Latest news with #ProjectTrust
The National
3 days ago
- Business
- The National
Main employer on Scottish island to leave after over 50 years
Project Trust, a charity established in 1967, has been based in the isle of Coll in the Inner Hebrides since 1974 but is now selling all of its properties. Based at the Hebridean Centre in Ballyhaugh, it has helped young people volunteer around the world for decades, including award-winning actress Tilda Swinton. But, citing rising 'running costs' amongst other issues, it will be moving elsewhere. READ MORE: JD Vance panned for 'lies about Scotland' ahead of luxury Ayrshire holiday Steve Price-Thomas, chair of Project Trust, said: "The Board of Trustees at Project Trust has recently announced a change to its operating model and its intention to sell its properties on Coll. "The Covid pandemic necessitated a significant change to Project's operating model with volunteer selection courses being held online. While this was initially anticipated to be a temporary measure it is now clear that this model far better matches the expectations of young people in the 2020s and has been very successful. "As a result, the residential facilities at Ballyhaugh (the Hebridean Centre) are used for only three weeks of the year. Running costs for the Hebridean Centre are significant, and as a charity, the board cannot justify retaining property that is costly to maintain and greatly underused. "Meanwhile, although Volunteer numbers have been slowly rising since Covid, the current situation is not sustainable and there is a need to release funds and replenish reserves in order to secure Project Trust for the long term. As a result, after long and very careful consideration, the Board has concluded that we must sell our remaining properties on Coll. "They will be put on the market in the spring of 2025. "The Board's aim is to safeguard employment and ensure the charity is ready to face any future challenges. Over 75% of staff already work remotely and the intention is to move to a 100% virtual staffing model, including those living and working on Coll. "Project Trust is proud of its Scottish heritage and is committed to retaining Volunteer activities in Scotland and, as was the case in Project Trust's early days, the charity will rent a residential centre in Scotland for training and debriefing. "Since the pandemic, Project Trust's presence and financial impact on the Isle of Coll have been much reduced. The sale of underused property has the potential to have a positive impact on the people and economy of the Isle of Coll and we hope that this is the case. "The Isle of Coll will always be central to Project Trust's history. Generations of Volunteers and staff are deeply grateful to the Coll community for being an integral part of their Project Trust experience."
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Huge business that's been main employer on Scots island set to leave after more than 50 years
A statement has revealed what the future holds for the business ISLE OVER Huge business that's been main employer on Scots island set to leave after more than 50 years Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BUSINESS which is the main employer on a remote Scottish island is selling all of its properties. The organisation has been based on the isle for more than 50 years. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The charity has had a base on the Inner Hebrides island since 1974 Credit: Alamy 2 Project Trust is selling its properties on the Isle of Coll Credit: Bidwells But Project Trust is set for a major change after bosses revealed their plan to leave the Isle of Coll in the Inner Hebrides. The charity, established in 1967, has been based on the island since 1974. For decades, it has helped young people volunteer for up to a year around the world, including award-winning actress Tilda Swinton. But bosses at the charity, based at the Hebridean Centre in Ballyhaugh, have put its assets up for sale. Its properties, including cottages, are on the market for offers over £1.5million. Project Trust's bosses said that operating costs and a "greatly underused" facilities on Coll means it is financially unsustainable to remain on the island, as reported by The Herald. The board's aim "is to safeguard employment" and it will move to a complete virtual working model. Steve Price-Thomas OBE, the charity's chair, said: "The Board of Trustees at Project Trust has recently announced a change to its operating model and its intention to sell its properties on Coll. "The Covid pandemic necessitated a significant change to Project's operating model with volunteer selection courses being held online. "While this was initially anticipated to be a temporary measure, it is now clear that this model far better matches the expectations of young people in the 2020s and has been very successful. Safety experts reveals signs to watch out for that you're dealing with a rogue trader "As a result, the residential facilities at Ballyhaugh (the Hebridean Centre) are used for only three weeks of the year. "Running costs for the Hebridean Centre are significant, and as a charity, the board cannot justify retaining property that is costly to maintain and greatly underused. "Meanwhile, although Volunteer numbers have been slowly rising since Covid, the current situation is not sustainable and there is a need to release funds and replenish reserves in order to secure Project Trust for the long term. "As a result, after long and very careful consideration, the Board has concluded that we must sell our remaining properties on Coll." He added: "Project Trust is proud of its Scottish heritage and is committed to retaining volunteer activities in Scotland. "As was the case in Project Trust's early days, the charity will rent a residential centre in Scotland for training and debriefing."
