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Linn an fhearainn / 100 Years of Community Ownership is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The ambition of the project is to create a living archive of community ownership, one of the most important political, economic, and social movements in Scotland in the last 100+ years.  
 
The project will celebrate the work of all the communities who have pioneered these achievements and provide valuable resources to inspire and support new and would-be community ownership groups to start their own journey. 

The project involves an Oral History and Archive training programme which will provide the skills for all participants to contribute to a new archive website that shares individual communities’ stories and builds a collective legacy of all of Scotland’s community owners.  

As part of the year of activities, we have the Community Ownership Electric Road show, the Simon Fraser Memorial lecture and accompanying events and, in June, an exhibition in partnership with the Travelling Gallery, Where We Stand, will tour various parts of Scotland.  

More details of all these happenings can be found below. 

Where we Stand

An exhibition, exploring the story of Community Ownership in Scotland

In partnership with Travelling Gallery, Community Land Scotland held an exhibition across Scotland in the Summer of 2024. Celebrating 100 years of community ownership in Scotland, told through a series of exciting artworks from contemporary artists. Where We Stand  expressed the stories and achievements of the pioneers of community ownership, a movement that transformed Scotland. 

Participating artists included Virginia Hutchison, Richard Bracken and Colin Tennant, and Saskia Coulson. as well as new commissions by Francia Boakye, Kate O’Shea, and Emma Duncan, Jan Little & Helen Walsh.  

New commissions were realised by North Edinburgh Arts; Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust, Govanhill Baths Community Trust and Bothy Project, and Langholm Initiative & Creation Mill.

Where we stand plans to return to some of the highly requested communities of Scotland in the Spring of 2025 with more information to come, here and on Community Land Scotland’s Social media

Where We Stand 2024

Upcoming Events

Coming soon…

The Simon Fraser Memorial Series

Looking at the last 100 years of reform and what the next 100 years may look like

The lecture series is dedicated to the memory of Simon Fraser, a solicitor and pioneer of land reform in Scotland. Simon was instrumental in the success of some of the early community buyouts including Eigg, Knoydart and Gigha as well as the Assynt Crofters buyout. 

Simon said of the Eigg buyout ”It is a triumph for all that is good in humanity and certainly one in the eye for everything that is mean-spirited and self-seeking.”

For more information about upcoming Simon Fraser Memorial Series events and to learn more about (or watch!) past events see below.

Upcoming Events

Past Events

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Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Simon Fraser event featured insights from experts and cultural figures, who highlighted the historic impact of community ownership on communities.

Watch The Simon Fraser Memorial Lecture here

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Gigha

Gigha marked its 22nd birthday in grand style with a spectacular celebration, featuring a flag-raising ceremony and speeches delving into the profound impact of community wealth building on the local community.

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Galson

Gigha marked its 22nd birthday in grand style with a spectacular celebration, featuring a flag-raising ceremony and speeches delving into the profound impact of community wealth building on the local community.

Read Brian Wilsons lecture here

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Glasgow

The Glasgow Simon Fraser event discussed Glasgow’s relationship to community ownership, explored ongoing challenges in land reform, and spotlighted inspiring stories from urban and rural communities. Attendees were treated to live music and spoken word performances.

Watch Simon Fraser Glasgow here

Community Ownership Roadshow

Bringing stories of community ownership together

In Spring 2023, to celebrate 100 Years of Community Ownership, we visited communities across the Northeast of Scotland and Tayside to share inspiring stories of community ownership. Over the course of one week in February, we met with groups in Angus, Stirling, Dundee, and Aberdeen. 

We partnered with Kirrie Connections, Creative Stirling, Creative Dundee, and the Fittie Community Development Company to host these four information sessions to explore the benefits and opportunities of community ownership. 

Past Events

Angus

Stirling

Dundee

Aberdeen

Cumbernauld

Orkney

Oral History Workshop for Community Owners​

Capturing your story​

Community Land Scotland recognises the importance of community owners telling their own stories, so we’re running workshops to support people to present their stories themselves. 

Join us for an exciting online workshop to help community owners collect and share their own oral history which documents the path towards community ownership. This engaging workshop, led by Iain Craig, will help with practical tools for collecting stories as well as creating space for discussion and skills sharing, drawing from the expertise of the participants. 

This Training is available for all communities that own land or buildings. If you’d like to express an interest in future in-person trainings, or to be kept informed of up coming online dates, please contact: gavin.cowan@communitylandscotland.org.uk

Ultimately, communities will add their unique content to the new archive website, to build a resource which informs of and reflects on the journey of community ownership in Scotland to date, from the perspective of those who know it best.  

Resources