Community buy-out bid for Oakbank Hotel in Sandbank near Dunoon gets SLF funding boost
Campaigners in Sandbank, Argyll, are celebrating after being awarded a grant to fund a community buy-out of their local pub, the Oakbank Hotel.
The total amount of £147,411 awarded to the Oakbank Community Inn Sandbank (OCIS) group by the Scottish Land Fund (SLF) will finance the purchase of the pub with an additional fundraising campaign through a share scheme to cover the costs of renovation work.
The 150-year-old landmark, located at a gateway to the southern Highlands on the banks of Holy Loch, has been closed for almost two years.
Sue McKillop of OCIS commented: “This has been a challenging 18-month long odyssey. We are all delighted by the outcome and very grateful to SLF for the award and to current owner Greg Devine for his support and patience throughout.
“The SLF award will fund 95% of the asking price as well as provide money for a part-time development worker for a year and essential repair and conveyancing fees. In this current financial climate we are very fortunate to have been successful in being awarded this amount.
“We have had our knockbacks since getting together to try to save the venue and it’s great news for the community of Sandbank that we have our pub back.
“Now the hard work starts! We will be launching a share scheme very shortly. The money that is raised from the sale of shares will be used for the 5% shortfall in the asking price and will allow us to carry out the essential work needed before we open in 2025 as Oakbank Community Inn Sandbank.
“With the land opposite the pub recently purchased by Scenic Sandbank to create a community garden, we will have the ability to reduce ‘food miles’ into food metres through the supply of locally grown produce.
“We have lost so many fantastic venues in this area in recent years. Hopefully our success will encourage and inspire other communities to pull together and save their local hostelries and other assets.
“The Oakbank Inn is more than a pub, it’s a community hub,” added Sue.
The SLF is a funding programme delivered by the National Lottery Community Fund that supports urban and rural communities to become more resilient and sustainable through the ownership and management of land and land assets.
A grade A listed octagonal church in Renfrewshire is set to be bought by the local community following a £233,300 grant from the Scottish Land Fund.
Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust will purchase the former Lochwinnoch Parish Church and develop it as a community hub, with space for a range of services and activities.
The grant is amongst eight, totalling £829,692, that have been announced during this year’s Community Land Festival, which celebrates community landowners and their achievements, and runs until Sunday, 3 November.
Other groups receiving funding to pursue their community ownership ambitions include Glen Urquhart Rural Community Association SCIO, which has been awarded £217,340 to purchase a piece of land in Drumnadrochit, Inverness in order to develop a community sports, health and wellbeing hub and Sanday Development Trust, which has been given £98,098 to acquire a three-bedroom detached bungalow on the island of Sanday, Orkney. The house will be used to provide affordable rented accommodation for the community, primarily aimed at key workers.
The Scottish Land Fund reopened to applications in April 2021. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, both of which have extensive experience of helping communities to acquire and develop their assets for over a decade.
Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary, Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, said: “The Scottish Land Fund gives people an important say in the way that assets in their communities are run and used.
“The variety in the recipients in this round is really encouraging and I would like to congratulate all the groups behind the projects and wish them all the best as they take these forward.”
Cara Gillespie, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said: “These awards will provide groups across the country with the resources to acquire and develop assets that they themselves have identified as important, helping to strengthen and empower communities”.
Sandra Holmes, head of community assets at HIE, said: “The successful projects announced today across Scotland have all identified opportunities to help their local area to thrive and are great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities.
“Through the purchase of land and properties including a parish church and a memorial hall, groups will be in a position to deliver economic, social and environmental benefits to the community.
“Ownership will give them greater control over important assets that will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come.”
Diarmid Harris, Chair, Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust (LCDT) said: “The award from the Scottish Land Fund will allow us to acquire the Lochwinnoch Parish Church, a beloved, iconic building in the heart of Lochwinnoch.
“The power of community ownership of our own cultural heritage, symbolised by the restoration and refurbishment of this building, will be a catalyst for local innovation, creativity and economic development in our village.
“LCDT believes that the revitalisation of this building will have a significant impact on Lochwinnoch for generations to come.”
Susan Griffin, Chair, Glenurquhart Rural Community Association,said: “This award will allow us to purchase the Old Shop in Drumnadrochit, which has lain derelict for a number of years.
