LCDC milestones

Posted on January 27, 2018 by balnacra

2009 KWHG formed and merged with previous Smithy Heritage Centre with charitable status.
2008 Market days monthly through the summer were already established.
May 2010, Country day, community engagement, rural skills and fundraising.
June 2010, Local Development office funding and post in place.
September 2010, community views survey undertaken.
October 2010, concept illustrations for kirkton woodland produced by Vicky Stonebridge, used for public displays.
October 2010, public meeting about feasibility of Kirkton woodland purchase, presentation my Munro Gauld.
October 2010, children’s art produced, their visions for kirkton community woodland.
November 2010, Public meeting about buying Kirkton woodland.
December 2010, Purchase off small craft unit of Vicky Stonebridge.
February 2011, community ballot about purchasing Kirkton woodland.
May 2011. Smithy office refurbishment underway
.June 2011. Kirkton Woodland leaflet, information and fundraising, produced.
July 2011. small workshop tenancy taken by John MacPherson
July 2011, mosaic interpretation panels created for Smithy
August 2011, treehouse building work & filming starts
November 2011, highlife funding for adult education programme granted
November 2011, New workshop units finished.
Nov 2011, Fundraising St Andrews Quiz night.
February 2012, quarterly newsletter “woodland Wire” produced and distributed.
February 2012, public meeting about proposed woodland purchase
March 2012, Growth plan ( phase 2 ) developed and published
march 2012, new workshop units work starts
April 2012, Treehouse Opening & Mini Country Day
April 2012, KWHG background information published
April 2012 Vicky Stonebridge appointed under ‘adopt an intern’ scheme to produce report into potential Smithy Hub development and visitor needs.
May 2012, children’s jubilee artwork exhibition
May 2012, Boot Sale
June 2012, Kirkton Woodland information booklet produced and distributed.
June 2012, Jubilee picnic for school pupils
July 2012, Andy Wightman talk
July 2012, summer celebration Open Day
July 2012, Ceilidh opening event
august 2012, New Workshops Opening day
November 2012, Fundraising quiz night
January 2013, woodland trust donates trees which are planted.
February 2013, open meeting to set up Art and Craft collective to lease LCDC workshop
March 2013, Bingo fundraising night
March 2013, Hosted a woodland crofting seminar
march 2013, tree planting, trees donated by woodland trust
May 2013 Surf awards for KWHG best practice in community regeneration
May 2013, Bingo fundraising night
May 2013. iGallery open day
July 2013, Visitor survey conducted as part of adopt an intern project to determine potential future use of buildings and site.
August 2013, fundraising calendar of archive photographs is produced.
September 2013, interview on BBC alba about woodland crofts with Vicky Stonebridge
February 2014, bingo fundraising event
March 2014, Forest technician Malcom Morrison appointed.
April 2014. Terry Hitchin tenancy begins in small craft unit.
April 2014, iGallery Opening
July 14, new office spaces created in iGallery
August 2014, Open Day.
August 2014. Roll of honour talk.
September 2014, Public meeting about Kirkton Woodland.
October 2014, local Scottish Rural Parliament Event
Winter 2014-2013, Adult education programme of classes & courses
November 2014, Open meeting to set up a new trading arm of LCDC, called Kirkton Trading ltd.
November 2014, Children’s Halloween event at the treehouse,
November 2014, Annual Christmas Fair at the iGallery.
December 2014, Kirkton trading ltd set up as a company.
January 2015, graduate placement to investigate best use of assets at the Smithy Community Hub, report produced by Fergus Hendry
February 2015, input into Highland Council area development plan
March 2015, community Woodfuel needs survey conducted.
March 2015. Pop up Pottery pilot Opens in the Smithy.
March 2015. Name change from KWHG to LCDC.
April 2015, public meeting about Kirkton woodland proposals
April 2016, Rural manifesto event hosted by LCDC at strathcarron Hotel.
April 2015, Kirkton woodland updates, public meeting.
April 2015. Kirkton woodland felling license granted.
May 2015 Kirkton Woodland Access road work commences.
May 2015. Harvesting in Kirkton Woodland commences with Munros harvesters.
May 2015. Roll of Honour WW1 centenary book produced by Paul Swan.
May 2015, terry Hitchin takes on tenancy in small craft unit
June 2015, children’s Bush craft at the treehouse.
June 2015, Knoydart information sharing visit.
June 2015, Opening ceremony for Kirkton woodland access road with Lochcarron School pupils.
July 2015, meet MSP John Finnie
August 2015, Feasibility study undertaken into opportunities for cultural events within Kirkton Woodland by Imogen Reiter.
September 2015, a range of tourist information and heritage leaflets produced
September 2015, Wood fuel pilot scheme set up.
Winter 2015, Adult Education programme
December 2015. Forest Officer appointed.
December 2015, storage container sited in Kirkton Woodland.
January 2016. Kirkton Woodland Volunteer event
January 2016, Aspen growing workshop.
Jan 2016, tree nursery created for pilot
March 2016, Kirkton woodland vision statement produced by Lynne Roberts
March 2016. Joined DTAS .
March 2016. Smithy building new electricity upgraded supply fitted.
March 2016, Ross Mountain Battery leaflet produced by Paul Swan.
March 2016 smithy building insulated.
May 2016, kirkton Woodland public presentation,
May 2016, Public meeting to update about Kirkton Woodland developments.
Summer 2016, monthly volunteer events at the Smithy
July 2016, summer bush craft event at the treehouse
July 2016, Housing needs survey, 200 responses received.
August 2016. Bush craft for children at the treehouse
August 2016. New signs for the Smithy Hub produced.
September 2016, History of the local Railway, exhibition in the treehouse.
