Phase Two
Ionad Eilean na h-Òige Redevelopment
We’re excited to share that Phase Two of the Ionad Eilean na h-Òige redevelopment is now underway.
At the end of 2024, we issued a public tender through the Public Contracts Scotland portal and have now signed a construction contract with Eriskay Construction Group. This major milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter in our redevelopment journey. The capital cost for this phase is £1.2 million, supported by funding from the Islands Programme Fund (Scottish Government) £651k , Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Western Isles Development Trust £19k , and the Garfield Weston Foundation £170k. We are incredibly grateful for their backing.
By the end of this phase, we will have delivered:
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Two completed wellbeing suites for overnight accommodation, aimed at hosting visitors, students, and tutors attending workshops on the island.
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One suite will include disabled adaptations for accessibility.
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The second suite will be a standard Twin/King-size room.
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The remaining two suites will serve temporary community purposes, including hot-desking, photography/art sessions, and traditional skills workshops such as Eriskay Jersey knitting and Eriskay Pony creel-making.
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These spaces will also temporarily house our community-run library, making it more accessible to residents and volunteers. At present, the library collection is stored in a container and manually moved to the community hall each month—something this phase will help resolve.
Importantly, this phase allows visitors and community members to see progress first-hand, take part in workshops, and help shape future use of the space.
We are continuing to work with funders to secure additional support for Phase Two, Stage Two—a group of essential elements that had to be temporarily removed from the tender due to rising costs. These include items such as external works and some internal finishes that are vital for completing this phase to its full vision. We hope to bring you positive news in the coming months and will keep you updated on the outcome.
Fantastic News - Funding Update - 7th October 2024
Scottish Government has today announced the award of £651,000 towards
Ionad Eilean na h-Oige – phase 2 from the 2024/25 Islands Programme Fund.
Cllr, Donald Crichton, Chair of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Sustainable Development Committee, said: “The decision to award this funding is a very welcome one. Both projects will provide real benefits to their respective communities. I congratulate all involved for their work in securing Islands Programme Funding and taking their respective projects to this stage.”
Neil Rutherford, Senior Associate Director - Place, Housing & Economic Growth, Scottish Futures Trust: “Our infrastructure experts have worked closely with the island Local Authorities and Scottish Government to ensure the Islands Programme continues to deliver positive outcomes for the island communities.
“This new funding will go a long way to support repopulation, economic growth and local jobs, and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with the project to see their visions move into reality and achieve what the communities need most.” Scottish Government
Environmental Innovation: 6 Boreholes Installed
As part of this phase, we have also installed six deep boreholes, each drilled to a depth of around 200 metres into the bedrock. These form the foundation of a ground source heating system that will sustainably heat the building year-round. By drawing warmth from deep underground, this low-carbon heating system will significantly reduce our heating bills, protect us from future rises in fuel prices, and help us meet net-zero carbon targets. Once operational, the system is expected to save thousands of pounds each year in heating costs while reducing emissions by an estimated 114 tonnes of CO₂ over the building’s lifetime.
This makes Ionad Eilean na h-Òige one of the most environmentally forward-thinking community projects in the Western Isles.
Wellbeing Suites: 4 Units
Phase 2 Update – Ionad Eilean na h-Òige
Work is moving forward on Phase 2 of the redevelopment, and you may have noticed the timber frame now going up for the new wellbeing suites. This frame is being built on the same footprint as the former school canteen, though it is slightly longer, stretching beyond the old gate that many will remember as the entrance children once used from the Haun, Rosinish and Bun a’ Mhuillin.
This phase is being carried out by Paul Anthony MacInnes’s company, Eriskay Construction Group Ltd. Having a local firm leading the work is an added benefit for the island, providing employment for an average of 15-20 people throughout the islands. The project is also giving a welcome boost to the local economy by supporting suppliers such as Caley Timbers , MacAulay Askernish , MacInnes Bros Ltd and Neil Campbell.
The following videos contain visuals and sustained flashing lighting that may affect those who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
Wellbeing Suites Build
Follow our journey....
While we redevelop the old Eriskay school into the vibrant community building it once was.
Named Ionad Eilean na h-Òige after Fr. Allan MacDonald’s poems, where he described Eriskay as an island full of life due to the number of young people living here.
The phases of change the building is undergoing are detailed on the following pages.
The first phase involved removing unsafe buildings, addressing structural issues, replacing the roof and slates, funded by £858,000.
This phase also included a feasibility study, the development of a business plan, and the creation of concept designs.
These efforts have safeguarded the historic building, preserving our memories for future use.
The final phase will involve constructing the main building and extensions to connect two historic structures, the main school/schoolhouse to the HORSA.
These rooms will include a Museum, a Gathering Room, Archive Room, Community Library, Tearoom, play area, gym/horticulture rooms, offices, and a temporary exhibition space.
Our Subgroup for Museum Content and Interpretation has been diligently working to collate the important elements of Eriskay's history, heritage, and culture. These elements will be displayed in the main museum through both permanent and temporary exhibitions.
