Our story...
Ar Sgeulachd...
Talla na Mara is a Community Enterprise Centre that opened in 2017, overlooking the golden sands of Niseaboist Beach on the Isle of Harris. Talla na Mara is Gaelic for the “Hall by the sea” and is owned and managed by the West Harris Trust on behalf of the local community.
The Project
Talla na Mara was conceived and developed to address the needs of the community, local businesses and visitors to West Harris. In September 2012, after consultation with the community the Trust chose Rural Design Architects from Skye to design their new Community Enterprise Centre at Rubha Romagaidh, Horgabost.
The Design
Rural Design’s brief was to design an “outstanding multi-purpose centre” This would include offices and business space for affordable lease, a hub for creative industries, visual & performance arts, a meeting space for private hire and community events, a restaurant and three campervan hook-ups. Since 2017, we have expanded our campervan hookups to include seven down at Pairc Niseaboist and four at the old Seilebost School.
Funding
In April 2014 a funding package was secured for the project from the Scottish Government, The Big Lottery Fund, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Coastal Communities Fund, The Robertson Trust, Scottish Hydro Electric Community Trust and an in kind contribution from the West Harris Trust.
The Build
In May 2015 Trust Directors and contractors John Murray and Company marked the official build start date with a turf cutting ceremony. In March 2016 Alex Passmore from Leverhulme Memorial School won the name the Community Centre competition and the building was officially named Talla na Mara. Talla na Mara was officially opened in 2017 by Ben Fogle and celebrated with a day full of events including a big community ceilidh!
