Over 100 project suggestions are now being considered by Harris Development Ltd to form part of the bid for funding from the Heritage lottery Fund for the Isle of Harris Landscape Partnership Scheme. These projects have been submitted for consideration by the many individuals and groups that have meet with the LPS project officer over the last few months.

They include many projects which will it is hope be offered across the entire Island. Some of the suggestions include the establishment of an island-wide Habitat Enhancement Initiative for native woodland which will provide support both to the crofting community and landowners to encourage the regeneration of native broadleaf woodlands.

Another project suggested is the digitisation of extensive collection of data held by the Harris Historical Society and then making the information available via the web to both the community and visitors.

To support the Harris Tweed weaving tradition, a whole package of programmes including a series of ‘Entrepreneurships will be offered to support those wishing to enter into a career based on the making of tweed goods. These Entrepreneurships will offer support with core skills training in weaving, training grants, start up funding, mentoring and business development support.

It is also planned to establish Craft Apprenticeship in other key skill areas that will be required, for example the restoration and consolidation of historical buildings. The rebuilding of dry stone walls and the consolidation of features associated with river management.

A series of themed trails have been suggested on the natural history and archeology of Harris and events to record and revive the tradition of the ‘bards’ of Harris.

A local business has suggested the organisation of a series of annual ‘learning journeys’ to increase the understanding of the value and promotion of the local heritage to the many visitors who come to Harris, These events could be coordinated between the local business community with support from agencies such as Western Isles Enterprise, VisitScotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Over the next few weeks the Landscape Partnership Group will be considering the best way to take forward the proposals, and discussions are already progressing with the 32 organisations and agencies who have expressed an interest in supporting the Scheme.

We will be contacting everyone who has suggested a project to inform them of the way forward and how we intend to draw all the projects together into a strong viable bid to benefit the community on Harris. It might not be possible to take all projects forward under this scheme but we undertake to find other ways of delivering those that fall outwith the scheme but offer real benefits to the community.

The next step will then be to work up all the projects suggested into a deliverable scheme, costed and programmed. HDL will them have to secure support from other agencies for the bid. The final documentation will be submitted to HLF for consideration by the end of March 2007.

One of the Keys aims HDL are keen to deliver is the creation of real sustainable employment opportunities for local people resulting from a management diverse environment. The board of HDL would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you how have taken the time and trouble to engage with the scheme, without a doubt the many and varied proposals which you have suggested can contribute to this aim.

Please do contact the project officer if you have any questions or need any further clarification.

Robert Hanna


Isle of Harris Landscape Partnership Scheme, Ensuring our future by minding our past

The Old Hostel

Tarbert, Isle of Harris HS33BG

T 01859 502222     E robert@hdl.org.uk    W www.hdl.org.uk