Knoydart Foundation Directors Meeting of 9th February 2026

Knoydart Community Hall, 6pm

Attending: Trisha Birch, Finlay Greig, Ben Ruddle, Aaran Watson, Corinna Calder, Margaret Aldington, Jane Hollowood, Tom Dalziel, Angie Rupp, Jim Brown, Davie Newton, Matt Westfield, Terra Burgoyne (Via Zoom) Calum Wilson, Sara Donald

Apologies:  David Fleetwood, Rhona Miller

Declarations of Interest: Aaran has a familial connection to Koa and Veronica

Minutes of Previous Meetings inc. single item agenda meetings: Approved

Matters arising and actions from last meeting

1. AP – Corinna to check about insurance for gutters. – Ongoing
   1. AP – Jacqui to write a list of everything she does and what the bookkeepers do and highlight what tasks she could do that the bookkeepers do. – Ongoing
   1. AP – Davie to talk to Corinna about water supply testing. – Done
   1. AP – Matt to get in touch with TD to discuss power to Kilchoan properties. – Done

Updates and reports

• Knoydart Trading Update
  • Shop has had a steep spike compared to last year in sales
  • JP feels like the shop is doing very well and has reach peak takings with what can fit in the shop.
  • Have put out an advert to find temporary help in the shop.
  • Butchery have hired two new staff members.
  • Bunkhouse is looking very nice after being painting and maintenance has been completed.
  • Price raise for the bunkhouse – still an affordable rate.
  • Wee hooses took slightly more this year over the quiet periods due to locals using the discount.
  • Four staff members taking first aid training at the end of the month.
  • Conflict resolution training on the 16th of march taking place – can take up to 12 attendees so could fill more slots.
  • Money in bank – £80,265.95, Triodos – £101,619.76
• KRL update
  • Had first full board meeting last week.
  • Concrete surface repairs required for the dam.
  • There will be a renewed focus on operational maintenance.
  • Are developing more increased amend forecasts.
  • Electricity charges will be increasing from April. Around 4-5 percent.
  • Despite the increase the KRL is less than the UK national average cost.
  • 50% discount supplied to the hall and the garage will end.
  • The costs for the bunkhouse will go up quite substantially. £6,000 to £15,000.
  • There will be a change of a 60p per unit when the system is on diesel generation.
  • There will be consolation before this happens and KRL would give customers as much notice as possible.
  • If any customer feels they are in fuel poverty (spending more than 10% of their annual income on energy) you can receive support anonymously.
  • Discussion about the bunkhouse’s increased costs for energy. The purpose of that discount was originally made to keep the fabric of the building maintained.
  • This is open to discussion – may be possible to maintain a fixed rate.
  • AP – KF KT and KRL to have a meeting to discuss fixed rates.
  • Discussion about ROC payments ending for KRL.
• Foundation Office update
  • The usual weekly / monthly tasks are continuously being completed.
  • Sent out this quarters Newsletter to Friends of Knoydart.
  • Completed house clearance of Clachan Dubh through CMCK.
  • Arranged maintenance works in Clachan Dubh through CMCK.
  • Informed The Highland Council, council tax department that we are responsible for Clachan Dubh now. Requested the empty property discount, this gives us six months with no charge to have it ready for rental again.
  • Working with Iain Biggart to arrange maintenance of the white gate water supply. Then look into a maintenance programme. KF to then forward the maintenance costs to residents connected to the white gate supply.
  • Collated all website content and sent over to Calum Galbraith.
  • AP – Corrina stop ask Calum to send website link to directors.
  • Informed all members of staff of a wage increase by email.
  • Sent out applications for Clachan Dubh.
  •  Jacqui ran the P & L report for KT Chair.
  • Total investment to housing repairs this financial year (2026) £232.76.

