exchange]] in the UK, which closed in 1976.<ref>[http://www.btplc.com/Thegroup/BTsHistory/1969to1980/1976.htm BT History 1976]</ref>


==Tourism==
==Tourism==
[[File:2018 07 15 Schottland (84).jpg|thumb|Portree (2018)]]
[[File:2018 07 15 Schottland (84).jpg|thumb|Portree (2018)]]
Portree is now considered to be among the "20 most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland" according to [[Condé Nast Traveler]]] and is visited by many tourists each year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/beautiful-villages-uk|title=THE 20 MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN THE UK AND IRELAND, 20 October 2020|accessdate=14 March 2021}}</ref>
Portree is considered to be among the "20 most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland" according to [[Condé Nast Traveler]] and is visited by many tourists each year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/beautiful-villages-uk|title=THE 20 MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN THE UK AND IRELAND, 20 October 2020|accessdate=14 March 2021}}</ref>


A report published in mid 2020, indicated that visitors added £211 million in a single year to the Isle of Skye's economy, prior to travel restrictions imposed because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>[https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/islands/2343962/year-long-economic-study-finds-skye-visitors-boosted-economy-by-211-million-pre-lockdown/#:~:text=A%20year%2Dlong%20economic%20impact,economy%20by%20%C2%A3211%20million.&text=The%20study%20has%20found%20that,2%2C850%20full%2Dtime%20equivalent%20jobs. Year-long economic study finds Skye visitors boosted economy by £211 million pre-lockdown]</ref> Ths was expected to decline substantially due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. "Skye is highly vulnerable to the downturn in international visitors that will continue for much of 2020 and beyond", Professor John Lennon of [[Glasgow Caledonian University]] told a reporter in July 2020.<ref>[https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/tourists-generated-211-million-for-skye-pre-pandemic-finds-study/ Tourists generated £211 million for Skye pre-pandemic, finds study, 17 July 2020]</ref>
A report published in mid 2020 indicated that visitors added £211 million in a single year to the Isle of Skye's economy, prior to travel restrictions imposed because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>[https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/islands/2343962/year-long-economic-study-finds-skye-visitors-boosted-economy-by-211-million-pre-lockdown/#:~:text=A%20year%2Dlong%20economic%20impact,economy%20by%20%C2%A3211%20million.&text=The%20study%20has%20found%20that,2%2C850%20full%2Dtime%20equivalent%20jobs. Year-long economic study finds Skye visitors boosted economy by £211 million pre-lockdown]</ref> This was expected to decline substantially due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. "Skye is highly vulnerable to the downturn in international visitors that will continue for much of 2020 and beyond", Professor John Lennon of [[Glasgow Caledonian University]] told a reporter in July 2020.<ref>[https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/tourists-generated-211-million-for-skye-pre-pandemic-finds-study/ Tourists generated £211 million for Skye pre-pandemic, finds study, 17 July 2020]</ref>


In 2016, over 150,000 people stopped at the VisitScotland centre in Portree, a 5% increase over 2015.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/09/skye-islanders-call-for-help-with-overcrowding-after-tourism-surge Skye islanders call for help with overcrowding after tourism surge]</ref> Overcrowding during peak season was a problem however, before the pandemic, since it is "the busiest place on the island". One news item recommended that some tourists might prefer accommodations in quieter areas such as Dunvegan, Kyleakin and the Broadford and Breakish area.<ref>[https://independenttravelcats.com/tips-to-avoid-the-crowds-on-the-isle-of-skye-in-scotland/ 15 Tips to Avoid the Crowds on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, 15 July 2020]</ref>
In 2016, over 150,000 people stopped at the VisitScotland centre in Portree, a 5% increase over 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=Skye islanders call for help with overcrowding after tourism surge |date=2017-08-09 |website=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617210308/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/09/skye-islanders-call-for-help-with-overcrowding-after-tourism-surge |archive-date=2023-06-17 |url-status=live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/09/skye-islanders-call-for-help-with-overcrowding-after-tourism-surge}}</ref> Overcrowding during peak season was a problem, however, before the pandemic, since it is "the busiest place on the island". One news item recommended that some tourists might prefer accommodations in quieter areas such as Dunvegan, Kyleakin and the Broadford and Breakish area.<ref>[https://independenttravelcats.com/tips-to-avoid-the-crowds-on-the-isle-of-skye-in-scotland/ 15 Tips to Avoid the Crowds on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, 15 July 2020]</ref>


