SAC Rural Policy Centre

Firstly, of course, to all those people who made the time to meet me in the 17 communities – starting in Aigas, then Assynt, Bhaltos, Mangersta, Barvas, Galson, Stornoway, Pairc, North Harris, West Harris, South Uist, Borve & Annishadder, Knoydart, Rum, North West Mull, and Gigha. Sadly, Eigg was storm-bound, but we hope to visit in July or September to complete the trip. Many sincere thanks for your time, and for being willing to talk so openly and honestly about the journeys you have taken and your aspirations and plans for the future.

Secondly, I would like to thank David Cameron (“the original”), Chair of Community Land Scotland, who originally discussed this “mad” idea (nice one, David); thanks for being such a support in the run-up to the trip, for being on the end of the phone night and day in case of emergencies, and for phoning in occasionally to check we were OK especially during the storms. Thanks too to Norman MacAskill (Rural Policy Manager, SCVO) for coming up with the idea of the blog at the Community Land Scotland conference in March. Norman came up with some other ideas too, but the blog was the most appropriate! Thanks too for featuring the blog on Scotland’s National Rural Network website (www.ruralgateway.org.uk).

Thanks to Lindsay Inglis and Jane Atterton at SAC – Lindsay tirelessly uploaded the blog text and pics that I sent from various locations and times of day, including at weekends – many thanks; and Jane keeping me sane with texts as well as following up on my emails! Thanks too to Iain White for taking the photos of the communities – people, projects and places. You’ll see Iain’s photos in the Rural Policy Centre Policy Briefing which will be published on June 30th. Thanks too to colleagues at SAC for enabling and supporting this study tour to go ahead (and for worrying about whether I had got the motorhome insurance correctly sorted!) – much appreciated.

Finally, a big thank you to Gordon and Corrine at Scottish Tourer Motorhome Hire – for providing us with a brand new motorhome, and for working well beyond office hours to give us truly superb back-up. If I’ve forgotten anyone, please let me know – we can easily update this Epilogue.

I started off asking you to join me on a “journey of discovery” – it has certainly been that for me – learning about the actions, achievements and aspirations of community land trusts in the north and west of Scotland. I have learned a lot, and will be passing on this knowledge to others within and outwith SAC. Thanks for following the blog, and for sending me texts en route; feel free to stay in touch, even though the motorhome bit of this journey has ended…