• Land management/FIRNS update
  • FIRNS project has come to an end final claims submitted,.
  • Final claim should be coming through soon.
  • Hoping to submit a second EOI in the next few months.
  • Richard is still helping on a voluntary position.
  • Peatland action application – awaiting feedback on that application due this month.
  •  If this is successful would need to cary out an archaeological survey. Would costs about £2,800. Could use funds from the black hills deer management pot.
  • Zoro Ecosystems have developed a peatland restoration plan. If peatland action is not successful they would pay all the costs and would give us carbon credits upfront.
  • Awaiting news to hear back wether or not we are going to be included in Nature Scots landscape scale nature restoration exemplars.
  • Last week of the hind season. Hind call is on 33 + 6 on invergusseran land. The target was 60 + 1o on inverguiseran land. Some staff absences and poor weather conditions. Have had 6 weeks of easterly winds which has made the stalking challenging. Also exasperated by heavy culling by JMT on neighbouring land.
  • The black hills project has made this especially difficult changing the deer’s habitat areas.
  • The guests have not been feeling as satisfied with blank days and more challenging stalking.
  • The lack of hinds will also affect the butchery as they would be getting half of what was expected.
  • Will be essential to look into alternative funding routes for the deer management team.
  • Discussion about neighbouring estates culling.
  • After the hinds will be back to night shooting in the woods.
  • Jim will continue to send notification emails to alert when night shooting is taking place.
  • AP – Jim and Aaran to arrange a land management meeting with directors end of March April time.
• Ranger update
  • Shaping up to be another busy season – twice as many camping bookings compared to last year – £800+ more bookings for tours to date. Almost exclusively and rover tours.
  • Campsite upgrade – Materials for the compost toilets have arrived. Will get started on construction with Davie this month. Planning to tidy up bench areas (some replacements will be necessary) and add signage for campers prior to the season.
  • Village cleanup – Following a chat with the directors last month the Ranger Service will lead a cleanup of the village front from the pier to the church. New tools are required and we have put in an application for funding for strimmer, mower, picnic benches and signage for flower meadow with Morrisons Foundation. As already discussed, a walk of the village with directors is planned for February 13th. Community cleanup event pencilled in for weekend of March 14/15. Rhona is doing a pot of soup.
  • Bothy consultation – The Ranger Service has been in communication with Mountain Bothies Association (MBA) to renovate a ruin into an unlocked shelter for hikers/bothy. In a nutshell an agreement between KF and MBA will be required, with MBA taking on financial responsibility for conversion of the building. A document detailing the proposal will be issued to the community this week requesting feedback on the idea.
  • Stravaigin sessions – The Ranger Service have launched a community walking group. Community members are encouraged to join us the second Sunday of each month where different members of the community will lead us on their favourite walk. These walks might range from 2km to 20km but will be open to everyone young and old. Each walk will culminate in a gathering around a fire with refreshments. First outing was on February 8th with 23 attendees.
  • Have a geology event with Luisa Hendry on February 28th – Small upgrades being made to the ranger station to improve storage and displays, etc.
  • Costi now returning to the team on April 1st.
  • Directors all agreed the ranger service can release the bothy project idea to community consultation.
  • Willie will be rendering the front of the ranger station next week.
  • Discussion about the need for the rendering to be completed before the season starts.

