After a successful first year of operation, the Connecting Communities Collective wants to continue to develop and improve our offerings to the community. Re_Store is more than a charity shop- alongside selling affordable food, clothing, books, toys and homewares, we promote sustainability and work to reduce waste. We deliver workshops and events to enable people to learn the skills to repair and upcycle clothing and accessories. We also run a Rescued Food Project,  saving short date food from landfill, while offering access to affordable food. We programme events to promote sustainability, share our work and to celebrate our community.

The shop aims to alleviate the impacts of poverty, specifically by reducing food and textile waste and improving skills. While doing this, we have created a social and community hub- a welcoming, safe, creative and encouraging place that helps to alleviate social isolation and promotes community cohesion. We are keen to develop our workshop programme to engage more of the local community. After a successful pilot event in March 2025, we want to run another community fashion show in 2026 to promote sustainability and celebrate the work of Re_Store and the Connecting Communities Collective.

In partnership with a new community-led organisation- the Oban and District Development Trust, the Connecting Communities Collective is working towards the community buyout of the shop building at 113 George St., Oban. This will ensure the security of the shop for the future, along with keeping income within the local economy.  Our plans for the sustainability and development of the Re_Store building and the programme of activities are based on the principles of Community Wealth Building.

Why this project is needed: 

We have proven that our project is needed by running successfully and smashing projections for sales and uptake in our first year of operation. Feedback from participants and beneficiaries has been incredibly positive and we have evidence via feedback and evaluations that we are having a positive impact on the local community. 

Please see the attached document for the full Project Proposal (due to issues with formatting, this wasn't possible to upload)

The Project:  We want to develop the final piece of community owned land available at Nonhebel Light Industrial Park, Tobermory to build up to two additional business units.   The new units will be for rent to businesses which are on a waiting list for space at the site.  Project Background & Need:  In response to community identified need for small business premises, community led rengeration charity, Mull and Iona Community Trust developed and now manages 38 business units plus fenced compounds, supporting 24 local businesses and an estimated 61 jobs.  There is a waiting list for the units still, proving market failure and the need to develop the final piece of land on the site to further support local businesses and economic regeneration in North Mull.     Project Outcomes: Positive Changes:  New business units supporting a minimum 2 businesses and up to another 8 local jobs.  Improving access to services, tackling rural poverty and population decline by supporting business expansion, start-up and employment; improving family incomes and making the island a more vibrant and sustainable place to live and work.  Project Timescales: Subject to securing funding, work to start in late 2025 and complete in Spring 2026. Highland and Island Enterprise are a project partner with a funding offer in the region of £200k.

1  We need to repoint the external stonework and do work on the chimneys and roof of the 4 lighthouse cottages.  No maintenance work has been done for many years and there has been major issues with damp and water damage in these 4 properties.  There is a critical housing shortage on Tiree and in particular affordable housing.  We have now 2 of the cottages on long term lease to locals and would like to make the other 2 habitable for long term lease.  We would also like to use this opportunity to encourage young people on Tiree to consider construction and in particular stonemasonry as a possible career.  The team we would use, have experience of running training programmes for school pupils to come and work on the site and learn some of the basic skills of maintainting heritage buildings.  This added value to the project would bring a very useful experience to our local children who are disadvantaged at present from these type of careers activities.  We would also offer to design a long term training programme for a local person so that we could have local skills to maintain the A listed heritage buildings on our site.

2  We funded work late last year on two of the chimneys by a stonemason specialising in these kind of listed buildings.  He has advised that all the external walls, chimneys and roof require work done to preserve these wonderful buildings. The work he did was enough to sort the immediate issues of dampness coming from the chimneys.  There is still some damp coming through the walls/windows.  Also the other chimneys that we did not repair mean that two of the cottages are not fit for long term lease at the moment.  Funding has been recieved by Argyll and Bute Council to allow us to the internal upgrading but we require major funding for all the external works so that we an offer 4 good quality upgraded affordable homes for locals.  One of the issues has been lack of maintenance of all the A listed buildings on our site.  There has been some repair work done but it has exaccerbated the problems due to lack of knowledge.  These buildilng require specialist skills.  If we can train up someone locally to do the basic ongoing maintenance through this project this would be of huge long term benefit to the Hynish Trust.  

