Spring has arrived in Arisaig with a bang, and so has another big week for ACT. From a new Business Development Manager to a landmark donation, a zip slide taking shape, and Bill’s Shed coming along nicely, there’s plenty to celebrate (and a rogue sewage pump to commiserate over).
Catch these updates 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: 3rd May 2026
Don’t you feel just a tiny bit sorry for those who’ve jetted off abroad in search of sunshine, while Arisaig has been showing off with another glorious week of spring weather? We’ve been basking in temperatures nudging twenty degrees (so I’m told), soaking up blue skies only occasionally streaked with those high wispy clouds.
And the best bit? No midgies… don’t tell them what they are missing.
The village has burst into life almost overnight. Trees that were bare last week are now adorned in fresh, vibrant green, and everything feels a bit more like summer is coming. Of course, the bracken and brambles have also taken this as their cue to stage a full-scale comeback, but we’ll deal with them later.
It’s been a big week on the people front too. We have our very first Business Development Manager. We’re not ones to hang around, we interviewed, appointed and started Jenni on the 1st of May! Please give a warm welcome to Jenni O’Connor, a local face who brings plenty of experience, energy, and enthusiasm. Do say hello when you see her out and about.
Meanwhile, Gordon Stewart has been fighting valiantly on our behalf and secured an incredible £18,000 annual donation from our Arisaig partners in Singapore. A very loud cheer, please! An unrestricted gift like this gives us real flexibility, and there’s no shortage of things to tackle. From broken benches and tired planters to buildings crying out for a fresh coat of paint, and windows needing replaced at the Land, Sea and Islands Centre… Zoe wasted no time producing a list long enough to keep us all busy for a while.
You may have spotted Chris S hard at work on Bill’s Shed. Great progress is being made there. Less encouraging, however, is our brand-new wastewater and sewage pump. After an installation that involved excavating what felt like half the car park… it isn’t working. Yes, really – it’s brand new. (Apologies to anyone navigating the current obstacle course to reach the chargers.). Peter F has met with an engineer all the way from Edinburgh, so we’re hopeful for a fix soon. Still, it does make your blood boil – spending thousands only to have something repaired before it’s even been used, “making it good,” they say. I’ll let you supply your own swear words here…
But let’s end on a high note. Have you seen the installation has started of a new zip slide? Pamela K has been an absolute superstar in getting the playpark project over the line. I’ve also had a fantastic response to the Nature Restoration project, and one of Jenni’s first missions will be to get that up and running and rally our brilliant volunteers.
And speaking of volunteers, it’s not too late to get involved! Whether it’s this project or anything else, we’d love to have you. Join the Volunteers WhatsApp group, drop us an email, or go old-skool and have a chat with one of the Directors. Zoe can add you to the list, just email info@arisaigcommunitytrust.org.uk
With the weather still holding, I’m off to take the plunge into the (definitely warming… allegedly) sea near Traigh with the local open water swimmers. It’s a fantastic group, very welcoming, lots of laughter, and just a bit of shouting as you hit that critical point of immersion. Is it worth it? Absolutely, you feel amazing afterwards.
Hope you all like the new banner, thanks Sarah F for working her magic and Mungo O for designing the logo and branding for ACT, which is brilliant!
Honestly, I can’t think of a better place to live. A friendly, supportive, hard-working community in one of the most beautiful spots in the world. How lucky are we?
Thanks for reading—now, where did I put that swimming costume?
Cheers, Anne