Autumn 2016. Dairy development professional consultant team appointed.
October 2016. Volunteer day.
October 2016 History of Kirkton Woodland exhibition as part of Highland Archaeology festival
October 2016, children’s Halloween event, in the treehouse
October 2016. HISEZ conduct governance health check meeting with LCDC
Winter 2016- 2017, highlife winter project funding granted for community engagement.
November 2016, lottery funding granted to take Dairy project to building Warrant stage.
December 2016, Leader Funding for Kirkton Woodland “Haven on Earth “project approved.
December 2016, 2 Forest operatives appointed.January 2017, Forest Access Officer appointed
February 2017. Meet SIMRA representative to discuss work in community by LCDC.
March 2017, project to engage with Lochcarron Primary School and the heritage of Kirkton Woodland
March 2017, green woodworking course
march 2017, volunteer day
March 2017, open invitation to exhibit and join iGallery collective
April 2017, Children’s activities at the treehouse
May 2017, children’s activities & bush craft
May 2017, Leaflet about the proposed Dairy produced and distributed
May 2017, defibrillator sited at the Smithy.
June 2017, volunteer day
June 2017, Dairy proposal information display at market Day.
July 2017, children’s activities at the treehouse
September 2017, Scottish Land Fund Assistance to purchase land for woodland access
October 2017, funding application to Lottery lodged for Smithy Micro Dairy
Oct 17, Terry Hitchin wood turner retires from tenancy of small craft unit.
November 2017, funding bid to Scottish sea farms for rustic classroom in Kirkton wood successful.
November 2017, SIMRA has selected LCDC for further study of marginalised rural areas.
November 2017. film project with Lochcarron School underway ” A cry for Kirkton “
November 2017, Annual Christmas Fair.November 2017, funding for Kirkton Woodland access granted from Scottish Land Fund.
November 2017, funding granted for highlife community engagement.
March 2018, Chair Avril MacKenzie stands down and is replaced by Colin Sharp.
March 2018, A new board to run the Smithy Micro Dairy company is formed.
April 2018- Lochcarron Candles opens for business in the small workshop at the Smithy Hub.
April 2018, a successful week of Bushcraft activities for children run at the treehouse.
19th March 2019- work starts on the extension to the ‘iGallery’ to turn it into Café Ceàrdach .
Café Ceàrdach Opened it’s doors to the public trading limited hours and a reduced menu for the short term 26th August 2019.
Café Ceàrdach official opening 3rd September 2019
October 2019. Lochcarron Candles quit their lease of small workshop.
November/ December 2019. Christmas Craft event at Cafe Ceardach.
February 2020. small workshop leased to Development Officer for LCDC records & office base.
February 2020. small office in Smithy Annex leased to independent business employing two.
20th March 2020. Cafe and other businesses at the Smithy Hub close down for the Covid19 pandemic lockdown.
late April 2020. funding awarded through ‘Supporting Communities Fund’ and ‘the North Highland Initiative’ to support the Lochcarron area community in a Covid19 response. separate website set up, grow your own project, financial assistance, food vouchers, call line, volunteer expenses etc.
March 2020. market days cancelled due to Covid.
March 2020- April 2021- LCDC funded and organised local Covid support response measures; Food vounchers & parcels, fruit deliveries, befriending service, phone helpline, book exchange, plant exchange, grow your own project, free compost, healthy living activity packs for school aged families, information signposting, website, home schooling equipment, business deep cleaning equipment, face mask sewing and donating, wood fuel etc etc.
June 2020- Community survey undertaken to feed into local development plan.
July 2020- Cafe Ceardach Open again briefly to do takeaway service.
July 2020- Contractor James McQueen appointed to do work on Housing project in KW.
2020 to 2021- wellness walks organised, funded and run by Lynda Beveridge.
2021 – Outdoor nursery set up at the smithy hub, in response to Covid restrictions, with equipment and funding by LDO.
July 2020- Public drop in consultation in village Hall regarding Housing Project.
September 2020- Smithy Car Park extended
September 2020- Housing project planning lodged with THC
November 2020- school pupils and volunteers treeplanting in KW
Winter 2020 to 2021- Wellness walks funded & organised weekly for 15+ people
26th April 2021- Pottery reopens at Smithy hub
29th May 2021- Cafe reopens at Smithy Hub.
12th May 2021 & 16th June 2021- small electricals recycling day with ILM Highland
29th May 2021 – Outdoors market organised at the Smithy Hub.
June 2021- new tenants – local business take on office space in Smithy.
11th June 2021- New e-bikes available for Hire.
3rd June 2021- the first outdoor market day takes place at Smithy Hub.
August 2021- consultants engaged to draw up new woodland planting plan for KW.
August 2021- volunteering sessions in KW.
August 2021- Children’s summer activities in KW.
30th October 2021- halloween party at the treehouse
27th November 2021- tree-planting session with volunteers and WT trees.
15th January 2022- volunteers clear a space for pilot growing area.
12th February 2022- volunteers finish woodland shelter.
24th February 2022- open meeting to discuss woodland planting plan. vote for native tree planting in KW.
26th March, 2022 – Climate Feis in Village Hall
11th April 2022 – re-fencing of Kirkton Woodland begins.
August 22 – Freedom Framery Open their gallery and framery in the small unit at the Smithy Hub.
winter 22- 23 – 37000 trees planted at Kirkton Community woodland
November 22- Cafe Ceardach permanently closed due to unsustainable losses.
23/05/23 – Lochcarron Weavers Open, become new tenants of the Smithy Hub in the former cafe building.

