Knoydart Foundation Directors Meeting Monday 7th September 2025

by | Nov 12, 2025 | About Us, Minutes of Previous Meetings | 0 comments

Knoydart Foundation Meeting Minutes

Knoydart Community Hall, 6pm

Attending: Rhona Miller, Aaran Watson, Davie Newton, Terra Burgoyne, Jane Hollowood, Tom Dalziel, Samantha Humphrey, Reagan Carnwath, Janey DeNordwall,

(Via Zoom) Kenny Harris, Richard Williams, Grant Holroyd, Ben Ruddle, Jenny Ruddle, Calum Wilson, Sara Donald, Steve Brooks

Apologies: Tom Harris, Jim Brown, Corinna Calder

Declarations of Interest

Minutes of Previous Meetings inc. single item agenda meetings

August Board Meeting minutes  – Approved

Matters arising

Matters arising and actions from last Meeting

Updates and reports

  1. Knoydart Trading Update
    1. Rhona is stepping down as chair – Jane will be taking over after the AGM
    1. Best season for the shop and bunkhouse so far.
    1. Grace was promoted to assistant manager
    1. Decided to pause postal service on the venison orders as Royal Mail is too unreliable.
    1. Hoping to hear how the campsite will be getting upgraded – more toilets etc. This causes stress on the bunkhouse and other businesses.
    1. Would like to find the bunkhouse lease – need clarity on which party is responsible for what?
    1. Could a lease please be drawn up for the wee hooses as well.
    1. AP – Corrina to find existing and review current leases between KF and KT
    1. Ben and Jenny are going to be moving out of the bunkhouse flat – would like to keep it for a trading employee as would like to have someone in who will be able to help with bunkhouse emergencies.
    1. Financial update – Current account £81,000, Savings account £100,000
    1. There is a £257,000 difference in accounts since October 2023. £60,000 in account in October 2023.
    1. Discussion about campsite value and toilet facilities.
    1. Finlay is looking at getting support funding from HIE to improve the toilet situation which is in process.
  2. KRL update
    1. A few planned outages coming up – In the morning and afternoon of the 10th of September and the 30th of September. These will be short outages as we switch to diesel.
    1. Development of a KRL business strategy will follow-on from the Tariff Policy and financial modelling.
    1. Continuing to work with Energy Action Scotland to support and customers who feel they are in fuel poverty.
    1. Working with Davie on the accounting and auditing problems we have experienced this year.
  3. Foundation Office update
    1. NFU insurance policy renewed
    1. Nomination letters sent out
    1. Ballot paper to be sent out at the end of the week
    1. All departments completing the annual budget forecast of the auditors
    1. Water supplies to houses are being checked in October by Highland Council
    1. Chimney sweep is also coming over in October
    1. Now we are coming to the end of the season, all departments will pick up with the website overhaul.
    1. Friends of Knoydart quarterly newsletter has gone out.
    1. AP – Website overhaul to continue as quickly as possible
  4. Land management/FIRNS update
    1. Wild Trees Survey (WTS) has been completed
    1. Meet with Community Land Scotland’s Natural Capital Community Partnerships team to discuss areas for involvement and collaboration. Looking to put on an event on the 9th of October.
    1. This Friday the 12th is the Biodiversity Bingo and Barbecue – everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
    1. There will be a new draft of the land management plan for the board to look at.
    1. Completing Wild Trees Survey plots.
    1. Progressing peatland project with Zulu.
    1. WKDMG plan strategy – final drafting postponed until new KF and Barrisdale plans completed and another opportunity for stakeholder consultation held.
    1. Many meetings & webinars, including NatureScot’s ‘Landscape Scale Restoration’ projects, Community Woodland Association deer management webinar planning, Community Land Scotland’s ‘Natural Capital Community Partnership’.
    1. Strim/prune tidy around office, car park, etc.
    1. Pull ragwort in pony grazing – Bull Park and out the glen. 
    1. Maintenance of larder and trailers.
    1. Woodland stalking, including disturbance strategy for Garsley plantation now that the fence is open.
    1. Now getting busy with stalking guests.
    1. Cull since April is at 23 stags & 2 roe bucks.
  5. Ranger update
    1. The campsite is overstretched 1,615 booked campers from April to August. This is an increase from 1,009 in the previous year.
    1. Ranger station has been a good advance forwards and is the ideal location for catching visitors between the pier and the village centre.
    1. Feel understaffed – could do with more staff members and seem to always be playing catch-up.
    1. The ageing fleet of vehicles shared with deer management team means use of a vehicle is often limited for tours.
    1. There is a demand for multi-day exhibition tours.
    1. Would like to create a vision statement for the ranger service.
    1. Overtourism is a threat and the NatureScot funding equivalent to half a ranger is not guaranteed for 2026.
    1. Both rangers are overstretched and nearing burnout.
    1. Would like to employ a third member of staff and explore funding for new tools, support ranger roles and signage for self guided interpretation and campsite faculties.
    1. Board agree to look at hiring a third ranger for next year.
    1. The Crown Estate may have funding available that would be suitable for the ranger service.
    1. Kenny offered to voluntarily look at fixing current vehicles or finding a replacement vehicle if desired.
    1. Discussion about ways to improve the ranger service and the campsite in particular.
    1. Sara offered to give Finlay a hand with the HIE funding application to speed the process along.
  6. Sara Donald Project manager report
    1. Build progress (past month): 
      1. Underfloor Heating pipes are in and floor screed complete in all 6 units
      1. Doors are installed on storage cupboards at the front
      1. Plasterboarding has begun in majority of units 
      1. 3 of the 6 units have had 1st fix electrics
    1. Build plans (coming Month)
      1. Connect building to Hydro network and associated ground works.  
      1. Complete plaster boarding, internal partitions and ready inside for painting
      1. 1st fix electrics in all 6 units
      1. Paint, Bathroom, flooring and kitchens chosen and ordered. 
    1. Build Schedule: 
      1. This was updated last month showing a completion date of mid January 2026. In terms of progress we are behind on some parts of the build such as the electrics but are on schedule or ahead with other parts. In general progress is within expected timeframe and funder deadlines. 
    1. Next steps are KR Connection – Kyle and Colin to check available space at closet transformer cabinet (estimated 10/09/25). 
    1. McLaren Building to look at design of Bike Shed/ Bin Store. 
    1. Levels and pathway to rear of building to be checked and decided. 
    1. Arrange Directors meeting to discuss business plan, management etc. 
    1. Discuss/formalise the finished building’s name. 
    1. £429,000 left to claim for the project – on track.
    1. Some plumbing an electrical work to be completed in the construction support facility units.
    1. Reports of water coming though bedroom window, not a leak but run off from canopy. Contractor has suggested overhang to be added above window to prevent this. This could be achieved with material left from cladding the Net Shed building. – Directors agreed.
    1. Review and finalise the business plan for the next project and beyond.
    1. Not much to report on for the Millburn Cottage Development.
    1. Submitted last claim for work complete to building warrant stage.
    1. Project tracking and funding reports are up to date.
    1. Next steps are to keep discussing issues around delivery of community led housing projects. 
    1. Continuing to work on getting costs for roof replacement which has been difficult –  McLaren building interested in submitting quote. As brought up in previous discussion, Cristien did note the number of unknowns in a roof replacement which can make quoting difficult. This in mind, being aware of preliminary figures and adding additional contingency into funding applications will be key.
    1. Having a cost estimate is essential for moving forward with the project. Keen to hear recommendations for individuals/ companies that may be interested in Quoting.
    1. I was approached by Jamie Porter who is keen to pursue a career in management consultancy. We had a brief meeting to discuss projects and as an exercise I asked him to formalise our bunkhouse discussions into a project brief. It was great to work with him on this and he did a great job. 
    1. Jamie has also volunteered to help with the crowd funding campaign to raise funds for bunkhouse refurbishment. 
    1. HIE to look at documentation sent by Jenny and see how they might be able to help.
    1. Will chase quotes for roof replacement – may speak to Robbie from Fort Builders.
    1. Funding claim for salary submitted for July – September
    1. 20% of Construction Project Management Course Complete
    1. Have reached out to an old contact in housing finance to see if they have any knowledge/ experience of alternative funding options for community housing. Especially about self build projects.
    1. Plan to reach out to Scottish investment Bank to see if they have any plans for housing finance.
    1. HIE are visiting Knoydart on the 6th and 7th of October.
    1. Discussion about funding for RHB being brought up with Kate Forbes before election.