3  When we advertised the last cottage for lease we got 5 applicants.  They were all local people wanting to come to live at Hynish.  Our vision is to create a clachan type village at the Skerrryvore Shore Station in Hynish for people to live, play, learn and enjoy.  The demand is there amongst the community for long term affordable housing and this is a relatively quick win to maintain the two leases we have and create another two.  But more importantly to ensure the buildings are presrved for the long term future.  So the refurbishment of the externals of these buildings would be transformational for the Hynish Trust.  It would ensure that these buildings will be fit for purpose for the future.  It also addresses the critical housing situation.  Providing an opportunity for local children to experience somehting different as a possible career opportunity would be welcomed by the school and the community.  If we can also get a local person trained up to be able to maintain all our buildings externally this would be a long term benefit to the community and create much needed local employment.

4  The project would start in March 26 and run to September 26.

Inveraray Pier has been in a cycle of neglectful private ownership for over 20 years, and closed to the community, visitors and marine traffic for 10 years. In July 2023 Inspire Inveraray secured funding to purchase the pier on behalf of the community and has since successfully restored and opened the stone part of the pier to the public, however the timber pier remains closed and is in desperate need of restoration. 

The objective of the project is the restoration and opening of the existing timber peir. The heritage of the timber pier is at the heart of the community, and was identified as a priority in a recent community consultation. The timber pier is in extremely poor condition and ,without restoration, the risk of loss of a valuable local asset is inevitable.

Restoration works will commence as soon as funding has been achieved, ideally starting in October 2025.

The community ownership of the pier has given a sense of pride and achievement to local people who are now keen to help and get involved to get the timber part of the pier restored. This is the opportunity for the local community to manage a valuable local asset and to complete the full restoration of the pier including the timber part. Reopening the pier has connected local communities and is building confidence in the achievability and benefits of community asset ownership.

The pier is the gateway to Inveraray and for the past 10 years had been an eye sore in the town. Restoring the timber part of the pier will help increase the number of visitors to the town by boat, creating an opportunity to generate an income that can be reinvested into community projects.

The pier will be a flat and open accessible space encouraging activities such as water sports, community events and gatherings amongst the local community. Fully restoring the timber part will allow more vessels to moor in Inveraray, serving as a safe transfer platform for cargo and passengers.

Once fully restored, Heritage boards will be commissioned for placement on the pier to provide historical background for local people and visitors visiting Inveraray and its treasured pier.

