We are delighted to confirm that in Sept 2024, we finally got the keys to the Old PO. Prior to this the building belonged to the National Trust for Scotland as part of Balmacara Estate. Our thanks to the NTS for giving us time to raise the purchase, to the Scottish Land Fund for a grant towards the purchase cost, and to our fundraising sub-committee for making up the shortfall.
Summary of the buyout journey:
Alasdair Mackenzie (Ali Doc), Vice Chairman: “We are delighted to secure SLF support to bring this much-loved building in the heart of our village into community ownership. We’re a new organisation and this is our first asset, so it’s a real boost for us. There has been informal use of the building for over 20yrs, but this purchase safeguards it for the community. We can now press on with our plans to improve the fabric of the building. Without SLF support none of this would be possible.”
Although this is a huge step forward, we continue to look for funding towards the extension. More fundraising events are being planned and donations are most welcome click here to donate.
The community has enjoyed informal use of the building for over 20 years as an outlet for local knitters during the summer months. In addition since 2016, it has also served as the community-run paper shop. Community members have undertaken necessary joinery and refurbishment work which even included replacing the roof. Volunteers open the shop daily from 9 to 10am offering a range of newspapers for residents and visitors. From April to September, a rota of local knitters from throughout the Lochalsh area keep the shop open till 4pm to sell their high quality, hand crafted goods.
Plockton knitter, Jill Charnley, whose husband helped with the refurbishment said “If we didn’t have this outlet I don’t know what we would do. Some of us have been selling from here for over twenty years. Ishbel Cameron from Drumbuie and Catherine Fraser of Kyle, both raise money for charity through their knitting”.
Since the paper shop opened the Old Post Office has become a hub for the community as locals congregate each morning to collect their papers. This social aspect was greatly missed during lockdown when the shop was closed. Local resident, Jim Greer, who was shielding during lockdown said, “We still got our papers as they were delivered, but I really missed the short walk to collect the paper and meeting up with others. Sometimes it’s a good hour before I get home”.
With funding from Highland Council’s Community Regeneration Fund we commissioned Plockton-based Olli Blair Architects to draw up plans. These were developed in close consultation with current users of the building – the ‘knitters‘ and ‘papers‘ – and other local groups including the Village Hall Committee and Community Council.
We hope to enable greater community use of the building by improving its energy efficiency and by adding a small extension to the rear to accommodate a WC and tea point. Our planning application was submitted on 12 October 2023 and has been approved. As can be seen in the design statement, this will be a sympathetic development with no change to the frontage of the building. It will look the same, but will be easy to heat and will benefit from a much needed loo.
We made an application to the UK Community Ownership Fund for funds towards the post-purchase redevelopment costs. This is a very competitive fund, and we were were informed in December 2023 that this was unsuccessful.
The modest single roomed, stone building was built in the early to mid 1800’s when the planned fishing village of Plockton was established. Houses were offered on a 99-year lease to encourage the uptake of employment in the area. In the 1950s it was extensively damaged by a chimney fire. Local villagers rebuilt the property for Alicken Urquhart who lived out his remaining days there.
Olli Blair Architects were commissioned to consider three development options up to concept design stage (RIBA stage 2) as follows:
– Option 1: basic development
– Option 2: Intermediate development
– Option 3: Advanced development
Following consultation with representatives of the papers, knitters, Community Council, Hall Committee and Harbour CIC and the Trust, Olli kindy provided a fourth option, which is a modified version of Option 3. This is detailed below as the Preferred Option.
Adapt existing shop to increase energy efficiency and to add a small extension to accommodate a WC and teapoint.
This would allow a future expansion to the rear as detailed in Option 3.
Estimated cost: £100,000
Prior to Olli developing the final drawings for Planning and Building Warrant purposes, we requested that the footprint of the extension be increased slightly to accommodate some storage. The drawings as submitted can be viewed in the design statement.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this proposal drop an email to info@plockton.com