Items for decision/recording

  • KFT lease
    • KFT have proposed an addendum to their lease to reflect increased activity and increase rent.
    • All directors agreed to sign the new lease drawn up by KFT.
  • Ranger fund
    • Davie met with accountants this week – every year there is a note for restricted/designated funds. Has come from an accountant misunderstanding.
    • The directors agreed to change the designated ranger fund to an amount that would cover one years salary for one ranger.
    • AP – Corinna to pass the minutes on to the accountants.
    • Burdened plot consultation – Results
      • The board agreed to approve, due to the overwhelming support from the consultation. However, the applicants should discuss the comments made by KFT with KFT before going any further with the process.
      • AP – Corinna to inform Woody and Louise.

Items for info/discussion

  • Use of mailing list
    • Discussion about what items should be shared via the mailing list.
    • There was a concern that people’s contact details had been shared – this was not the case. No email addresses were shared.
    • The mailing list is currently a service provided to the community as a way to share information. Should some items not be allowed or should it be only for KF use?
    • The mailing list could be updated to make it clearer who the email is being sent from and what KF’s role is in sharing the message.
    • AP – Look at the aims and objects of the foundation to see if anything is relevant.
    • Staff shouldn’t be using their work emails to send items that aren’t related to their role. Staff should not use the KF round robin list for personal use.
    • AP – Corinna to clarify where the email comes from reorganising the list so that it is clear which is which.
    • AP- Corinna to check on the conditions to which people have signed up to.
  • Accountants meet up
    • Davie met with accountants last Wednesday and discussed the audit.
    • Spoke about succession planning – EQ would be supportive of the proposal of a two/three day a week role with the Foundation on a paid basis would provide much-needed continuity for the organisation.
    • Costs are going up 25% next year – informed them we would likely have to look at competitive quotes.
  • Finance – insurance and accountant costs
    • £34,000 a year with NFU. Could look at other insurers but not many that offer the scope NFU does.
  • KF election update
    • The names for election with be shared this week.
    • AP – Corinna to organise a thank you to Jane Reed.
    • The numbers of votes will be counted but not shared this year.
    • The AGM is meant to be on the 26th – accountants have been unclear on whether or not they will be ready to file for that date.
  • KF job
    • The job has been advertised and the closing date is the 18th of September.
  • HebNet and fibre update
    • HebNet have been dealing with changeover of the school and the library to other provision which is provided by HebNet.

AOB

DTAS – Funding opportunity: Strengthening Communities Programme, 2026-2029 cohort

            Directors agree this would be good to apply for but needs a bit of work to draft the expression of interest.

Knoydart Foundation
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