What we want to do - Lorn and Oban Reuse Initiative (LORI) is our long-standing furniture reuse project based in Oban, serving communities for over 15 years. The project, which aims to achieve a Zero Waste society, diverts furniture, household goods and electricals etc. into reuse and before [these] unwanted items enter the waste hierarchy. In the last 12 months, LORI has supported over 11500 customers including businesses, individuals and families. Those in poverty and personal crisis, those displaced by war in Ukraine and communities challenged by the ongoing cost of living crisis. “Such a fantastic way to reduce wasting perfectly good products. Furniture is top quality and the staff I met were friendly, welcoming and incredibly helpful.” CustomerThis is an exciting period for our charity, as we are planning a major expansion of our work to enable us to better support the growing number of people who come to us for help. Our plans are well advanced including planning consent and building warrant for the proposed improvements and renewals to increase available floor space to meet the growing demand for reuse goods. GRAB has set aside reserves to contribute to the cost of these improvements.Under this grant we propose to move forward rapidly with the project. Available match funding already secured will support project management and admin resources and back LORI during any disruption to trade while improvements take place. Under this grant, captal funds will be deployed to prepare groundworks and the foundations to accommodate new modular buildings, the purchase of new buildings to replace derelict and delapidated units and much-needed welfare facilities. And extensive refurbishment to an existing building.    Why the project is needed - In Argyll and Bute, landfill accounts for around half of the Council’s annual production of Carbon Dioxide equivalent emissions (CO2e). (Source: Argyll and Bute Council Decarbonisation Plan 2021). Positive changes will the project bring about - Planet – Tackling the climate emergency, LORI reduces landfill; 45% of greenhouse gases come from products we use and purchase. Saving valuable resources from landfill, LORI reduces the communities’ carbon footprint and cuts emissions.  In Oban and Lorn approx. 858 tonnes of Municipal Solid Waste is produced each year.  Currently just over 10% or 86 tonnes is diverted through reuse by The GRAB Trust.  People – supporting local people and creating jobs, LORI supports communities to utilise existing resources, LORI has steadily increased volumes diverted from landfill each year; diverting over 450 tonnes from landfill in the last 8 years. The initiative sustains 7 jobs and 12 regular volunteers.  Pounds – Strengthening the circular economy we offer low cost, high quality furniture and homewares to everyone as a sustainable, low cost alternative to buying new.  LORI supports the Circular Economy by keeping existing resources in use for longer and our not-for-profit community enterprise now recirculates over £120,000 in our communities annually. Reducing the tax burden, LORI decreases landfill tax, saving local taxpayers over £8,000 annually. Place – engaging and empowering communities LORI is a place where ideas flourish. We support community groups and partners in the third sector. We help businesses like cafes, hotels and Air B&B furnish their premises.  We help communities to share and to learn new skills; reusing and repairing is a creative way to try new things, gain useful skills, appreciate what we already have and find new uses to make the most of it.  GRAB is part of Circular Communities Scotland Share and Repair Network and LORI is a source for tools for makers and craftsmen - keeping traditions alive.Our renewals project at LORI will ensure communities are supported for years to come - increase available floorspace by 80%, introduce welfare facilities for staff and volunteers and extend product lines – the new provision of running water at the site will open up the possibility of testing white goods (washing machines & dishwashers) for example. With increased floorspace LORI will better serve the growing demand for reuse, further reduce landfill and offer increased support to the circular economy in Oban and Lorn.   

What do you want to do?

Build a wet weather and indoor sports hall next to the Island playing fields at Garmony, near Craignure.

A healthy lifestyle is essential for the well being of a community. A core pillar of attaining health is access to physical activity. Over the past 20 years there has been a dramatic weather change on our island. Gone are the frosty days and snow covered mountains. During winters it rains most days and is often stormy. As a direct result of this sports participation on Mull has fallen away at an alarming rate. The proposed project is to construct a desperately needed Wet Weather Sports Hall. The project has significant support from throughout Mull. This was reinforced by active participation by our Community Council who submitted our application for full planning permission. This facility will be available for all to use. The Mull Rugby Club will be in full consultation with Sportscotland on a fair and equitable way to manage the facility. 

Why is your project needed?

There is no wet weather or indoor sports hall on Mull. As Mull is an island people cannot travel to facilities elsewhere without difficulty. They must be provided locally. 

Apart from greatly improving life on Mull this project will be invaluable to existing community sports groups, create opportunities for new organisations and, hopefully, re-establish some we have lost. Many events are organised at the Garmony playing fields but with the increase in inclement weather these often have to be cancelled on the day of the event. For example our island sports day has now been abandoned after many disruptions due to weather. It cannot proceed on wet grass. This was sole destroying for all involved. A cancellation causes great disruption to island life due to difficulties of communication as children are travelling by a variety of methods from up to 40 miles away and in different directions. With the hall this event could move inside if it was raining. The hall would also give our indoor athletes a suitable premises and allow them to have well catered home events on Mull. At last Mull would have a full sized basketball court and could, for the first time, play home games and join leagues. The facility would mean evening training for all sports could always go ahead no-matter the weather. Multiple badminton courts would provide an exciting and competitive space. It will even accommodate a tennis court for our keen players. It is heart breaking to record that the once very active Isle of Mull Football Association is no longer in existence. There is still a strong football presence on Mull and this facility will provide an indoor pitch giving an gateway to football participation in all weathers. And finally our own club, the Isle of Mull Rugby Club has seen a drastic decrease in player numbers over recent years. Training is almost always in wet, cold windy weather. This is disheartening for the players and leads to more injuries as the fitness to participate is diminished.

