Greetings from CCDC! Read on to find out what’s been happening…
Welcome to the spring newsletter. We hope this finds you safe and well and hopefully seeing a light at the end of the pandemic tunnel with the vaccines. We realise things won’t be back to normal for a while yet and, in response to this, we have relaunched the CCDC Crisis Fund for people who are struggling financially at the moment. We urge you to contact us (confidentially of course) if you live in Coigach and feel that this would be of benefit to you.
Despite restrictions, we have found ways to move forward with several projects, ranging from organising a fantastic pop-up cafe with the Community Hall, to housing, arts and heritage…
Coigach Pop-up Cafe and Cakeway
was needed and the service was adapted to Coigach Cakeway so a goody bag containing soup, sandwiches and cake is delivered to households on request. If you or someone you know would enjoy this treat please contact Julie Edwards, 01854 622 409 inverpolly@aol.com. If you wish to make a donation to the hall, we suggest £5 but this is not obligatory do don’t miss out if you’re minding the pennies!
Housing Options’ Appraisal Our Housing Needs Survey highlighted the fact that we desperately need more affordable housing on the peninsula if we are to address the problem of depopulation long term. Housing is CCDC’s number one priority and we recently engaged Alison Sinclair to undertake a full Housing Options’ Appraisal for Coigach. We are now in the process of considering the most promising options and hope to have news before too long. Please contact us if you’d like to talk about housing: we’re gathering information all the time and your input will help us get the best new homes for the area.
Coigach and Assynt Living Landscape Partnership Projects
The Coigach and Assynt Collection We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded funding from Creative Scotland, in addition to funding from CALLP, for a new arts’ project for this year. With The Coigach and Assynt Collection we are 
working with some of Scotland’s high profile musicians to produce new compositions, performances and mixed media installations in the landscape, and will shortly be putting out a call for an artist in residence to work alongside the musicians. Watch this space!
The current Music and Tales of Coigach and Assynt projects are reaching their final stages and we’re really looking forward to hearing Mary Ann Kennedy and her team’s composition and to seeing Ronan Martin’s new book of music, stories and photographs. These promise to be two outstanding pieces of work which reflect beautifully on our communities. For more information about Music and Tales, here’s the link to CALLP’s website: Music & Tales of Coigach & Assynt – Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape (coigach-assynt.org)
Fox Point Through CALLP we are about to embark on some improvements to the Fox Point Path. Following consultation with landowners, crofters and path users it was agreed that a “light touch” was preferred. So although you won’t see any drastic changes, it should be easier to use with a bit of attention to boggy patches and improved access at both ends. We have just appointed a contractor to undertake the work with a view to completion this summer.
members of both communities and has made presentations to both Community Councils. We’re hoping to produce a Heritage Trail leaflet, have a presence online and to have signs and information panels made over the coming months.
Community Land Scotland Art Project: Owning Our Future
We’ve been working with Susan Christie on a Community Land Scotland funded project to find out how our community has responded to issues raised by the pandemic, and to explore how we move forward. The project has involved talking to different members of the community and has also produced the beautiful map of Coigach pictured here. There are several other communities across Scotland taking part in this Owning Our Future project and we look forward to watching the film about them all which is currently being made.
And, finally, joining our experienced team of volunteer Directors, we welcome Jen Nutkins and Robin Irvine onto CCDC’s Board!
Reg. Office: Coigach Community Hall, Achiltibuie IV26 2YG Reg. Charity SC047971
Registered at Companies House SC374107
LDOs Julia Campbell, Donald Macleod and Ann Marie Firth-Bernard
Tel: 01854 622 379/389 07745 205 433(m)
www.coigachcommunity.com info@coigachcommunity.org.uk