“Working with the Glen Urquhart Shinty Club and the Glen Urquhart Football Club, this will allow us to move ahead with our plans to develop a sports focussed health and wellbeing centre with enhanced changing facilities.
“A fitness suite and range of treatment rooms for use by our growing community are also planned, reducing the need for our residents to travel a 30 mile round trip to access such facilities.”
And Clive Struver, Chair, Sanday Development Trust,said: “Sanday Development Trust is immensely grateful for the funding awarded by the Scottish Land Fund towards the purchase of Viggie House, which will help provide the additional low-cost, affordable rental provision that Sanday desperately needs.
“We look forward to Viggie becoming a new home for a family or those with the essential skills that Sanday requires to survive. Affordable housing is essential, particularly in remote rural communities where it is very difficult to attract professionals and those with a trade.
“We still have a long way to go but Viggie is a very important part of achieving a sustainable population on the island. We also thank the Sanday community for their engagement and support of this acquisition.”
Other groups receiving funding are:
Westray Development Trust Awards – £83,128 and £37,838
Westray Community Development Trust (WDT) will use its grant of £83,128 to purchase a property on the outskirts of Pierowall for a phased affordable housing project. The building comes with several outbuildings and five acres of land. With a second grant of £37,838 the group will purchase a further property on the edge of Pierowall. The space is in poor condition and being used for storage, the group proposes to demolish it and build a multi-functional community space. Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Company Award – £44,800
Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Company (FAGCC) will acquire the Memorial Hall building in Canalside, Fort Augustus. The group will develop it into a warm, welcoming, accessible community space and an office providing shared workspace. Sunart Community CompanyAward – £61,188
Sunart Community Company will acquire Strontian Parish Church in Strontian for future transformation into a modern heritage centre. This will benefit the community by enhancing learning, providing an additional community meeting place and attracting visitors to the area. North Sutherland Community Forest TrustAward – £54,000
North Sutherland Community Forest Trust is seeking to acquire the site of Rosal clearance village. The group aims to preserve, interpret and promote the historic site for community benefit.
Gracemount Mansion Development Trust has been given £167,340 to buy Gracemount Mansion in the south of Edinburgh in order to redevelop and reopen the asset as a community hub.
The grant is amongst 11 totalling £1,833,622 that have been given to communities across the country in the latest round of awards by the Scottish Land Fund.
The Scottish Land Fund reopened to applications in April 2021. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), both of which have extensive experience of helping communities to acquire and develop their assets for over a decade.
Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary, Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, said: “Over one million people across Scotland now live in communities where assets have been acquired with funding from the Scottish Land Fund. This is a remarkable milestone and displays just how large an impact the Fund has had on communities across Scotland.
“Community ownership is an effective way to revitalise local areas and improve the lives of residents . The latest recipients are no exception and I know that their projects will bring countless benefits to their communities.
“I’d like to congratulate the groups involved and I look forward to seeing their projects, and their communities flourish as a result.”
Lindsay Aitken, Chair, Gracemount Mansion Development Trust,said: “We are delighted to have been awarded funding from the Scottish Land Fund. The funds awarded will enable GMDT to purchase Gracemount House and surrounding grounds from the City of Edinburgh Council, as well as a significant contribution towards the essential works required to partially reopen Gracemount Mansion as a community hub in 2025.
“With further funding, the full reopening of Gracemount House will bring back a much needed and desired facility and resource for the community and beyond.
“We must say a huge thanks to the Project team who have progressed the project, GMDT charity Trustees and Members, Friends of the Mansion, the local community, stakeholders, CEC, and of course to the SLF and National Lottery for the funding.”
Cara Gillespie, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said: “Like all the groups that have been successful in this round of funding, Gracemount Mansion Development Trust will use their awards to make purchases that will directly improve the lives of people in their community.
“Targeted funding such as this gets right to the heart of local issues.”
And Sandra Holmes, Head of Community Assets at HIE, said: “The successful projects announced today across Scotland are all great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities.
“Through the purchase of land and properties including a community hall and a former church, groups will be in a position to deliver economic, social and environmental benefits to the community. These latest awards will further strengthen the sense of community and empowerment.”