What positive changes will your project bring about?

This project will enrich life on the Island of Mull.

For the active participants the wet weather hall will provide a comfortable environment. This results in higher skill levels and increasing participation. For voluntary officials it will enhance achievement and remove the demoralising effect of bad weather. For communities it will encourage supporting roles and family involvement across all sports and leisure activities. The project also aligns with many lifestyle priorities. Well-being is improved. A tailored space protected from a hostile environment encourages diversity and inclusion for all. Try running a fun day in horizontal rain and our use of words becomes well chosen as only the hardy participate. Performance is improved across all age groups and skill levels leading to enhanced personal satisfaction.

It is highly probable that a project of this nature will encourage local families to stay on Mull and remove barriers to decisions on whether to move to our island. It is therefore considered that the project will have a positive impact on the population of our island. The Mull Community Council was unanimous in its support of the project.

By situating this project at Garmony it becomes part of a prooven sports destination. The Isle of Mull Rugby Sevens takes place at Garmony and this event has attracted teams from as far away as America with four figure attendances each year. Members and players of visiting teams and organisations will find the experience of using the facility highly rewarding.

How long will your project run for?

This project is stage three of the long term development of sports facilities at Garmony on the Isle of Mull.

Out of a need for playing facilities the Isle of Mull Rugby Club decided to embark on a long term development of sports facilities for the island. There were none available on Mull. An island survey by Tobermory High School selected Garmony as it was in a central position on Mull and was situated between the two main ferry terminals of Craignure and Fishnish.

Stage 1 Building a two pitch sports field from scratch on waste ground. Successfully completed.

Stage 2 Building changing rooms and community club house with kitchen. Successfully completed.

Stage 3 Building a wet weather facility. This objective was always planned but has become a matter of urgency in recent years. We project a start date and completion in 2026

The existing Garmony facilities are available for all to use. They also receive no revenue support and are fully self-supporting financially. We anticipate the same for Stage 3.

1. First and foremost, we want to keep our children safe while they enjoy being outdoors. The A83 runs the entire length of West Kintyre and as all the villages are spurs from this extremely fast and dangerous road, there is just nowhere safe for children to ride their bikes. To address this, we wish to install a pump track at Tayinloan

2. We feel it is needed because the main A83 is getting busier, and is one of the most dangerous roads in Scotland. Children and adults of all ages are now taking up more and more physical exercise and cycling has become very popular indeed.  We wish to offer a safe enclosed area where they can learn and ride in safety.

3. The project could bring many positive benefits.  Pump track riding not only provides a physical workout, but also promotes good mental well-being. It’s not just about the physical challenge – although that’s definitely a big part of the appeal. Spending time outdoors, surrounded by nature, has a way of melting away stress and lifting spirits. Pump track riding can actually help sharpen the mind and improve cognitive function. It is a way to encourage youngsters to leave their screens for a while and enjoy outdoor activities and social interaction.

These are just some of the positive changes for those participating in the sport. However there are many others, such as helping with social isolation which has become a big problem in these post Covid times.

At the pump track, generations come together, no matter their age! From little ones with their parents or grandparents to teenagers and young adults, everyone can enjoy fun and friendship, making it a true community hub. The little ones learn how to ride and gain confidence, while the more experienced riders practice their skills. Parents can have a great time too, as they watch their children gain confidence and make friends

4. Once the planning has been approved (hopefully within 6 months of application) and the funding secured, the pump track can be installed in 6 weeks.

