The Isle of Canna Community Development Trust (IoCCDT) aims to facilitate the sustainable development of the Isle of Canna, in a way that is sympathetic to the island’s unique natural and cultural heritage. The barn is owned by the National Trust for Scotland, who are supportive of the IoCCDT’s ambitions for the building. The group was keen to explore the barn’s potential in meeting a current need for the existing community, event and workshop spaces. With an eye to the island’s future sustainability, the IoCCDT also wanted to explore the possibility of providing facilities to increase the attractiveness of the island to new residents, as well as to scope out potential visitor accommodation.
The Architectural Heritage Fund provided a Project Viability Grant to help the IoCCDT explore the feasibility of developing the barn. This contributed towards the cost of a condition survey, options appraisal, costings, business planning, and outline sketch designs. With a very low population, the option to generate sufficient revenue from community use of the barn alone was deemed borderline. The preferred, more viable option, would involve workshop and community space for the barn, with development of a 20-bed new-build bunkhouse to the rear. This would be linked to the barn which would also provide event space that may be hired out in conjunction with bunkhouse bookings.
Now with an understanding of the condition, constraints and opportunities presented by the barn, along with a costed scheme for development, the IoCCDT is in a stronger position to take forward discussions around securing ownership and to continue with project development.
https://www.theisleofcanna.com/
Image Credits
Andrew Prendergast
AHF Funding
Project Viability Grant - £6,200 (2020)
