February 22, 2012
Mull gets its Hub
When DTA Scotland first started to build its membership, one of the early stalwarts was Mull and Iona Community Trust. Perhaps because of its island base, MICT saw the value of being part of a national network of like-minded communities. Over time, MICT has become renowned for the innovative way it has responded to local needs and for establishing a string of successful community enterprises. Fourteen years after it started, MICT has finally completed its most ambitious project yet
22/2/12
Today marked the historic event where Alan Reid MP and Michael Russell MSP, opened An Roth Community Enterprise Centre in Craignure, Isle of Mull. The £1m plus building has been designed to the highest environmental standards and will be Mull and Iona Community Trust’s first permanent home in fourteen years of operation.
The building, which has sheep’s wool insulation, ground source heating and LED lighting, was designed by Shauna Cameron, built by the Mull based firm TSL Ltd. and will offer the communities of Mull and Iona office space, meeting rooms and a training suite.
Sandy Brunton, Convenor of the trust, said “This is a very exciting day for our islands and a very proud day for the Trust. We have been planning this for many years and now have a fantastic building to help sustain our islands’ future. The name An Roth was suggested by a Gaelic conversation group on the island and means ‘The Hub’ which really fitted with our plans, as well as being not too difficult to say!!”
At the opening there were more than one hundred and twenty guests, who were entertained by the Junior Schools’ Pipers and the Gaelic Choir, who are among the many local groups supported by the Trust, which is a registered charity.
Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, Maureen McGinn, said:
“The Big Lottery Fund invested in this community as we could see it had the enthusiasm, drive and determination to succeed. We are delighted that this new enterprise centre is opening so that local people, many of whom have been actively involved in its development, can now benefit. Our Growing Community Assets fund has allowed us to support this island community to take more control and influence over its own future. We are proud to have been able to help and we wish them every success as they take forward this exciting venture. “
In addition to the offices to let, the building also houses the Trust’s charity shop, Island Castaways, which sells donated goods otherwise destined for landfill. The Trust employs around a dozen staff and another dozen volunteers in various projects and activities from the Ranger Service, managing the famous Sea Eagle Project, to producing biodiesel and organising a community ballot to get the go ahead to develop the first community hydro project for the island.
For further information contact Moray Finch, General Manager, Mull and Iona Community Trust. 01680 812900