“All these projects announced today will help retain the population, attract visitors and create jobs. Ownership will give the community groups greater control over important assets that will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come. We wish all the successful groups the very best in their new ventures.”
Other groups receiving funding are:
Wigtown and Bladnoch Community Initiative
Award – £88,474
Wigtown and Bladnoch Community Initiative (WBCI) will acquire a former Church Hall in Wigtown. The acquisition will bring social benefits by providing space for meetings, classes and skill sharing workshops, as well as exercise, entertainment, and health & wellbeing activities. Alongside the social benefits, opportunities for digital access will also enable employment and enterprise skills.
Tighnabruaich District Development Trust
Award – £61,443
Tighnabruaich District Development Trust (TDDT) will purchase 2 retail units in Tighnabruaich, Argyll and Bute. The group will continue to use one of the units as the location for their heritage centre and will rent out the second unit.
Cockenzie House and Garden
Award – £227,400
Cockenzie House and Gardens will acquire the Cockenzie & Port Seton Old Parish Church and Hall, in East Lothian, and will use the asset as a community hub, offering community space for groups to meet, social activities, pop-up hospitality and childcare provision.
Dunvegan Community Trust SCIO
Award – £361,096
Dunvegan Development Trust will acquire a building known locally as the ‘Gaeltec Building’ in Dunvegan, Syke from a private business. The group will develop the asset into an energy efficient, multi-use commercial and community hub that includes office space, a gym and childcare facilities to address a range of community needs in a remote, rural community.
Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre Development Trust
Award – £267,948
Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre Development Trust will purchase the Taversoe Hotel on Rousay, Orkney. The hotel is the only current hospitality venue on all three islands. The group will operate the asset as a hotel, pub,
restaurant and community space. This asset will serve as a year-round gathering place for the community that will assist in combating rural isolation.
Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre Development Trust
Award – £262,188
Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre Development Trust will purchase a Manse in Rousay,Orkney from the Church of Scotland. They group will convert and renovate the asset into up to 3 separate housing units that will be used for affordable rent.
Toryglen Community Hall
Award – £171,272
Toryglen Community Hall (TCH) will acquire the building in Glasgow that they’ve occupied for 35 years. Community ownership will provide security enabling TCH to improve and extend the building thus, continuing to provide activities aimed at a range of groups.
Bailliefields Community Hub SCIO
Award – £27,500
Bailliefields Community Hub will purchase a small area of land adjacent to the boundary of their existing Community Hub. Acquisition will allow the group to extend existing walking/cycling routes and increase local walking access with a focus on active travel.
Raasay Development Trust
Award – £99,961
Raasay Development Trust will acquire an empty 2-bedroom house in Inverarish on the Isle of Raasay. The group will renovate the house to create affordable rented accommodation for the community.
North Yell Development Council
Award – £99,000
North Yell Development Council will acquire the units 3-4 at Sellafirth Business Park, North Yell, Shetland. The group will use the premises to provide a multi-use office, heritage, events and training space which will be used by local agencies, individuals and community groups.
£50,000 FOR NEW COMMUNITY GROWING PROJECT IN WESTER HAILES
A forest on Islay is set to pass into community ownership, following a grant from the Scottish Land Fund.
Islay Development Initiative has received £619,122 with which to buy Sgiba Forest near Port Charlotte, which it plans to develop into a community woodland with a pathway network, community events and learning space.
The grant is one of 11 totalling £2,381,927 that has been given to communities across the country in the latest round of awards by the Scottish Land Fund.
The Scottish Land Fund reopened to applications in April 2021. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, both of which have extensive experience of helping communities to acquire and develop their assets for over a decade.
Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary, Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, said: “The Scottish Land Fund is a valuable tool, allowing local groups to develop projects that will provide lasting benefits to their communities, in both urban and rural areas.
“It is especially welcome to see projects that will positively impact not just people but local wildlife and biodiversity too. This aligns with our wider goal to ensure that communities can reap the benefits during our transition to a green future for Scotland.
“I’d like to congratulate all of the successful groups. It is their expertise and limitless passion that are the real drivers of change in our communities across the nation.”
