The Pier Cabin,
Brinian,
Rousay,
Orkney
KW17 2PU
Our three islands are home to a community of approximately 260 people. These residents worked together to form our Development Trust in September 2006, with a view to tackling our local issues and improving the quality of life for those living in our communities. Our aim, broadly, is to help our three beautiful islands to be both vibrant and sustainable.
To achieve this we gather ideas from our residents; identify projects; and with the aid of funding obtained via Government and social initiatives or by the funds we produce from our turbine, turn these ideas into projects or community assets. In recent years we have constructed the 900kW community-owned wind turbine, provided community gardens, introduced wifi centres, sought ways to make our homes and community buildings warmer and cheaper to run, introduced a grants and bursaries scheme, and we regularly organise the annual Rousay Lap Half Marathon and Peedie Lap 5K fun run and the creation of the 'Heart of rousay' boardwalk. We are currently in the process of producing our next 5 year plan which will include the development and building of social housing.
Further details of these, and other projects we are currently working on, can be found on this website.
Many of the UKs smaller islands have similar issues to ours, such as, a population decline (especially amongst the young), an ageing population, below average recreational facilities, a decline in traditional industries, limited employment opportunities, low wages and fuel poverty.
Our Development Trust is trying to further enhance the quality of life, preserve our community and secure our future. All island residents over the age of 18 can apply to become a member of the Trust. Our directors are elected from within the membership, by the members themselves, and the combined Board makes decisions on what projects the Trust should develop, to try and meet these aims.