The 2020 reports did not cover tourism in Portree specifically but a December 2018 report by well-known travel writer [[Rick Steves]] had recommended the village as "Skye’s best home base" for visitors". He indicated that Portree "provided a few hotels, hostels and bed-and-breakfasts in town, while more B&Bs line the roads into and out of town".<ref>[https://www.seattletimes.com/life/travel/exploring-scotlands-majestic-isle-of-skye/
The 2020 reports did not cover tourism in Portree specifically but a December 2018 report by well-known travel writer [[Rick Steves]] had recommended the village as "Skye’s best home base" for visitors. He indicated that Portree "provided a few hotels, hostels and bed-and-breakfasts in town, while more B&Bs line the roads into and out of town".<ref>[https://www.seattletimes.com/life/travel/exploring-scotlands-majestic-isle-of-skye/ Exploring Scotland’s majestic Isle of Skye, 13 December 2018]</ref> The tourism bureau added that visitors would appreciate the "banks, churches, cafes and restaurants, a cinema at the Aros Centre, a swimming pool and library, (...) petrol filling stations and supermarkets".<ref>[https://www.isleofskye.com/portree Portree]</ref>

Exploring Scotland’s majestic Isle of Skye, 13 December 2018]</ref> The tourism bureau added that visitors would appreciate the "banks, churches, cafes and restaurants, a cinema at the Aros Centre, a swimming pool and library ... petrol filling stations and supermarkets".<ref>[https://www.isleofskye.com/portree Portree]</ref>
==Media==
Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC Scotland]] and [[STV North]] (formerly Grampian Television). Television signals are received from one of the local relay transmitters (Penifiler<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Penifiler|title= Freeview Light on the Penifiler (Highland, Scotland) transmitter|publisher=UK Free TV |access-date= 9 October 2023}}</ref> and Skriaig<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Skriaig|title= Freeview Light on the Skriaig (Skye) (Highland, Scotland) transmitter|publisher=UK Free TV |access-date= 9 October 2023}}</ref>).

Portree is served by nation-wide stations, [[BBC Radio Scotland]] on 92.9 FM and [[BBC Radio Nan Gaidheal]] (for [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]] listeners) on 104.7 FM. The local radio station [[Radio Skye]] is a community based station that broadcasts to the [[Isle Of Skye]] and [[Loch Alsh]] on 106.2 FM and 102.7 FM.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://radioskye.com/|title= Radio Skye|access-date= 9 October 2023}}</ref>

==Education==
Portree now has 6 schools. This includes 2 primary schools (Portree Primary School and Portree Gaelic Primary School) one high school (Portree High School) one nursery (Portree Nursery) one Pre-school (Portree Pre-school) and one college (Portree College).


== Sport ==
== Sport ==
Line 68: Line 75:


Portree is home to two football clubs that play in the Skye and Lochalsh amateur football league called Portree and Portree Juniors.
Portree is home to two football clubs that play in the Skye and Lochalsh amateur football league called Portree and Portree Juniors.

Portree is now home to a new youth football club, [[Skye Young Boys]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Login • Instagram|url=https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/|access-date=2022-01-17|website=www.instagram.com}}</ref>


==Climate==
==Climate==
Line 74: Line 83:


{{Weather box
{{Weather box
| width = auto
| width = <!-- Width parameter for wikitable, default width=90%. Leave blank for wikitable with no width defined. Set width=auto to fit the table in the next available space automatically. -->
| metric first = yes
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| single line = yes
| location = Prabost (67 m asl, averages 1981–2010)
| location = Prabost ({{convert|67|m|ft|0|disp=or}} asl, averages 1981-2010)
| Jan high C = 6.4
| Jan high C = 6.4
| Feb high C = 6.8
| Feb high C = 6.8
Line 90: Line 99:
| Nov high C = 8.7
| Nov high C = 8.7
| Dec high C = 6.7
| Dec high C = 6.7

| year high C =
| Jan mean C = 4.0
| Feb mean C = 4.1
| Mar mean C = 5.3
| Apr mean C = 7.3
| May mean C = 10.0
| Jun mean C = 12.0
| Jul mean C = 13.7
| Aug mean C = 13.6
| Sep mean C = 11.6
| Oct mean C = 8.9
| Nov mean C = 6.3
| Dec mean C = 4.2

