the Historic Rural Settlement Group

Our Story
The Ross of Mull is the southwest peninsula of the Inner Hebridean Island of Mull. It has everything the visitor to Scotland could want: fabulous beaches, eagles, superb walking, fascinating geology, friendly people etc. For the historian/archaeologist it is an area of immense interest and appeal, it contains early prehistoric settlements, ancient forts and abandoned townships. All of this set in achingly beautiful surroundings. One of the best-known townships is Shiaba, which was cleared in April 1847. It was from the growing interest in the people who left these townships that Ionad Eachdraidh an Rois Mhuilich was born. We hope you find it as fascinating as we do.

Chronological Development
1980-1996
Interested and like-minded local people began to recognise the demand for family history information from visitors to the area, and slowly began to acquire census records, old parish records, and photographs. This involved voluntary visits to the Scottish Records Office in Edinburgh to copy records by pencil.

1997
A voluntary committee was established with an elected steering group. We had two core aims: to establish a home for such work; and to further develop information, archives and specific research on the cultural and natural history of the Ross of Mull.

1998
In 1998, a portacabin was acquired by the then convenor, James MacKeand, from a road construction company based on island at the time. Sited in Bunessan, this has proved invaluable in providing a home for our activities and allowing us to assess potential interest from enquiries and visitors. This gave us the confidence to approach funding bodies as we could demonstrate a genuine grass roots interest. Our temporary home created a focus for enquiries, visitors, local community, volunteer contributions, and donations of cash, information and artefacts. Funding from our local enterprise company and other charitable trusts was used to undertake a study tour of several differing heritage visitors centres around rural Scotland. This tour reinforced our belief that a traditional “Museum” or “heritage centre” was financially unsustainable on the Ross. Instead we decided it was best to encourage people to visit sites of interest by providing them with illustrated walking guides. For this project to succeed it was essential to have a good relationship with local landowners and land managers. The Centre benefited by employing local people who were familiar with the area and community issues.

One person was employed part time as a membership secretary while volunteers undertook the day to day running of the Centre.

2000
In 2000 we became a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in Scotland, (Company Registration Number 213395) and a registered charity (Scottish Charity Number SC 030873). Our membership had risen to approximately 300, many of whom were descendants of the Ross of Mull Diaspora. Membership support has been strongly shown through donations of cash, information and artefacts and regular visits or communication with us. We keep in touch with our members through an annual newsletter. In the summer we began to organise our now legendary Family Ceilidhs. All of these events gradually increased our profile and helped us to demonstrate a wide based group of support to potential funders.

2001
In 2001 our access and interpretation project Discover the Ross was approved by Heritage Lottery Funding as one of 31 projects pulled together under the umbrella of the Nadair Trust – the project was to develop 7 trails around areas of historical interest. Each trail is accompanied by a guidebook and at the end of the project a comprehensive glossy book will be published. It was important that we were left with a potential source of income which would ensure our future sustainability. The guidebooks give us a valuable trading asset that can be used as match funding for future projects.

This year, as a separate project, we were able to purchase the Old Mill & Cottage in Bunessan, and we now plan to convert the cottage into our permanent home, having demonstrated the need for such a centre on the Ross of Mull. A grant from the Community Land Fund allowed us to make the purchase and we are currently seeking funding to convert the cottage. The ruined Mill will be maintained as an open-air exhibition space.

2002/2003
Implementing Discover the Ross. Much of our time was spent talking to land managers to agree access routes, site work, and routes adapted within the framework of the project to reflect changes. Members of the community were approached for local information and stories. Increasing numbers of visitors and enquiries came to the centre, in particular genealogical enquiries took up an increasing amount of staff time. A part time Researcher post was funded by Gaelic in the Community to further develop archives and translate a selection of resources and interpretation available in Gaelic.

2004
Nearing completion of Discover the Ross. We have been granted an extension until 31st October. The majority of the site work is now completed with over 65 km of trail-way marked. We have worked closely with land managers to obtain verbal agreements and to ensure they are happy with the style of gates etc. It is important that we make arrangements to maintain the paths; hopefully we will always have a paid member of staff to undertake this and to undertake risk assessments, but we must make contingency plans. We have kept waymarkers to a minimum to avoid scarring the landscape. All 7 guidebooks are now on sale in local outlets and through our website www.romhc.org.uk. The guidebooks are printed in-house to minimise costs and we are able to fulfil orders very quickly. We are pleasantly surprised by the warm reception they are receiving and have quickly sold out of our initial print run. We have planned a book launch of the glossy on 25th October to coincide with our AGM.

We now look forward to the future.

Assessing the Benefits & Problems

Problems

Consultation: Who? Landowners, tenants? Local community? Agencies? Forest Enterprise, Scottish Natural Heritage, Community Councils? Consult before making an application.
Timescale: What are potential funders’ timescales? SNH & Las plan their expenditure in October for the following year.
Sometimes funder requirements force you to re-prioritise your work, but have longer term benefits.
Minimal use of timber was required due to maintenance considerations.
You must build maintenance into an access project plan or don’t do it. Most site works will deteriorate within three years.
Foot & Mouth disease proved to be a major factor in the outcome of access agreements
We frequently had to ‘juggle’ contractor start dates, based on the outcome of access agreements developing at different paces.

Managing the Organisation & Projects

Board of Directors: Management of a project requires considerable volunteer time and effort. The group process slows down decision making and it is sometimes difficult to achieve consensus.
Cash Flow: front load cash from funders to ease problems and allocate sufficient time for fundraising, alongside time for the implementation of the project.
Milestones: are they achievable? Have you included everything? Spend as much time as possible getting the project right in order to implement it smoothly.
Considerable time and effort has to be spent in operating premises, overheads, employment law, charity law, rates, reporting to funding bodies.
It takes time to build a good team of employees and volunteers, with a range of skills in administration, research, fundraising, natural heritage, and access.
Volunteers change constantly: e.g. too many/too little/varying time to give.
Rapid growth has caused problems in managing all projects effectively (Genealogy, visitors, access trails and Mill project).

Benefits

Quality employment and volunteer opportunities in a rural area.
Other wider benefits: e.g. community empowerment, contribution to local economy and other services (such as B&B, restaurants, transport).
Helps to stimulate sense of cultural identity.
Excellent opportunities to work with schools, educational establishments.
Guidebook sales will generate income to match-fund maintenance and future projects.
Interpretation leads to increased understanding.
Increased understanding will develop feelings of empathy (use of maintenance of the trail).
Increased enjoyment.
Helps to protect the asset. On-going maintenance – word of mouth, community involvement will create feeling of ownership and is the best marketing tool.
Property purchased which would have been sold on the open market, as a result of a Scottish Land Fund grant
Work has generated many more ideas for future projects and proves the demand.
Advice has been given by Mull & Iona Community Trust and other agencies.