About our area

The population of Skye and West Ross in 2004 was estimated at 18,503-an increase of 2% from 2001 and higher than the growth of 0.3% experienced in Scotland.

The public administration, education and health sector is the largest employer in the HIE Skye and Wester Ross (HIE-SWR) area, accounting for 37.1% of the total workforce, 3.8% higher than that for the HIE area. This includes local authority staff and workers at public bodies in the area, for example Sabhal Mor Ostaig.

The second largest employer in the area is the distribution, hotels and restaurants sector. This highlights the high dependence on tourism and the location of key toursit attractions in the area, such as Eilean Donan Castle, Dunvegan Castle, Clan Donald Visitor centre, The Aros Experience, Inverewe Gardens and various distilleries. 

It is estimated that the population is growing with a large increase in the percentage of the population aged 45 to 64 years. The unemployment rate in the area tends to be higher than that for the HIE area, and is highly seasonal, indicating a reliance on the primary sector and tourism for employment. Small firms dominate employment, a larger percentage relative to the HIE area in general