Investors are being targeted to help fund off-grid eco-cabins in Glengarry and support future environmental and social projects.
A share offer hopes to raise £250,000 to build up to six forest cabins and shared amenity building near Invergarry.
Profits will be put to a range of initiatives including tackling a lack of employment and housing by building woodland crofts and affordable homes.
Money from the business will also be used to fund charitable activities of Glengarry Community Woodlands (GCW).
These could include a forest school, woodfuel business, the management of the woodland and buying land for community benefit.
What is planned and who will run it?
GCW bought the 70-acre Invergarry Wood in 2015, with an income-generating eco-tourism business one of its main goals.
It followed local consultations and a ballot in 2014.
Glengarry Forest Cabins (GFC) will be secluded in the woodland and visitors will reach the cabins on foot after a brief walk.
They will be built using larch trees in the community forest. Removing the larch is a first step towards restoring areas of native woodland.
The business will be run by Glengarry Community Benefit Society (GCBS) and the share issue runs until December 19. Already more than £69,000 has been raised.
Investment starts at £500, or £25 for local people who will make up most of the members.
Each investor will be a member of GCBS and will have an equal vote on how the business is run.
As well as helping towards managing the woodland, profits will help address an acute housing shortage in the area.
This year, land at Ardochy, on the shores of Loch Garry, was transferred to the community. It will be used to create four new crofts.
The Communities Housing Trust is also buying adjacent land to build an additional two crofts and four community homes.
Addressing local issues
Ross Lynn, from GCBS, said; “Like many rural communities in Scotland, Glengarry is fragile and faces a number of significant challenges, ranging from access to affordable housing and employment opportunities to managing tourism in a sustainable way.
“The community share offer with Glengarry Forest Cabins will appeal to those who want to invest in a project which has environmental and social sustainability at its heart.
“This is also an excellent example of empowered communities developing innovative ways of addressing local issues and ensuring they have a sustainable future.”
The group is supported by Community Shares Scotland, which is jointly funded by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery Community Fund.
Morven Lyon, Community Shares Scotland programme manager, said: “It is inspiring to see the group demonstrate what can be achieved through community ownership and in particular how community-owned land can be managed and developed to provide wider benefit to the local community.
“It’s been a fantastic project for the Community Shares Scotland team to work on. We’re already looking forward to visiting the cabins when they’re up and running.”
Lisa Ashford is CEO of investing platform Ethex, which is hosting the share offer. She said investors will be part of a pioneering community enterprise.
“By investing to help fund the development of the forest cabins, they will also be supporting the community-ownership model, affordable homes, biodiversity and helping create a stronger community in Glengarry.”
Are you interested in more exclusive and breaking Highland and Islands news from the P&J? If so, why not join our dedicated Facebook page HERE
Conversation