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
Steve Westwood
Chair
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.
Anne Widdop
Treasurer
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.
John Fisher
Vice-Chair
John, residing in Arisaig for 15 years, served as Deputy Headteacher in Mallaig High School, teaching French. With diverse skills in education, IT, and crofting, he aims to enrich the work of Arisaig Community Trust.
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.
Emma Weir
Director
Emma grew up in Kinlochmoidart and spent her career working in London and Hong Kong running a global boutique financial services executive search firm. In 2010 she bought Arisaig House and her sister ran it as a hotel. In 2022 she sold Arisaig House and has recently moved full time to Camusdarach.
“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.
