Latest news with #AssyntFoundation
The Herald Scotland
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
New unit aims to build partnerships between communities and developers
A new unit is being launched aimed at building partnerships between landowners, communities and developers involved in natural capital projects. The Natural Capital Community Partnerships (NCCP) project aims to establish fair and practical examples of projects where communities, developers and landowners work together to share in the benefits of natural capital investment. The new unit will be led by Dr Sally Reynolds, who has significant experience working in community development and of 'walking the tightrope' between different interests in the land use sector. 'We want to promote understanding and cooperation between different parties', said Dr Reynolds. 'We want to encourage open conversation and early dialogue between communities, landowners and developers.' Dr Reynolds highlighted that community engagement is crucial. She added: 'Well-managed peatland or wetland restoration or woodland development projects can support both environmental restoration and community development and resilience. It can create local jobs, boost local economies and sustain livelihoods - maximising the benefits for communities.' READ MORE: New report highlights how crofting helps keep Eigg's cultural traditions alive Call for delay to controversial sale of Skye castle and estate New community-led homes development on Colonsay will be 'transformational' There are already a number of successful, collaborative projects across Scotland, such as the community-owned Assynt Foundation in Sutherland, which has a major forest development project with Woodland Trust Scotland. In Dumfries and Galloway, Foresight Sustainable Forestry Company has a partnership with Upper Urr Environmental Trust which has allowed them to develop the area for community use including the installation of a path network, benches and a range of community events. Dr Reynolds said: 'This is a new and unique project doing a lot of work on-the-ground. It's a key ambition that Scotland's land should benefit more of Scotland's people. With good conversations at an early stage there is greater understanding and a much greater chance of agreements that suit everyone.' 'As far as possible, the community, landowners and developers should be able to form agreements that are meaningful and beneficial for all parties.' The Natural Capital Community Partnerships will have a team of four staff and will work within Community Land Scotland and in partnership with the Scottish Land Commission. The Community Land Scotland team will work as part of a network of advisers across Scotland including the newly appointed Community Benefits from Nature Adviser employed by the Scottish Land Commission in partnership with the Cairngorms National Park Authority. Emma Cooper, Head of Land Rights and Responsibilities at the Scottish Land Commission, said: 'This project is a really important step in making sure natural capital investment delivers for communities as well as for nature. 'We're pleased to be working alongside Community Land Scotland, including through our new Community Benefits from Nature Adviser, to support fair and practical approaches in communities across Scotland. 'Our land is a finite resource that needs to meet many different needs. By helping communities, landowners and developers work together from the outset, this initiative can turn potential tensions into lasting, shared benefits.' The project is funded by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Foundation Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, Scottish Forestry and others. Jane Morrison-Ross, Chief Executive of South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) said: 'As Scotland's Natural Capital Innovation Zone we continue to take a forward-thinking approach in the South of Scotland to creating a wellbeing economy based on our natural capital assets. 'Community Wealth Building is one of our key priorities, so we are delighted to be working with Community Land Scotland and partners in delivering this groundbreaking national project.'
BBC News
19-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Community-owned Assynt Foundation secures new partnerships
A community-owned north west Highland estate which almost went bust six years ago says it has secured much-needed new Assynt Foundation bought Glencanisp and Drumrunie estates - a total of 44,000 acres (17,806 hectares) - 20 years in more recent years it lost money through its running of Glencanisp Lodge, a former Victorian hunting lodge near Lochinver, as holiday accommodation. It has been shut since late foundation has now entered into a collaboration with Original Hotels to restore and reopen the lodge. Under a separate partnership, it is working with the Woodland Trust on a new landscape management plan for the whole 44,000 includes regenerating native Woodland Trust partnership will be funded from both public and private sources. After fears of being on the verge of bankruptcy Assynt Foundation chairman Lewis MacAskill said there was now hope for the estate's financial added: "The foundation ran Glencanisp Lodge as a B&B and as self-catering accommodation for a number of years, and while a number of locals were employed and the lodge was kept busy, the foundation lacked the necessary hospitality expertise and this venture lost money over a sustained period of time."By late 2019, it became apparent that insolvency was looming. "We decided the safest course action was to close the lodge in November 2019. The lodge has remained closed since then."Original Hotels already runs four hotels in the Highlands, and a number of others across the will lead the refurbishment of the 14-bedroom Glencanisp MacAskill said: "When the community groups don't have the expertise, partnerships make sense."In 2005, the Assynt Foundation completed its purchase from the millionaire Vestey family for about £4m.
