Funding award to Canna community visitor hub
A major project to create a new visitor hub on the island of Canna in Lochaber has secured a £20,000 contribution from HIE.
Cnoc Soilleir is an innovative joint venture between Lews Castle College UHI and Ceòlas Uibhist and will establish a new building for education, Gaelic language and the arts.
The facility in Daliburgh is expected to create around 40 jobs and infrastructure work is to commence this summer.
The centre will promote and celebrate the Gaelic cultural heritage of the island by providing unique learning opportunities and by hosting events and performances.
Rachel Mackenzie, area manager from HIE, said: “We are working with Cnoc Soilleir in their ambitious project to create a centre for excellence for Gaelic music, dance and cultural heritage. This is an exciting project that we are delighted to support with a grant award of £1.1m. The project will create a dedicated centre in Uist providing benefits for both visitors and residents as well as offering a place of learning and development.
“The project will bring many opportunities including new jobs, more visitors, and will transform an area rich in cultural heritage and provide a new asset for the community.”
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has also secured government funding for this major project.
It attracted more than £2.1m from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) for Phase 1 of the Cnoc Soilleir project.
Councillor Donald Crichton, Chairman of the Comhairle’s Sustainable Development Committee said: “The Comhairle welcomes this investment. The funding will help deliver an excellent project that create innovative learning, cultural engagement and enrichment of the Gaelic language and cater for sustainable employment and many other benefits for the respective local communities.”
The new centre will bring an area of currently vacant, community-owned land into productive economic use, and will provide an attractive environment for the community, visitors and students alike.
The area is recognised as a key community for the revitalisation of the Gaelic language in Scotland, and Cnoc Soilleir has a significant role in leading this development. The project will establish a new state-of-the art modern building for Gaelic and cultural heritage in South Uist, including music, dance and education.
Related Articles
Work starts on new business units in Benbecula
HIE has appointed Benbecula company D Macdonald (Building Contractors) Ltd to create seven new units at Eabhal. Business Park
Contract awarded for Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray
A £1.3m contract has been awarded for the refurbishment of a building on Enterprise Park Forres to create the new Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM).
Funding boost for new Isle of Mull recording studio
The project is forecast to generate more than £340,000 turnover in the next three years and create three jobs within five years.
New fund announced to support growth in life sciences sector
The funding can help cover the costs of equipment, new technology or fixtures and fittings, or to construct, adapt or upgrade business premises or other infrastructure.
John O’Groats marks 15 years of ‘remarkable’ transformation
The transformation at John O’Groats has attracted millions of pounds in investment through private, public and community-led initiatives.
‘Unplugged in Stornoway’ event aims to drive tech entrepreneurship
People interested in developing and applying their ideas on the use of technology to start or grow a business can attend in person or online.
£2.1m HIE investment announced for Gaelic cultural centre in South Uist
A 200-seater auditorium specifically designed for music and performance is to be built in South Uist.
£250k boost for new whisky distillery in Caithness
The HIE funding will help meet the costs of plant and equipment and help lever in significant private sector investment to the project.
50 plus jobs supported by HIE in Caithness and Sutherland in 2023/24
As a result of HIE’s support, businesses in the area are set to see combined turnover rise by £22.4m, while international sales will grow by £661,000.