Isle of Lismore Gaelic Heritage Museum and Community Centre Project Proposal
'Lismore is an island where each ruin, each knoll carries some tale, some secret tradition unique to that spot; even evidence of cultivation is in itself a memorial to some long departed ploughman and other agricultural system'
- Donald M. Black, Chairman, Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mòr
MORE THAN A MUSEUM Regeneration Through a Living Heritage
1. INTRODUCTION
Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mòr has identified a need to extend and develop the social, economic and cultural facilities available to the people of Lismore. We recognise the Island's natural, cultural and archaeological heritage as our most important resource both for community identity, and as a base for future economic development. As a remote and isolated society, Liosachs have long known that unusual situations require innovative solution and cooperative effort. It is with this in mind that we are putting forward this proposal for a new, multi-function Heritage Museum and Community Facility.
2. BACKGROUND
The Island of Lismore is situated in Loch Linnhe on the West Coast of Scotland. The Island has a growing population, of 168 at present, and enjoys one of the most unique locations, and some of the most spectacular scenery in the UK. Farming and crofting remain the Island's chief industries, but tourism is becoming an increasingly important part of the economy, with approximately 12,000 visitors per year.
2.1 Environment
The Island is composed almost entirely of Dalriadan limestone, and has a very fertile soil which supports a unique and diverse flora. It is at the heart of the Lynne of Lorn National Scenic Area, and encompasses 4 designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, as well as 6 Special Areas of Conservation (candidate). Lismore is identified in the Argyll and Bute Local Biodiversity action plan as supporting several locally or nationally rare species of plants, insects and birds.
2.2 History
There is an abundant evidence of occupation on Lismore from the earliest times; Bronze Age burial cairns, a well preserved broch and ruins of two castles are some of the impressive relics of the Island's past. St. Moluag set up a monastic centre on Lismore in 561, and later the Island became the seat of the Bishopric of Argyll, remaining so till the 16th Century. The choir of the mediaeval cathedral now forms the present parish church.
2.3 Farming and Industry
Farming has been the prime industry historically, due to Lismore's fertile soil. The present system is based on cattle and sheep, but in the 18th and 19th centuries barley and to a lesser extent oats, were intensively cultivated.
Lismore was at the heart of the West of Scotland lime industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with the largest site continuing in operation until 1934. Remnants of the industry are still much in evidence, from the impressive kilns, to the row of worker's cottages at Port Ramsay.
2.4 People of Lismore
For a small island, Lismore has produced more than her fair share of notable individuals, many from the family Carmichael. Dr Alexander Carmichael was the writer of the important Celtic text Carmina Gadelica, Dugald Carmicheal was a pioneering botanist, while Donald and Hugh Carmichael were noted nuclear physicists. An enterprising emigrant, Archie Cameron, designed and built a steam-powered fire engine.
2.5 The Gaelic Language
The Gaelic language has been an important aspect of Lismore's culture for centuries. In the national context, speakers of the Argyll idiom of Gaelic are scarce, but on the island of Lismore Gaelic is very much alive and kicking, with residential language weekends being run for learners and speakers of all levels.
3. THE PROPOSAL
It is easy to picture an island idyll, and Lismore does much to meet the stereotype, but ours is also a vibrant, lively and entrepreneurial community which aims to invest in a sustainable future in an exceptionally challenging environment.
We are seeking support for the development of a building which will, amongst many other functions, house a Gaelic Heritage Museum.
The title reflects the importance of Gaelic Heritage to the people of Lismore. It will protect a collection of artefacts and books that are of value not just to Lismore, but also in some cases are of international importance. It will also interpret the history of Lismore - its natural, cultural and archaeological and industrial heritage, and the lives and achievements of its people on the Island and around the world.
But this is much less than half the story of what this building will do for our community. Below are some of the other functions that it will serve:
A public research centre
A public library
An IT centre for education purposes
A centre for Lifelong Learning
A craft outlet
A café/restaurant
An audio visual interpretation resource
A meeting room for the island's clubs and societies
A social centre and gathering place for the community
4. THE APPLICANT
As a newly constituted group with the full support of the island's community, Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mòr - the Lismore Historical Society - is taking forward the development and implementation of this project. Our aims are to preserve and interpret Lismore's unique heritage and culture, and to work towards achieving a sustainable future for the island's community.