Thomasina Glover, CEO, Islay Development Initiative, said: “Islay Development Initiative is delighted that we have been successful in our Stage 2 application to the Scottish Land Fund to purchase Sgiba Forest on behalf of the Islay Community.
“As Islay is part of the Carbon Neutral Islands project, this forest will not only be a great asset in helping us achieve our Net Zero ambitions, but also address several other community issues such as rural depopulation and peatland restoration. IDI is looking forward to delivering significant community benefit in developing this project.”
Cara Gillespie, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said: “This current round of funding demonstrates the importance of the Scottish Land Fund in helping both urban and rural areas to achieve their goals.
“SLF grants will enable these groups to unlock other funding and take positive actions to help their communities to thrive.”
And Sandra Holmes, head of community assets at HIE, said: “The groups receiving funding have all identified opportunities to help their local area to thrive. The projects are all great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities.
“Ownership will give them greater control over important assets that will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come. We wish every successful organisation the very best in their new ventures.”
Other groups receiving funding are:
Harris Development Ltd
Award – £147,790
Harris Development Limited will purchase land in Tarbert, Harris in order to build modular accommodation units to alleviate a shortage of housing for key workers.
North Yell Development Council
Award – £142,600
North Yell Development Council (NYDC) will acquire the shop at Cullivoe, North Yell, Shetland. NYDC will take over the running of the shop, securing employment, an important
amenity and gathering space for the community.
Strathdearn Community Development
Award – £356,934
Strathdearn Community Developments (SCD) will purchase a woodland in Tomatin, Inverness. SCD will create a more biodiverse and sustainable woodland environment that will be used by the community for recreation and wellbeing.
The Crafthub
Award – £286,788
The Crafthub will purchase Trumland Church (known locally as The Space) on Rousay in Orkney. The group currently use the asset for pop-up events. The Crafthub will use The Space to create a community café and craft shop, offering workshops and community events.
Friends of The Broadway Prestwick
Award-£328,060
Friends of the Broadway Prestwick will purchase the former Broadway Cinema in Prestwick, South Ayrshire. The cinema will be redeveloped into an accessible, modern cinema with community space.
Portree and Braes Community Trust
Award – £53,655
Portree and Braes Community Trust will acquire amenity land known as the King George
V playing fields in Portree, Skye. This will benefit the community by enabling the improvement of land, and changing facilities resulting in increased use for sports clubs and activities
St Ernan’s by the Loch SCIO
Award – £86,446
St Ernan’s by the Loch SCIO will acquire the St Ernan’s Church building, Fionnphort and restore it in order to make it modern, versatile and accessible for local people. Thus, enabling quiet contemplation, small gatherings, ceremonies, exhibitions, a place of cultural learning with focus on Gaelic language as well as health and wellbeing activities.
Wester Hailes Growing Communities
Award – £50,675
Wester Hailes Growing Communities will purchase land in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh. Purchase of the site will pave the way for the construction of a new community centre, providing a multi-purpose space to come together through events, learning, families and food.
Gargunnock Community Shop Ltd
Award – £154,759
Gargunnock Community Shop Ltd will acquire the vacant shop building in the heart of Gargunnock village, Stirlingshire. The shop will be renovated and will reopen as a community shop, supporting local business and enabling crucial local services such as prescription deliveries to recommence.
Shapinsay Development Trust
Award – £155,098
Shapinsay Development Trust will acquire a mid-terraced house in Shapinsay, Orkney, which it will renovate then offer the property for affordable rent.
IT’S OFFICAL: We now own our Community Garden at 10 Wardieburn Road!
Our Community Asset Transfer is now complete, and we received money from the Scottish Land Fund (Scottish Government) to help enable us to purchase the land from the Council. The process has taken a wee while, but now it’s done. Thanks to everyone who’s helped along the way!
As a local community charity, we’re aiming to benefit our community as much as we can, and you’re all invited to get involved – and anyone living within our defined local area who supports our aims can become a voting member!
Today (and every Wednesday) there’s a free community lunch open to all at 2pm.
Wednesday Gardening club is an open drop-in session every week 1-3pm (winter hours).
