Eigg has been proudly owned and managed by the hard-working folk who live here since the community buyout of 1997.

Empowered by community ownership we work towards a better future for the Eigich.

We cracked it: the story of the buyout

Survival spirit: we are resilient and resourceful, innovative, and creative on a daily basis. This is how we ‘survive’ and thrive

Community regeneration: we are a growing island community, we look after each other, we are doing this together

Dùthchas: we look after this land and – in the spirit of our ancient forebears – we have a duty of care for everything that’s part of it

Better connected: far from remote, we are at the centre of forward-looking initiatives looking at sustainability and land reform. We are welcoming, connected, real.

Fàilte. You’re welcome.

OUR IMPACT 

In the last 5 years we have… 

Housing
Built two new affordable homes for rent to Eigg residents. Like much of the Highlands and Islands, Eigg is facing a housing crisis, with too many permanent residents living in substandard or temporary accommodation. The building of these two new highly energy efficient homes at Grianan near the doctor’s surgery brings to 14 the number of affordable homes owned and managed by the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust. The design also incorporates Eigg’s first heat pump as a demonstration project with a view to moving other island homes to this renewable source in the near future.

However, there remains a need for new housing for residents who remain in termporary housing as well as for returning islanders who wish to return home after their education on the mainland.

Appointed a Warm Homes officer to deliver a programme that reduces the number of households in fuel poverty on Eigg by 32% by improving energy efficiency, quality, and choice of housing; decarbonising heating by trialling heat pumps in community housing; growing the wood fuel and tree nursery businesses and supporting Fair Work. 

Sold Sandamhor Bothy under a rural housing burden. The building is being restored as a permanent home. The sale proceeds are being used to improve Eigg’s social housing stock.  

Community
Opened An Laimhrig – doubling the original building’s footprint and adding new facilities and services including business units, a shower block, and laundry. An Laimhrig has an EPC rating of A+ through improved energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy for all its electricity and heating. An Laimhrig supports 29 jobs in the 17 community and private businesses that are based there and many more across the island. It is a social, as well as a business hub, and Eigg’s gateway building we share with 1000s visitors to our community-owned island each year.  

Energy
Expanded Eigg Electric – adding 120kW of photovoltaic solar to increase our total generation from sun, wind, and hydro to 280kW. We also upgraded our storage and distribution infrastructure. This will enable us to double the generation capacity again within three years, supporting new house building, population, and business growth.  By 2030, renewable energy will replace all fossil fuels, enabling zero-emission heating and cooking, the use of electric vehicles, and achieving our target of carbon net zero. 

Fully paid off Eigg Electric’s Triodos loan of £100,000 

Commerical
Leased our first business site to Isle of Eigg Brewery. Built to create handcrafted beer for social and environmental good, the brewery raised £195,000 from over 600 investors in six weeks.  

Taken over the ownership and operation of Eigg’s “old pier” from the Highland Council. 

Forestry
In 2019 we harvested 3,300 tons of timber, selling 70% to fund 100% of harvesting costs. The 30% provided 4 years of firewood and Eigg’s community wood-fuel business increased its sales by 210%. We’ve just completed a second phase, harvesting 1,000 tons to retain as firewood. 

Started Eigg Tree Nursery, which now grows 20,000 trees per annum from locally harvested seed. 50% are used to restock harvested areas and create new woodland on Eigg, and the balance is sold retail and wholesale, off-Eigg.  

Tourism
Improved the three community-owned camping pods at An Laimhrig, growing turnover by 270% and generating more business for Galmisdale Bay Café and Bar and Eigg Shop. 

What’s Next? 

Secure revenue funds to support the Business Development Manager and Officer roles. 

Consolidate the work of the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust and its three trading subsidiaries. Focus on developing new income streams and streamlining processes to maximise capacity, resources, and assets.  

Deliver Phase 3 of the Eigg Electric expansion with the addition of three x 100kW wind turbines, enabling more homes and businesses to be built and Eigg to reach carbon net zero by 2030. Capital funding to be secured. 

Review Eigg’s Long Term Forest Plan in 2027 and secure approval for the next ten years. 

Collaborate with Eigg’s crofters to deliver the recommendations of the Eigg Crofting Development Plan, completed in 2024. 

Improve Volunteer House for Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust and Scottish Wildlife Trust volunteers. Capital funding to be secured. 

Complete upgrade of the current ten Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust homes for rent to EPC rating C. Balance of capital funding to be secured.  (Currently 2@F, 3@E, 4@D, and 1@C) 

Develop an improved annual maintenance programme for our asset portfolio. 

Work in partnership with the Highland Council to deliver a better waste management service. 

Implement our Fair Work framework. 

Deliver the island-wide interpretation plan. Funding package to be secured. 

Work with neighbouring communities through the Small Isles and Knoydart Development Group to develop mutually beneficial collaborative projects, such as the Small Isles Maintenance Partnership. 

We need your … 

Support:             financial or in-kind 

Advocacy:         please tell others about our work (just ask if you need more info) 

Expertise:          from technical advice to business modelling, HR to PR, environmental impact to building maintenance, and more. 

Our Funders and Supporters 

Thank you to: 

The Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, The Highland Council, SSE Sustainable Development Fund, Centrica Energy for Tomorrow, Local Energy Scotland, King Charles III Charitable Fund, The Pebble Trust.