| Jan low C = 1.6
| Jan low C = 1.6
| Feb low C = 1.5
| Feb low C = 1.5
Line 116: Line 138:
| Nov rain mm = 209.3
| Nov rain mm = 209.3
| Dec rain mm = 197.8
| Dec rain mm = 197.8
| year rain mm =
| rain colour = green
| unit rain days = 1 mm
| unit rain days = 1 mm
| Jan rain days = 21.8
| Jan rain days = 21.8
Line 149: Line 171:
==Portree shale==
==Portree shale==
Portree shale is a geologic association in the vicinity of Portree, the existence of which is linked with potential petroleum occurrences of commercial importance.<ref>C.Michael Hogan, (2011) [http://www.eoearth.org/article/Sea_of_Hebrides?topic=49523 ''Sea of the Hebrides'']. Eds. P. Saundry & C.J.Cleveland. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC.</ref>
Portree shale is a geologic association in the vicinity of Portree, the existence of which is linked with potential petroleum occurrences of commercial importance.<ref>C.Michael Hogan, (2011) [http://www.eoearth.org/article/Sea_of_Hebrides?topic=49523 ''Sea of the Hebrides'']. Eds. P. Saundry & C.J.Cleveland. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC.</ref>

==In fiction==
*'The Portree Kid' was an amusing ballad sung by [[the Corries]].
*Portree is the home of a fictional professional [[Quidditch]] team in the [[Fictional universe of Harry Potter|Harry Potter universe]] called the 'Pride of Portree'.<ref>{{cite book |first=Kennilworthy|last=Whisp|title=[[Quidditch Through the Ages]]|year=2001 |publisher=WhizzHard Books|pages=31–46|isbn=1-55192-454-4}}</ref>
*The film ''[[Made of Honor]]'' partially takes place in Portree. A sweeping shot of the town's main street is shown.


==References==
==References==
Line 169: Line 186:
[[Category:Fishing communities in Scotland]]
[[Category:Fishing communities in Scotland]]
[[Category:Geological type localities]]
[[Category:Geological type localities]]
[[Category:Parishes in Skye]]
[[Category:Parishes in Inverness-shire]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Scotland]]

Latest revision as of 01:07, 22 November 2024

Portree
Portree Harbour
Portree is located in Isle of Skye
Portree
Portree
Location within the Isle of Skye
Population2,310 (2022)[1]
OS grid referenceNG483454
• Edinburgh152 mi (245 km)
• London475 mi (764 km)
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townPORTREE
Postcode districtIV51
Dialling code01478
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
57°24′43″N 6°11′31″W / 57.412°N 6.192°W / 57.412; -6.192

Portree (/pɔːrˈtriː/; Scottish Gaelic: Port Rìgh, pronounced [pʰɔrˠʃt̪ˈɾiː]) is the capital[2] and largest town of the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.[3] It is a civil parish and lies within the Highland council area, around 74 miles (119 km) from its administrative centre of Inverness.

Portree has a harbour, fringed by cliffs, with a pier designed by Thomas Telford.[4] Attractions in the town include the former Aros Centre, now the Isle of Skye Candle Co. Visitor Centre,[5] which celebrates the island's Gaelic heritage. Further arts provision is made through arts organisation ATLAS Arts, a Creative Scotland regularly-funded organisation.[6] The town also serves as a centre for tourists exploring the island.[7]

Around 939 people (37.72% of the population) can speak Scottish Gaelic.

Portree is connected to the Skye Bridge by the A87 road, which then leads northwards to Uig. The A855 road also leads north out of the town, passing through villages such as Achachork, Staffin and passes the rocky landscape of the Storr before reaching the landslip of the Quiraing.

Etymology

[edit]

The current name, Port Rìgh translates as 'king's port', possibly from a visit by King James V of Scotland in 1540. However this etymology has been contested, since James did not arrive in peaceful times. The older name appears to have been Port Ruighe(adh), meaning 'slope harbour'.[8]

Prior to the 16th century the settlement's name was Kiltaraglen ('the church of St. Talarican') from Gaelic Cill Targhlain.