A community centre in Aberdeen, a village shop in Plockton and a resource hub in Speyside are all set to benefit from the Scottish Land Fund
£1,968,921 for 11 projects across Scotland
Great Western Community Trust in Aberdeen (above) has received£425,154to purchase Holburn West Church and manage it as a community venue that will host a wide range of groups and activities.
The award is one of 11 made during the most recent round of funding from the Scottish Land Fund and the announcement comes during an extended Community Land Week (13 – 29 October), which community landowners across the country are marking with events and celebrations.
The Scottish Land Fund reopened to applications in 2021. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, both of which have extensive experience of helping communities to acquire and develop their assets for over a decade.
Other grants awarded during the current round of funding include £90,459 to Plockton& District Community Trust to acquire the Old Post Office in Plockton, Lochalsh, from which the group will continue to provide community services while developing the building as a multi-use community space; and £118,663 has been awarded to The Grantown Society in Grantown-On-Spey, 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.
Martin Greig, trustee, Great Western Community Trust, said: “We are extremely grateful for the generous award from the SLF.The funds will make a huge difference to the benefit of the local community.
“The project has enormous support from residents. They have said again and again that the area needs this kind of public facility. Thanks to the SLF, this splendid building can now remain at the heart of the community.”
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.
And 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 Scottish Land Fund, The Grantown Society is bringing 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.”
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.”
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.”
Other groups receiving funding are:
Resonate Together
Award – £295,822
Resonate Together will acquire The Ochil & Harvey House plots on the Carsebridge site, in Alloa, Clackmannanshire. They have occupied the buildings since January 2022 and will renovate the site as a community hub, with a community garden and café, benefiting the community by providing space to socialise, learn new skills and volunteer.
Broadford and Strath Community Company
Award – £95, 700
Broadford and Strath Community Company will 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.
SunartCommunity Company
Award – £241,782
Sunart Community Company will purchase Longrigg Wood (87.6ha) in Strontian, West Lochaber to improve the social, economic, and environmental health and wellbeing of the area.
Gairloch& Loch Ewe Community Hub (GALE)
Award – £337,724
GALE will acquire The Shieling café and restaurant in Gairloch, Wester Ross. The building will allow them to expand on the services they currently offer, and will be developed into a community hub.
Hoy Youth Hub
Award – £93,802
Hoy Youth Hub will acquire St Columba’s Church in Longhope, Hoy, Orkney. The building will be developed into a Youth Hub, which will provide the island’s 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
Award – £83,730
Friends of Sanday Kirk will purchase the Cross Kirk in Sanday, Orkney. 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.
Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston Community Company
Award – £104,820
Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston Community Company will acquire Glentarff House, Canalside South, Fort Augustus. They will then carry out a refurbishment and reconfiguration, creating affordable housing units.
WhalsayKirk Development Company (WKDC)
Award – £81,265
WKDC 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.
Visit to group leading development of Inveraray Pier
First Minister Humza Yousaf met community group Inspire Inveraray to see first hand their ongoing work to regenerate the local pier as part of wider transformation plans for the area.
The community group purchased the pier in July 2023, using £121,374 from the Scottish Government supported Scottish Land Fund, to bring it back into operation, providing greater access for leisure and water sports, fishing activities and further connections to surrounding towns. The pier had previously been privately owned for 20 years and has been closed to the public for the past five years.
First Minister Humza Yousaf took a tour of the pier ahead of the 51st Travelling Cabinet and discussed how the funding had enabled the group to take on community ownership.
First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “Community empowerment is a key aim for this government and it was great to see in person a perfect example of a local group, supported by the Scottish Government, taking power of local assets for their community benefit as well as supporting the local economy.
“We are fully committed to ensuring that Scotland’s regions are able to thrive and contribute to a growing sustainable economy.
“I look forward to discussing this with the people of Inveraray and the wider Argyll and Bute area to achieve this within their local communities.”
Corstorphine Community Centre (CCC) in Edinburgh has received £960,000 from the Scottish Land Fund (SLF) in order to buy Westfield House, which the organisation already uses as a community hub.
With the money, CCC will be able to purchase the building and to start making internal improvements, including improving accessibility, while at the same time continuing to provide a wide range of services and space for hire.
The grants are amongst six that have been awarded to groups across Scotland by the Scottish Land Fund, which is funded by the Scottish Government.