Who are we?

Posted on June 11, 2015 by balnacra

LCDC is a company limited by guarantee, with charitable status. It is operated by a voluntary board of directors assisted by office bearers. Anyone in the community who agrees with the aims and objectives can join as a member and vote at General meetings.

‘who we are’ by companies;

LCDC ( incorporated 1992 );
Local anchor organisation for development projects, charitable status, parent company to two trading arms, owner of community assets such as the smithy hub, Kirkton woodland etc.
Chair – vacant
Company Secretary – vacant
Treasurer – Hilary Rooke since 2017(Director)
Membership secretary – vacant
Minutes secretary – vacant
Director Helen Murchison since 1992-2007, and again from 2009 (Acting Chair)
Director Peter Barr since 2021
Director Alex Cormack since 2022
Director Ann MacKay since 2022

Kirkton Trading Ltd, incorporated 2014
KT Ltd is a trading arm of LCDC, a company limited by shares, with a Board of Directors set up to run any commercial aspects of managing Kirkton Woodland.
Chair – none
Treasurer – Hilary Rooke since 2018
Voluntary Director – David Thomson since 2014

Cafe Ceardach incorporated 2017
A trading arm of LCDC, a company limited by shares, set up to provide an income stream for LCDC, local employment, community projects catering, retail local crafts, learning centre, visitor information, to promote sustainability and local produce.
Chair – Bart Mcfleat since 2018
Treasurer – Hilary Rooke since 2019
Director – none

Employees of LCDC: none

Independent services/businesses located at Smithy Community Hub:

Keira Mcfleat -Kiki’s Craft Corner
Vicky Stonebridge – Balnacra Pottery
Lochcarron Weavers
Tree House – Venue for hire from LCDC
Freedom Framery- gallery and framers
Office space hired out to Wester Ross Diving services

A member of;
Development Trust Scotland (DTAS)
Community Woodland Association
Community Land Scotland

Partnered with ;

‘Who we are’ by people;

Helen Murchison –
LCDC Director ( acting chair ),
Chair of Community Council.

