Just over a year ago, our operational team consisted of one full time equivalent employee. Together, Julia and Ann Marie, with the help of Seori and voluntary directors, achieved a remarkable portfolio of activities including the Heritage Trail, grants’ scheme and historic purchase of Achagarry. That is a very hard act to follow, but now in summer 2024, our team comprises three full time equivalent posts with myself, Amy, Heather, Cathy and Steve joining the team.

Looking to the future, Coigach residents have given CCDC a wide range of potential projects to deliver, much more than the equivalent of three people working together could manage all at once.  If each of the 40 projects on the community’s wish list took one person one year to deliver, we could create a 13-year plan today! This summer we are prioritising and planning our next five years: the operational team have been scrutinising the project ideas and working out what is possible, whilst the Board will be reviewing CCDC’s strategy and its new working groups’ structure.

The big projects of the summer are the Achiltibuie Community Garden and submitting planning permission for the new housing development at Achagarry. And in June, a community meeting was called due to philanthropist Ian Wace’s generous offer to assist the community in buying the crofted land of the Badentarbet Estate. The community voted overwhelmingly in favour of accepting the offer. Please look at www.coigachcommunity.com/badentarbet-estate/ for updates, FAQs, and to read CCDC’s full press release.

The team mostly work from CCDC’s office in Coigach Community Hall: you will find at least one of us there Monday – Friday, willing to help with any questions about our grants’ scheme or any urgent issues you may have.  

We hope you enjoy our newsletter and many thanks to those of you who had a chat with us at our stall at the Gathering on the 29th June. And do SAVE THE DATE for our AGM on Monday 18th November!

Laura