Our past, our present, and your future
About Muaitheabhal
Our journey is rooted in community, and the challenges and the opportunities we've faced, as well as the difference we have been proud to make, and continue to make, to our local area.
A journey from Muaitheabhal
Our Beginnings
The Muaitheabhal Community Trust was established as a charitable community trust in 2010 and formally launched in April 2013 to distribute the 'community benefit fund' available from the proposed Beinn Mhor Wind Farm. This wind farm development did not go ahead, but our community benefit plans progressed as planned.
Located in the Western Isles, the Trust's foundation reflects the deep understanding that sustainable energy development, and any relevant funding must directly benefit the communities it affects.
The Trust's catchment area encompasses some of Scotland's most remote yet culturally rich communities, with priority areas which are Pairc, Kinloch, North Harris, North Lochs, and some island-wide funding where resources allow.
This strategic focus on location recognises the unique challenges faced by these scattered coastal settlements, where the Pairc peninsula is almost cut off from the rest of Lewis by two long arms of the sea, Loch Erisort to the north and Loch Seaforth to the south, making community resilience and local economic support especially vital.
Turas Bho
Tòiseachadh
Chaidh Urras Coimhearsnachd Mhuatheabhail a chur air chois mar charthannas ann an 2010, agus chaidh a chur air bhog gu h-oifigeil anns a’ Ghiblean 2013. ’S e an t-amas againn a bhith a’ cur a’ mhaoin a thig à Làrach-gaoithe na Beinne Mhòire chun choimhearsnachd. Cha tàinig an làrach-gaoithe gu buil, ach lean sinn oirnn a bhith ag obair air leasachadh na coimhearsnachd.
Tha an t-Urras stèidhichte anns na h-Eileanan an Iar, agus tha sinn làidir dhen bheachd gum bu chòir na pròiseactan cumhachd uaine a bhith a’ dèanamh math dha na coimhearsnachdan faisg air na làraichean.
Tha an t-Urras a’ toirt cothroman dha na choimhearsnachdan aig a bheil dualchas domhain is aosmhor ann an sgìrean mar a’ Phàirc, Ceann an Loch, Ceann a Tuath na Hearadh, agus Ceann a Tuath nan Loch, agus do choimhearsnachdan eile air feadh nan Eilean Siar far am bi e comasach.
Tha sinn a’ dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil ar n-obair ag aithneachadh nan dùbhlan sònraichte a th’ aig na coimhearsnachdan sgapte timcheall air cladaichean Leòdhais. Cha mhòr nach e eilean fa leth a th’ anns a’ Phàirc: eadar Loch Èireasort agus Loch Shìophoirt. Mar sin dheth, tha e cudromach dha-rìribh gu bheil ar coimhearsnachdan làidir agus gu bheil iad a’ faighinn na taic eaconomagaiche a dh’fheumar. a’ tuigsinn nan ceangal eadar daoine agus eadar coimhearsnachdan.
Turf cutting at the initial proposed site for development of the Beinn Mhor Windfarm, which led to the creation of Muaitheabhal Community Trust.
We represent a pioneering model of how renewable energy development can be harnessed as a foundation for strengthening the social and economic fabric of Scotland's most remote island communities, serving approximately 900 residents across these distinctive Highland settlements.
We are an organisation that understands community connection, and we have ambition to expand our approach into management of additional funds, connecting with community and establishing a transparent and diligent approach to Community Benefit funding.
Our Board is made up of volunteers from the surrounding areas, many of whom have given hundreds of hours of their time since we were established. We are your community benefit trust, steered by the community for the community.
Tha sinn a’ sealltainn mar a dh’fhaodas coimhearsnachdan nan eilean a bhith a’ gabhail bràth air pròiseactan na cumhachd uaine, gu h-àraidh a thaobh na ceanglaichean sòisealta agus eaconomagach a tha nar n-eileanan. Tha sinn a’ toirt taic do choimhearsnachdan anns a bheil mu 900 duine a’ fuireach.
