Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust

The Isle of Gigha is owned by the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust - a development trust, and has 120 inhabitants. The Trust completed a community buy-out in 2002, with the help of the National Lottery and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. £1 million of the £4 million purchase price was a loan, which has largely been paid back by selling Achamore House. 

Since the community buy out several private businesses have sprung up on Gigha, providing a real boost to the local economy. The Trust has sponsored a wide range of community initiatives. It owns the island’s only hotel and has set up Gigha Renewable Energy Ltd to buy and operate 3 wind turbines - Faith, Hope and Charity.  They were commissioned on 21 January 2005 and are capable of generating up to 675 kW of power. Revenue is produced by selling the electricity to the grid via an intermediary called Green Energy UK. Gigha residents control the whole project and profits are reinvested in the community.

The Trust has also re-opened a quarry, with financial help from Future Builders Scotland, to supply low cost aggregates and create new jobs and training opportunities for residents.