Prehistory and archaeology

[edit]

Archaeological investigations in advance of construction of a housing development in 2006–2007, by CFA Archaeology, uncovered evidence of occupation of Portree from the Early Bronze Age to the Medieval period (the earliest radiocarbon date was 2570 BC, and the latest was AD 1400). They also found stone tools that indicated people were in the area in the Early to Mid Neolithic, possibly as far back as the Late Mesolithic.[9]

The archaeologists discovered the remains of timber roundhouses, a circular ditch-defined enclosure, miniature souterrains, probable standing stone sockets and an assortment of pits. While not many artefacts were recovered there was an assemblage of Beaker pottery. This was the first discovery of a site dating from the Later Bronze Age on the Isle of Skye.[9]

The archaeologists also found evidence of the shooting range that was created in the 1800s with the formation of the Rifle Volunteer movement, set up in 1859 to defend the country against a potential French invasion. The first official unit in Portree was the 8th Inverness-shire Rifle Volunteer Corps, formed in July 1867.[9]

History

[edit]

In the 1700s, the town was a popular point of departure for Scots sailing to America to escape poverty. This form of use repeated during the famine in the 1840s. Both times, the town was saved by an influx of boats, often going between mainland Scotland and the Outer Hebrides, who used Portree's pier as a rest point. The town also began exporting fish at this time, which contributed greatly to the local economy.

The Royal Hotel is the site of MacNab's Inn, the last meeting place of Flora MacDonald and Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746.[10][3]

The town had the last manual telephone exchange in the UK, which closed in 1976.[11]

Tourism

[edit]
Portree (2018)

Portree is considered to be among the "20 most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland" according to Condé Nast Traveler and is visited by many tourists each year.[12]

A report published in mid 2020 indicated that visitors added £211 million in a single year to the Isle of Skye's economy, prior to travel restrictions imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[13] This was expected to decline substantially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Skye is highly vulnerable to the downturn in international visitors that will continue for much of 2020 and beyond", Professor John Lennon of Glasgow Caledonian University told a reporter in July 2020.[14]

In 2016, over 150,000 people stopped at the VisitScotland centre in Portree, a 5% increase over 2015.[15] Overcrowding during peak season was a problem, however, before the pandemic, since it is "the busiest place on the island". One news item recommended that some tourists might prefer accommodations in quieter areas such as Dunvegan, Kyleakin and the Broadford and Breakish area.[16]

The 2020 reports did not cover tourism in Portree specifically but a December 2018 report by well-known travel writer Rick Steves had recommended the village as "Skye’s best home base" for visitors. He indicated that Portree "provided a few hotels, hostels and bed-and-breakfasts in town, while more B&Bs line the roads into and out of town".[17] The tourism bureau added that visitors would appreciate the "banks, churches, cafes and restaurants, a cinema at the Aros Centre, a swimming pool and library, (...) petrol filling stations and supermarkets".[18]

Media

[edit]

Local news and television programmes are provided by BBC Scotland and STV North (formerly Grampian Television). Television signals are received from one of the local relay transmitters (Penifiler[19] and Skriaig[20]).

Portree is served by nation-wide stations, BBC Radio Scotland on 92.9 FM and BBC Radio Nan Gaidheal (for Gaelic listeners) on 104.7 FM. The local radio station Radio Skye is a community based station that broadcasts to the Isle Of Skye and Loch Alsh on 106.2 FM and 102.7 FM.[21]

Education

[edit]

Portree now has 6 schools. This includes 2 primary schools (Portree Primary School and Portree Gaelic Primary School) one high school (Portree High School) one nursery (Portree Nursery) one Pre-school (Portree Pre-school) and one college (Portree College).

Sport

[edit]

The town plays host to the Isle of Skye's shinty club, Skye Camanachd.[22] They play at Pairc nan Laoch above the town on the road to Struan.

Portree is home to two football clubs that play in the Skye and Lochalsh amateur football league called Portree and Portree Juniors.

Portree is now home to a new youth football club, Skye Young Boys.[23]

Climate

[edit]

Like most of the British Isles, Portree has an oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb). The nearest weather station to Portree is located at Prabost, approximately 5+1⁄2 miles (9 km) north-west of Portree.

