Four community groups welcome cash boost

FOUR awards were made to Outer Hebrides’ community groups following recent council committee meetings.

The comhairle awarded £61,950 to phase two of the Castlebay Harbour Initiative by Coimhearsnachd Bharraidh agus Bhatarsaidh Ltd, which will see a main pontoon and slipway built to meet demand for visiting yacht berths.

Creating this slipway and 18 additional spaces will support the development of marine tourism and recreation on the island.

The Isle of Lewis Heritage Programme is three interlinked regeneration projects based on heritage and culture, projected to cost £2.5 million. The programme seeks to reinvigorate and empower fragile communities in Lewis.

The projects are being driven by Comunn Eachdraidh Nis, Comann Eachdraidh an Taobh Siar and Kinloch Historical Society.

Comunn Eachdraidh Nis is the longest established local history society in the Western Isles. It hopes to develop a derelict former schoolhouse and canteen into exhibition space to showcase the area’s heritage.

The West Side of the Isle of Lewis Historical Society, Comann Eachdraidh an Taobh Siar, has collected many artefacts to be displayed within what was an old church building, recently acquired by the trust.

And KHS is looking to redevelop the old school in Balallan as a community and heritage hub

An award of £ 300,000 was made to the heritage programme in Lewis and regeneration team officers are providing support to the individual community groups.

Councillor Donald Crichton, chairman of the comhairle’s sustainable development committee, said: ‘Four excellent community projects will be delivered through support from the comhairle’s Community Capital Grant Fund.

In Castlebay, Ness, Shawbost and Balallan, jobs will be safeguarded during the construction period and more will be created after completion.’