Community groups benefit from SLF awards

Nine community projects in the Highlands and Islands are among eleven in Scotland to benefit from the latest round of Scottish Land Fund (SLF) approvals.

The SLF is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

The latest round of SLF approvals across Scotland, announced this week, during Community Land Week, total £1,968,921.

Plockton & District Community Trust received £90,459 to acquire the Old Post Office in Plockton, Lochalsh. The group will continue to provide community services while developing the building as a multi-use community space.

Alasdair Mackenzie, Vice Chairman, Plockton & District Community Trust, said: “We are delighted to secure SLF support to bring this much-loved building in the heart of our village into community ownership. We're a new organisation and this is our first asset, so it's a real boost for us. There has been informal use of the building for over 20yrs, but this purchase safeguards it for the community. We can now press on with our plans to improve the fabric of the building. Without SLF support none of this would be possible.

The Grantown Society in Grantown-On-Spey was awarded £118,663 to allow them to purchase the former SSE Hydro building in the town and turn it into a multi-use resource hub and visitors’ centre.

Bill Sadler, Chairman, The Grantown Society, said: “Grantown’s No 2 High Street, latterly SSE Hydro Shop, which has lain empty for over seven years, was once a thriving grocer’s shop, situated on what became known as ‘Rimmington’s Corner’- a favourite meeting place for locals. Now, with thanks to the SLF, we can bring it back to life as a warm and welcoming community resource hub with rentable ‘pop-up’ retail space, community information, an ATM and gigabit Wifi with available desk space.”

Broadford and Strath Community Company will use their £95,700 award to purchase a commercial unit located in Broadford, Isle of Skye. The group will use this space to provide a multi-use office, workshop and exhibition space which will be used by local businesses and community groups.

Sunart Community Company received £241,782 to purchase Longrigg Wood (87.6ha) in Strontian, West Lochaber to improve the social, economic, and environmental health and wellbeing of the area.

Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action Forum will acquire The Shieling café and restaurant in Gairloch, Wester Ross after getting £337,724 from SLF for the project. The building will allow GALE to expand on the services they currently offer and will be developed into a community hub.  

Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston Community Company was awarded £104,820 to acquire Glentarff House, Canalside South, Fort Augustus. They will then carry out a refurbishment and reconfiguration, creating affordable housing units.

Two projects in Orkney are being supported. Hoy Youth Hub will use their award of £93,802 to acquire St Columba’s Church in Longhope, Hoy. The building will be developed into a Youth Hub, which will provide the islands only dedicated space for young people. The asset will also be used as a community space for various groups to use. Friends of Sanday Kirk Ltd’s award of £83,730 will enable them to purchase the Cross Kirk in Sanday. The group will use the building as a multi-use community facility to provide a range of community support activities and services which focus on wellbeing, arts and a community meeting space. 

Whalsay Kirk Development Company received £81,265. They will acquire Whalsay Kirk, in Shetland with the intention of repurposing the vacant building as a multi-purpose space that will include a visitor centre, art and crafts exhibition space with options for workshops, events and pop-up shops.

Douglas Cowan, director of communities and place at HIE, said: “These successful projects are all great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities. All these projects announced today will help to deliver local community priorities. Ownership will give them greater control over important assets that will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come. We wish all the successful community organisations the very best in their new ventures.”

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary, Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, said: “Many people and community organisations know exactly what their local areas need but may lack the funding to make their visions a reality. This is why the Scottish Land Fund is so important. It allows community groups to realise their goals and unlock the full power of community actions. It is a prime example of our plans to ensure that Scotland’s land is used in a way that benefits everyone. I want to congratulate the latest recipients. I know that their projects will prove hugely beneficial to their respective communities. I also want to encourage any other organisations who may be eligible to apply to the Scottish Land Fund.”

Cara Gillespie, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said: “The groups receiving funding today have all clearly identified opportunities to help their locality to thrive. By establishing new or securing existing shops, work spaces, social hubs and leisure facilities they are helping their communities become more cohesive and sustainable places to live.”

Other groups receiving funding in Scotland are:

Resonate Together Carsebridge Cultural Campus, which was awarded £295,822 to acquire The Ochil & Harvey House buildings on the Carsebridge site, in Alloa, Clackmannanshire and renovate as a community hub with a community garden and café, providing space to socialise, learn new skills and volunteer.

Great Western Community Trust in Aberdeen has received £425,154 to purchase Holburn West Church and manage it as a community venue that will host a wide range of groups and activities.

Buidhnean coimhearsnachd a’ faotainn buannachd bho dhuaisean SLF

Tha naoi pròiseactan coimhearsnachd anns a’ Ghàidhealtachd ’s na h-Eileanan am measg 11 ann an Alba a tha air buannachd fhaotainn bhon chuairt mu dheireadh de dh’aontaidhean Maoin Fearainn na h-Alba (SLF).

