About Us
Out impact on community life, education, culture, housing, and more.
Arisaig Community Trust
ACT came to life in 2009 when we wanted to lease the playing field on the edge of the village. Since those early days we have grown in confidence and experience, and today we aim to make a difference to all aspects of community life.
Our projects now include education, culture, housing, recreation, employment and the environment. In the last few years we have acquired and completely refurbished the Land, Sea and Island Centre, taken over the Arisaig loos, transformed the playing field and helped many villagers make their homes warmer and more energy efficient.
We work closely with the Community Council and other organisations, but because ACT is an independent company we can take action more quickly if we need to. We can also buy or lease property and raise funds on behalf of the community.
Who We Are
Meet Our Board
Anne Widdop
Chair
Anne Widdop, a seasoned technologist and entrepreneur with over 35 years’ experience, held senior roles at IBM and HP. She founded Fuze Ceremonies and The VR Hive, creating 12 high-tech jobs in Scotland. Anne leads purpose-driven companies addressing significant societal issues.
Becky Donald
Treasurer
Becky moved to Arisaig from East Linton with the multigeneration Donald family in 2022. After taking a degree in Maths and Computer Science and working as a software engineer, Becky cofounded many startup businesses where she took on the role of Finance Director, trained as an accountant and built up her own successful accounting practise. She remains as Director of several companies and was formerly a trustee and treasurer of Dunbar Harbour Trust. Her passion is creating employment and housing for young people. The newest member of the Trust she hopes her knowledge and experience will bring lasting benefits to the Arisaig Community.
Steve Westwood
Director
Since 1966, Steve has cherished Arisaig, forming a deep connection during annual vacations with parents. After naval and aerospace careers, Steve resides in his parents’ house, aiming to contribute expertise to ACT and the community.
Tina Coull
Director
Tina grew up on the Isle of Harris and is a native Gaelic speaker. She has recently moved to Arisaig with her three children and works in the local primary schools. She would like to be actively involved in the community and help where she can.
Diane Roberts
Director
Diane has experience in hospitality, retail, customer service and property management. She enjoys playing an active role in supporting the Arisaig community and helping out whenever she can.
Gordon Stewart
Director
Gordon has strong roots in Arisaig, having moved up from the Scottish borders in the 1980’s when his parents bought the Arisaig Hotel. He has an interesting and broad work experience ranging from a decade as a creel fisherman to now delivering the local mail as our Royal Mail postie. Gordon has always been closely involved in community volunteering, and in 2009 was part of the original steering group which set up the Arisaig Community Trust. He has been a member of Arisaig & District Community Council, treasurer of a number of local organisations and is currently Chair of Camas an t’Salainn Moorings Association and also The Arisaig Fund.
This experience has taught Gordon a great deal about funding, reporting, dealing with public bodies, and the importance of developing and strengthening communities at ground level.
“Knowing that we make a positive difference to the sustainability of the village is really rewarding and I’ve particularly enjoyed helping to breathe new life into the Land, Sea and Islands Centre.”
Structure of the Trust
How ACT differs from the Community Council
Arisaig Community Trust
ACT is a company which is set up under the Companies Acts. It consists of members who join from the locality and is run by a board of directors, who are subject to periodic re-election or replacement, as voted on by the members. The board can also co-opt people who have particular skills that the board may need to call upon from time to time. Full membership is open to anyone on the electoral register residing in the PH39 area.
ACT is also a registered charity. Its stated purposes are to benefit the community by, for example, providing recreational facilities, advancing education and the arts and culture, advancing environmental protection and improvement, and advancing community development.
Examples of this in practice include: ACT leasing the playing field from the Estate; acquiring and running the Land, Sea and Islands Centre; taking over ownership and running of the public toilets; organising numerous environmental initiatives; and securing funding for energy efficiency works to houses in the village.
Arisaig & District Community Council
ADCC is part of the government structure in Scotland. Community Councils were set up under the Local Government (Scotland) Acts and sit as a tier of government under the hierarchy of the UK Parliament, the Scottish Parliament and local authorities. In the case of ADCC, the relevant local authority is the Highland Council, and the area it represents includes not only Arisaig, but also Lochailort, Ardnish and Roshven. Community Councils are given annual funding from their local authority and also receive notice of all planning and liquor licensing applications in their area.
- The stated purposes of Community Councils include:
- communicating to local and public authorities and private agencies the views of the community in relation to matters for which these bodies are responsible
- taking appropriate action on behalf of the community in relation to such matters
- being ‘a voice for the local area’
Fair Work First Policy
Arisaig Community Trust is committed to advancing the Scottish Government’s Fair Work First Policy, including Real Living Wage and Effective Voice considerations.