In 2003 we completed a successful project to restore an 18th-19th century croft house 'Tigh Iseabal Dhaidh'. The croft house is now open to the public daily, and has been furnished as it would have been at the time of the last recorded tenant, Isobel MacColl. The project was awarded 'Best Place to Visit' and 'Overall Winner' in the 2003 UKFX tourism awards.
The Historical Society holds an extensive archive of pictures, artefacts and manuscripts, which is at present housed in a disused schoolhouse. This is a far from ideal situation. The building is damp and badly designed for the purposes of preserving such an important and fragile archive; also our tenure is insecure, being a month-to-month let from the local authority. We are nonetheless visited every year by thousands of visitors, and our volunteers deal with many genealogical and historical enquiries by phone and email.
This project will bring the activities an resources of the Historical Society together in one location, with the new museum building to be constructed adjacent to the croft house.
5. THE BUILDING
Planning permission has been obtained, and plans have been drawn up for an environmentally friendly, low tech building, designed to be in keeping with the agricultural context, while providing an appropriate foil to the existing cottage.
The primary construction material will be timber, appropriate due to its ready local availability, low cost, sustainability and ease of transport, this last being a key consideration for any island based project. Stone detailing will anchor the building into the landscape, and a profiled metal roof, while inexpensive, will be in keeping with the vernacular farm architecture of the island.
6. THE CASE FOR SUPPORT Much of this section draws upon an Island Scoping Study undertaken through the University of Strathclyde by CADISPA (Conservation and Development in Sparsely Populated Areas) in 2002. All quotes in italics are taken from that study.
The case for support is founded upon four themes: Social Inclusion, Lifelong Learning, the Sustainable Island Economy and our Cultural Heritage.
6.1 Social Inclusion
Lismore Island reflects the findings of the Scottish Poverty Information Unit study into multiply deprived and severely multiply deprived rural communities in Scotland, with all five elements of the study in evidence on the island, namely:
Low wages in traditional industries
Low uptake of benefits
The high cost of transport
A lack of childcare facilities
A lack of affordable housing
Health facilities are limited with no doctor on the island. Secondary education requires residential off-island accommodation. Employment opportunities are severely restricted with only Tourism and Agriculture as formal sectoral employment providers. Learning facilities are restricted to primary school, with little or no access available for co-ordinated IT and distance learning provision. Transport costs add a 20% island uplift to prices, and limited links severely restrict social opportunities to participate in mainland activities.
This Heritage Museum and Community Facility challenges these deficiencies by providing a focus for many of the activities that people would otherwise take for granted on the mainland. It will draw people together as an asset to jointly manage, as well as benefit from.
6.2 Lifelong Learning
The learning opportunities available at the Museum will reflect the importance of Gaelic language and Heritage. The facilities will however be shared by ICT skills classes, and opportunities for people who wish to develop their own skills, and access distance learning courses and materials.
6.3 The Island as a Sustainable Economy
6.3.1 Agricultural Diversification and Island Entrepreneurs
"Much of the data showed that although farming is still a vital and indeed major part of Lismore's economy, the recent past has shown that it cannot be the only income generator on the Island. Aside from diversification within farming itself, the data makes it clear that people would like to see the development of a wide range of small, home based cottage industries that would boost the economy of the island without a detrimental effect on Lismore's environment."
Agriculture and tourism are recognised as the two key economic pillars of the Island economy. Agriculture is often a whole family pursuit, and tourism is increasingly a contributor through crafts, art and accommodation.
With the development of the Heritage Museum, the opportunities for small businesses and farm diversification enterprises on the islands will increase. A present there is only one small village shop, and no café, restaurant, hotel on the Island. The Museum will provide a forum for exchanging ideas on business development, as well as a focus for finding solutions to questions such as - How can I market my crafts? Where can I get a grant to develop my small business ideas? What mainland markets are there for my work?
6.3.2 Employment and Economic Regeneration
"Regeneration through diversification and the revitalisation of existing industries such as agriculture and emerging industries like tourism, are essential for the sustainability of Lismore. Without economic sustainability the island will be reliant on grant aid for its future.
