4 days ago
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
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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.
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The charity has had a base on the Inner Hebrides island since 1974
Credit: Alamy
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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.
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"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."
