A Brief History

Sleat - the southern peninsula of the Isle of Skye - has for over 30 years, been one of the fastest growing rural areas of Scotland. Within its boundaries are two pioneering estates; Scotland’s Gaelic College at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig; a major visitor centre at Clan Donald Skye, Armadale. These support, and are supported by, a vibrant community.

The Trust was created in 2004. This was not, like some other well-known community trusts on the west coast, a result of land-ownership issues, but because a local estate and crofter-led  wind-farm was going to lead to substantial financial benefits for the area and a local body was needed to oversees the distribution.

That project never got off the ground, but the community, long-used to being merely re-active, found its collective voice and very soon Sleat Community Trust had a life of its own.

The Trust set out to create a Sustainable Sleat through projects which would enhance the lives of people living here, retain necessary services in Sleat, develop all our aspirations while maiantaing a high quality of the environment.

SCT laid out simple ground-rules: look at all sustainable ideas; keep the community informed, and aim for excellence.

The results are impressive :-
* Over 70% of the community are members, supporting a wide variety of projects.
* Over 40 people are actively involved.
* The community shows its support when requested.
* projects in carbon reduction, recycling, bicycling, fuel sales, post office, garage, bat protection, mink removal, susidised taxis, garden shredder, log splltting, community gardens, vegetable growing, wind turbine, community forest and lots more.