... Keeping You Informed
Ferrycroft Visitor Centre
Ferrycroft Countryside Centre opened initially in 1994 as a partnership project involving Sutherland District Council, Highland Regional Council, The Forestry Authority, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Hydro Electric, Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise and the European Union. It has acted as the base for the local Countryside Ranger, is a Tourist Information Centre and has drawn some eight to twelve thousand visitors a year.
On its tenth anniversary the various partners came together to discuss the upgrading of the exhibitions. In due course this led to the commissioning of an Interpretation Plan and a Business Plan, which also considered the improved signage and interpretation of the adjacent Ord Hill archaeological sites, the Ferry Wood and Lairg Auction Mart.
Generous funding was accessed from Forward Scotland, through the Community Environmental Renewal Scheme, and from Highland 2007 - as well as from Scottish Natural Heritage, Highland Council and Heritage Lottery Fund, with support in kind from The Forestry Commission. A budget of around £270k was established.
In December 2007 Studio LR from Edinburgh were appointed to design and implement the project, in association with Eastern Photocolour from Musselburgh. The team worked closely with the range of partners, co-ordinated by the Highland Council’s Area Cultural Officer, to deliver the project.
The visitor centre refit was largely complete at the start of the 2008 season, with 3 newly designed Exhibition Rooms ~ Land, Water and People. There are 2 touch screens, 2 listening posts, 3 interactives, a forestry dressing-up box, 2 film screens, 3 window benches (one per room), and a totally refitted shop area and café. The displays and signage include substantial Gaelic content and make them suitable for Gaelic medium pupils.
The refurbished centre was officially opened by the chairman of Education, Culture and Sport on 29th August 2008.
In early 2010, the lease was openly advertised and when it became apparent that the centre might not open for the summer season, LDCI engaged in discussions with Highland Council to negotiate a partnership deal. The deal proved to be successful and LDCI was able to meet 50% of staff costs in year 1 through income from food and gift sales.
LDCI are aware of the importance of retaining Ferrycroft as a visitor attraction, information point and most importantly, seasonal employment provider and therefore propose to negotiate with Highland Council to transfer the centre to LDCI to be run for the community.
Some major investment will be required to make Ferrycroft a sustainable community enterprise and to create further employment opportunities.
Every household in Lairg will receive a questionnaire offering residents an opportunity to comment.
LDCI invite you to support this proposal and help to secure the future of Ferrycroft Visitor Centre.
On its tenth anniversary the various partners came together to discuss the upgrading of the exhibitions. In due course this led to the commissioning of an Interpretation Plan and a Business Plan, which also considered the improved signage and interpretation of the adjacent Ord Hill archaeological sites, the Ferry Wood and Lairg Auction Mart.
Generous funding was accessed from Forward Scotland, through the Community Environmental Renewal Scheme, and from Highland 2007 - as well as from Scottish Natural Heritage, Highland Council and Heritage Lottery Fund, with support in kind from The Forestry Commission. A budget of around £270k was established.
In December 2007 Studio LR from Edinburgh were appointed to design and implement the project, in association with Eastern Photocolour from Musselburgh. The team worked closely with the range of partners, co-ordinated by the Highland Council’s Area Cultural Officer, to deliver the project.
The visitor centre refit was largely complete at the start of the 2008 season, with 3 newly designed Exhibition Rooms ~ Land, Water and People. There are 2 touch screens, 2 listening posts, 3 interactives, a forestry dressing-up box, 2 film screens, 3 window benches (one per room), and a totally refitted shop area and café. The displays and signage include substantial Gaelic content and make them suitable for Gaelic medium pupils.
The refurbished centre was officially opened by the chairman of Education, Culture and Sport on 29th August 2008.
In early 2010, the lease was openly advertised and when it became apparent that the centre might not open for the summer season, LDCI engaged in discussions with Highland Council to negotiate a partnership deal. The deal proved to be successful and LDCI was able to meet 50% of staff costs in year 1 through income from food and gift sales.
LDCI are aware of the importance of retaining Ferrycroft as a visitor attraction, information point and most importantly, seasonal employment provider and therefore propose to negotiate with Highland Council to transfer the centre to LDCI to be run for the community.
Some major investment will be required to make Ferrycroft a sustainable community enterprise and to create further employment opportunities.
Every household in Lairg will receive a questionnaire offering residents an opportunity to comment.
LDCI invite you to support this proposal and help to secure the future of Ferrycroft Visitor Centre.
Photograph Competition 2011
The Lairg & District Community Initiative held their second photograph competition in Lairg Community Centre between the 11th - 14th May. With a staggering 70 pictures on display, members of the public visited the display and voted for their favourite picture from five categories. The Categories and winners were:
Lairg in Spring: Winner Leslie Goskirk (Lairg)
Lairg in Summer: Winner Margaret Walker (Lairg)
Lairg in Autumn: Winner Janet Taylor (Lairg)
Lairg in Winter: Winner Kirsteen Murray (Lairg)
Lairg Open Category: Winner Jock MacDonald (Lairg)
The entries for each category were both diverse and impressive. Many local voters commented on how they easily forget the natural beauty which surrounds us in this part of Sutherland. Over the three days approx. 100 people dropped in to vote.
Many of the photographs will be used in some shape or form to create a range of merchandise representing the village. Thank you to all who participated and to all who voted.
Lairg in Spring: Winner Leslie Goskirk (Lairg)
Lairg in Summer: Winner Margaret Walker (Lairg)
Lairg in Autumn: Winner Janet Taylor (Lairg)
Lairg in Winter: Winner Kirsteen Murray (Lairg)
Lairg Open Category: Winner Jock MacDonald (Lairg)
The entries for each category were both diverse and impressive. Many local voters commented on how they easily forget the natural beauty which surrounds us in this part of Sutherland. Over the three days approx. 100 people dropped in to vote.
Many of the photographs will be used in some shape or form to create a range of merchandise representing the village. Thank you to all who participated and to all who voted.
First Santa Fun Run Raises Over £4,000 for Charity
The first Lairg Santa Fun Run took place on Saturday 12th December and raised over £4000 for Charity! Over 50 people took part in the race, dressing up as Father Christmas and setting out on a 4 mile trek across woodland, river and road. The event is the first of its kind to take place in Sutherland, organised by The Lairg & District Community Initiative. The group are now planning a run in December 2010 and raising the participant numbers from 50 to over 100!
Community Ceilidh a Huge Success
On Wednesday 21st October 2009 The LDCI held a Ceilidh to celebrate the people who have helped to shape our community. With funding secured through A'Chraobh, the event was organised under the umbrella of the Highland Homecoming Festival 2009. The Community Centre reached full capacity with a unique opportunity to see a range of photographs on a large screen from days gone by. You can visit our news section of the website to find out more and view a selection of photos used from the evening.
Visit the A'Chraobh Website
Visit the A'Chraobh Website
Photos from the Community Ceilidh
(October 2009)
