Transport heritage centre a step closer thanks to trust
Western Isles Transport Preservation Group is celebrating a major milestone in its plans to transform the old fish factory at Marybank.
It has been awarded a certificate from building control for the first phase of the work, with the help of Point and Sandwick Trust.
The building, formerly owned by McConnells, was bought by the group in 2010 with the hope of turning it into a transport heritage centre for the Western Isles.
Plans have been drawn up for the transformation of the whole building but they are so extensive and costly the group decided to tackle the project in phases.
However, it ran out of time and money when initial improvements were still needed and planners would not extend the building warrant. That’s when community wind farm charity Point and Sandwick Trust came to the group’s aid with a grant of more than £7,000.
Now group members are looking forward to hosting public social evenings after building control signed off on phase one which involves the creation of office space, a public meeting area, cafeteria, a kitchen and toilets.
Chairman James Macleod said the donation from Point and Sandwick Trust allowed the group to buy heaters, install a hearing loop and intercom, improve the kitchen and cafeteria and install fire alarms.
Mr Macleod added: ‘The assistance from Point and Sandwick got us over the threshold to get the building finished and we are very, very grateful to them for coming to our rescue.’
Donald John MacSween, general manager of Point and Sandwick Trust, said the trust was more than happy to help Western Isles Transport Preservation Group and that the office and meeting space would also be useful for the Marybank community and beyond. ‘It’s important to give these community groups a leg up when they are struggling,’ he said.
The group still hopes to turn the building into a transport heritage centre and hopes to make a successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund and others. The group also hopes to buy a MacBrayne’s bus it has been offered – refurbished and in working order – if it can raise enough money.
The building is already a treasure trove of old vehicles and other artefacts with interesting stories behind them.