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Ballyhaugh Steering Group
Help Shape the Future of Ballyhaugh
We are currently preparing our Stage 2 Scottish Land Fund (SLF) application. One of the most important deciding factors when SLF reviews applications is a clear demonstration of broad community support.
You don’t have to be a resident on the island to show your support; we welcome everyone’s perspective. However, support from Coll residents is crucial in order to obtain funding and progress with the project.
About us
The Ballyhaugh Steering Group (BSG) is a community group aiming to bring Ballyhaugh (also known as The Hebridean Centre) into community ownership. The building is currently up for sale and owned by Project Trust, a charity that was formerly based on the island. The group is made up of volunteers from a range of backgrounds, represents three generations and includes Coll residents and former residents.
In October 2025 we were awarded £29,750 through Stage 1 of the Scottish Land Fund. This has allowed us to collaborate with Duncan MacPherson Consultants to conduct research and develop a full business plan along with Rural Design architects. We are now preparing our Stage 2 application to the Scottish Land Fund.
Our proposal for Ballyhaugh
In summary, our proposal for Ballyhaugh is an affordable co-living and co-working project aimed at supporting economic and social growth on Coll.
If you want to explore the plans in full detail, you can:
view the presentation slides from our community engagement session on the 24th of June
view the architectural drawings (to be refined in more detail if we are awarded funding and progress further into the design stage)
Please note that these plans are currently in draft form and are subject to changes depending on feedback. We will share the final version when it’s ready.
If you have any concerns, questions or just want to chat about the project, please don’t hesitate to email us at ballyhaughsteeringgroup@outlook.com and we’ll respond as soon as we can.
Stay up to date
If you want to be kept up to date with what we’re doing, you can:
join the mailing list by contacting us at ballyhaughsteeringgroup@outlook.com
Ballyhaugh Steering Group in the News
Bid to buy HQ of largest employer on small Scottish island, The Herald, 3/12/25
Island community races to save former charity home as fears grow over private sale, The Scotsman, 4/12/25
Islanders on Coll propose buyout of former charity base, BBC, 5/12/25
Coll community comes together to buy Project Trust HQ, West Coast Today, 9/12/25
The Editor’s Post: Can social enterprise revive a small Scottish island’s fortunes?, Pioneer’s Post, 12/12/25
The SLF supports rural and urban communities to become more resilient and sustainable through the ownership and management of land and land assets. Funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by The National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, The Scottish Land Fund offers grants of up to £1 million to help communities take ownership of the land and buildings that matter to them, as well as practical support to develop their aspirations into viable projects.
