A very capable new recruit from Digg has joined the board of directors ahead of a busy year of work for Staffin Community Trust.
Laura MacDonald joined the board earlier this year bringing a range of skills and experience and her drive and enthusiasm has been warmly welcomed by her colleagues.
Laura lived in Spain and most recently worked as a service coordinator with the charity Action for Children in Glasgow. She is now employed as a facilitator working for Columba 1400 Centre supporting young people who stay on residential courses from across Scotland. More here: https://skyeecomuseum.co.uk/wh...
Laura is serving on the board alongside retired science teacher Iain MacInnes from Garafad who joined at the January AGM. Iain worked in chemistry research in America before entering the teaching profession. He taught in secondary schools in Botswana, Africa and in Scotland in Shetland where he taught physics and chemistry, and was involved in the teachers union, the EIS.
It comes as SCT works hard to meets its obligations and responsibilities as a landlord to its residential and business tenants at both Taighean a 'Chaiseil and Staffin Harbour. SCT is also pushing to secure the investment to deliver the remaining construction phases at the harbour, as well as develop the Nurse's Cottage site for more affordable housing.
Iain and Laura joining the board is a significant boost for SCT which was the very first development trust to be formed in Skye back in 1994.
It comes after SCT's board, which governs the organisation and sets the organisation's direction, had lost a lot of experience and skills in recent times. One of the founder members Angus Ross stepped down in January after 32 years of service to the community. https://skyeecomuseum.co.uk/la...
The sad loss of Dugie Ross in 2025, who was another SCT stalwart who supported the community extensively, was keenly felt by all. Long-serving members Donald MacDonald - who was also a founding director in 1994, Sine Gillespie and Ian MacDonald have also stepped down in recent years after significant voluntary contributions.
The new look board has an excellent skills set and range of experience and know-how which will stand the community trust in good stead.
SCT's board, which meets on the last Tuesday of the month, now comprises of chairman Calum MacDonald, Stenscholl; Maggie Ross, Ellishadder; Ged Poland, Culnacnoc; Andrew Whitehead, Digg; Iain MacInnes, Garafad and Laura MacDonald, Trotternish Avenue.
SCT's board minutes can be read online via the website or on the noticeboard outside the office at the Church of Scotland.