Fact Finding Visit to Small Isles
A small delegation from The Highland Council recently made a whistle-stop fact- finding visit to the four Small Isles.
Travelling by boat from Mallaig, the group met community representatives in Rum, Canna, Muck and Eigg and left with a number of action points to pursue.
Included in the group were Convener Sandy Park, making his first visit to the Small Isles, Councillor Michael Foxley, leader of the Council Administration, Councillor Allan Henderson, Mallaig and Caol, Alistair Dodds, Council Chief Executive and Dot Ferguson, Wards Manager for Lochaber.
It was the latest in a number of visits to Highland communities by the Council leadership.
Councillor Park said: “It is important to travel throughout the Highlands to get a better understanding of our vast area. The Small Isles are our most remote and vulnerable communities and our visit highlighted the important role the Council plays in sustaining local residents, from schooling to transport and waste management to economic development opportunities.
“I hope the communities welcomed the opportunity to meet us and air their views. There are lots of good things happening and also things that need our attention. We will do what we can to address the issues flagged up by local communities.”
At Rum, the community of 30 residents is in the process of assuming ownership of Kinloch village and Glen from Scottish Natural Heritage. At a meeting in the village hall, residents set out their plans for regenerating the community. The delegation also visited Kinloch Castle, the local pier where there are plans for a new tearoom, and the local primary school, which has three primary and two nursery pupils.
At Canna, the community is eager to increase the population, which stands at 17, including five pupils at the primary school. The island would like to develop more housing opportunities and sees its future based on small, sustainable businesses. It also has ambitious plans to implement a renewable energy scheme.
Muck has a growing population of 35 and the community is busy fund-raising to build a new community centre. Like the other Small Isles, the island depends heavily on renewable energy and needs to upgrade its existing windpower. This is being considered as part of a wider EU funding programme.
At Eigg, the island now boasts a population of more than 90 and the primary school roll this week reached 13 – the highest for many years. While the community has developed a tremendous renewable energy infrastructure, they have many more ideas for moving the island forward on a sustainable basis, including further development of local food initiatives. Eigg has now reached the final ten of the Big Green Challenge (from an original entry of 355), a competition designed to stimulate and support community-led responses to climate change. The winner will be announced in January.
Better broadband and transport links are seen as a priority on all the islands.