The Port Mor Centre, Islay

In summer 2001, 18 hectares of land on the outskirts of the village of Port Charlotte on the Isle of Islay was put on the open market. The land contained a relatively informal yet frequently used and highly valued football pitch that was maintained and utilised by the local football team, Kilchoman Football Club. The possible loss of the football pitch galvanised community members to research the possibility of purchasing the land for community ownership. To this end, in October 2001 the community created a Company Limited by Guarantee with charitable status, namely Iomairt Chille Chomain (ICC).
Iomairt Chille Chomain is entirely community led, with six Directors assisted by a part-time Development Officer driving the project forward. The Company presently has over 170 members from throughout the UK and overseas, with the majority paying a life membership fee of £50.

The Port Mòr Centre, run by ICC, is a brand new building situtated just outside of Port Charlotte on Islay and was opened in May 2007. It is a community project and aims to provide many and varied facilities to both visitors to Islay and residents alike. The building is carbon neutral and uses a 6KW wind turbine to generate electricity, a ground source heating system to provide heating and solar panels to provide hot water. Insulation of the building is to a very high standard.

The Centre features a café and a spacious seating area with spectacular views across the Lochindaal. Also available is Internet access, meeting rooms with videoconferencing facilities and a campsite with toilets, showers and laundry facilities. In addition, a modern and well-specified children’s play park is situated right next to the Centre.

For further info`, contact:

Port Mòr Centre
Port Charlotte
Islay,
PA48 7UE
Tel: 01496 850441
E-mail: warden@islandofislay.co.uk
Website: www.islandofislay.co.uk