SLCVO Blog 28 August
- joford4
- Aug 28
- 8 min read
This week, Michelle and Jo-Anne had the pleasure of visiting Waternish, taking time to meet with Trustees and volunteers of Waternish Community Hall and learn more about the fantastic work taking place across the peninsula. It was wonderful to hear about the hall's activities and future plans, and even better to see the Waternish Community Garden in full bloom, showcasing the hard work and dedication of local volunteers.
The visit was particularly special as SLCVO has had the opportunity to support both organisations on their journey over the years. We worked with the Community Garden group during its early development and supported Waternish Community Hall through its transition to a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). Seeing these community-led initiatives continue to grow and flourish is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when local people come together around a shared vision.
As a result of our visit, we are taking the opportunity to dedicate this week's blog to Waternish and some of the volunteer-led groups that help make the area such a vibrant place to live. We hope the stories featured throughout this week's blogs inspire others and highlight the important role that community action plays in strengthening rural communities.
A huge thank you to the Hall Trustees and volunteers for their warm welcome and hospitality. We are looking forward to returning in November to support a community event and continuing our work alongside the people of Waternish.
Waternish Hall: At the Heart of the Community
Waternish Hall is a valuable community asset serving the people of Waternish and the surrounding area on the Isle of Skye. The hall provides a welcoming space where residents can come together, take part in activities, attend events, and build strong community connections. It is a place where people of all ages can meet, learn, and enjoy spending time together.
Throughout the year, Waternish Hall hosts a wide range of activities and events, including coffee mornings, fitness and wellbeing sessions, community gatherings, and social events such as ceilidhs. The hall also helps local groups, organisations, and businesses connect with the wider community by sharing news, information, and opportunities.
More than just a building, Waternish Hall is a hub for community life. It provides a space where people can support one another, reduce isolation, and celebrate everything that makes the area special. Through the dedication of volunteers and community members, the hall continues to play an important role in keeping the Waternish community active, connected, and resilient.
To find out more about upcoming events, activities, and ways to get involved, visit the Waternish Hall website and discover everything this thriving community hub has to offer.
The Story of Waternish Hall
The history of Waternish Hall is a story of determination, collaboration, and community ambition.
The idea of creating a village hall first emerged in 1948 when local residents came together to discuss the need for a shared community space. A Hall Committee was established, and volunteers began the long process of identifying a suitable site, securing permissions, and raising support for the project.
After several years of effort, the Hall officially opened in June 1951 during Skye Week. The opening was marked by music, singing, dancing, and community celebrations, with Dame Flora MacLeod formally opening the building and recognising the achievement of local residents.
More than seventy years later, the Hall remains at the centre of community life. While generations have changed, the spirit that created the Hall remains the same. Today's volunteers continue to build on the legacy of those who first turned a community ambition into a lasting reality.
Find out more here
Waternish 100 Club: Supporting the Hall's Future
The Community Hall plays a central role in life on the peninsula. Behind the scenes, however, keeping a community facility open, welcoming, and well-maintained requires ongoing funding. This is where the Waternish 100 Club makes a real difference.
The Waternish 100 Club is a simple but effective fundraising initiative that helps support the ongoing running and maintenance of Waternish Community Hall.By becoming a member, participants contribute directly to the future of this important community facility while taking part in regular prize draws. Every membership helps generate income that can be reinvested into maintaining and improving the Hall.
The 100 Club highlights how small contributions from many people can make a significant difference in sustaining valued community assets for future generations
Find out more here
Community Activities and Events
Alongside its formal organisations, Waternish benefits from a wide variety of social, recreational, and cultural activities that help bring people together throughout the year.
These activities provide opportunities for residents to stay active, build friendships, learn new skills, and enjoy community life while helping maintain the strong social connections that are such an important part of rural living.
Knitting Group
The Knitting group provides a welcoming space for people to come together, share skills, and enjoy good company. Whether participants are experienced crafters or complete beginners, these sessions offer opportunities to learn from one another, work on personal projects, and build friendships. In rural communities such as Waternish, groups like this play an important role in promoting wellbeing and reducing social isolation.
Pickleball Sessions
Pickleball has become an increasingly popular activity at Waternish Hall, offering an enjoyable way for people of different ages and abilities to stay active. The sessions encourage physical activity, social interaction, and friendly competition while making effective use of the community hall as a space for recreation and wellbeing.
Wellbeing and Movement Classes
A variety of wellbeing-focused activities and movement classes are hosted within the community, helping residents maintain both physical and mental health. These provide valuable opportunities for exercise, relaxation, and social engagement, particularly important in rural areas where access to services and recreational facilities can sometimes be limited.