Mar charthannas, tha sinn a’ tuigsinn nan ceangal eadar daoine agus eadar coimhearsnachdan. ’S e am miann againn gum fàs sinn gus am bi sinn a’ cleachdadh dòighean eadar-dhealaichte agus soirbheachail nar n-obair, agus a bhith a’ gabhail ri beachdan is stiùireadh bho na choimhearsnachdan. Feumaidh e a bhith furasta a bhith a’ tuigsinn ciamar a chuirear a-steach airson taic maoin, ciamar a tha sinn a’ cosg na taic maoin, agus dè na buannachdan a tha a’ tighinn a-mach à pròiseactan a fhuair taic maoin.
’S ann às na coimhearsnachdan fhèin a tha na daoine air a’ Bhòrd-stiùiridh. ’S e saor-thoilich a th’ ann am buill a’ Bhùird, agus iad a’ toirt tòrr tìde seachad saor is an asgaidh gus am bi a’ cur ris an Urras. ’S ann leibh a tha Urras Buannachdan na Coimhearsnachdan, agus ’s ann airson na Coimhearsnachd fhèin a stiùireas a’ Choimhearsnachd an t-Urras.
The Home of Muaitheabhal
Place
We are based in one of Scotland's most remote yet culturally rich communities. Both the environment and the culture are unique, and it can be uniquely challenging to live here in terms of geography and logistics. We exist to support our special place, its environment, the distinct culture and community, and we celebrate the villages and townships that belong to our region. This area and communities are Muiatheabhal Community Trust’s key priorities. Our Board Members are passionate about making as much positive difference as possible to Pairc, Kinloch, North Lochs, North Harris, and more broadly to the Isle of Lewis and Harris.
We are committed to safeguard the future of our people, landscape, and culture. This place is a uniquely special place, with people that both need and deserve to be invested in, and history that needs preserving. Our crofting history is important beyond agriculture, and resonates with cultural and historical significance. Our Board is committed to make the best use of every single pound of funding we can access to make a positive and significant difference to our community and region as a whole.
Dhachaigh
Àite
’S e sinne feadhainn de na coimhearsnachd as iomallaiche ann an Alba, agus tha dualchas beartach againn an seo. Tha an àrainneachd agus an dualchas sònraichte, ach chan e breug a th’ ann gu bheil dùbhlain againn a thaobh far a bheil sinn agus ciamar a tha sinn a’ faighinn na dh’fheumas sinn. Tha sinn an seo gus coimhead às dèidh ar n-àite, ar n-àrainneachd, ar coimhearsnachd agus ar dualchas – uile gu lèir sònraichte agus prìseil. ’S ann aig ar cridhe a tha coimhearsnachdan na sgìre, agus tha Buill a’ Bhùird a’ cleachdadh an comasan gus deagh bhuaidh a thoirt air na coimhearsnachdan air na Lochan, ann an Ceann a Tuath na Hearadh, agus air feadh Leòdhais agus Na Hearadh.
’S e ar geall gum feuch sinn ri ar coimheasnachdan, ar tìr, agus ar dualchas a chumail beò. Tha sinn uile a’ fuireach ann an àite air leth sònraichte, agus tha sinn àiridh air taic gus an t-àite agus an dualchas a ghlèidheadh. Tha eachdraidh na croitearachd a’ ciallachadh barrachd na a bhith ag obair air an fhearann bho tha i cudromach nar dualchas agus cudromach dhuinn mar shluagh. Geallaidh am Bòrd gun cosg sinn a h-uile sgillinn air rudan a bheir deagh bhuaidh air ar coimhearsnachd agus air ar sgìre air fad.
For now and for the future
People
Our primary purpose is to support people in our area to live a fulfilling and valued life. Depopulation is a significant challenge and we are safeguarding the future residents of the area, as well as cherishing the current ones. We keep an eye to the past, the present, and the future.
