Once known as Kiltaraglen, it became Port an Righ (King’s harbour) after James V visited the island in 1540. Today, Portree is the island’s administrative centre, including a selection of local shops, a supermarket, banks, hotels, a small hospital and an eclectic choice of cafés, restaurants and pubs.
The island’s only secondary school is in the town (which incorporates the Public Library and a first class swimming pool, also open to the public) and there is a new campus of the West Highland College (UHI). The island’s Lifeboat operates out of the town’s harbour.