Hilary Rooke –
Treasurer of LCDC,
Treasurer of KT ltd,
Treasurer of Cafe Ceardach Ltd,
Fire wood order contact,
tree house booking contact.
LCDC Director.
lochcarron/strathcarron Post office Mistress.

Peter Barr –
Director LCDC.

Bart McFleat –
Chair of Cafe Ceardach ltd,
Director of Cafe Ceardach.
( Tenant of LCDC )

David Thomson –
Director of Kirkton trading ltd

Membership forms

Posted on June 6, 2012 by balnacra

If you would like to become a member of LCDC to support and become involved in its work please complete the membership form, available below in different formats. If you have any difficulties with this or would like a paper copy please contact us. infosmithyhub@gmail.com
It costs £5 life membership;
You can post to the company registered address at :
Lochcarron Community Development Company,
Membership secretary,
The Smithy Community Hub,
Strathcarron.
Ross Shire.
IV54 8YS

Or hand in in Person to the above address.

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download membership form in word Doc
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Lochcarron Community Development Company

Membership Application Form
charitable company limited by Guarantee
company Registration No: SC137057
Registered charity No: SC020150
Application of membership

Lochcarron Community Development Company is a Company Limited by Guarantee incorporated under the companies Act. The company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association include the following provisions:-

1. Principal Objects
To manage community land and associated assets for the benefit of the Community and the public in general as an important part of the protection and sustainable development of Scotland’s natural environment, where ‘sustainable development’ means development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

To advance the education of the Community about its environment, culture and/or history.

To advance the arts, heritage, culture or science.

2. Liability of members
Every member of the Company undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required,( not exceeding £1 ) to the Company’s assets if it should be wound up while s/he is a member or within one year after s/he ceases to be a member for payment of the Company’s debts and liabilities contracted before s/he ceased to be a member and the costs, charges and expenses of winding up.This means that if you join the Company, your liability for its debts will not exceed £1.

A life membership fee of £5 is due at the time of joining.

Please note to advise the Company of any change of address.

———————————————————–

I wish to apply for membership of Lochcarron Community Development Company.

Signature………………………………………………………

Date………………………………………

PLEASE COMPLETE IN BLOCK CAPITALS

Part A

Full name………………………………………………..

Address………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………….

Part B
Contact telephone number ,………………………………………….

Contact e-mail address ( if any ) …………………………………..

(NOTE: Each Company is obliged to maintain a register of Members. This requires to be retained at the Registered Office of the Company and is open for public inspection. Only the information contained in Part A above will be retained in the Register if Members. The information in Part B is to facilitate communication. Please note to advise the Company Secretary at the registered Office of any change of address or contact information). S309.2

Kirkton Woodland information booklet

Posted on June 6, 2012 by balnacra

KWHG have produced and 8 page booklet about the Woodland and work of the group. This was assisted by the Forestry commission. The first and last page are below, the whole booklet will be available at local events or can be downloaded by clicking on this link> Kirkton Woodland Booklet

Kirkton Woodland and Heritage Group- background information

Posted on April 11, 2012 by balnacra

Organisational Summary;

Kirkton Woodland and Heritage Group (KWHG) was formed in 2009 in order to revitalise the community to ensure its long term economic, social, cultural and environmental sustainability.

KWHG aims to ;

Manage community land and associated assets for the benefit of the community and the public in general
To advance the education of the community about environment, culture and history
To advance the arts, heritage, culture and science

This is being done through;

Developing, promoting and encouraging good environmental practices
Promoting the environment, biodiversity, social and cultural benefits of the area to the community
Promoting enterprise, skills and development
Raising awareness of the natural environment through education, events and information
Safeguarding the history, culture and heritage of the area for generations to come

Legal Status;

KWHG is a company limited by guarantee with Charitable Status. KWHG is compliant with the regulations set out in the Land Reform Act as a “community body” and thus could apply to register a community interest in any land in the immediate area and also meets the requirements set out in the National Forest land Scheme for applicant organisations

Board of Directors;

The KWHG Board currently comprises of 7 Directors elected from the membership which currently stands at 119. The KWHG Annual General meeting is scheduled to take place on 28^th February

Demographics and Community Profile;

The “community” encompasses the settlements of Lochcarron, Strathcarron and Kishorn in Wester Ross, an area of some 320km2. The recent community ballot, (Feb 2011) carried out as a requirement of their application to the National Forest Land Scheme revealed the level of adult population to be 755, adding to this, there are 48 children attending secondary education, 41 in primary school and 23 under the age of five years. 41% of the population is aged over 60 years

The area is characterised by an ageing, elderly population with falling school rolls. Due to limited employment opportunities in the area there is little prospect of retaining youngsters and consequently low numbers of people of employable age. The area is also popular with people coming to retire and there is a high number of second homes. This has contributed to a diminishing resident working population and consequently put considerable pressure on the viability of local businesses has resulted in the deterioration of local services

KWHG Activities and Current Projects for early delivery;

Other than the proposed acquisition of the 93ha Kirkton Woodland from Forestry Commission,Scotland, their main focus at the moment relates to their ownership of the Smithy and surrounds.

