After a couple of quieter weeks on the blog front, there’s plenty to catch up on. A grant has been secured to bring in ACT’s first ever Business Development Manager, Bill’s Shed is taking shape thanks to some heroic volunteer work behind the scenes, and with spring arriving and visitors heading north, the team has never been busier. Here’s the latest from the Trust.
Catch these updates (almost) every week on our Facebook page or drop us a line at info@arisaigcommunitytrust.org.uk – we’re always happy to hear from people who want to get involved with helping the Trust.
ACT Diary: 12th April 2026
Been a couple of weeks since the last blog and there is so much news to share! Never a dull moment at Arisaig Community Trust.
Hopefully you have noticed posts about recruiting a full-time Business Development Manager? We have known about this for a few weeks, but very hush-hush until the The Scottish Government issued grant award letters. From speaking with Development Trusts Association Scotland members the most successful Trusts have Business Development Managers. This is brilliant news for our community. So far applications are from London, India, Dundee and Kent – but no one locally! This role is best suited to someone who lives here and can work on a daily basis with the Board, volunteers and the community. Not sure how you do that from London? Even if you feel you may not have quite the right experience, do get in touch for a chat, I’d love to speak to anyone considering applying.
Bill’s Shed transformation continues. Peter and Steve (unpaid volunteers), have been putting in massive shifts on first fit electrics and plumbing. There are frustrating glitches, none more so than the fact we need to pump waste uphill to reach the nearest mains sewer. There are issues with faulty (brand new) equipment which happens to be buried in the car park. Very frustrating, so if you see either Peter or Steve, do cheer them on as they battle with pumps and drains. Chris S is getting on with the joinery, so it is all taking shape.
Speaking of plumbing, sadly the mobile phone powering the electronic donations at the toilets has given up the ghost, so currently there is no way to donate, apart from cash. It’s just another one of the many tasks the Board are grappling with. We need another solution as most people don’t have cash these days. Once we get a new donation system in place, some better signs to nudge up donations? Lighthearted would be good? “If you need a pee, it’s not for free (please donate to keep the toilets open)” or “These toilets don’t run themselves but with your help we can keep them flushing” or “if you need to defecate, please reciprocate” … ok, maybe not that one! Please post suggestions in the comments, all puns accepted.
Mungo and Sarah have been busy designing branding for ACT and pulling together a marketing strategy. They are both brilliant, great to have talented people around willing to help.
With spring underway (yes it is despite snow) and visitors making their way North, ACT is facing an ever-growing list of jobs: from painting the toilets and maintaining the Land, Sea and Islands Centre, to improving the car park (not cheap!), updating signage, setting up electronic donations, redesigning and reprinting maps, and finding someone to manage the museum… and that’s just the start.
We can’t do it alone. Please get involved. It’s your village, and ACT is only here to support the community. We will be posting on the WhatsApp Group areas we need help, if you can spare an hour here or there, any time you have makes a difference.
Unfortunately Gordon Stewart is stepping down from the board. I want to thank Gordon for his contribution in the last months, we are sad to see him go. On the hunt for more Directors. But the bright light on the horizon is the Business Development Manager.
If you haven’t done so yet, join the Volunteers WhatsApp Group, drop us an email, or if you prefer the old-skool approach – have a chat with one of the Directors. Zoe can add your name to the list; just email info@arisaigcommunitytrust.org.uk.
Cheers!
Anne