Friday, 10 February 2023

Did you know that Stratherrick and Foyers scores in the lowest decile ranking, 45th out of 6,976 areas, for geographical access to services on the Scottish index of multiple deprivation.

When I work on budgets for the next financial year I always start from going back to the Mission and Vision of the organisation, set up by the community for the community.  I think it is useful to share these, not buried in some strategic document somewhere, but to re-emphasise our goals to help improve the statistic above.

The role of the Trust in details is

(1)To prevent or relieve poverty particularly among the residents of the Stratherrick and Foyers Community Council area.

(2) The advancement of education, training or retraining, particularly among unemployed people, and providing unemployed people with work experience.

(3) To advance heritage and/or preserve, for the benefit of the general public, the historical, architectural and constructional heritage that may exist in and around the Stratherrick and Foyers Community Council area in buildings (including any structure or erection, and any part of a building as so defined) of particular beauty or historical, architectural or constructional interest.

(4) To advance environmental protection and improvement in the Stratherrick and Foyers Community Council area through the provision, maintenance and/or improvement of public open space and other public amenities and other environmental and regeneration projects (but subject to appropriate safeguards to ensure that the public benefits so arising clearly outweigh any private benefit thereby conferred on private landowners).

(5) To advance citizenship and/or community development (including the promotion of civic responsibility and the promotion of the voluntary sector and/or the effectiveness or efficiency of charities).

(6) the provision or assistance in the provision of recreational facilities for the public at large and/or those who, by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, poverty or social and economic circumstances, have need of such facilities; But such that the company shall do so following principles of sustainable development.

The statistic above suggests we don't have the same facilities people elsewhere take for granted.  So we do plan to invest a lot of money in facilities (some of our own, some from external sources).  But these facilities offer so much more than that, as defined by our shared vision.  Here's how.

Errogie

Errogie will be a uniquely designed, supportive and inspirational multi media venue for crafts, music, heritage and biodiversity and a meeting space in Stratherrick and Foyers that promotes learning and creative confidence for all.  

Sports Field and Slipway

Aims to be to be a world class sporting facility near the banks of Loch Ness. It will bring individuals, schools, local sports clubs and healthcare professionals together to work collectively to further enhance sporting opportunities in the area and to support and improve the health and wellbeing of the Stratherrick and Foyers community.

Housing

Aim is to provide new or upgraded affordable, sustainable, passiv style housing to the community of Stratherrick and Foyers for rent or purchase.

Pathways

Aim to upgrade or develop current or new pathways in the Stratherrick and Foyers area to support well being and access. To support and encourage visitors to the area, providing guidance on where to walk/run/cycle/horse riding and create local employment by supporting tourism in the area.

Land and Forest School

Aim to provide a facility and area to encourage life long learning and teach people of all ages new skills, an appreciation of their natural highland environment and environmental responsibilities.

The Wildside Centre - Completed

The Wildside Centre is a multi purpose community venue where members of the Stratherrick and Foyers can meet and support each other.  The Wildside Centre provides an area for study, work and social activities inside and outside the building.  It aims to be a destination venue and will be suitable for family friendly, training or conference activities with local accommodation providing a welcome place to stay.

Back to the budgets....

2026

February (2 stories)

3 February 📚 Mobile Library Visiting Tomorrow! 🚐✨

The Mobile Library is rolling into the area tomorrow, Wednesday 4th February, so pop along and say hello to Mark! Stop & time: • The Wildside Centre &ndash...

3 February RSABI Fundraising Event

Don't miss out on an incredible evening of music and laughter with the talented Farmers Choir performing in Aviemore late February in aid of RSABI and SAYFC.  ...

January (12 stories)

28 January Six Nations: Scotland 🆚 England LIVE at The Wildside

💘 This Valentine’s Day, find someone who loves you as much as you love rugby 🏉   We’re streaming Six Nations: Scotland 🆚 England LIVE at The Wil...

27 January 🌳 Development of Inverfarigaig Forest School 🌳

A community member has been in touch about the possibility of setting up a Forest School within our community. With the support of the Community Trust, a short survey has...

26 January 📚 Mobile Library Visiting Tomorrow! 🚐✨

The Mobile Library will be in the area tomorrow, Wednesday 27th January, so pop along and say hello to Mark!   📍 Stopping points & times: • Errogi...

22 January 🔥 Free Firewood Available – Whitebridge Area 🔥

A member of our local community, has been in touch with Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (SFCT) to let us know that he has a significant amount of larch firewood...

21 January Large grant application from BCC for Foyers Stores Acquisition - Update

A Board meeting is taking place this evening in order for Directors of SFCT to consider the application and agree their recommendation. As the Chair of SFCT explained at ...

20 January Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who came along to the public meeting at the Wildside last night. We had a fantastic turnout, with 110 people attending in person and 26 joining u...

19 January Agenda for Public Meeting - Regarding the Foyers Stores Acquisition

Please find the agenda for tonight’s public meeting at the Wildside Centre regarding the proposed community acquisition of Foyers Stores.   1. Welcome &n...

14 January Apply for our Project Coordinator role

👋 Friendly reminder!   There’s still time to apply for our Project Coordinator role at Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust ...

8 January Notice to the Community: Change of Date for Public Meeting on Foyers Stores

Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust (SFCT) would like to update the community regarding the previously announced public meeting relating to the proposed purchase of F...

7 January 🌟 New Year, New Opportunities! 🌟

Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust is here to support your projects with our grants! 💡✨ 📅 Next application deadline: 21st March 2026 Learn more about ...

6 January 🎉 Calling all community organisers! 🎉

Do you run a class, group or one-off activity in one of the local buildings? We’d love to help spread the word! 💛 Our SFCT Community Calendar is looking a ...

6 January Mobile Library Visit Cancelled – Wednesday 7th January 2026

👋 Hello and welcome to 2026 from SFCT! 🎉 We bring news from the Mobile Library as our first update of the year. 📚 Mobile Library Visit Cancelled – Wednesday ...