Ground broken at multi-million pound development for Scotland's third spaceport in North Uist

Ground has been broken in the development of Scotland’s third spaceport site in the Outer Hebrides.

Spaceport 1 will be at Scolpaig Farm in North Uist and is one of three vertical launch sites planned or under way in the Highlands and Islands, along with SaxaVord Spaceport on Unst in Shetland and Sutherland Spaceport in Melness.

Planning consent for the spaceport was granted in 2023, with approval to host up to ten suborbital launches a year. The first lift-off is hoped to take place by Autumn 2025.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, who is leading the project, has secured £947,000 in investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards the £2.6m cost of the enabling works project and is contributing £675,000 from the Comhairle’s 2023-28 Capital Programme.

The work, due for completion by spring 2025, will involve the construction of new and upgraded access tracks, parking, culvert upgrades at Loch Scolpaig, and fibre broadband installation.

Also included is a study into the potential for the future use and conservation of the cultural heritage assets on the site.

The project was met with opposition from locals with more than 1,000 people signing a petition rejecting the plans.

Fishermen also raised concerns after it was announced that nearby fishing grounds would close while launches are under way.

The area is also surrounded by environmental protection sites including bird sanctuaries.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar had previously bought Scolpaig Farm for £1m and is developing it with private military contractor QinetiQ alongside space industry firms Rhea Group and Commercial Space Technologies.

Councillor Paul Steele, leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar said: “Breaking ground at Scolpaig is a considerable milestone for the Comhairle and for Spaceport 1.

“As the UK’s only dedicated commercial sub-orbital launch site, Spaceport 1 will enable end-to-end science, technology and space systems development for the first time on British soil, closing a significant gap in the Space value chain.

“The awarding of the construction contract to a local firm is welcome and will ensure localised benefit throughout this stage of the project.”

Kathleen Stewart, HIE’s Innse Gall area team leader, said: “We’re pleased to be working with the Comhairle to progress the enabling works, which will support the establishment of a sub-orbital launch site.

“This is an innovative project that we expect to generate many social benefits and employment opportunities for the Outer Hebrides.

“This development in North Uist will play an important role in advancing the Scottish and UK space industries while creating high-quality jobs and helping to retain young people and attract more people to live on the islands.”

Spaceport 1 forms part of the Scottish and UK Government funded Islands Growth Deal Programme, a ten-year scheme jointly funded by the three Island Councils and their partners from the public, academic, community and business sectors.