Carloway Community Centre officially open

The newly refurbished Carloway Community Centre was officially opened last week (29th of August) by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, who joined Iain Macaulay, Lord-Lieutenant of the Western Isles, for a tour of the upgraded facilities on the Isle of Lewis.

Run by the Carloway Community Association, the new local hub was developed on the site of the former Carloway School building and was supported with £1.3 million in funding from several organisations, including £200,000 from responsible finance provider Social Investment Scotland (SIS).

With the aim of bringing local people together, the new centre is already attracting visitors from Dalmore to Tolsta Chaolais. The community centre is now home to the village’s only shop - Bùth Chàrlabhaigh - and as well as providing services for tourists, it offers office space and accommodation for local organisations, such as the Historical Society, the youth club and Carloway Choir, as well as hosting Gaelic classes, craft fairs and sporting events. The centre also hosts the annual Carloway Agricultural and Heavy Games Show and the over 60s Christmas dinner.

During her visit, The Princes Royal met with several volunteers, local community groups, and Bùth Chàrlabhaigh staff before unveiling a plaque to commemorate the opening of the Community Centre and her visit.

Village halls and hubs are often the heart of rural and island communities. They are places for people to gather, learn, access services and have fun. Well run and maintained village halls and community hubs are key assets in supporting sustainable and resilient rural and island communities.

Mairi Steele, chair of Carloway Community Association said, “Our community centre has been operating for just over a year, and we’ve been busy with a range of activities and events, bringing that community spirit back to the area. We are delighted that the Princess Royal was able to find the time to visit our centre and give us an opportunity to officially celebrate its opening.

“Since the closure of Carloway School in 2013, the local community has worked very hard to raise funds to transform the site into a sustainable, high-quality, community-owned facility. We’re thankful to have the invaluable support from organisations such as Social Investment Scotland, who share our vision and values.”

Chris Jamieson, head of investments at Social Investment Scotland, added: “We’re thrilled to have played our part in Carloway Community Centre’s journey to revitalise this vibrant community and bring life back into the old community centre and school. The passion shown by the team is unmatched, and it’s a privilege to support their vision of creating a space that not only serves practical needs but also strengthens the social fabric of the area. Today’s royal visit is testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.

“By providing access to affordable finance, SIS is championing local organisations and social enterprises of all sizes to deliver greater impact for the communities and people they work with.”

If you are community organisation that have, or is seeking to operate, a village hall or community hub, then the Village and Community Halls Handbook is an essential resource. Developed by SCVO in partnership with key stakeholders and funded by Scottish Rural Network, the handbook is an invaluable resource for those running or developing a community hub.  

Find out more, including a link to the handbook, at Village and Community Halls guidance published | Scottish Rural Network