Scottish villages fight for £400,000 lottery windfall and star role on TV

Published on Tuesday 10 November 2009 21:30

FIVE Scottish communities are competing to win a £400,000 lottery windfall and become the stars of a new TV reality show.

• West Wemyss in Fife

They are among 28 UK villages shortlisted today to take part in the National Lottery and BBC-backed project to regenerate rural areas and create jobs.

Each will receive a grant of up to 10,000 to develop ideas.

Next May the final six communities will be chosen to receive the lottery funding and "village champions" will move into each area for a year to help turn their business plans into reality.

Their stories will be followed in BBC1 series Village SOS.

Alison Magee, chair of the Big Lottery Fund Scotland, said: "All five of these groups have made it this far on merit, and it is now the competition really starts."

Assynt Community Association, in Sutherland, aims to convert a fishermen's mission in Lochinver into a community hub, including a sea life centre. Spokesman Roger Glover said: "We intend to push ahead with this project regardless of the final result, and this development money will allow us to edge closer to our ambition."

Catrine Community Renewables, in East Ayrshire, plans to set up a recycling facility to convert waste cooking oil into fuel. It also wants to build a hydro-electric plant and visitor centre, with profit used to buy electric cars.

Hugh Hutchison, of Catrine Community Trust, said: "Catrine has always tried to lead the way through innovation. Gas was piped through our streets two years before London, and this should regenerate that spirit."

"Our biofuel project aims to continue this tradition, taking a waste product which most people wouldn't think twice about throwing away and using it to create a nice wee sustainable business for our village.

"We would also re-establish ourselves on the tourist map."

Eskdalemuir Community Energy Supply, in Dumfries and Galloway, plans to initiate a renewable energy supply system using Forestry Commission wood. It eventually wants to buy a community woodland to produce a sustainable supply.

Nick Jennings, of the Upper Eskdale Development Group, said: "We are surrounded by trees, but people here have no way of using this resource. Our project would provide renewable wood-powered energy to homes in the area."

The Isle of Kerrera Development Trust, near Oban, plans a community centre with meeting hall, caf and accommodation. Project officer Louise Moran said: "A door has opened and we are peeking through to a bright and sunny opportunity."

West Wemyss Eco-Energy Development, in Fife, aims to turn a disused pub into a community hub with potential for a licensed bistro, shop, meeting rooms and holiday accommodation. West Wemyss Development Trust Steering Group also wants to create small allotments, a woodland burial site and wind turbines. Spokesman Blair Denwette said: "We have a beautiful village, but nothing for people – no shop, pub, hotel – nothing to bind the community together."