Muirhall Energy donates more than £16,000 to support Skye communities

Independent Scottish renewable energy developer Muirhall Energy has kicked off 2026 with their first round of development stage funding, awarding over £16,000 to community groups in Skye - supporting their initiatives to improve community wellbeing and deliver vital services.

Forming part of Muirhall Energy's wider commitment to the communities surrounding its projects, the funding awards are distributed to groups working to enhance their local area. With an annual budget of around £100,000 there are opportunities for community groups of all kinds to apply for awards from £500 to £5,000 to deliver initiatives in their area that bring about lasting positive change.

Over £20,000 was awarded as part of the first round of funding, with £16,295 going to groups on the Isle of Skye, where the company’s Glen Ullinish II Wind Farm is being developed.

Among the funded projects is Fèis an Earraich, a Gaelic arts tuition organisation. Commenting on the award, Sheena Amos, Fèisean nan Gàidheal Development Officer said:

“Fèis an Earraich are very grateful to Muirhall Energy for the funding we received this year which meant we could offer a wide variety of music and arts classes to over 150 young people who attended our Easter Fèis. Each year we see an increase in our running costs which we do not want to pass on to families and it is thanks to Muirhall Energy, and our other funders, that we can keep the Fèis affordable. Mìle taing dhuibh!”

Siobhan Jarvie, Communities Lead at Muirhall Energy, said:

“Supporting and engaging with the communities closest to our developments is central to everything we do. This funding provides essential backing to local groups, helping to sustain services and initiatives that matter most to people living in the area, and for the young people attending the Easter Fèis, a chance to celebrate their Gaelic culture and music.

“Funding streams are all too often oversubscribed and we know that there are many groups seeking support. This quarter there were many well deserving applications from groups near Glen Ullinish II and every one of them was carefully considered by our team. We can’t wait to hear all about the impact they make.”

The Q1 2026 funding awards made by Muirhall Energy include:

• Portee & Braes Development Trust  - £500. Supporting the provision of a temporary ice rink in Portree Community Centre
• Police Scotland, Portree - £1,595. Funding 20 safeguarding kits for vulnerable residents in Skye. 
• Staffin Primary School - £4,500. Funding pupil transport to enable them to attend swimming lessons, a lifesaving skill for this coastal community in Skye.
• Fèis an Earraich - Gaelic arts tuition - £5,000. Subsidising the annual Fèis Easter week, delivering classes in Gaelic music, art, drama and singing and dance. Keeping costs from rising for pupils. 
• RNLI - £4,200. Funding of lifeboat volunteer training in Portree and Kyle of Lochalsh. 
• Struan History Group - £500. Towards community gathering to meet up, remember and celebrate Struan's past using photo displays.

Muirhall Energy welcomes funding applications from community groups close to its renewable energy proposals and meets quarterly to award grants. They are currently reviewing the second round of applications received and will hold another two funding rounds later this year. Application deadlines will be posted on the Community Funding page of the website. Application forms are available online at: www.muirhallenergy.co.uk/what-we-do/community-funding/enquiry