Scores of invited guests and community stalwarts scurried for shelter from heavy showers to assemble for Princess Anne’s arrival in Carloway on her first call on a busy schedule in Lewis.
As rain drops bounced off the ground, they rushed to their places inside the Carloway Community Centre.
In the end, the cloudbursts scuttled away through overcast skies as the Princess
Royal disembarked from the royal helicopter - which landed at the Shawbost pitch
- into a waiting vehicle.
Minutes later, she emerged at the revamped Carloway Community Centre and adjoining new Carloway Shop, greeted, with umbrella on standby, by Iain Macaulay, Lord Lieutenant of the Western Isles, for a tour of the £1.3 million upgraded facilities.
Run by the Carloway Community Association, the new local hub was developed on the site of the former Carloway School building and with funding from several organisations, including £200,000 from responsible finance provider Social Investment Scotland (SIS).
With the aim of bringing local people together, the new centre is already attracting visitors from Dalmore to Tolsta Chaolais. The community centre is now home to the village’s only shop, Bùth Chàrlabhaigh.
As well as providing services for tourists, it offers office space and accommodation for local organisations, such as the Comann Eachdraidh Chàrlabhaigh historical society, the youth club and Carloway Choir, as well as hosting Gaelic classes, craft fairs and sporting events. The centre also hosts the annual Carloway Agricultural Show and the over 60s Christmas dinner.
The Princess Royal met several volunteers, local community groups, and Bùth Chàrlabhaigh staff before unveiling a plaque to commemorate the opening event.
Later, on the east side of the island, she also visited Ishga Organic Seaweed Skincare Company, Bethesda Care Home and Hospice, and Point and Sandwick Development Trust Community Hub.
Her Royal Highness is no stranger to Carloway and the surrounding area, having opened the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village in 2001 and more recently the Flannan Isles Exhibition in Breasclete in October 2019.
Mairi Steele, chair of Carloway Community Association said: “Our community centre has been operating for just over a year, and we’ve been busy with a range of activities and events, bringing that community spirit back to the area.
“We are delighted that the Princess Royal was able to find the time to visit our centre and give us an opportunity to officially celebrate its opening.
“Since the closure of Carloway School in 2013, the local community has worked very
hard to raise funds to transform the site into a sustainable, high-quality, community-owned
facility. We’re thankful to have the invaluable support from organisations such as
Social Investment Scotland, who share our vision and values.”
Chris Jamieson, head of investments at Social Investment Scotland, added: “We’re thrilled to have played our part in Carloway Community Centre’s journey to revitalise this vibrant community and bring life back into the old community centre and school.
“The passion shown by the team is unmatched, and it’s a privilege to support their vision of creating a space that not only serves practical needs but also strengthens the social fabric of the area. The royal visit is testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.”
Carloway welcomes royal visitor
30 August 2024
