Project Overview

Arisaig Community Trust (ACT) is exploring the development of a second community-owned holiday let, building on the success of Bill’s Shed. The project would bring another currently underused community-owned asset into productive use, generating a sustainable source of unrestricted income that can be reinvested directly into projects and services for the local community.

ACT already owns the building and land required for the project. Funding would therefore be used primarily for the development and conversion of the site. Subject to feasibility and planning considerations, there are two potential options: renovating and adapting the existing building into a high-quality holiday accommodation, or demolishing the existing structure and replacing it with one or more shepherd huts or similar low-impact accommodation.

The final option will be determined following surveys, professional advice, planning requirements, cost comparisons and consideration of the best long-term use of the site.

Activities We Are Seeking Funding For

Funding would support the following activities:

• Building condition and structural surveys.

• Architectural and design work.

• Planning and building warrant applications.

• Environmental and other required surveys.

• Demolition of the existing building, if this is the most appropriate option.

• Renovation, conversion and upgrading of the existing building, where viable.

• Alternatively, purchase and installation of suitable shepherd huts or other low-impact accommodation.

• Groundworks, drainage and utility connections.

• Installation or improvement of water, electricity, heating and wastewater systems.

• Insulation and energy-efficiency improvements.

• Internal fit-out, including kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living facilities.

• Furniture, fixtures, fittings and equipment.

• Landscaping and improvements to outdoor areas.

• Accessibility and safety improvements.

• Fire safety equipment and certification.

• External signage and interpretation.

• Professional fees and project management.

• Initial marketing, photography and booking systems.

• Contingency to manage unforeseen development costs.

ACT will contribute the existing building and land as a significant in-kind contribution to the project.

Why Is This Project Important to the Community?

Arisaig is a small rural community where generating sustainable income locally is essential to maintaining community assets and delivering projects that benefit residents. As a community trust, ACT is responsible for developing income streams that reduce reliance on grants and donations and allow the organisation to respond to local priorities.

Bill’s Shed has demonstrated the potential of a community-owned holiday let to achieve this. Rather than profits leaving the area, income generated through accommodation can be retained by ACT and reinvested in Arisaig.

A second holiday let would build on this model and create an additional long-term income stream from an asset already owned by the community. It would also ensure that the building and land are brought back into productive use rather than remaining underused or deteriorating.

The project supports ACT's wider aim of creating financially sustainable community assets while ensuring that tourism directly contributes to the community in which it takes place.

Positive Impact

The project will create a range of economic, social and community benefits.

Financial: The holiday let will generate unrestricted income for ACT. This can help fund community facilities, events, activities, environmental projects, volunteering and future community initiatives.

Community: Profits will be retained locally rather than distributed to private owners. This creates a direct link between visitors staying in Arisaig and investment in the community.

Economic: Visitors will spend money with local shops, cafés, attractions, activity providers and other businesses, supporting the wider local economy.

Environmental: Redeveloping an existing community-owned site provides an opportunity to improve energy efficiency, insulation, heating and landscaping. If shepherd huts are selected, a low-impact approach can be considered.

Asset management: The project will bring an existing community-owned asset back into productive use and reduce the risk of long-term deterioration and associated future maintenance costs.

Tourism: The accommodation will provide visitors with another opportunity to stay locally while promoting Arisaig, its environment, heritage and community-owned facilities.

Long-term sustainability: Most importantly, the project will create an income-generating asset that can continue contributing to the community year after year.

Expected Outcomes

We expect the project to:

• Create a second community-owned holiday accommodation.

• Generate a new unrestricted income stream for ACT.

• Increase the amount of income available for reinvestment in community priorities.

• Bring an underused building and site back into productive use.

• Support local businesses through visitor spending.

• Increase awareness of ACT and its community-owned approach.

• Create opportunities for local contractors and tradespeople during development.

• Provide a high-quality, sustainable visitor experience.

• Improve the condition, appearance and energy efficiency of the site.

• Strengthen ACT's long-term financial resilience and ability to develop further community projects.

Over time, the project could form part of a small portfolio of community-owned accommodation, allowing ACT to generate reliable income while continuing to invest in the needs and priorities identified by local residents.

Key Milestones Achieved So Far

ACT has already demonstrated that community-owned accommodation is achievable and commercially viable through the development of Bill’s Shed.

Key milestones include:

• ACT has successfully developed and launched Bill’s Shed as Arisaig's first community-owned holiday let.

• The property is operational and welcoming guests.

• Bill’s Shed has received excellent visitor feedback, including 5-star reviews.

• The project has established systems for bookings, cleaning, maintenance, guest communication and property management.

• All profits from Bill’s Shed are retained by ACT for community benefit.

• ACT has developed experience in managing a community-owned accommodation business.

• The Trust owns the proposed second development site and therefore does not need to purchase land.

• The project has the potential to build directly on the knowledge, systems and lessons learned from Bill’s Shed.

Next Steps

The next stage is to establish the most appropriate and financially sustainable development option.

1. Complete a detailed assessment of the existing building and site.

2. Commission structural, condition and other necessary surveys.

3. Obtain initial architectural/design advice.

4. Compare the costs and benefits of renovation against demolition and replacement with shepherd huts or similar accommodation.

5. Establish planning, building control and environmental requirements.

6. Develop detailed capital and ongoing operating budgets.

7. Confirm the preferred development option.

8. Secure the required funding and permissions.

9. Appoint contractors and commence construction/development.

10. Complete furnishing, certification, safety checks and operational systems.

11. Launch the accommodation and begin generating income.

12. Monitor occupancy, income, expenditure and community benefit, using the findings to inform future ACT projects.

The project represents an opportunity to turn an existing community-owned asset into a long-term source of income. By investing in the development now, ACT can create an asset that continues to generate financial and wider community benefits for many years to come.