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.

Rosemary Bridge
Treasurer

Rosemary, born in Arisaig, returned after 20 years away to bring up her family. With a background in education and as a former head teacher, she aspires to contribute her skills to ACT’s accounting responsibilities.

John Fisher
Director

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.

Olivia Bridge
Director

Olivia, born in Arisaig, left for legal studies in 2006. After international adventures, she returned in 2018. Now a paramedic, she’s eager to contribute to local projects and work with fantastic people.

Alison Christian
Director

Alison, a Greenock native, transitioned from a Business Studies diploma to an IT career as an analyst/programmer. Having brought up their two sons in Houston, Renfrewshire, she and husband Jim are now retired in Arisaig where she hopes to contribute her skills to the community.

Muriel MacDougall
Director

Muriel, originally from Fort William, has resided in Arisaig since 1979. With over 30 years as an Infant Teacher at Arisaig Primary School, she’s deeply involved in village life and community events, bringing extensive local knowledge to her role in ACT.

“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’