Tha an SLF maoinichte le Riaghaltas na h-Alba agus air a lìbhrigeadh ann an com-pàirteachas le Maoin Coimhearsnachd a’ Chrannachuir Nàiseanta agus Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean (HIE).

Tha a’ chuairt as ùire de dh’aontaidhean SLF air feadh Alba, air ainmeachadh an t-seachdain-sa, a’ tighinn gu £1,968,921 gu h-iomlan.

Fhuair Urras Coimhearsnachd is Sgìre a’ Phluic £90,459 gus seann oifis a’ phuist ann am Ploc Loch Aillse a cheannach. Leanaidh am buidheann a’ solarachadh sheirbheisean coimhearsnachd fhad ’s a thathar a’ leasachadh an togalaich gu bhith na àite coimhearsnachd airson iomadh chleachdadh.

Thuirt Alasdair MacCoinnich, Iar-Chathraiche, Urras Coimhearsnachd is Sgìre a’ Phluic: “Tha sinn air leth toilichte taic fhaotainn bho SLF gus an togalach seo air bheil mòr-mheas aig cridhe a’ bhaile a thoirt a-steach gu seilbh na coimhearsnachd. ’S e buidheann ùr a th’ annainn agus is e seo a’ chiad mhaoin againn, mar sin tha e na thogail mòr dhuinn. Tha an togalach air a bhith ga chleachdadh ann an dòigh neo-fhoirmeil thar nam 20 bliadhna a dh’fhalbh, ach tha ceannach air ga dhìon don choimhearsnachd. Faodaidh sinn a-nis a dhol air adhart le ar planaichean gus bun-structar an toglaich a leasachadh. Às aonais taic bho SLF, cha ghabhadh seo a dhèanamh.

Chaidh £118,663 a bhuileachadh do Chomann a’ Bhaile Ùir ann am Baile nan Granndach gus ceadachadh dhaibh an togalach a bha aig SSE Haidreo sa bhaile a cheannach agus a thionndadh gu bhith na mhòr-ionad goireis ioma-chleachdaidh agus ionad luchd-tadhail.

Thuirt Bill Sadler, Cathraiche, Comann Baile nan Granndach: “Bha Àireamh 2 air Sràid Àrd Bhaile nan Granndach, na bhùth SSE Haidreo mu dheireadh, a tha air laighe falamh airson còrr air seachd bliadhna, agus a bha uaireigin na bhùth bùidseir glè shoirbheachail, suidhichte air àite a bha aithnichte mar ‘Oisean Rimmington’- àite coinneachaidh àbhaisteach don t-sluagh ionadail. A-nis, taing don SLF, faodaidh sinn a thoirt beò a-rithist mar ionad goireis coimhearsnachd blàth agus fàilteach, le farsaingeachd ‘sealach’ airson a leigeil air màl, fiosrachadh coimhearsnachd, ATM agus gigabit Wifi le àite do dheasgaichean.”

Cleachdaidh Companaidh an Àtha Leathainn is an t-Srath an duais de £95,700 gus aonad coimearsalta stèidhichte anns an Àth Leathann san Eilean Sgitheanach a cheannach. Cleachdaidh am buidheann an làrach seo mar oifis, bùth-obrach agus àite taisbeanaidh ioma-chleachdaidh a thèid a chleachdadh le gnothachasan ionadail agus buidhnean coimhearsnachd.

Fhuair Companaidh Coimhearsnachd Shuaineirt £241,782 airson Coille an Iomaire Fhada (87.6ha) ann an Sròn an t-Sìthein ann an Loch Abar an Iar a cheannach, gus slàinte is sunnd sòisealta, eaconamach is àrainneachdail na sgìre a leasachadh.

Ceannaichidh Fòram Gheàrrloich is Loch Iùbha cafaidh agus taigh-bìdh An Shieling ann an Geàrrloch ann an Taobh Siar Rois an dèidh £337,724 fhaotainn bho SLF airson a’ phròiseict. Ceadaichidh an togalach do GALE na seirbheisean a tha iad gu làithreach a’ tabhann, a leudachadh agus thèid a leasachadh gu bhith na mhòr-ionad coimhearsnachd.

Chaidh £104,820 a thoirt do Chompanaidh Coimhearsnachd Chille Chuimein agus Gleann Moireasdan airson Taigh Ghleann Moireasdan, Taobh Deas a’ Chanàil, Chille Chuimein fhaighinn. Nì iad an uair sin ath-sgeadachadh agus ath-dhealbhadh, a cruthachadh aonadan taigheadais aig prìs reusanta.

