Following years of efforts and dedicated energy from the volunteer board of the Isle of Kerrera Development Trust (IKDT), the islanders are delighted to finally own their first ever community building. The IKDT purchased the old primary school building in July 2019, thanks to the Scottish Land Fund and have exciting plans in place to transform it into a much needed community hub, providing a place to meet, learn and socialise, a place for playgroup, keep fit, weddings, parties and all sorts of things as well as offering facilities for the many people that visit the island each year.
“There is no school, doctor, library, post office, shop or pub on Kerrera- islanders need to travel to the mainland for all services. With the last scheduled public ferry at 6pm, opportunities to take part in any sports, cultural or social activities are very limited. We plan to change all that and renovate the old school to create a simple, fit-for-purpose community centre, right in the heart of the island. The benefits of the new centre are undeniable and will be genuinely life-changing”. IKDT
IKDT need to raise around £25,000 by community fundraising for the renovations – in particular for new windows and doors and to fix the walls – and to help they have been running a crowdfunder campaign with a real community effort and loads of great ideas for the rewards! There is planting a tree, Kerrera Sea Tea, lots of different guided walks and tours, farm visits, a weekend stay and dinner, chainsaw wood sculpture, mackerel fishing – the ideas and contributions are absolutely amazing and really underlines the strength of local support for the project.
You can read more about their journey here.