SLEAT on the Isle of Skye, Scotland

The story so far . . .

“Sleat Community Trust is perhaps one of the best models of an integrated, home-grown, development body”

(West Highland Free Press, 18 January 2008)

*Latest Newsletter now on line click here

Sleat Community Trust supports sustainable development in the Sleat Peninsula of the Isle of Skye. The area, known as the 'Garden of Skye' has been one of the fasted growing rural areas of Scotland, with massive community and educational developments at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland's Gaelic College, the two major estates at Armadale and Isleornsay, and a lively and growing population. 

You might think that buying a petrol station and running the Post Office is an unusual spin-off from a proposal  for a windfarm – but Sleat Community Trust have done just that.

The Trust (SCT) was created in 2004, not because of land issues, but because a mechanism was needed to receive monies from a planned estate / local crofter managed wind-farm. That project never got off the ground, but the community, long-used to being merely re-active, found its collective voice.

So Sleat Community Trust set off to create a Sustainable Sleat – which includes helping to retain  necessary services in Sleat.

SCT laid out ground-rules: look at all sustainable ideas; keep the community informed, and aim for excellence. While this has not always been achieved, the results are impressive.

Over 70% of the community are members, supporting a wide variety of projects. Over 40 people are active in 9 groups; two limited companies have been formed and 5.5 jobs created.

Sleat Community Trading secured a house for rent, the local garage, fuel and visitor services, in 2007, with a £280,000 Big Lottery Grant, and has recently acquired the Post Office ~ community assets that could have been lost.

Sleat Renewables Ltd established a wood-chip supply for the Gaelic College. It is investigating a community turbine and created the ‘Clean Sleat’ project to reduce carbon emissions.

SCT has undertaken numerous reports, listed at the end, including Community Care and Transport studies, the purchase of 1,000 acres of forestry, and is funding a detailed community master-plan.
The Development Trust Association has commissioned SCT to act as its agent in the Highlands, providing support for other community ventures.