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Plan to convert former church on Raasay into a community shop

News imageCorra The church is a single-storey building with white harled walls. In the foreground is a metal gate between two white pillars and a white and green sign explaining the Raasay Community Stores project.Corra
The Free Presbyterian Church in Inverarish was closed in 2024

Islanders on Raasay are planning to convert a 97-year-old former kirk into a new community shop.

The Community of Raasay Retail Association (Corra) has outgrown its premises in Inverarish and hopes to move its store into a Free Presbyterian church, which closed in 2024.

Plans for the £1.5m project have been submitted to Highland Council.

Work on the church could start in autumn 2027.

Raasay Community Stores serves a community of 190 residents together with tourists who visit the small island off Skye.

Corra's chairwoman Jo Mahler said the shop was a "wonderful place" but had two " major problems".

She said: "The first being there are stairs that lead up to the front door so for accessibility it's not a good thing.

"Also, the shop is quite small and we've outgrown it. We are desperate for space."

News imageCorra Raasay Community Stores is in two converted singe-storey houses. There are steps up to the front entrance. Next to the path leading up to the steps are a table and set of shelves with baskets of flowers for sale.Corra
Corra said the community stores needed more room

If planning permission is granted, the interior of the church would be stripped out.

An extension would be added to provide a meeting space for islanders, particularly in winter when other places where people usually gather are closed.

Grants are to be sought to help cover the cost of the conversion.

Mahler said: "I would just like to say a huge thank you to everybody who is behind us."