BY DANIEL CULLEN
Two enterprising young Skye residents have turned their passion into a successful business after launching Skye Auto Detail, a new car valeting and detailing service in Portree.
Founded earlier this year by recent Portree High School leavers Theo Scott and Finlay Wilson, the business has already proved popular with customers across the island, with demand keeping the pair fully booked since opening.
The Free Press spoke to the young entrepreneurs about how the business came about, with Theo Scott explaining: “Our business, Skye Auto Detail, is a local car valeting shop based in Portree. We do interior and exterior valeting and also headlight restoration.”
Finlay Wilson added that the pair wanted to take a different path while they were still at school.
“When we started the business we were pupils at Portree High School who didn’t want to go down the conventional route of kitchen work with late nights and long shifts”, he said, “so we had a think about where we could use our skills and interests and Skye Auto Detail came off the back of that – and we haven’t looked back since.”
Theo revealed the idea had first been discussed some time before it became reality.
“Finlay had mentioned to me the previous summer that he was thinking about doing it, but he never ended up going ahead with it at the time. So in November of 2025 I suggested that both me and him should have a go at it, and then it all took off from there.”
Since launching, the response from the local community has exceeded their expectations.
Finlay said: “The response has been incredible and we have been booked out since we started. We also like to try and say thank you to the community, so we do ‘community cleans’ once a month. So far we have valeted the Am Fasgadh van and Young Carers mini bus. If you have a charity that you would like to nominate for a community clean please send us a message on Facebook, we would love your suggestions!”
Although both have now finished school, the future remains bright for the business.
Theo joked: “Me and Finlay both finished school this year (finally!) Then I am away to university in October, but Finlay could be staying on Skye for a bit longer.
“We really want to say a big thank you to the community from the bottom of our hearts for the amazing response thus far. We look forward to continuing to bring you the Skye Auto Detail treatment.”