Amongst those also receiving funding are Tayvallich Initiative, which has received £565,608 to purchase land in Argyll & Bute where it will build housing for affordable rent, along with a number of environmental initiatives.
And Kingsbarns Community Development Trust has been awarded £590,00 to establish a community hub, which will consist of rooms to let, pub, restaurant, cafe, and community shop.
Shulah Allan, Chair, Corstorphine Community Centre, said: “This is a momentous occasion for the local community who have been raising funds since a fire in 2013 to rebuild a community centre for the area.
“We are grateful to the Scottish Land Fund Trust for providing us with this level of funding, which will be added to the funds which are already in place, to complete the purchase of 5 Kirk Loan.
“We still have some more funds to raise for the refurbishment of the building, but this is the final stage for the purchase and our forever home for CCC.”
It’s a double celebration for Corstorphine Community Centre, who will be marking one year in their new home with a fete this weekend.
Martin Mellor, Chair of Tayvallich Initiativesaid: “The award from Scottish Land Fund will enable Tayvallich Initiative to move forwards with plans to create housing for affordable rent and to promote the use of Rural Housing Burdens for houses and plots so that more people can live and work in the area.
“We are happy to be starting off with two rental houses as part of the community project. We hope that this long-term project will encourage a good balance in the area between tourism/holidays alongside an established year-round community. Rural areas need enough affordable housing to keep schools open and the day-to-day economy running, and community-led housing projects can help to facilitate this.”
And Sharon Makin, Kingsbarns Development Trust, said: “The Kingsbarns Development Trust is delighted to accept the award of £590,000 from the Scottish Land Fund.
“This will enable us to keep the pub open and is the first step to realising our dream of creating a lively and welcoming community hub in the village including a shop for essentials and local produce.
“Everyone on the team has worked tirelessly to get us to this point. We are so thankful to the Scottish Land Fund, for their guidance and for seeing the amazing potential this funding will mean for the community.”
Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary, Rural Affairs,Land Reform, and Islands, said: “The Scottish Land Fund is continuing to help community groups take control of local land and buildings and manage them in a way which benefits people in their neighbourhoods.
“By 2026 the SLF will have doubled to £20 million which will allow more groups to get involved.
“This SLF aims to place the needs of local communities first and it is clear that the most recent recipients live up to this goal. The successful projects will help to create jobs, mitigate climate change, and tackle social isolation and loneliness.
“I commend them for their efforts so far and wish them all the best in the future.”
Cara Gillespie, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said: “From supporting rural housing to strengthening urban communities, the Scottish Land Fund continues to empower local people to deliver services that meet their needs.
“It is about listening to communities and helping them to address their unique local challenges, through ownership of land and buildings.”
And Sandra Holmes, Head of Community Assets at Highlands, and Islands Enterprise, said: “The successful projects announced today across Scotland are all great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities.
“For example, the Great Bernera Community Development Trust in the Isle of Lewis will acquire the former salmon hatchery at Kirkibost to develop into a community-owned social and enterprise hub with space and equipment for businesses, entrepreneurs, and the community. The new hub will be an important asset and helps to create a sustainable future for the area.
“All these projects announced today will help retain the population, attract visitors, and create jobs. Ownership will give the community groups greater control over important assets that will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come. We wish all the successful groups the very best in their new ventures.”
Other groups receiving funding are:
Eday Partnership: Award – £225,380
Eday Partnership will acquire a two-bedroom house in Eday, Orkney. The project will assist in providing affordable housing on the island of Eday.
Great Bernera Community Development Trust– £101,447
Great Bernera Community Development Trust will acquire The Hatchery building in Kirkibost. The vacant industrial building will be developed into a social and enterprise hub where people can work, learn, and create together.
Papay Development Trust – £208,596
Papay Development Trust will acquire two houses on the island of Papa Westray, Orkney, which will be offered for affordable rent.
Bute Community Land Company– £32,005
Bute Community Land Company will acquire land at Shalunt, Isle of Bute. The group will install a carpark and other infrastructure to improve the accessibility of their community owned Bute Forest.