Airson an-diugh agus a-màireach
Daoine
’S e am fàth as motha againn gun toir sinn taic do dhaoine nar coimhearsnachdan gus am bi beatha slàn is làn-toileachas aca. Tha daoine, gu h-àraidh daoine òga, a’ falbh às na h-eileanan, agus ’s e dùbhlan mòr a tha seo. Tha sinn a’ coimhead ri dòighean gus sluagh a chumail fhad ’s a tha sinn a’ coimhead às dèidh an t-sluaigh a th’ ann. Tha sinn a’ coimhead ri na làithean a chaidh seachad, ri na làithean a tha ann an-diugh, agus ri na làithean a tha romhainn.
Community Strength
Potential
Communities have continued within our area despite considerable challenges and adversity. The culture and spirit is rich, and both the community and the land are uniquely connected. The environment is stunningly beautiful and draws artists, photographers, crofters, tourists, but with a strained infrastructure this can also be a challenge. We want to be part of getting the balance right for our area: building employability and resilience without damaging the uniqueness that is so important.
Coimhearsnachdan Làidir
Comas Coimhearsnachd
Tha ar coimhearsnachdan fhathast beò a dh’aindheoin nan dùbhlan agus nan duilgheadas. Tha ar coimhearsnachd agus ar dualchas beartach. ’S ann do-bhriseadh a tha na dàimhean eadarainn agus ar dàimhean ris an fhearann. Tha an t-eilean làn bòidhchead, agus tha am bòidhchead sin a’ tarraing luchd-ealain, luchd-deilbh, croitearan, luchd-turais agus eile dhan eilean againn, ach tha sin a’ cur nan rathad, nan àiteachan-fuirich, mar sin air adhart ann an cunnart. Tha sinn airson a bhith a’ cur ri na fuasglaidhean is sinn a’ togail obraichean, inntinn agus neart gun a bhith a’ dèanamh cron air na tha sònraichte mun sgìre.
Projects | Pròiseactan
Muaitheabhal Weavers Project -
Harris Gun Club -
Islands Book Trust -
Keose & Glebe Community Playpark -
Catamaran for Local Fisherman -
Habost Polytunnel Restoration -
Aline Woodland Restoration -
Harris Community Shop -
Kinloch Community Hub -
Muaitheabhal Weavers Project - Harris Gun Club - Islands Book Trust - Keose & Glebe Community Playpark - Catamaran for Local Fisherman - Habost Polytunnel Restoration - Aline Woodland Restoration - Harris Community Shop - Kinloch Community Hub -
Putting communities first
Future Developments
Our creation was a direct result of proposals for a wind farm which generated the fund for our establishment. That wind farm was never developed as planned, but our fund was established and we've made a significant contribution to the communities surrounding the area designated for the wind farm.
We believe in the potential for community benefit from power generation revenue, and have made our initial income go as far as possible for the benefit of the local people.
Muaitheabhal Community Trust is a charitable organisation which responds to community need, understands the delicate balance of island life, and is determined to be at the forefront of maximising the positive potential across the Isles of Lewis and Harris.
A’ cur coimhearsnachdan an toiseach
Leasachaidhean anns
an Àm ri Teachd
Thàinig sinn gu buil air sgàth na planaichean airson làrach-gaoithe agus bha maoin ann airson urras mar phàirt de na ciad phlanaichean sin. Cha deach an làrach a thogail, ach bha an t-Urras beò mar-thà, agus rinn sinn diofar mòr dha na coimhearsnachdan timcheall air an làrach.
Tha sinn a’ creidsinn gu bheil buannachdan ri fhaighinn bhon airgead a thig à cumhachd dealain. Rinn sinn ar dìcheall gus a’ choimhearsnachd a neartachadh leis an airgead a fhuair sinn.
’S e carthannas a th’ annainn agus sinn a’ cur sunnd na coimhearsnachd aig cridhe ar n-obrach. Tha sinn a’ coimhead ri na feumalachdan a tha aig a’ choimhearsnachd, agus tha sinn a’ tuigsinn gum feum sinn a bhith faiceallach agus ùidheil ma tha sinn a’ dol a chumail ar coimhearsnachdan beò an-diugh agus anns an àm ri teachd. Tha sinn airson a bhith a’ stiùireadh na iomairtean a tha ann gus coimhearsnachdan Leòdhais agus Na Hearadh a chumail beò agus beòthail.