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{{Short description|Town on the Isle of Skye, Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox UK place
| map_type = Skye
| official_name = Portree
| country = Scotland
| os_grid_reference = NG483454
| coordinates = {{coord|57.412|-6.192|display=inline,title}}
| population = {{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Portree}}
| population_ref = ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}})<ref>{{Scottish settlement population citation}}</ref>
| post_town = PORTREE
| postcode_area = IV
| postcode_district = IV51
| edinburgh_distance_mi = 152
| london_distance_mi = 475
| dial_code = 01478
| gaelic_name = Port Rìgh
| 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]]
| unitary_scotland = [[Highland (council area)|Highland]]
| lieutenancy_scotland = [[Ross and Cromarty]]
| website = 
| static_image_name = Portree Isle of Skye - September 2023.jpg
| static_image_caption = Portree Harbour
}}

'''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> 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|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>

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, 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]].

==Etymology==
The current name, ''{{lang|gd|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 ''{{lang|gd|Port Ruighe(adh)}}'', meaning 'slope harbour'.<ref>{{Gaelic Placenames}}</ref>

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==
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>

==Tourism==
[[File:2018 07 15 Schottland (84).jpg|thumb|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.<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|date=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> 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>{{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/ 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|date= May 2004|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|date= May 2004|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 ==
The town plays host to the Isle of Skye's [[shinty]] club, [[Skye Camanachd]].<ref>[http://www.skyecamanachd.com "Skye Camanachd"] skyecamanachd.com. Retrieved 26 September 2007.</ref> They play at [[Pairc nan Laoch]] above the town on the road to [[Struan, Skye|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]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Login • Instagram|url=https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/|access-date=2022-01-17|website=www.instagram.com}}</ref>

==Climate==

Like most of the [[British Isles]], Portree has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cfb''). The nearest weather station to Portree is located at Prabost, approximately {{convert|5+1/2|mi|km|0}} north-west of Portree.

{{Weather box
| width   = auto
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| location = Prabost ({{convert|67|m|ft|0|disp=or}} asl, averages 1981-2010)
| Jan high C = 6.4
| Feb high C = 6.8
| Mar high C = 8.2
| Apr high C = 10.8
| May high C = 13.9
| Jun high C = 15.5
| Jul high C = 16.8
| Aug high C = 16.8
| Sep high C = 14.7
| Oct high C = 11.7
| Nov high C = 8.7
| Dec high C = 6.7

| 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
| Feb low C = 1.5
| Mar low C = 2.3
| Apr low C = 3.9
| May low C = 6.1
| Jun low C = 8.5
| Jul low C = 10.5
| Aug low C = 10.4
| Sep low C = 8.5
| Oct low C = 6.2
| Nov low C = 3.8
| Dec low C = 1.7
| year low C = 
| Jan rain mm = 211.2
| Feb rain mm = 158.2
| Mar rain mm = 160.4
| Apr rain mm = 93.9
| May rain mm = 79.2
| Jun rain mm = 81.4
| Jul rain mm = 106.7
| Aug rain mm = 129.3
| Sep rain mm = 169.6
| Oct rain mm = 209.2
| Nov rain mm = 209.3
| Dec rain mm = 197.8
| rain colour = green 
| unit rain days = 1 mm
| Jan rain days = 21.8
| Feb rain days = 18.5
| Mar rain days = 21.1
| Apr rain days = 14.7
| May rain days = 13.8
| Jun rain days = 14.4
| Jul rain days = 16.5
| Aug rain days = 17.6
| Sep rain days = 19.0
| Oct rain days = 23.3
| Nov rain days = 21.9
| Dec rain days = 20.7
| year rain days = 
| Jan sun = 34.2
| Feb sun = 61.1
| Mar sun = 93.0
| Apr sun = 138.6
| May sun = 195.9
| Jun sun = 155.9
| Jul sun = 128.6
| Aug sun = 115.2
| Sep sun = 97.5
| Oct sun = 68.7
| Nov sun = 37.7
| Dec sun = 34.0
| year sun = 
| source = [[Met Office]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gf5wbt9v5 |title=Skye: Prabost UK climate averages |publisher=Met Office |access-date=25 January 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200125093910/https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gf5wbt9v5 |archive-date=25 January 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

==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>

==References==
[[File:Harbour at Portree.jpg|thumb|Boats in the harbour at Portree, Isle of Skye]]
{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Portree}}
{{Skye}}

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[[Category:Portree| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Highland (council area)]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Isle of Skye]]
[[Category:Fishing communities in Scotland]]
[[Category:Geological type localities]]
[[Category:Parishes in Skye]]
[[Category:Parishes in Inverness-shire]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Scotland]]