The museum will directly generate approximately 5 full time job equivalents, with a potential for further employment in the future. One full time archivist will be employed, and the facility will be run by a full or part time manager, with the assistance of a part time janitor. The café facility will be franchised out to a local operator, and will generate up to 3 full time job equivalents.
The project has been designed with long-term sustainability as a primary goal and it is expected to be fully self supporting within 3 years. Revenue income will be generated through visitor admissions, the café franchise, retail sales, facilities rental, genealogical searches, guided walks and Gaelic heritage courses and workshops.
6.4 Tourism "There is a need for the tourists to contribute to the island economy. At the moment they simply contribute to the holes in the road. If there is nowhere for tourists with shallow pockets to spend their money, they will return to Oban with Lismore's contribution firmly secure. For a sustainable community to thrive the local people must embrace the sordid reality of wealth generation.
Currently approx. 12,000 people visit Lismore every year. The Museum and Community Centre directly addresses the shortcomings in tourist provision identified in the Island Scoping Study, which noted that in order to become more economically sustainable, the Island had to encourage a greater visitor spend be adding value to the visitor experience. This is not hard to achieve on an island that presently has no central focus where a tourist can shop, eat or drink. Here are some of the actions that will directly impact on visitor spend:
Exhibitions and audio visual displays will provide interpretation of the rich history of Lismore
The café/restaurant will provide the only eating place for overnight visitors and those that want to take lunch on the island.
A craft market and gift shop will provide a business outlet and a retail experience.
An ICT suite will double as an internet facility.
A research facility will enable tourists and émigrés to trace their own heritage on Lismore: some of this research will be provided as a paid service.
Island-specific branded goods, will be sold within the museum.
6.5 Historical and Cultural Heritage "It is clear from both the qualitative and the quantitative data the many people on Lismore fear that its population will either decline due to its young people leaving, or that the Island will be overpowered by newcomers ignorant of the traditions and culture of the island."
Gaelic Heritage is the crucible for the re-invention of our sustainable future. It is also our gift from the past to the future. Rather more crudely, it is also an asset and a unique selling point for our Island. The principle to which we are working here is simple. If our heritage and our culture are as central to us as we believe them to be, then they should naturally be a driving force at the centre of our Island's development for the future. Through tourism and craft enterprise, this celebration of our Heritage and Culture provides a direct link to the economic regeneration of our island, and will impact directly upon the current social exclusion.
7. CAN WE DO IT?
We already have evidence of success. "Tigh Iseabal Dhaibh", the Heritage Croft project completed in 2002, and established with significant grant income was built, and is managed by the local community in the shape of the Lismore Historical Society, as a partnership project. Whether it is through incomers or returners, the silver lining of a changing population is that our skills base is constantly being enriched with practical and professional experience learned on the mainland. We also have access to support networks via the Nàdair Trust and CADISPA, and through out partnership work with the local authority.
The Island is not without some basic services, but where they exist the Museum will either replace something that is widely considered to be inappropriate, or it will complement what is already there. As examples: Internet access will complement current provision at the local shop, activities undertaken in the Museum will allow more appropriate use of the community hall.
8. FUNDRAISING & ESTIMATED COSTS
We are aware that a project of this magnitude will require a major capital spend to cover the initial construction of the Museum Centre. However, we are confident that this can be achieved. Importantly we believe that the Museum can be run as a sustainable community and heritage venue in the future.
9. CONCLUSION
Our community is at a crucial stage in our development. We are not alone in this as many rural communities are currently addressing issues of regeneration, sustainable development and social inclusion.
We believe however, that we are at the threshold of change brought about by three significant developments. Firstly, the CADISPA Scoping Study confirmed some of our concerns and beliefs, but crucially it helped to give us a clear planning focus. Secondly, the Heritage Croft development has demonstrated to us that we have the skills and determination to carry out and then manage a major investment programme.
Finally, the development of a business plan has taken the focus into a practical framework for action for the future, which will help us address: social inclusion issues, provide a lifelong learning facility and create a sustainable economy for Lismore.