Climate data for Prabost (67 metres or 220 feet asl, averages 1981-2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 6.4
(43.5) 		6.8
(44.2) 		8.2
(46.8) 		10.8
(51.4) 		13.9
(57.0) 		15.5
(59.9) 		16.8
(62.2) 		16.8
(62.2) 		14.7
(58.5) 		11.7
(53.1) 		8.7
(47.7) 		6.7
(44.1) 		11.4
(52.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.0
(39.2) 		4.1
(39.4) 		5.3
(41.5) 		7.3
(45.1) 		10.0
(50.0) 		12.0
(53.6) 		13.7
(56.7) 		13.6
(56.5) 		11.6
(52.9) 		8.9
(48.0) 		6.3
(43.3) 		4.2
(39.6) 		8.4
(47.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1.6
(34.9) 		1.5
(34.7) 		2.3
(36.1) 		3.9
(39.0) 		6.1
(43.0) 		8.5
(47.3) 		10.5
(50.9) 		10.4
(50.7) 		8.5
(47.3) 		6.2
(43.2) 		3.8
(38.8) 		1.7
(35.1) 		5.4
(41.8)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 211.2
(8.31) 		158.2
(6.23) 		160.4
(6.31) 		93.9
(3.70) 		79.2
(3.12) 		81.4
(3.20) 		106.7
(4.20) 		129.3
(5.09) 		169.6
(6.68) 		209.2
(8.24) 		209.3
(8.24) 		197.8
(7.79) 		1,806.2
(71.11)
Average rainy days (≥ 1 mm) 21.8 18.5 21.1 14.7 13.8 14.4 16.5 17.6 19.0 23.3 21.9 20.7 223.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours 34.2 61.1 93.0 138.6 195.9 155.9 128.6 115.2 97.5 68.7 37.7 34.0 1,160.4
Source: Met Office[24]

Portree shale

[edit]

Portree shale is a geologic association in the vicinity of Portree, the existence of which is linked with potential petroleum occurrences of commercial importance.[25]

References

[edit]
Boats in the harbour at Portree, Isle of Skye
  1. ^ "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  2. ^ "Portree, Raasay & Central Skye". A Guide. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  3. ^ a b Murray, W.H. (1966) The Hebrides. London. Heinemann. Pages 154-155.
  4. ^ Portree Regeneration (15 September 2007). "Portree". Archived from the original on 17 November 2007.
  5. ^ Isle of Skye Candle Company, Isle of Skye Candle Co. Visitor Centre, accessed 28 April 2024
  6. ^ "ATLAS Arts - bringing art and audiences together in Skye and Lochalsh". Creative Scotland. Creative Scotland. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  7. ^ Haswell-Smith, Hamish. (2004) The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh. Canongate, pages 173-4
  8. ^ Mac an Tàilleir, Iain (2003) Ainmean-àite/Placenames. (pdf) Pàrlamaid na h-Alba. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  9. ^ a b c "Vol 54 (2013): Excavation of post-built roundhouses and a circular ditched enclosure at Kiltaraglen, Portree, Isle of Skye 2006-07 | Scottish Archaeological Internet Reports". journals.socantscot.org. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  10. ^ "Portree" Undiscovered Scotland. Retrieved on 15 September 2007.
  11. ^ BT History 1976
  12. ^ "THE 20 MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN THE UK AND IRELAND, 20 October 2020". Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  13. ^ Year-long economic study finds Skye visitors boosted economy by £211 million pre-lockdown
  14. ^ Tourists generated £211 million for Skye pre-pandemic, finds study, 17 July 2020
  15. ^ "Skye islanders call for help with overcrowding after tourism surge". The Guardian. 9 August 2017. Archived from the original on 17 June 2023.
  16. ^ 15 Tips to Avoid the Crowds on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, 15 July 2020
  17. ^ Exploring Scotland’s majestic Isle of Skye, 13 December 2018
  18. ^ Portree
  19. ^ "Freeview Light on the Penifiler (Highland, Scotland) transmitter". UK Free TV. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  20. ^ "Freeview Light on the Skriaig (Skye) (Highland, Scotland) transmitter". UK Free TV. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  21. ^ "Radio Skye". Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  22. ^ "Skye Camanachd" skyecamanachd.com. Retrieved 26 September 2007.
  23. ^ "Login • Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 17 January 2022. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  24. ^ "Skye: Prabost UK climate averages". Met Office. Archived from the original on 25 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  25. ^ C.Michael Hogan, (2011) Sea of the Hebrides. Eds. P. Saundry & C.J.Cleveland. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC.
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