Number of parking fines issued on Skye doubles in five years

The number of parking fines issued on the Isle of Skye have more than doubled over the last five years, figures show.

Highland Council added that a “significant proportion” of fines handed out were likely to have been issued to tourists.

Figures released by the local authority show the number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued on Skye totalled 7,011 in 2024 – more than double the 2,784 issued in 2020.

Last year, the local authority issued fines worth £1.3m across the entire region, with 67% of those issued paid to date.

A separate parking income report from Isle of Skye and Raasay committee on June 30 said fines worth £428,750 were issued in the area between April 2024 and March 2025.

It added that the average cash recovery from PCNs was around 70%, while arrangements made through debt collection could mean payments are made several years after the initial fine was issued.

Figures show the highest amount of fines were handed out at Bayfield (West) car park in Portree, with 1,346 issued between April 2024 and March 2025.

The was followed by Somerled Square car park, also in Portree, and Storr car park.

Hundreds of fines were also issued at popular beauty spots like the Fairy Pools and The Quairing.

The council said the increase in PCNs issued followed a rise in the number of parking enforcement officers cracking down on rule breakers as well as more parking and no waiting restrictions.

Highland Council began recording the number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) in 2016, when just 2,300 fines were issued.

The figure rose to 9,909 in 2020 and more than doubled to 19,665 in 2024.

A Highland Council spokesperson said: “There are a number of factors that have contributed to the increase of PCNs issued on Skye over the last five years which include an increase in the regulated parking areas, an increase in parking restrictions and no waiting restrictions in key locations to prevent routes being obstructed and an increase in the number of Parking Enforcement Officers.

“A number of areas that generate high PCN numbers are around key visitor locations, and it is likely that a significant proportion of the PCNs issued on Skye are to visitors at these locations.

“Parking rule breaking is a concern and the seriousness of this can depend on the area and frequency. In many areas, it can cause safety issues, block traffic, and create challenging situations for pedestrians and drivers. The public can report parking issues at www.highland.gov.uk/report.”