We Did It!
New future for OST as The Thornhill Collective secure over £144,000 from the Scottish Land Fund.
“Through repurposing vacant buildings, acquiring land in order to build new facilities and enhancing the local environment, groups from the Highlands to the Scottish Borders are using the Scottish Land Fund to realise impressive plans for land and other community assets. Projects like these make a big impact and not just on their local communities, they also provide inspiration to other groups who are still in the early stages of drawing up plans. ”
John Watt -Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair
We did it! After 12 months of hard work we have just been awarded over £144,000 from the Scottish Land Fund - the programme is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the Big Lottery Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
The grant will enable us to purchase OST and return it to community ownership with money allocated for remedial work, insurances and revenue costs.
OST is in the early stages of fundraising for the capital project costs. We have a long way to go - our journey continues…
Press
The SLF Press release can be downloaded here
Thank You.
To Buccleuch, the current owners of the building who gave us the time and space to build our business case.
To the consultants who helped us reach this stage - Alison, Andy, David, John and your teams.
To the community council and local organisations who gave us their time and helped us navigate the path so far.
To the counsellors, MSPs and MP's who have supported us in our journey.
Support Us
For more information on how you can support OST.
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Get in touch.
Photos by Laura Sparrow
“Buccleuch, and the Queensberry Estate team, are pleased to hear that the Thornhill Collective were successful in their bid for funds from the Scottish Land Fund to make the purchase of Thornhill Old School. The Collective worked hard to present an innovative and sustainable plan for the ‘Old School’ and we had constructive discussions with them. We wish them all the best on the next stage of their journey.”
Anna Fergusson - Buccleuch Estate Manager
“These seven groups are working really hard to make their community ambitions a reality and it’s great that they have secured SLF funding to help achieve this. The awards will bring important land, buildings and services into community ownership and give them the resources and control they need to deliver exciting projects for the benefit of people living and visiting their areas. We wish them all the very best in their new ventures.”
Sandra Holmes, Head of Community Assets at HIE
“I would like to extend my congratulations to the successful projects. Today’s funding award will allow them to act on ambitious plans to give potentially underutilised buildings and land a better use, to the current and future benefit of their local communities.”
