Iomairt Chille Chomain

In summer 2001, 18 hectares of land on the outskirts of Port Charlotte on the Isle of Islay was put on the open market. The land consisted of a football pitch that was well used, highly valued and maintained by the local football team. The possible loss of this facility galvanised residents to research the possibility of the community purchasing the land. To this end, in October 2001, the community created Iomairt Chille Chomain. Iomairt Chille Chomain is entirely community led and now owns and manages the land which includes 2 crofts, an area of grassland managed for corncrake, the football pitch, a campsite, a modern high specification play park and the Port Mòr Centre.

Company Limited by guarantee with charitable status

£15,00 (from trading, the majority from campsite charges and the café)

18 hectares of land, and the Port Mòr Centre.

In summer 2001 the local football pitch was put on the open market. In October of that year, to prevent the loss of this facility, the community created Iomairt Chille Chomain. The land was acquired and the Port Mòr Centre was opened in May 2007.

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.

Link with other island groups through various meetings and members of other groups can stand for election to Iomairt Chille Chomain.

Development Officer is a local councillor who has good relationships with external bodies.

The Port Mòr Centre is a brand new community building providing a wide range of facilities for both residents and visitors. It is virtually carbon neutral with high levels of insulation, a 6kW wind turbine, a ground source heating system and solar hot water panels. The centre features: • a spacious café – leased to a commercial provider; • laptop hire (including internet access); • meeting rooms with video conferencing facilities; • toilets, showers and laundry facilities for users of the campsite and football pitch. In addition, a modern and well-specified children’s play park is situated right next to the Centre.

Training sessions for local people have been held and will continue in the future.

Provides a community café; a large hall that can be booked for functions and events; excellent business facilities with a meeting room for up to 10 attendees; a videoconferencing system; wireless Internet access; football pitch; a children’s play park; provides toilets, showers and laundry facilities for the campsite.

Iomairt Chille Chomain now owns and manages the land which includes: • 2 crofts • an area of grassland managed for corncrake • the football pitch • a campsite • a modern high specification play park • the Port Mòr Centre.

Getting the community together and purchasing the land and then fundraising for and building the new £1m community centre.

This was to raise £1m to build the community centre.

Strong leadership is essential and community must work hard and work well together.

Improve the facilities for tourists and locals.