Taking care of island natural and cultural heritage benefits local jobs and the economy, a new study has found.

Scores of full-time jobs and nearly half-a-million pounds has been generated by the Nadair Trust - Gaelic for nature. 

Providing nesting sites for wild birds and preserving an ancient chapel with links to the medieval Lord of the Isles are just a small part of its ongoing work in the Argyll Islands.

An evaluation of the Nadair Trust was commissioned jointly by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

The research, carried out by Hecla Consulting between March and May this year (2005), reveals trust projects have brought in income of £428,780 and created an estimated 30 full-time jobs to the area.  Direct full-time employment by the trust was estimated to be 21, with an additional nine posts indirectly linked to the trust's work.
 
Launched in 2000, the Nadair Trust was funded to the tune of £3.3 million with 60 per cent of the backing coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The initial funding programme ended last year, but Nadair has successfully won a similar package to run for another four years.

The trust has delivered a wide range of projects, for example preventing erosion of banks at Loch Bhasapol on Tiree; the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) are working at 34 locations on Islay providing nesting sites for wild birds and local contractors have cleared large areas of rhododendron on Colonsay, a plant notorious for taking over west coast woodlands.

Nadair's work also includes a new trail at Loch Gruinart reserve, on Islay and 10 wildlife and heritage trail viewpoints and car parks on the Isle of Mull.

Archaeological surveys have also been carried out along the coasts of Islay, Coll and Tiree, and a museum established at Islay's medieval Finlaggan chapel which is closely associated with the Lordship of the Isles, a generation of clan chiefs who ruled these widely scattered islands.

Bill Taylor, natural heritage manager at HIE, said the trust has been a boon to the local community and has done great work in safeguarding wildlife and sites of historic importance on the Argyll islands.

He said: "Highlands and Islands Enterprise are very pleased with the results of this study.  It clearly demonstrates that the work of the Nadair Trust has had an impact far wider than just the important and obvious enhancement of the heritage of the Argyll islands.

"Investing in communities creates jobs and delivers economic activity, but this study highlights an aspect that is harder to measure. It identifies the role of supporting communities to connect with their heritage and culture as a potent way to build self confidence and capacity for the future.

"HIE look forward to the work of the Nadair Trust continuing in the years to come."