DIRECTOR PROFILES
PRÒIFILEAN STIÙIRICHEAN
Chair
Mairi Mackenzie
Vice Chair
Neil Macdonald
My grandfather was one of the Scarista land raiders and acquired through his efforts the croft, which I now inhabit. I am the chairman of the Luskentyre Grazing Committe and a director of the West Harris Trust. I am also part of a housing subgroup.
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I believe that the creation of Talla na Mara which gives full and part time employment is one of the most significant achievements of the Trust.
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Looking to the future, I would like to try to get more community involvement with a view to getting the old guard relieved. I would also like to see the Trust go for more rented housing rather than buying.
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Secretary
Rhoda Macdonald
I have been living in West Harris most of my life except for the four years I studied in Glasgow and the five years I taught in Inverness. I returned to the island in 1994 to take up the post of Head teacher at Shelibost Primary School (which sadly closed in June 2013 due to the lack of children in West Harris) and then moved to another island school until I retired in October 2022.
I believe that the Trust's most significant achievement is its role in making more affordable housing available within the area and this has resulted in families moving into the community, reversing the trend of population decline which so many island communities are experiencing. Another achievement is the way in which the Trust has contributed to providing employment and work spaces within West Harris where Talla na Mara remains a key central, successful feature.
Going forward, I feel that it is important to continue to increase resident numbers, to promote further our island heritage and culture and to explore ways of enhancing facilities for visitors and residents, to enjoy all West Harris has to offer.
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I was born in Glasgow and brought up in East Kilbride. Both my parents (and their preceding generations) have links to Harris. My mother was brought up in Scarista, West Harris, and my paternal grandmother hails from Manish.
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I have had a life-long connection with Harris, and visited it almost every year of my life, before moving to live here permanently in 2018 upon my retirement from 40 years of teaching mathematics in Scotland, England and in the Middle East.
I fully support the aims of the WHT to sustain and regenerate the local community. Talla na Mara Community centre is a great asset to the local area, and I would like to see more activities and events taking place there – artistic, musical, craft-based, cultural etc.
Director
Mairi McCuish
Director
Richard Maclennan
I am a director at the West Harris Trust. I have lived here all my life and so have the two generations before me. I also run a business in West Harris and my passion is crofting livestock.
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Talla na Mara and the ten houses have been the most significant developments as they have contributed to increasing the population to our target.
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I would like to see more housing to help increase the population. Maintaining a healthy number on board of directors and working with a developer to provide a hotel in South Harris should also be a priority.
Director
George Macleod
I was born and brought up on the west side of Harris and my family go back generations in the area. I am particularly interested in the natural and ancient history of the area.
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For me, the building of the community centre and the social housing has been the biggest achievement of the Trust so far.
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Further into the future, I would like to see the Trust have a real say in the buying and selling process of all crofts and plots. Also to join other trusts in the formation of Harris to become a national park.
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Director
Ann Parry
Born and brought up in Luskentyre, Harris , I returned to the family croft in 2019 with my husband Dan, and built our home. We have a wee flock of sheep which I really enjoy looking after and they keep me on my toes, especially at lambing!
My former career of two decades working for a global IT company, involved managing partners across countries within Europe. Leisure wise, I am a keen long-distance runner and have completed many Ultra marathons.
Island communities are unique and very special, and the warmth and community spirit of the people of Harris is to be cherished. This is why I am thrilled to be part of the West Harris Trust which aims to be at the heart of, and further develop a kind, caring and cohesive community.
Over the years, it’s been great to witness some notable achievements of the West Harris Trust. The growth of the community engagement within West Harris, the creation of the Pairc Nisabost housing, the multi-faceted Talla na Mara and the motorhome facilities, are particular highlights. I am excited to see continued growth and new projects under the West Harris Trust.
Born in Harris I have lived and worked here all my life. Since 1990 I have lived in the village of Luskentyre with my husband Murdo. Prior to the tourism business I now run, I worked for the Bank of Scotland and as a learning support auxiliary in the Harris schools which fitted in well with raising my 3 children.
I feel the main achievement of the Trust to date is the Pairc Nisabost development of houses, and Talla na Mara which is a fantastic asset to the community. It would be good to see further housing developed which would hopefully encourage young families to settle in the area.
Director
Isobel Mackay
Director
Morag Munro
I was born in Collam Bays of Harris. My great grandfather was one of the people who was cleared from West Harris. My husband’s family going back three generations are from Scarista. My husband inherited the family crofts, and we moved to Borve in 1983. I have lived in Harris most of my life – interrupted only by Secondary Schooling in Inverness and further education in Glasgow. When I graduated as a teacher of Business Studies, I got a post in Stornoway and subsequently moved to Harris. I spent many years as a Co-ordinator of Harris Voluntary Service, and I am still involved with a number of local voluntary organisations. I served as a Councillor for 13 years.
Apart from the return of the land of West Harris to the people. I think the next major achievement of the Trust was the provision of affordable housing, which has enabled young families to come to live in the area. Our biggest issue is our ageing population and the lack of a young workforce. Affordable Housing is essential in order to encourage young people to settle in the area and I would like to see more of this developed. Talla na Mara is also a huge asset and I would like to see it developed further and for it to become more sustainable.