1. What do you want to do?

Historic Assynt manages the historic Old Kirk at Inchnadamph as a community archive and heritage resource. We want to develop the Kirk as a more accessible, sustainable and active community heritage venue while respecting the character and setting of the historic building.

A significant barrier is the absence of toilet, kitchen and welfare facilities. The limited land surrounding the Kirk makes permanent facilities potentially difficult and intrusive.

We therefore propose to investigate and develop a low-impact solution, potentially including an accessible, towable and environmentally sustainable welfare/event unit providing toilet and basic refreshment facilities.

We will also explore whether this could become a shared community asset, available to other organisations delivering outdoor events and activities across Assynt where welfare facilities are limited.

Funding is anticipated to support:

• feasibility and options appraisal;

• community consultation and partnership development;

• accessibility and technical assessment;

• planning, heritage and other professional advice where required;

• acquisition and adaptation of the preferred mobile facility;

• accessible toilet and refreshment provision;

• sustainable power, water and waste systems;

• storage/event equipment where appropriate; and

• implementation and initial set-up costs.

No particular technical solution has yet been selected. The development stage will ensure that investment responds to demonstrated need and provides the greatest possible community benefit.

2. Why is your project important for your community?

The Old Kirk already provides a base for Historic Assynt's archive and community heritage work, but the absence of basic welfare facilities significantly restricts how long it can open and the activities that can take place there.

Improved facilities could enable greater use for archive openings, exhibitions, talks, workshops, educational activities, community archaeology, heritage events and small community gatherings, while removing an important accessibility barrier for volunteers, participants and visitors.

Historic Assynt's recent community heritage programme has taken archive material out into communities across Assynt. Analysis of summer opening records also shows a notably stronger visitor rate per opening in 2026 than in earlier recorded years. While a direct causal link cannot be established, this suggests that greater visibility of the collection may be contributing to increased interest in visiting the archive.

There is also a wider rural infrastructure opportunity. Community, cultural, environmental and heritage activities regularly take place at outdoor and remote locations across Assynt where accessible welfare provision is limited. A shared mobile solution could therefore benefit organisations beyond Historic Assynt.

The proposal aligns with the Sutherland Area Place Plan, particularly priorities around community capacity and resilience, infrastructure and connectivity, environment and climate, employment and economic opportunities, and sustainable tourism.

3. What positive impact will your project have?

Expected outcomes include:

• improved accessibility and inclusion at the Old Kirk;

• increased opening and community use of the archive;

• more talks, workshops, exhibitions and learning opportunities;

• increased participation in community heritage activities;

• improved welfare provision for volunteers and visitors;

• protection of the historic Kirk through a reversible, low-impact approach;

• shared infrastructure potentially supporting other Assynt organisations;

• improved provision for outdoor and remote community events;

• environmentally sustainable use of power, water and waste systems where practical;

• stronger partnership working and sharing of community resources;

• an improved visitor experience; and

• opportunities for increased use and earned income to contribute towards the long-term sustainability of the Old Kirk.

4. What key milestones have you achieved so far and what will your next steps be?

Community Engagement & Support Evidenced: Historic Assynt has undertaken community engagement through its recent heritage programme and summer archive openings. The next stage will include targeted consultation with community organisations to establish potential demand for shared use of a mobile facility.

Project Plan / Feasibility / Business Case created: Initial concept development has been undertaken. Historic Assynt has also analysed surviving visitor, sales and donation records to establish baseline evidence of use. A detailed options appraisal, specification and business/management case will now be developed.

Necessary Consents Obtained: Not yet applicable. Advice will be sought regarding planning, listed-building and other regulatory requirements as potential solutions are developed.

Quotes Obtained: Not yet. Suitable new, second-hand and adapted units will be investigated and indicative quotations obtained as part of the options appraisal.

Funding Applications Submitted: Not yet. Registration through BeConnected forms part of the project's early funding-development stage.

Next steps: Consult potential community partners; investigate storage and servicing arrangements; assess accessible and environmentally sustainable options; obtain planning and regulatory advice; compare technical solutions and costs; develop ownership, insurance, towing and booking arrangements; prepare a business case; and develop an appropriate package of grant, partnership, sponsorship and in-kind funding.

5. What is your anticipated start date/end date?

Start: Autumn 2026

Development, consultation and options appraisal: Autumn 2026–Spring 2027

Funding, permissions and procurement: 2027

Implementation: During 2027, subject to the outcome of feasibility work, necessary permissions and funding.

Anticipated project end: December 2027