• Project manager update
  • Workers Accomodation
    • Air Source Heat Pump installation has been slowing progress, engineer was due to install 4th Feb but cancelled due to a back injury new date for installation 11th – 13th Feb.
    • Builders were onsite Wednesday the 4th to reinstate the heras fencing and infill the ground at the rear of the building.
    • Painting inside – dependent on installation of ASHP, alternative would be to get hold of 6 heaters to allow this to move forward sooner.
    • Electrician and Plumber have some work to complete after ASHP and Water Cylinder are installed.
    • Contact Building Standards to arrange inspection, drainage/Percolation test, Air Tightness to ensure building is complaint with energy efficiency criteria.
    • McLaren to provide new date for installation of ASHP and water cylinder, McLaren to submit invoice for value of works to completion.
    • Davie to look at valuations of work done to date.
    • Cristien looking to achieve practical completion by mid March.
    • Should have an invoice to end of project through shortly.
  • Construction Support Facility
    • Still awaiting plumbing and electrical work in the welfare cabin.
    • Ensure any outstanding work is complete as a priority.
  • KF Housing Projects – Millburn Cottage Development
    • Architects have been working on build warrant for Millburn Cottage.
    • Sara has been compiling local information for contractors as part of the tender package. Will send on to KF board and Corinna to review this week, before sending on to QS.
    • As part of the Tender, I have started a directory of local suppliers. If anyone is interested in being included in information, local labour, trades, cleaning, catering please get in touch with Sara – this information will also be shared via email.
    • Expected tender release – earliest February 2026.
    • Before any work can start on site the water supply must meet requirements which currently it doesn’t.
    • Work with Architects, QS and CHT to ensure tender documentation is ready to send out.
    • Work with Community Housings Trust to progress Rural and Islands Housing fund.
    • Will understand more re timeline and costs once warrant is submitted and tender costs received.
  • KF Bunkhouse
    • Bunkhouse needs roof repairs, guttering and stone work done – budget estimate for this to be provided asap.
    • Met with Jenny to discuss immediate needs to keep bunkhouse functioning and future ideas. Overall goal to reduce energy consumption and improve faculties to make it more comfortable for guests and energy efficient to run.
    • Sara with arrange a meeting with KF and KT Board to revisit and refresh bunkhouse renovation plans and discuss a potential route forward.
  • General/Development
    • Working on salary claims with Corinna with view to her taking them on going forward.
    • Attended an information session about BeConnected – a new interactive map created by The Highland Council with a view to matching public funding with projects that align with goals set out in area and or local place plans. The idea is that community groups/ charities can create a profile and complete a form containing details of their projects/ goals. These can then be seen by funders and matched with funds available. At the moment, funds are opened and lots of project apply to the same ones. However, it might be that certain funds align better with certain project outcomes and in this case projects could be selected to apply through BeConnected.

• Vision & Planning managers update
  • Davie is meeting the directors after this meeting.
  • Still going through assessments of buildings. Have been in touch with external companies who use heat exchange.
  • Still going through all items of community owned property, collecting documents and doing initial assessments of structure and what is needed to make good/resilient.
  • I have passed on some initial assessments to directors and will discuss on the 26th
  • User spreadsheet mostly populated now and Davie is working through info and document lines.
  • A secondary purpose of this process is to produce an easy access, understandable list of community assets, what state they are in, how they are used and what opportunities/constraints they offer.
  • Have submitted the DTAS assessment.
  • Have applied for £18,000 from Richards to cover the interim time.
  • Compost toilets have been ordered for the campsite.
  • Value assessment still ongoing.
  • Have spoken to Kyle about future project development.
  • Still chasing and talking to John Leyshon re outstanding legal issues

Items for decision/recording

• Accountants – out to tender update
  • All chairs will have a meeting with Davie, Jacqui, and Kyle at the end of February to go over the tender process.
• KF Membership Application
  • Directors approved Iona Lane’s membership application.
• Request from Koa & Veronica – Pier & Water at Shenachie
  • They would like to temporarily put a generator up and a water connection. All directors approved.

Items for info/discussion

1. Highland Council – Bridges update
   1. While on the SKCC Tom liased with HC about bridge repairs. The planning for the bridgework is progressing.
   1. Stuart Bell is working for Arvica Consult who are the designers for the work. Tom has been sent a form that outlines the work being done on two bridges.
   1. Prefabricated elements will utilised to improve efficiency and speed up work.
   1. Road will be closed for up to three weeks while work is being done – should only be two weeks. One bridge is planned to be replaced at a time.
   1. More information is available in the leaflet Tom was sent and Corinna will distribute that to the community via round robin.
   1. Discussion about logistical planning for wee house access and vehicular parking.
   1. There will be a taxi service provided from the wee hooses to the pier.
2. Workers accommodation – pricing
   1. An email will be going out to interested parties this week with the workers accomodation pricing.
3. Website
   1. Ongoing – Corinna is going to ask for an update. Should be all up and running by the 1st of April.

AOB

Residential rental review: AP – Directors to have a look at this.

Eilidh Munro, SNP candidate for Skyle Lochaber and Badenoch would like to meet with KF. On Thursday the 9th of February. If the hall is available she can have a surgery and people can come and meet with her. Ben Ruddle will meet with her and Corinna will book the hall.

Charlie King (Colin King’s father) passed away yesterday. A gesture of condolences and thanks for all his dedication and help has been suggested. A card signed by the community and a card and or flowers from KF will be organised.

Date of next meeting: Monday 9th March.