THREE local people have joined Staffin Community Trust's board, ahead of an important and busy period in the organisation's history.
Elishadder's Maggie Ross, Andrew Whitehead from Digg and Ged Poland, who lives in Culnacnoc, came onto SCT at the AGM in January.
The new directors bring with them a range of knowledge, skills and experience from education, business, archaeology and more, with their input warmly welcomed by the existing board of volunteer directors.
It comes as SCT prepares to officially open the long-awaited Crofters' Memorial - Sùil na Brathan -at the Kilt Rock later this spring and complete the community purchase of Staffin Harbour, while also starting major construction works at the current slipway.
SCT's existing responsibilities include the management of Taighean a' Chaiseil and the Skye Ecomuseum Druim nan Linntean project.
Maggie's family, particularly her mother, were immersed in community development in Staffin stretching back several decades. As a teenager Maggie grew up working hard at fundraising for the community hall in Staffin including sales of work, curry suppers, auctions, whist drives, clay pigeon shoots, darts competitions and even sheep dog trials. Maggie is a Gaelic medium Early Years Practitioner at Kilmuir Primary School.
Andrew works as a facilitator and administrator at the Columba 1400 Centre and had a starring role in the successful Taighean a' Chaiseil crowdfunder film several years ago.
Ged studied archaeological science, environmental archaeology, and for a PhD in zooarchaeology at the University of Sheffield. Directors must live within the Staffin Community Council area and are solely motivated by supporting their home community, with their time given freely despite family and work commitments.
SCT’s aim is to improve Staffin’s economic prospects, stimulate social and cultural activities and improve services, with Gaelic an integral part that. SCT is also trying to develop as an organisation which can sustain itself through income-generating developments and invest any surplus back into the community.
The SCT board meets on the last Tuesday of every month, apart from July and December. Minutes are published on the SCT website. More details about the board can be read here: https://skyeecomuseum.co.uk/wh...