To create a sustainable community hub at the Old Schoolhouse, Inverasdale, providing accommodation, shared spaces and opportunities that support local people, visitors and the wider community.
Estimated Price
1531000
1. What do you want to do?
Wester Loch Ewe Trust seeks funding to progress the next phase of development of the Old Schoolhouse community hub in Inverasdale. This project will expand and strengthen the building’s role as a sustainable community asset while creating facilities that serve both residents and visitors.
Funding is required for professional fees and early-stage project costs necessary to deliver the development, including:
Stage 4 Building Warrant and construction drawings
Stage 5–7 Construction support
Project development and specialist advice
Project Development Manager
VAT consultancy
Legal fees
Accountancy support
Statutory and project costs
Planning permission and building warrant
Miscellaneous development costs
The overall construction phase of the project is estimated at £1.361 million.
The development will create new facilities within the Old Schoolhouse building, including staff accommodation, visitor bunkhouse accommodation, a welcoming reception area and a multifunctional hall for community activities, events and gatherings.
2. Why is the project important for our community?
Rural communities such as Wester Loch Ewe face significant challenges, including population decline, limited employment opportunities and increasing social isolation. This project addresses these issues directly by strengthening a vital community hub and creating new opportunities for economic and social activity.
The development will support local employment, encourage younger people to remain in the area, and help attract returning families and working households. By creating shared spaces for socialising, learning and collaboration, the project will also help combat loneliness and isolation, particularly among older residents.
The project aligns closely with the Wester Loch Ewe Local Place Plan (2024), which sets out a vision for a vibrant and sustainable community. The plan highlights the importance of maintaining local services, supporting employment opportunities, encouraging young people and families to live locally, and strengthening community infrastructure.
By developing the Old Schoolhouse as a sustainable community hub, the project directly contributes to these priorities while helping preserve the social, cultural and economic vitality of the area.
3. What positive impact will the project have?
The project will deliver a range of positive outcomes for the community and the wider area.
It will strengthen the Old Schoolhouse as an inclusive and welcoming hub where people of all ages can come together for social activities, learning opportunities and community events. This will help reduce social isolation, increase participation and foster a stronger sense of belonging and community pride.
The project will also support economic sustainability by creating employment opportunities and attracting visitors to the area. Additional accommodation and flexible community spaces will allow the Trust to generate income, helping ensure the long-term viability of the building and reducing reliance on grant funding.
In the longer term, the project contributes to wider community sustainability by supporting population retention, encouraging younger residents and families to remain in or return to the area, and strengthening the case for future affordable housing and local services.
4. What key milestones have you achieved so far and what are the next steps?
The community has already demonstrated a strong commitment to saving and developing the Old Schoolhouse.
After Highland Council mothballed the school in 2012, local residents came together to secure the building for community use. Between 2013 and 2015 the building was used by the community and provided spaces for various groups to meet. Through use of the building and careful stewardship, the community gained backing from its Ward Councillors. Volunteers were advsied to set up a charitable organisation to be ready for asset transfer. Wester Loch Ewe Trust was granted charitable status in 2015. Ownership of Inverasdale School, Schoolhouse and grounds was achieved in 2018.
Volunteers relaunched the community tearoom, raising funds and ensuring the building remained active and open to the public.
Between 2019 and 2022, funding was secured for the first major renovation phase. This work included a rear extension with new toilets and a catering kitchen, alongside refurbishment of the downstairs spaces.
Today the Old Schoolhouse operates as a thriving community venue with a tearoom, coworking space, second-hand shop, heritage displays and rooms available for community hire.
Key progress towards the next phase includes:
Strong community engagement and support, demonstrated through volunteers, members and active use of the building.
Architectural plans and a draft business case completed, with the final version due in May 2026.
Initial quotes obtained for project costs.
A funding strategy prepared and initial funding applications underway.
Next steps include completing the business case, progressing planning permission and building warrant applications, securing full project funding and preparing the project for construction.
5. Anticipated start and end date
The anticipated project timeline is:
Start date: April 2026
Completion date: September 2028
This timeline allows for completion of the design and consent stages, followed by construction and final commissioning of the new facilities.
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