Evanton Community Trust – £17,166
Evanton Community Trust will purchase land adjacent to the community owned Victoria Diamond Jubilee Hall which will allow them to fundraise to extend the Hall and expand the support they currently provide to the local community.
A community garden in Granton, the arts agency in Wester Hailes and a village shop in West Linton are all set to benefit from the Scottish Land Fund
Granton Community Gardeners has received £89,902 to acquire land in Granton where GCG will continue to host various community activities related to the growing and sharing of food to around 700 visitors per month.
Across the city WHALE Arts Agency in Edinburgh has been given £157,483 to bring their entire project into community ownership by buying the land that the current WHALE building sits on.
Community ownership of the land will secure the future of this well-used amenity from which WHALE Arts have delivered services and activities to the community for 30 years.
And West Linton Enterprise Group has received £97,600 to purchase a building in West Linton, Scottish Borders. The group currently uses this asset and will continue to use the building as a volunteer-run community thrift shop and local art gallery called The Knot.
The projects are amongst 16 across the country that have received grants totalling £1,972,701 from the Scottish Land Fund.
Tom Kirby, Development Manager, Granton Community Gardeners, said: “We’re excited to be able to move forward with ownership of our Community Garden, which has been created through the hard work, skills, and dedication of our local community.
“This is now secured for the long term, opening up more possibilities to improve it, and for more people of all ages to enjoy the space; and to grow, cook, share and eat more food together.”
Dr Andrew McNiven, Chair, WHALE Arts Board, said: “WHALE Arts is delighted to have been granted this funding which will support us in our Community Asset Transfer. T
“his ensures community ownership of the WHALE Arts site for the people of Wester Hailes. We’re grateful for the support of the Scottish Land Fund in this important step for WHALE and the community of Wester Hailes.”
And Allison Glasse, Co-Chair, West Linton Enterprise Group, said: “We are so pleased to have been awarded this grant, which will enable us to take our small retail outlet into community ownership.
“We are excited by the future possibilities of making The Knot into a real local asset, run by community, for the community and raising money for local organisations and projects.”
Cara Gillespie, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said: “Every one of these grants allows for the provision of assets and services that individual groups have identified as being essential to their areas.
“This localised approach helps to strengthen both urban and rural communities.”
Sandra Holmes, Head of Community assets at HIE, added: “The successful projects announced today across Scotland are all great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities.
“For example, the Coigach Community Development Company, through the purchase of the land at the former hydroponicum site, will now be in a position to build much-needed affordable community housing. The new homes are vitally important to create a sustainable future for the area.
“All these projects announced today will help retain the population, attract visitors and create jobs. Ownership will give the community groups greater control over important assets that will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come. We wish all the successful groups the very best in their new ventures.”
Other groups receiving funding are:
Alyth Development Trust
Award – £76,774
Alyth Development Trust will purchase the Milhaugh site in Alyth, Perth and Kinross. The group intends to develop the site in order to provide a broad range of outdoor community activities.
Coigach Community Development Company
Award – £304,700
Coigach Community Development Company will purchase the former Hydroponicum site in Achiltibuie, Highland. They will develop affordable housing and an amenity space on the site, to strengthen the community’s long-term viability.
Concrete Garden
Award – £140,287
Concrete Garden, Glasgow, will acquire two sites, one currently used by the group and another vacant site nearby. Concrete Garden will continue to deliver community growing and creative play activities for the community and expand their outdoor services onto a new site.
Dunoon Community Shed
Award – £153,000
Dunoon Community Shed will acquire the former ceramics factory in Dunoon. DCS will continue to offer multiple activities to the local community to build skills, reduce isolation and provide a community gathering space.
The Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation
Award – £136,192
Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation will purchase Argyll Beaver Centre at Knapdale, Argyll. They will continue to provide educational and volunteering opportunities from the centre, alongside their conservation work.
Inspire Inverary
Award – £121,374
Inspire Inverary will acquire and restore Inverary Pier in Argyll. This will provide safe access for leisure, water sports and fishing activities, increased use by yachts and cruisers and offer opportunities for investment in moorings, pontoons and slipways.
Nether Lochaber Community Association
Award – £45,186
Nether Lochaber Community Association, Highlands, will take ownership of the Inchree Barn. The group plans to repair the building to address isolation in the community by providing a community hub for people and groups to meet.
