WATCH: New virtual tour launch of a Highland community and tourist destination without leaving your home
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A new virtual tour showcasing how a Highland community is transforming its local area and creating opportunities for local people and tourists has been launched.
The video tour features members of Glenurquart Rural Community Association (GURCA) talking about how they have created community-led businesses and projects.
They say these help to improve the mental health and well-being of people and their environment.
Over three-quarters of GURCA’s unrestricted income is generated through its assets and local business initiatives - and this income goes back into its community projects.
Key highlights in the tour – which was launched at the Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS) two day Annual Conference include GURCA: taking ownership of the Loch Ness Hub and creating a visitor centre and tourism hub.
Appointing its first ever full-time community development officer in January 2022, thanks to DTAS helping it to secure funding from the Strengthening Communities Fund.
It is GURCA’s first-ever paid for role and has been instrumental in helping the group to take forward various community-led projects.
These include raising £110,000 through a community share offer to purchase a baggage transfer company for walkers and adventurers.
Taking ownership of Blairbeg Park and leasing it to the local shinty club so that they can improve it.
Running a local market, litter picks, lunch club and other wellbeing events.
Taking ownership of its 116-year-old village hall with plans to refurbish and modernise it making it fit-for-purpose for a variety of uses.
Working collaboratively with the local people and community organisations on a 20-year community action plan which will inform future plans for the area.
Dan Light, who is the GURCA’s community development officer, said: “The key to GURCA’s success is our community here – There is a strong sense of friendliness and openness.
"People support and care about each other and their environment. An organisation such as GURCA is dependent on volunteers who put in a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes.
"We are delighted to have the opportunity to share our experiences and learning with other community groups at DTAS’ Annual Conference.”
Susan Clark, who is the Chair of GURCA, added: “Community is at the heart of everything we do.
"Our community action plan is helping to inform us about the community’s needs. What we are seeing is that people would like more community ownership of assets, better active travel projects, opportunities to better preserve our local heritage and the refurbishment of our village hall in Drumnadrochit.
"The plan helps us to work with people here and to create a better place for us all to live, work and play in. We would also like to thank DTAS for helping us to secure funding for our first-ever community development officer who has been instrumental in taking our community-led projects forward.”
Pauline Smith, who is DTAS’ chief executive, said: “We would very much like to thank GURCA for sharing their journey and experiences through a virtual tour.
"By doing so, people can see how a small rural community has the power to make their community a better place and improving people’s mental health and well-being.
"We are really pleased that other development trusts and community groups can learn from GURCA’s experiences too.”
The tour was created by Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS) in partnership with Glenurquart Rural Community Association (GURCA) and made by Chris Dell. It was launched at DTAS’ two day annual conference which took place in Cumbernauld.
The theme of the conference is Gather, Connect and Thrive. The tour is also a way to allow sharing and learning with other community groups as to what can be achieved when communities work together.