The Smithy Cultural Development;

The Smithy is in an excellent location close outside the entrance to Lochcarron village and has an adjacent car park and surrounding land. In addition there is an operating workshop leased by a craft worker. KWHG is currently progressing a four phased development plan to bring the Smithy and surrounds back into economic use;

Phase One – Refurbishment of the water damaged office and storage area,

instal heating, a community kitchen and WC. This phase is now complete.

Phase Two – Establish a community treehouse in the Smithy grounds. This will provide a venue (24 persons) for small events, workshops and for nature based studies. This phase is scheduled for completion by 6^th April
Phase Three – the erection of 2 x 96m2 heritage craft workshop for rental by local heritage, environmentally based businesses. Funding has been confirmed for the build costs but a shortfall currently exists for landscaping and signage. Work is scheduled to begin in March 2012 with completion by June 2012
Phase Four – Refurbishment of the Smithy (barn) to accommodate a field centre offering visitor information centre Estimate post 2014 when funding allows

Woodland Acquisition;

Kirkton Woodland, lying immediately to the north west of the village of Lochcarron, is a coniferous woodland extending to some 92.6ha, of which approximately 88ha is planted. It is located on an open south easterly aspect mainly on moderate or gentle slopes and is of a uniform age having been planted in 1974. The woodland consists of mainly lodgepole pine but also with some larch andsitkaspruce. Small amounts of mixed broadleaves also exist within the crop although it is mainly restricted to the edges of the river along the eastern canopy. The underlying geology is granulitic schist with acid gneiss to the north. A raised beach forms the surface deposits to the east of the wood, while moraine deposits are found to the west. Soils are generally acidic, and in some places, thin.

KWHG submitted an application to purchase through the National Forest Land Scheme in 2011 and their application was successful. A valuation of £90k was placed on the woodland and the community have until April 2013 to raise the necessary funds to purchase. A good financial case can be made for the community management of Kirkton Woodland as in the short term KWHG should be able to generate enough income from the standing timber to finance the restructuring of the woodland. Financing the acquisition of the woodland could include income generated by the sale of house plots and woodland crofts located within the woodland. KWHG should be able to generate sufficient revenue income to supplement land management and other grants to cover ongoing forest management and project development expenditure. To ensure organisational sustainability, KWHG need to encourage the ongoing support and involvement of the local community. This will ensure that through community ownership and management of Kirkton Woodland, KWHG will be able to provide a wide range of social, environmental and economic benefits to the community and wider public.

Woodland Management;

The woodland crop assessment indicated that the crop was poor and the whole site is wet and unstable. These combined factors indicate that the best option for the site would be consideration of immediate felling. This approach would allow the site to be cleared and then established with a mixture of commercial conifers and broadleaves which would maximise the community interaction with the woodland through creation of a local woodland resource with paths, picnic sites and local amenities.

Other Development Opportunities within the woodland;

Housing – rental opportunities via a housing association
House Plots – an area within the woodland falls within the boundary of the settlement housing zone as per the 2007 Highland Council Lochcarron Development Brief
Woodland Crofts- potential exists for the creation of woodland crofts
Micro Business – Firewood, a source of revenue could be derived from the establishment of a local firewood business. Potential also exists to create a biomass (wood chip) business It is recommended that KWHG establish a small scale firewood business

Project Development;

Once in community ownership, it is intended that KWHG manage the woodland to provide a broad range of public benefits to both the local community as well as to the wider public providing social, economic and environmental outputs. It is anticipated that KWHG will be able to create a sustainable forest resource that will meet the needs of the local and wider community. In the short term, this will entail harvesting of mature timber, as well as the creation of required forest infrastructure (internal and external roads and stacking areas etc).