Netherthird Initiative for Community Empowerment
Award £111,268
Netherthird Initiative for Community Empowerment will purchase Netherthird Community Centre in Netherthird, East Ayrshire, and continue to offer various community and wellbeing services from the building, including a community cafe.
Staffin Community Trust
Award – £116,064
Staffin Community Trust will purchase a slipway protected by a breakwater, plus onshore hard standing, a derelict boathouse and a parcel of land in Staffin, Skye. The Trust will continue to redevelop and improve the local harbour to serve a range of different users and meet the demand for onshore facilities.
Scenic Sandbank
Award – £119,890
Scenic Sandbank will acquire land in Sandbank, near Dunoon, Argyll, for the purpose of creating a community garden to develop the group’s horticultural activities and to provide an attractive green space for residents of Sandbank and the wider area.
Dornie and District Community Trust
Award – £66,316
Dornie and District Community Trust will acquire the former Dornie Store building in Dornie, Highlands. The group will renovate the building and reopen the shop and post office, establish a cafe and offer the flat above as an affordable rental opportunity.
Take A Bow Development Trust
Award – £65,650
Take A Bow Development Trust will purchase the Take A Bow Community Centre in New Farm Loch, East Ayrshire. TABDT will continue to run the site as a community centre offering a range of community-focused events and classes.
Tiree Community Development Trust
Award – £73,415
Tiree Community Development Trust will acquire land in Crossapol, Tiree and construct four light commercial business units, which will be leased to local businesses at affordable rates.
The Heart of Newhaven Community (HoNC) has finally received the keys to the front door!
The charity, formed four years ago to purchase Newhaven’s old Victoria Primary School for use as a community hub, has faced a long battle to get all the legal documentation with the City of Edinburgh Council signed, sealed and delivered but has finally been given legal possession of the site.
The original Steering Group was set up after public consultation and eventually converted into a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), registered with OSCR the charity overseer in 2020.
They won the right to purchase the site under the Community Asset Transfer scheme in July 2020 and secured funding for the purchase from the Scottish Land Fund in June 2021.
The school pupils and teachers moved out of what was then the oldest working primary school in the city in December 2021, but delays originally caused by Covid 19 and last minute legal hurdles meant that the final transfer could not take place until this week.
Current HoNC Chair Judy Crabb and former, and very first Chair, Rodney Matthews led the way in and now it’s all systems go, with volunteers tidying and cleaning and potential users and tenants queuing up to move in and get started.
First though, there are some necessary health and safety measures to install, IT equipment and communications must be set up and the most urgent repairs to the structure need to be completed.
Once open to the public, the community hub will be offering spaces for intergenerational activities of all kinds, including space for such as theatre groups, choirs and performances, rooms for rent for meetings or parties, artists’ studios and small business rooms for rent, a Heritage Suite including the Victorian Schoolroom run by the History of Education Centre, much needed early years’ provision in the modern Anchor Building, rooms for the Men’s Shed to carry on their activities in the Creel Building and of course a community cafe.
Current Chair, Judy Crabb has been involved since even before the first public consultations and is now celebrating with the rest of the Board.
“It’s a well known phrase ‘ If it is worth having, it is worth waiting for’ and how true that is as of today,” she says. “Finally, we are thrilled to announce that HoNC now owns the former Victoria Primary School that from now on will be known as ‘The Heart’.
“A huge thank you to everybody who has helped over the years to bring about this day, volunteers, supporters, members of the community, our funders, trustees and consultants. Every contribution, big and small, has made a difference.
“Over the next few months we will begin to open up the buildings to all the services and activities that support our themes of culture and heritage, learning and enterprise and improvement in well being.
“Watch this space as we offer opportunities for people of all ages, from all walks of life and interests, to come together in an accessible and welcoming environment and The Heart comes to life.”
Cara Gillespie, Chair of the Scottish Land Fund, said: “The Scottish Land Fund is committed to helping urban and rural communities across the country to unlock assets on their doorstep and to put them to work for local people, so we are delighted that Heart of Newhaven Community has now taken ownership of Victoria Primary School.
“We wish them every success with their plans to turn the school into a thriving community hub.”
