Plans to restore Rassay House move closer

Plans to restore historic Raasay House as a base for business and community activities have moved another step forward with the announcement from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) that it has approved £2.3m funding towards redevelopment. 

People living on the island of Raasay, which lies off the east coast of Skye, have, this week, been sent the first of a series of newsletters, prepared by the Raasay House Trust (RHT), updating them on the future of the historic building.  It gives detailed information about the proposal to redevelop the 18th century, Grade A listed building, and to bring the house and grounds into community ownership, which will in turn provide benefits for the area.

Owned by HIE, Raasay House presently accommodates Raasay Outdoor Centre, the island's largest employer, which has operated from the house for the last 22 years.  The building also functions as the village hall, a meeting space and museum.

The Raasay House Trust has already been awarded £500,000 from Historic Scotland and plans to submit an application to Growing Community Assets, part of the Big Lottery Fund. 

Following a consultation with the community, RHT was established in 1999 by the local enterprise company, with a view to taking Raasay House and its environs into community ownership.  The trust's directors are planning a restructuring to keep in line with current practice regarding community ownership of land and other assets.  The principal change would be to make the trust more democratic and accountable to the Raasay community by restricting voting membership to Raasay residents and having a majority of community directors on the board. 

RHT currently has 100 members which, as well as the community, includes people who have a strong connection to the island.  The current members will have to approve proposals to restructure the trust before any changes are made therefore, an Extraordinary Meeting of the Trust will be held in November to decide the way forward. 

For the proposals to take place, a community ballot will also be held in the coming months by the Highland Council, where a positive outcome is required to ensure the community's support.  Prior to this there will be opportunities for local people to ask questions on any matter regarding the proposals.  A part-time project officer should soon be in post during this period which will help the process.

Donnie Macleod, a director of Raasay House Trust said:  "After many years of neglect reaching back to the 1960's, it looks like we are finally going to see the restoration of Raasay's historic house.  It is great to see the various organisations' promising investment in the island's future and creating much needed employment.  This is a great opportunity and I urge everyone to support the proposals. 

"It is important that the community of Raasay are fully informed of the proposals and that they understand what they are asked to support and that is why they'll receive updates in form of newletters.  As Raasay House is the single most important building on Raasay, the community would benefit from its restoration, bringing a variety of commercial and economic activities appropriate to the island."

The building needs to be fully modernised if it is to serve any future function - lack of essential investment could result in an empty deteriorating building. 
Without major improvements, Raasay Outdoor Centre cannot continue to operate from Raasay House.  

It is proposed that a new building will be erected nearby, serving as a workshop and base for outdoor activities for the Raasay Outdoor Centre. The Outdoor Centre will be vacating the premises for up to a year while the work takes place.  This could potentially start in January 2008 which would allow the outdoor company time to prepare for a period of closure. 

The scope of the proposed works envisages the structure being completely overhauled whilst retaining the historic character of the building.

Robert Muir, HIE Skye and Wester Ross said:  "This is a project of great significance for the economy and people of Raasay.  It is, as proposed, the culmination of many years' debate and analysis and offers the bright prospect of a long and productive future for the island's principal asset, in the hands of the community and underpinning Raasay's major employer."

An independent economic impact study of the project concluded that the development would create nine new full-time jobs in the local economy, and safeguard another 16. 

Over the coming months, RHT will continue to work closely with the HIE network, the Highland Council, and Raasay Outdoor Centre to progress the proposal to evolve the Trust into one that is fully controlled by the community.