Assynt Foundation Chair’s Report 2007

Assynt Foundation Chair’s Report 2007

AF has had a good year. An incredible amount of work has been done by a very dedicated team of staff supported by an enormous amount of voluntary work by the directors. The pace has not dropped since we bought the land 2 and a half years ago. Running the estates let alone development work is a massive task. Derek moved on this spring after 18months in post and we were very fortunate to have Mark take up the reins in May. Mark’s experience in land management has been invaluable and we just hope he remains as enthusiastic about AF for the next 20 yrs.

The incredibly complicated funding bids for the Glencanisp lodge redevelopment has rumbled on all year sapping everyone’s energy, but we are almost there and we hope to start the external works later this winter and the inside work next autumn. The environmental management has been carried out to the usual high standard by our two professional stalkers, John and Steven. The increased stag cull was met in sometimes appalling conditions and we are extremely grateful to John and Steven for their unfailing commitment to the work of AF.

For the first time we have taken on two trainee stalkers who are with us as part of their course through North Highland College. They both live at Glencanisp and have been very useful doing all sorts of estate work as well as learning about stalking.

You cannot do the early years again. The dedication of staff and directors has been admirable and essential. Money has been tight and still is. The lodge is our main earner and this is only possible through the consistently hard work and high standards maintained by our housekeeper Dorothea. Dorothea never stops working and with her small band of helpers has enabled a wide variety of groups to enjoy the wonders of Glencanisp and Assynt. AF is extremely grateful to Dorothea for all that she does.

We were able to employ a project officer to market the lodge and stalking. Adam has worked flat out all year, never complaining at his workload and his talent for conciliation has kept us all sane (well, reasonably) throughout the year.

The directors have been helped by the subgroups. This is a good way for members to be involved in the work of AF without the responsibility of being a director and I would urge more members to join, either the housing, renewables, land management, fishing, communications or arts subgroups.

I would like to thank all the directors for their support over the year. It has worked well having Agnes and Robbie as vice chairs and I would like to thank them both for all their advice. I would also like to thank Bill for all his help and advice to me and for chairing Assynt.biz. Assynt.biz manages the lettings for the lodge and the stalking. Many thanks are due to Stuart for all his support and child minding and to all the other parents in NW Assynt who have looked after the boys particularly at short notice.

It has been interesting working with the agencies. We have had many constructive discussions and interesting field visits with SNH, FCS & DCS. The solution to Drumrunie being in “favourable condition” will not be easy or straightforward and will involve good communication between agencies and our neighbouring landowners. We have made a good start down this road but it will need a bit of give and take by all concerned to find the answer. Thanks to the John Muir Trust for their continued support. We were happy to sign a management agreement with them this year. JMT reconsidered their wish to be on the board and suggested that the best use of Mick’s time would be to work from home with occasional visits. Mick continues to do sterling work for us and we are grateful for all his input.

The Community Land Unit (HIE) continue to give invaluable support and advice and Neil Gerrard has worked very hard on our behalf taking us along the torturous path of the Big Lottery Fund.

We have contributed to the draft Local Plan for Sutherland getting an area on the Glencanisp road zoned for housing. A bit more work is to be done on demand for housing before a full Feasibility Study can be commissioned early in the New Year.

14 pigs have summered well over on the South side of Loch Assynt. They have worked well turning over patches of soil to make a seed bed for natural regeneration. The purchase of Inveruplan would make access to Tubeg and the forestry exclosures much easier and safer.

Management Plan. Thanks to all the local contributors and Mandy and Bill for taking it on. The final draft is nearly there but is yet to be agreed with our funders SNH. Then the final draft will be available locally for comments. We have published 3 newsletters this year. Please do contribute to it, communication is a two way process and we welcome members views at all times. We have held two Open days this year and hope to organise more informal opportunities for members to discuss the work of AF.

It was also a sad year losing friends of AF; Kris who did so much to tidy up round the buildings, Mark who taught us to challenge our thinking, and Phyllis who was such a good friend. We’ll never forget them.

AF has met many challenges with its work and they have been met and taken on as a team. It’s a good team, a very good one. It is hard work all the time but a lot of fun as well and I would urge more members to become involved in the parts they are interested in.

Claire Belshaw