Kinlochbervie Community Company
The Kinlochbervie Community Company is a charitable company founded in 2008. Our aim is to initiate and develop community improvement projects. Current projects include Loch Clash Pier, the Manse Road houses and Community Broadband.
A few years ago we acquired two former school houses on Manse Road and secured funding for renovation. 17 Manse Road has been rented to a family for several months. 18 Manse Road is nearing completion. It is a 3-bedroom house with 2 bathrooms and most suitable for a family or up to 2 singles sharing. We don’t have an exact completion date but it should be by the start of summer. Applications are being taken by the Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust.
We have been awarded a grant of £15,000 from the Highland Council’s Empty Houses Fund. This represents over 50% of the total estimated cost to repair/renovate the house. We are currently seeking funds for the rest of the costs. Once in place, the work can begin.
The former school house at 17 Manse Road has been vacant for over 7 years. Currently owned by Highland Council, the Kinlochbervie Community Company is in the final stages of signing a long-term lease for the property (20 years). We are also in the process of applying for funding for essential repairs. We intend to bring the house up to a habitable state and to make it available for rent as family accommodation. The Highland Small Communities Housing Trust have drawn up a draft proposal for managing the property on our behalf. Any revenue from rental of the property would help support other initiatives of the Community Company such as acquiring the house next door at 18 Manse Road which became vacant in September.