News Release issued by Communities Scotland

Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm visited Gigha today to see how a range of housing, economic, and environmental schemes are helping islanders since their ground-breaking community buy out in 2002.

The Minister was pleased to be able to announce in person new funding during his visit:

• £20,000 from Communities Scotland’s Futurebuilders Scotland Seedcorn Grant fund   for the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust to assist the Isle of Gigha quarry to buy equipment so that local people and businesses can buy stone at lower prices and in a more environmentally friendly way than they would buying from the mainland.
• £170,630 investment by Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network) to upgrade the petrol pumps on Gigha, supported by the Scottish Executive’s Rural Petrol Stations Grant Scheme.

The Communities Minister said: “I was keen to see for myself the progress different schemes here are making to improve the quality of life for Gigha residents. The new funding I can announce today will help to support the sustainability of the Trust and the island’s economy, building on this first class example of community-led rural regeneration and providing more opportunities for islanders. 

“The site of the £3million Fyne Homes development at Ardminish will deliver 18 energy efficient new homes, 14 for affordable rent and the rest for shared ownership. It’s good to see in Gigha, as in many communities across Scotland, how improving economic infrastructure and investing in good quality new housing can help to transform an area.

“I know Communities Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust are working with local people to create economic enterprise and strengthen Gigha’s population. Innovative affordable housing developments such as the one at Ardminish and the Dualchas self-build home are important in helping to achieve this.”

William Roe, chairman of HIE, who accompanied the Minister to Gigha said: "The Isle of Gigha is an inspirational symbol of what HIE wants to achieve with other communities throughout the Highlands and Islands.  The successful partnership between HIE, Communities Scotland, Argyll and Bute Council and the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust has led to the development of some really innovative local community enterprise projects, including community land ownership, housing investment, small business start ups, local service provision and renewable energy.

“Gigha is an excellent example of what can be achieved through joint working between public agencies and the local community.  With an increasing population, new business and new jobs we are helping to create a sustainable and progressive future for the island, its residents and visitors.”

The Minister also visited residents Val and Freddy Gillies, whose house overlooking Ardminish Bay was funded with assistance from Communities Scotland through a Rural Home Ownership Grant (RHOG). The couple commissioned Dualchas Building Design, an award-winning Scottish architecture practice who provide bespoke houses designed for the rural landscape.

Mr Gillies said: “I’m now 55 and Valerie is 47. Given that the age barrier committed us to a short term mortgage, the Communities Scotland grant helped massively towards the fulfilment of our earnest desire to build our home on the Isle of Gigha, something that was not possible until the time of the community buy-out.

“We are also very grateful to local representative Peter MacDonald of Fyne Home for his sterling assistance in guiding as through the application process.

“Alisdair Stephen our Dualchas architect was most co-operative on minor design alteration issues and builder Duncan MacGregor of Tarbert deserves special thanks for ensuring that the house was finished to an extremely high standard.”

Malcolm Chisholm added: “Communities Scotland and Argyll and Bute Council are helping to ensure residents are able to make improvements to buildings, and are developing new social rented housing and offering individual grants to people who need help to build their own homes.  This is making a real difference to people’s lives here in Gigha and Val and Freddy Gillies’ experience is one I hope may be repeated time and time again.”