Balmacara Old Mill Hall project in Lochalsh hits jackpot with £500K-plus funding boost
DETERMINED campaigners in a Lochalsh community have half a million reasons to be cheerful as they head into 2025.
Balmacara Community Trust (BCT) has secured £504,804 towards the restoration of the Old Mill Hall - and an additional £37,000 for a full-time project officer.
That comes hot on the heels of the acquisition of the former Balmacara campsite from Forestry and Land Scotland for community use, with support from the Scottish Land Fund to the tune of £162,130.
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The ambitious Old Mill Hall project aims to return a once-beloved community hub used for everything from parties, anniversaries and dances to its former glory.
Working with conservation architects MAAC Studio, specialists in restoring traditional and historic Highland buildings, BCT’s vision is a building capable of serving the community for another 200 years.
The highly motivated group is driven by the lessons of the Covid pandemic which “showed us how important our community really is”.
The Trust applied to the Community Ownership Fund in early 2024 and had anticipated a decision in June, which was delayed.
The latest news marks a major milestone in the project.
Mike Shucksmith, chairman of BCT, said: “Balmacara Community Trust is thrilled to receive a grant award from the Community Ownership Fund to help restore the Old Mill Hall.
“This represents significant confidence in our efforts and will really help raise the profile of the project, hopefully supporting and encouraging our final two grant applications into a positive outcome which will see the work start in 2025.”
The Community Ownership Fund provided a £10,000 grant award in the development phase and funded consultants to update the business plan. The capital award of £504,804 is provided alongside a £37,000 revenue award enabling employment of a full-time project officer. The group said: “This really is a tremendous boost for the community, and we are now excited for what 2025 could bring.”
While delays in funding decision-making has seen costs rise, campaigners believe that with further applications already placed and decisions due in February, “we can begin to feel confident”.
The Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) team behind the Community Asset Transfer Scheme (CATS) has welcomed another busy year - and made specific mention of Balmacara.
CATS enables communities to take greater control of the land through ownership or lease.
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