A busy week for the Arisaig Community Trust. Solar panels put in place in near-gale conditions, Bill’s Shed progressing and the Land, Sea and Islands Centre reopening for the season. As ever, a small of army of volunteers and board members keep everything moving behind the scenes.
You can catch these updates every week on our Facebook page. And if you’d like to get involved or just say hello, we’re always glad to hear from you at info@arisaigcommunitytrust.org.uk.
ACT Diary: 15th March 2026
Monday, and off to a flying start. With ground work on Bills Shed, Peter F took on the task of overseeing the water/waste/drainage install. Thank goodness he knows about pipes, pumps and wires, I wouldn’t have a clue. Progress continues with work starting inside imminently, just needing a quick (and hopefully painless) inspection by building control. Thankfully Andrew and Kate are diligently navigating the planning consents. I get to do the more mundane, eventually freeing the old bike to a sad resting place at the dump. I couldn’t convince anyone to take it, so off it went in the back of the van on Tuesday. I own a few bikes, so hate seeing one being scrapped, but much as I was tempted, I couldn’t justify keeping it. A visit to the Fort William recycling is sobering. Heartbreaking to see how much stuff is unceremoniously dumped. The army of fridges surrounded by hoovers, dishwashers and massive TV screens looked over sadly as I hoisted the bike into the metal recycling. Goodbye old faithful bike! I wish everything was easier to repair and reuse.
With the Land, Sea and Islands Centre re-opening on Friday, Diane has been a busy bee arranging the shop, ordering stock, cleaning and tidying. She’s a wonderful eye for detail and corralling the volunteers. I met with a Senior Advisor at Museums and Galleries Scotland about the Heritage collection. As we are still missing a ‘curator’, I’m exploring ways of getting much needed help and advice from experts. If anyone is interested in helping, PLEASE get in touch! I also met with Catherine and Ashley at the Marina, both a whirlwind of activity, getting ready to reopen. They have improved the Marina so much in the last few years, it’s a delight to see it looking fabulous. It is critical that the Community Trust work in synch with local business and I fully intend that. Lots of conversations to be had about collaborating to bring business to the village.
We still need to arrange a spring makeover for the toilets, I’ll put out another message next week and see if we can find a time that suits people. Chris McQ was busy installing a new fuse box.
On a freezing, wet and stormy day (it was only a force 8, what you moaning about?), a trio from AES quickly erected scaffolding for the solar installation on both the Land, Sea and Islands Centre and Toilets. Pity the poor roofers as they battled away, in the teeth of a (near) gale, wholly unsuitably dressed. The poor young lad, unused to Highland weather, chittered as he tried to shelter on the lee of the roof, hammer clutched in a shaking, frozen hand. He didn’t know what had hit him. I offered to bring him a jumper but he looked aghast and embarrassed as he stuttered out ‘NO thanks’. Guess he would never have lived down the slagging wearing a jumper donated by an old woman (I’m not that old, honest). He would rather freeze! The solar install will really help with our electric bills and it’s the way to go to help the planet.
Another successful week over with thanks to: Steve overseeing Bills Shed, Gordon the Solar install, Becky beetling away on accounts, Diane and all the Land, Sea and Islands Volunteers, Chris McQ on electrics, Sarah on marketing and last but not least Peter and Zoe who always seem to be absorbing a host of other jobs (in no particular order) from sorting out the cleaning store and rota, fixing cisterns, arranging Playpark inspections, managing housing … there is always work to be done to keep the village in the best shape possible.
If you want to get involved, there are lots of ways you can do that. You can join the Volunteers WhatsApp Group, or just drop us an email and ask Zoe to add your name to the list info@arisaigcommunitytrust.org.uk or, old skool, talk to one of the Directors.
Cheers! Anne