6 days ago
Community wins funding to buy 'ceilidh house' Glenuig Inn
A historic west Highland pub that provides a focal point for traditional music is to be bought by the local community after a funding award. The Glenuig Inn in Lochaber contains stonework dating back to a building burned down in 1746 by soldiers pursuing Bonne Prince Charlie after the Jacobite the years the inn, about 30 miles (48km) from Fort William, has become known as a traditional "ceilidh house" where trad and folk musicians gather to play.A grant of nearly £353,000 from the Scottish Land Fund will allow the community to buy the site and associated buildings.
Musicians travel from the surrounding area to play at informal ceilidhs at the inn, with as many as 30 people sometimes playing together. Glenuig Community Inn Ltd plans to continue operating the inn as a pub, restaurant and accommodation.
Chairman Peter Langhorne said the funding award was "wonderful news". "We will now be able to buy the inn which we have been leasing and operating for the last four months," he said. "The Glenuig community has a long history of developing and managing community assets but this really is the cherry on the cake."
The Scottish Land Fund is a Scottish government funded initiative, delivered in partnership with the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands grant is one of 10 that have been made, totalling about £1.45m. Mairi Gougeon, cabinet secretary for rural affairs, land reform and islands, said: "Vibrant community spaces are the lifeblood of our towns and villages- places where people can meet, access services, and simply enjoy being together. "The latest awards from the Scottish Land Fund will deliver exactly that; welcoming, reliable facilities offering childcare, recreation and wider opportunities for local people."Other funding recipients are: £239,005 for Balerno Village Trust to buy the police station, providing community spaces for hire and after school care£197,658 to buy three parcels of land on Rousay in Orkney for community facilities, tourism and a community-led island marina£185,800 for Alloa Community Shed to purchase a town centre building for a community hub offering DIY lessons£100,465 to buy Barthol Chapel Parish Church in Aberdeenshire for a community hub, café and exhibition space£93,600 for community purchase of Fearn Abbey£92,239 to acquire a shop for the community in Glenelg£82,001 to purchase the Polmont Community Hub to allow its continued use.£63,961 to buy the former library building at Beatlie school in Livingston for Spark, a group supporting socially isolated people