We will work with Velosolutions, who are world leaders in this technology.

We will also liaise with schools and youth clubs.

We will work with Argyll and Bute Councillors

This proposal meets RCGF criteria:  supporting locally developed, place-based regeneration projects that involve local communities, helping to tackle inequalities and improving the economic, social and physical environment of deprived, disadvantaged and fragile remote communities across Scotland. It is community led, addresses market failure (inadequate parking and outdoor event space) and will result in strong regeneration outcomes.

The Rockfield Centre is owned and run by Oban Communities Trust, a Community Benefit Society run by and for its members and the wider community. It sits within c. 2000 m2 of old playpark, currently used as a car park

What will your project do? The project will re-surface the existing outdoor space surrounding The Rockfield Centre, resulting in a safe, smooth surfaced area which can be used to bring the community together through large-scale outdoor events, create economic additionality by unlocking new potential for town centre events, and contribute to ongoing town-centre carparking demand.

Why is your project needed? In the recent past, The Rockfield Centre's outdoor space has been used for a range of outdoor events from the Clipper food and drink village (July 2024) and the centre's Spring Festival (June 2025), whilst day-to-day it contributes ~ 50 spaces to the town centre parking supply - a critical resource during peak season. However, the space is badly in need of resurfacing, both to ensure its future as a carparking resource and to enable its use as a safe and accessible community gathering space. 

What positive changes will your project bring about? We belive that this project will unlock huge potential for outdoor events within Oban town centre, with benefits for business, local charities, and the wider community. Our strategic planning has identified a need within the Oban town centre area for a flexible and adaptable outdoor space that can be used by community groups for a wide range of activities - including markets, concerts, festivals, and outdoor theatre. Our outdoor space is the ideal location for holding these events as it is enclosed, easy to secure, and removes the need for disruptive and costly road closures which would be highly advantageous in a town which regularly experiences traffic flow issues and can struggle with capacity at peak times. We believe that Oban and the wider community will benefit from this project as it will open up opportunities which have otherwise not been considered, as there is no alternative suitable town centre area that can offer these facilities. This project will allow these opportunities to be fully explored and realised. The Rockfield Centre is strategically placed at the heart of the town, and is open to all. We have a track record of successfully delivering exciting, inclusive, and novel community-focussed events alongside large contracted projects, and are fully commited to working collabaratively and building strength through partnerships.

How long will your project run for?  Once funding is in place, the works could be completed quickly with actual disruption to the space kept to 2-3 weeks. We estimate the cost to be £60k (based on quotes obtained in summer 2024). We aim to have this work completed by the end of 2025.

In 2021 and 2022, IKDT secured funding to construst 1.79KM of brand new road connecting the North and South of the island. This project has been in the pipeline for many decades and has connected up the two different communities and is allowing our island to thrive as one. Just after we have secured the funding for the 2nd stage of the project, the tar topping, war broke out in Ukraine. Apart from the obvious humanitarian crisis, this had an instant impact on the price of all the raw materials required for surfacing. It meant we had to scale stage 2 back and make do with tarring the new built section of the road with a single layer of tar and leave approx 500 metres of road in an unbound, farm track state. Our plan for stage 2 had been to deliver 2 layers of tar over the new road (1.79km) and the 500m of existing road when we could petition the council to adopt the road as it connects up the existing council road to several council tax paying households. As it stands, while the road is in use and is hugely beneficial to life on the island however the maintenance burden on IKDT is not ideal. The council will not consider adoption until the road is brought up to the standard we had planned for stage 2 so we are hoping to complete the job. Adoption is key to the long term future of the road and indeed to whole community as it will allow unfettered access to all including vital services, emergency vehicles and access to the lifeline ferry service. The surfacing could be delivered in one week but the effects would be felt for generations to come. We would hope to continue the excellent working relationship with A&B Roads department to help deliver the best value for money possible.