The other thing to notice is the refurbished Colintraive Village hall. Warmer, more efficient and much better acoustics mean it is truly a delight to meet there.

It could not have been achieved without funding and support from the Climate Challenge Fund, Argyll and the Islands LEADER Programme, Cruach Mhor Windfarm Trust, and Argyll & Bute Council. The work was carried out by John Brown (Strone) Ltd, Forteiths Heating and Refrigeration Ltd, Gibson’s of Dunoon [electrical], Jim Carruthers [decorator], Calum Maclean and Andy Henderson [for the hearing loop and acoustic treatments].

This was a gerat opportunity to talk about the successes, the innovations and the potential pitfalls of purchasing a forest in a back-to-back commercial leasing deal as we have. The presentation, given by Charles, seemed to be well received, but the trip into the woods on a bright, cold and still day was a delight.

The Development Trust will be holding a forest day towards the end of April to introduce the community to our wood properly. Watch for more details here!

In the meantime,  here’s visual evidence of members of the Forestry Commission Scotland, CWA and Attendees exploring the woodland above the Clachan.

CGDT are delighted to confirm that they have now purchased Stronafian Forest on the Cowal Peninsula, Argyll. The forest, purchased for £1.55M from the Forestry Commission under the National Forest Land Scheme, will provide the community of Colintraive and Glendaruel with opportunities to create sustainable housing, woodland crofts, renewable energy sources and wonderful amenity spaces.

The Trust has been working since early 2010 on the acquisition of the 600ha+ woodland, developing a thorough-going business plan, as well as working on the funding package which includes £1.3M from a commercial tenant for the rights to the commercial forestry over 99 years. Alongside this tranche of money, raised from the private sector, the trust has also raised over £300,000, both for the balance of the purchase price, but also the legal fees and a two year Community Forest Project Officer post. The trust believe this is the first purchase of its kind to combine private and public sectors in a community woodland acquisition.

Come Work With Us
The Trust are still recruiting for the post which offers an exciting blend of community engagement, project management and business development in a forest context. The Community Forest Project Officer will be tasked with taking forward a community wind turbine, developing 4-6ha woodland crofts and preparing building plots for self-build and affordable homes, as well as making the forest accessible to the local community and its visitors. This is an opportunity to work with one of the West Coast’s most innovative trusts, in an environment of outstanding natural beauty, with a community whose Hogmanays are reputed to be the best in Argyll. To apply download our application form here.

CGDT’s chair, Charles Dixon-Spain said, “We are thrilled with this acquisition which is confirmation of the momentum our community has been building over the last five years. Colintraive and Glendaruel is a community that has been in decline for many years, and the Trust feels this purchase signals the renewing of our community, of bringing people in and services back and of ensuring the future of those services that we have held onto. Thanks to everyone who has helped us get to this stage!”

CGDT wish to thank Forestry Commission Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Argyll and the Islands LEADER, the Scottish Land Fund, the Big Fund, Aitchesse Ltd. and our tenant for all their help, financial support and encouragement over the last three years.

The deadlines for applications is Wednesday 6th March 2013.