Arts, Music, and Cultural Events
The community regularly hosts creative and cultural activities that celebrate local talent and Highland traditions. These can include performances, workshops, exhibitions, and community events that bring people together while helping to maintain the rich cultural heritage of the area.
Community Fundraising Activities
Fundraising events remain at the heart of community life in Waternish. These events not only provide entertainment and opportunities to socialise but also help raise funds for local projects and facilities. Community-led fundraising helps sustain important local assets such as the hall and supports initiatives that benefit the wider area.
Keep up to date on what’s on here
Waternish Community Garden
The Waternish Community Garden is a fantastic local initiative that brings people together through gardening, learning, and community spirit. Located in the beautiful Waternish peninsula on the Isle of Skye, the garden provides a welcoming space where residents and visitors can connect with nature, develop new skills, and enjoy spending time outdoors.
The garden is much more than a place to grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers. It is a community space where people can meet, share knowledge, and support one another. Whether someone is an experienced gardener or completely new to growing, everyone is welcome to get involved and take part.
Community gardens play an important role in promoting wellbeing. Spending time outdoors, being active, and working alongside others can help improve both physical and mental health. The Waternish Community Garden also helps strengthen local connections, creating opportunities for people of all ages to work together and build friendships.
Through volunteer involvement and community support, the garden continues to grow as a valuable local resource. It demonstrates what can be achieved when people work together towards a shared goal, creating a greener, healthier, and more connected community.
If you would like to learn more, keep up to date with activities, or find out how to get involved, visit the Waternish Community Garden Facebook page. New volunteers, ideas, and community involvement are always welcome.
Waternish Community Council: Giving the Community a Voice
The Waternish Community Council provides an important link between residents, Highland Council, and other public agencies. Made up entirely of volunteers, the Community Council works to represent local views, share information, support community initiatives, and help ensure that the priorities of local people are heard.
Working alongside organisations such as Waternish Hall, the Community Garden, and other local groups, the Community Council plays an important role in supporting community development and encouraging local participation. While much of its work takes place behind the scenes, it helps create the partnerships and connections that enable many community projects to succeed.
One example of this work is the development of a Community Emergency Plan, a project designed to strengthen local resilience and preparedness for future challenges.
Preparing for the Future: Waternish Community Emergency Plan
As part of its ongoing work to support local residents, the Waternish Community Council is working with the community to develop a Community Emergency Plan.
The plan aims to help Waternish prepare for, respond to, and recover from situations such as severe weather, power outages, flooding, transport disruption, and other unforeseen incidents. By identifying local skills, resources, equipment, and volunteers, the plan will help ensure that support can be coordinated effectively when needed.
Community involvement is central to the project. Residents are being invited to share their knowledge, experience, and ideas to help shape the plan and ensure it reflects the realities of life in Waternish. The Community Council is particularly keen to hear from people who may be able to offer practical support, specialist skills, equipment, or volunteer as part of a local emergency response group.
The plan is not intended to replace the role of emergency services. Instead, it will help local people support one another, share information, and coordinate assistance during the early stages of an incident or when services are under pressure.
The Community Council is also planning a community engagement event where residents will have the opportunity to learn more about the draft plan, provide feedback, and explore ways of getting involved.
Find out more about the Community Council here
See the Draft Community Emergency Plan here
Staying Connected in Waternish
Communication plays an important role in community life, particularly in rural areas. In Waternish, volunteers help keep residents informed through a range of community-led information channels.
These include:
The Waternish Community Calendar
The Community News Page
The Weekly Email Newsletter
Together, these platforms provide information about local events, activities, meetings, opportunities, and community updates. They help residents stay informed about what is happening across the peninsula while supporting participation in community life.
Check the Community Calendar here
Keep up to date with news here
Sign-up for the Newsletter here
Closing Thoughts
Our visit to Waternish has been a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with the people, projects, and organisations that help make this special corner of Skye such a vibrant community.
From the Community Hall and Community Garden to the Community Council and the many activities taking place across the peninsula, one thing has stood out above all else: the dedication of local volunteers. In a community with an estimated population of just 293 people, based on the 2022 Census, it is remarkable to see the amount of activity, commitment, and community spirit that exists. The time and effort given by volunteers helps create opportunities for people to connect, support one another, and enjoy a strong sense of belonging.
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to meet with us, it has been inspiring to hear about both the achievements of recent years and the ambitions for the future.
SLCVO is pleased to be working alongside Waternish Community Hall on the Waternish Community Survey, and we look forward to returning in November for a community event where the findings will be shared and discussed.
Waternish is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when people come together around a shared commitment to their community.
Thank you, Waternish. We look forward to seeing you again in November
Blog produced with the support of Microsoft Copilot
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