Restocking;

It is proposed that Kirkton Woodland is restocked with a mixture of 50% conifers, 30% broadleaves and 20% open space. The exact detail and design of the replanting would need to be agreed in consultation with the community and other stakeholders as part of the woodland management plan

Forest Infrastructure:

The infrastructure includes the creation of roads, drainage and fencing

Recreation and Conservation;

There is potential to create recreational access into the forest for locals and tourists through providing access for walkers, mountain bikers etc. interpretation and signage. It is expected that, public pathways will link to viewpoints and picnic sites. Restructuring the forest will greatly increase its biodiversity, this will be achieved through diversification of tree species and by specific land management operations such as the management of riparian zones along watercourses and provision of bird and bat boxes

Note; The full Kirkton Woodland Business Development Plan is available on the Forestry Commission website

Other KWHG Activities;

Annual Country Day event – raising awareness of the local environment
Running monthly Producers Day Market – local produce (food and crafts)
Regular environmentally based workshops
KWHG Board line manage the local Development Officer to progress its own projects as well as other community projects associated with other groups

Note: Income generated from the above will assist with fundraising towards the woodland acquisition

Project Resources (KWHG)

A range of staffing resources will be required to realise the aims of both KWHG projects;

Currently in existence; Local Development Officer

(HIE) Community Account Management Scheme (Phase Two)

The community of Lochcarron has been selected as an area where enhanced support under a new approach called Fas aig an Oir (Growth at the Edge) can achieve innovative and sustainable community development. This approach is being developed byHighlandsand Islands Enterprise (HIE) and is designed to support remote and disadvantaged communities. HIE and LEADER have co-funded the services of a local Development Officer, Kristine MacKenzie who will work with the anchor organisation KWHG. One of the service requirements is to produce a “Growth Plan” for the area which takes into account the community’s vision for the next 5 years, and uses this vision to establish priorities for development. The main focus at the moment is on the KWHG acquisition of Kirkton Woodland from Forestry Commission,Scotlandand the creation of the Smithy Cultural Centre on the KWHG owned site at Strathcarron. Both projects aim to create employment and aid business development.

Further “staffing” requirements:

Community Forester (August 2012)

The services of a Community Forestry Officer will be required to assist the Lochcarron Development Officer and KWHG Board to manage the forest for profitable timber production, conservation and recreation, to plan and co-ordinate the woodland management and infrastructure development of the woodland and to identify potential funders and develop successful funding packages for identified development options. We would anticipate funding for this post to come from various sources of public and private funding.

Lochcarron Growth Development Plan (Phase Two)

Posted on March 4, 2012 by balnacra

By Kristine MacKenzie, Lochcarron Development Officer

Introduction.
The community of Lochcarron (and surrounding settlements) has been selected as an area where enhanced support under a new approach called Fas aig an Oir (Growth at the Edge – Phase Two), can achieve innovative and sustainable community development. This approach is being developed by H.I.E. and is designed to support the most remote and disadvantaged communities. HIE and LEADER have co-funded the services, of local Development Officer. Kristine MacKenzie who will work with the appointed local anchor organisation, Kirkton Woodland and Heritage Group.

One of the service requirements is to produce a “Growth Plan” for the area which takes into account the community’s vision for the next 5 years, and uses this vision to establish priorities for development. Phase One of the Lochcarron Growth Plan, set out to assess the main areas of potential community development. The H.I.E. Lochcarron Survey Report together with various surveys carried out by the anchor organisation, Kirkton Woodland and Heritage Group, highlighted the following areas as most important for future development;

More employment opportunities including the development of Kishorn Port
Development of Kirkton Woodland for amenity, recreation and employment
More affordable housing
Expansion of Howard Doris Centre
Need for industrial units and craft workshops
Investigate the potential for renewable energy projects
Various support mechanisms to support small businesses including crofting
Various environmental improvements
More activities for tourists including improved access for outdoor activities
Better road infrastructure and maintenance
Leisure Centre
Higher standard of Broadband provision

The main focus, at the moment is on two community projects, both projects aim to create employment and aid business development;

Acquisition of Kirkton Woodland

The KWHG application to the National Forest Land Scheme to purchase Kirkton Woodland has been successful. Fundraising events to assist the purchase of the woodland are scheduled to take place throughout the year.

Creation of the Smithy Cultural Centre (4 phase development)

This project is progressing well, Phase One, refurbishing the office to create a community kitchen and WC is complete. Phase Two, the Treehouse construction, will be available for hire from Easter. Phase Three, the erection of two craft workshops is due to begin shortly. Phase Four, the renovation and refurbishment of the old Smithy will take place when funding allows.