Another big week for Arisaig Community Trust. Solar panels are now up at the Land, Sea and Islands Centre and the Community Toilets, the work on Bill’s Shed is pressing on, and tan £18k grant has just landed to transform the area around the playpark, playing field and orchard. As ever, none of it happens without a dedicated band of volunteers and board members giving their time behind the scenes.
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 you.
ACT Diary: 22nd March 2026
The good news just keeps coming. We’ve gone Solar at the Land, Sea and Islands Centre and the community Toilets! This not only saves us a fortune on electric but is a real boost for renewables in the village. Do come have a look at what we’ve installed.
And another fabulous opportunity ahead – I am delighted to announce that ACT secured an £18K grant to improve the area around the playpark, playing field, orchard and storefront (thank you Highland Council). All those late nights grant writing is paying dividends, so I won’t be hanging up my quill pen and nightcap just yet. This was one of the grants I really wanted. After the brilliant Playpark renovation led by Pam, I felt the surrounding area could be really improved if we could get rid of the couch grass and brambles.
Arisaig is unique in having several hectares of Atlantic Rainforest close to the playing field. A jaunt ‘round the glen’ and you can immerse yourself in this internationally important habitat. Our native woodland, which flourishes in Arisaig’s Atlantic ‘hyper-oceanic’ zone, nourishes some of the world’s rarer Bryophytes, Lichens, Fungi and Invertebrates. If you are ever in doubt about this wildlife wonder, just ask the eagle eyed Ronnie, who regularly patrols on this bike, binoculars at the ready, spotting all sorts of wildlife. Given the constant march of environmental damage across the globe, we can play our own wee bit in looking after and boosting this very special wildlife haven in and around the village.
I’ve been so fortunate in securing help from our local rockstar botanist, Alan Bennell. He’s been a caretaker of Larachmore Gardens for over 30 years, as well as being the Principal Scientific officer at the Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh. By joining forces hope we can galvanise enthusiastic gardeners of all ages and the gardening club to help this project. Ultimately our aim is to extend and enhance the thriving wildlife corridor in the area by creating pollinator-friendly habitats around the playing field, playpark and shorefront and enhance the village orchard. Most people don’t seem to know where the orchard is, so a sign, some seating and a path would help! I was thinking we should call it the “secret orchard”.
Work on Bills Shed is progressing, although Steve, Gill, Arthur and myself felt like we were doing a version of the hokey-cokey today. We had to move everything in the storage shed AGAIN to give us room to complete the necessary work inside. Next time we move it, it’s staying put! Peter has been busy on electrics, wiring up the sewage pumps and putting in cabling needed for the kitchen. Kate and Andrew have been busy with interior design for the accommodation which will be small but perfectly formed. Sarah has been weaving her marketing wand and putting blogs on the website.
Massive thanks to this week’s volunteers: Gill and Arthur; Kate and Andrew; Sarah, Peter and of course the board: Steve, Diane, Becky and Gordon and last but not least Zoe.
DO GET INVOLVED… we can always use more help!
There are lots of ways to take part. Join the Volunteers WhatsApp Group, drop us an email, or if you prefer the old-skool approach – have a chat with one of the Directors. Zoe can add your name to the list; just email info@arisaigcommunitytrust.org.uk.
Cheers! Anne