Tha dà phròiseact ann an Arcaibh a’ faotainn taic. Cleachdaidh Club Òigridh Hoy an duais de  £93,802 gus Eaglais an Naoimh Chaluim Chille ann an Longhope ann an Hoy a cheannach. Thèid an togalach a leasachadh na Mhòr-Ionad Òigridh a bhios mar an aon làrach a-mhàin a tha a dh’aon ghnothaich do dhaoine òga sna h-eileanan. Bidh a’ mhaoin seo air a cleachdadh cuideachd mar làrach coimhearsnachd do dhiofar bhuidhnean a chleachdadh. Bheir an duais de £83,730 do Charaidean Eaglais Shanndaigh Earranta comas dhaibh Eaglais na Croise ann an Sanndaigh a cheannach. Cleachdaidh am buidheann an togalach mar ghoireas coimhearsnachd ioma-chleachdaidh gus raon de ghnìomhachdan taic coimhearsnachd a sholarachadh còmhla ri seirbheisean a tha a’ cuimseachadh air sunnd, ealain agus ionad choinneamhan coimhearsnachd.

Fhuair Companaidh Leasachaidh Eaglais Whalsay £81,265 airson Whalsay Kirk a shealbhachadh ann an Sealtainn leis an rùn an togalach falamh ath-shuidheachadh mar àite ioma-adhbhar a bheir a-steach ionad uchd-tadhail, àite taisbeanaidh ealain is ciùird le roghainnean airson bùthan-obrach, tachartasan agus bùthan pop-up.

Thuirt Douglas Cowan aig HIE: “Tha na pròiseactan soirbheachail a chaidh ainmeachadh an-diugh air feadh Alba nan eisimpleirean math de dhaoine a’ gabhail smachd air goireasan ionadail airson buannachd fad-amail an coimhearsnachdan.

“Cuidichidh na pròiseactan sin uile a chaidh ainmeachadh an-diugh le àireamh-sluaigh a ghlèidheadh, luchd-tadhail a thàladh agus obraichean a chruthachadh. Bheir seilbheachd barrachd smachd do bhuidhnean coimhearsnachd air maoinean cudromach a choisinneas duaisean do dhaoine aig an àm seo fhèin agus airson ginealaichean ri teachd. Tha sinn a’ guidhe gach soirbheachadh do na buidhnean nan iomairtean ùra.”

Thuirt Màiri Gougeon, Rùnaire Caibineit, Cùisean Dùthchail, Ath-leasachadh Fearainn agus Eileanan: "Tha fios aig tòrr dhaoine agus bhuidhnean coimhearsnachd dè dìreach a tha a dhìth air na sgìrean ionadail aca ach dh’fhaodadh nach eil maoineachadh aca gus na seallaidhean aca a thoirt gu buil. Sin as coireach gu bheil Maoin Fearainn na h-Alba cho fìor. Tha e a’ leigeil le buidhnean coimhearsnachd na h-amasan aca a thoirt gu buil agus làn chumhachd ghnìomhan coimhearsnachd fhuasgladh.

Tha e na phrìomh eisimpleir de na planaichean againn gus dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil fearann na h-Alba air a chleachdadh ann an dòigh a tha buannachdail don h-uile duine. Tha mi airson meal-a-naidheachd a chuir air a h-uile duine. Tha fios agam gum bi na pròiseactan aca gu math buannachdail dha na coimhearsnachdan aca fhèin. Tha mi cuideachd airson buidhnean sam bith eile a bhrosnachadh a dh’ fhaodadh tagradh a dhèanamh gu Maoin Fearainn na h-Alba.”

Thuirt Cara NicGill’Easbaig, Cathraiche Comataidh Maoin Fearainn na h-Alba: “Tha na buidhnean a fhuair maoineachadh an-diugh air cothroman a chomharrachadh gu soilleir airson cuideachadh le an coimhearsnachd a bhith soirbheachail. Le bhith a’ stèidheachadh agus a’ faotainn bhùithean, làraichean obrach, mòr-ionadan sòisealta agus goireasan chur-seachadan ùra, tha iad a’ cuideachadh an coimhearsnachdan gu bhith nan àiteachan nas co-cheangailte agus nas seasmhaiche a bhith a’ còmhnaidh annta.”

Is iad buidhnean eile anna n Alba a fhuair maoineachadh:

Campas Cultarach Resonate Together Carsebridge, a fhuair £295,822 gus plotaichean Ochail is Taigh Harvey fhaotainn air làrach Carsebridge ann an Allamhagh ann an Siorrachd Chlach Mhannan, agus ath-ùrachadh mar mhòr-ionad coimhearsnachd le lios coimhearsnachd is cafaidh, a’ solarachadh àite airson tachartasan sòisealta, sgilean ùra ionnsachadh agus obair shaor-thoileach.  

Fhuair Urras Coimhearsnachd an Iar ann an Obar Dheathain £425,142 gus Eaglais an Iar Holburn a cheannach agus a stiùireadh mar ionad coimhearsnachd a bheir aoigheachd do raon fharsaing de bhuidhnean is ghnìomhachdan.