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Main employer on Hebridean island to leave after 50 years
Since 1974 it has been based on Coll in the Inner Hebrides, first at its founder's ancestral home of Breachacha Castle and latterly at the Hebridean Centre at Ballyhaugh. The charity offers young people the chance to volunteer for eight or 12 months internationally, with alumni including actress Tilda Swinton. Read More: As of 2025 Coll had a population of just 176, and a BBC Scotland documentary in 2016 named Project Trust as the largest employer on the island. Chief executive Ingrid Emerson told the programme: "I think the impact (of Project Trust) on Coll is huge. "It's a relatively small Hebridean island, it's pretty remote it's quite isolated yet suddenly you come across this very vibrant, active, reasonably young group of people who by and large the majority have moved here for the actual work. 'There is a real sense of busyness about Coll and while Project Trust is absolutely not totally responsible for that it certainly plays a big part in it.' However, earlier this year the charity announced that it plans to sell all of its properties on the island, with Ballyhaugh and cottages currently on sale for offers over £1.5million. The estate went on sale earlier this summer (Image: Bidwells) The charity said that running costs and a lack of use meant it could not financially justify a presence on Coll. Steve Price-Thomas OBE, chair of Project Trust, said: "The Board of Trustees at Project Trust has recently announced a change to its operating model and its intention to sell its properties on Coll. "The Covid pandemic necessitated a significant change to Project's operating model with volunteer selection courses being held online. While this was initially anticipated to be a temporary measure it is now clear that this model far better matches the expectations of young people in the 2020s and has been very successful. "As a result, the residential facilities at Ballyhaugh (the Hebridean Centre) are used for only three weeks of the year. Running costs for the Hebridean Centre are significant, and as a charity, the board cannot justify retaining property that is costly to maintain and greatly underused. "Meanwhile, although Volunteer numbers have been slowly rising since Covid, the current situation is not sustainable and there is a need to release funds and replenish reserves in order to secure Project Trust for the long term. As a result, after long and very careful consideration, the Board has concluded that we must sell our remaining properties on Coll. "They will be put on the market in the spring of 2025. "The Board's aim is to safeguard employment and ensure the charity is ready to face any future challenges. Over 75% of staff already work remotely and the intention is to move to a 100% virtual staffing model, including those living and working on Coll. "Project Trust is proud of its Scottish heritage and is committed to retaining Volunteer activities in Scotland and, as was the case in Project Trust's early days, the charity will rent a residential centre in Scotland for training and debriefing. "Since the pandemic, Project Trust's presence and financial impact on the Isle of Coll have been much reduced. The sale of underused property has the potential to have a positive impact on the people and economy of the Isle of Coll and we hope that this is the case. "The Isle of Coll will always be central to Project Trust's history. Generations of Volunteers and staff are deeply grateful to the Coll community for being an integral part of their Project Trust experience."
The National
15-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Historic estate on scenic Scottish island put up for sale
The portfolio in Coll comprises Ballyhaugh residential centre, the four-bedroom Totamore Cottage, and two thatched cottages, offered in three separate lots or as a whole. The estate offers easy access to the white sandy beaches of Hogh Bay and, taken as a whole, encompasses 71.71 acres of land, including a protected loch and grazing fields. Sometimes known as the 'Hawaii of the North', Coll in the Inner Hebrides is known for its stunning landscape and serene atmosphere. The properties featured as part of the estate are located within half a mile of each other, with the surrounding environment including grazing pastures, ancient sites, and a biodiverse freshwater loch designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. READ MORE: Historic estate on scenic Scottish island put up for sale Each of the properties are located approximately five miles from the island's village of Arinagour, which has village stores, a medical centre, café, parish church, fire station, a UHI college campus, fuel station, community centre, and hotel. Angus Kelly, partner at estate agents Bidwells, said: "The estate has fantastic appeal as both a lifestyle and sustainable investment proposition, with its expansive, historically rich island setting representing one of the most breathtaking locations in the Inner Hebrides. "This is a truly unique instruction, and a special one for me personally. Having participated in a gap year with the seller Project Trust when I was younger, I have first-hand experience of the great work the charity has done in Coll and while it is sad that it is moving on, the sale represents an opportunity to put its property and landed assets to new use." Ballyhaugh, also known as the Hebridean Centre, represents a historic building with capacity to accommodate up to 46 people. Individually, this is on the market for offers over £755,000. (Image: Bidwells) Home to international volunteering charity Project Trust, it includes office space, a commercial kitchen, a traditional Celtic 'ceilidh hall' social area, and a lounge and bar area. Covering approximately 71.71 acres, the land that comes with the property includes Ballyhaugh Loch, which is a well-renowned bird-watching site. Totamore Cottage is a four-bedroom, 120-year-old croft house and is up for offers over £425,000. Beinn Tioraidh comprises two thatched cottages that share a grass garden and each feature open plan kitchen and living space, one bedroom, and a bathroom. This is on the market for offers over £420,000.
