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MSPs from the Rural Affairs Committee visit Lochaline in the West Highlands
A deeper understanding of some of the opportunities and challenges facing rural communities has been gained by the Rural Affairs Committee after visiting three projects in the Highland village of Lochaline.
A deeper understanding of some of the opportunities and challenges facing rural communities has been gained by the Rural Affairs Committee after visiting three projects in the Highland village of Lochaline.
During site visits to Morvern Community Woodlands, Ardtornish Estate and Lochaline Native Oyster Project, Committee Members heard directly from local people working in land reform, crofting and native oyster restoration, gaining first-hand insight into the experiences of one rural community.
Speaking after the visits, Convener Mark Ruskell MSP said:
“Hearing from a broad range of voices about what it is like to live and work in a rural community is a form of knowledge that no briefing paper can replace.
“It has been inspiring to visit Lochaline and see some of the great work going on to develop and sustain communities, support jobs and contribute to biodiversity and climate goals.
“I am aware that some of the challenges we heard about are not limited to Lochaline. Our job as a Committee is to use this knowledge gained to help shape Parliament priorities and ensure that land and rural policy is properly scrutinised.”
The projects visited by the Committee form part of a wider network of community and environmental initiatives across Morvern supported by Morvern Community Development Company (MCDC).
While in Lochaline on 24-25 August, the Committee’s MSPs also met with MCDC and other local stakeholders to listen to perspectives on local priorities and discuss issues relevant to this rural community.
Commenting, Suzanne Pender from MCDC said:
“We are very grateful to the Rural Affairs Committee for visiting Lochaline to see our plans for new affordable homes and woodland crofts at Lochaline Community Forest. We were also delighted to show the Committee other outstanding community initiatives here, including the Native Oyster Project (CAOLAS) and the activities at Ardtornish Estate. We understand the important role that MSPs have in enabling community development and we greatly value their support.”
The Rural Affairs Committee was established in June 2026. It focuses on issues relating to natural resources (including peatland and forestry), agriculture and crofting, animal welfare and wildlife, marine operations, fisheries and aquaculture, land reform and land use, botanical gardens and national parks.
About the organisations the Committee visited:
- At Lochaline Community Forest, MSPs heard about plans by Morvern Community Woodlands to establish a community-owned forest following approval of an asset transfer request from Forestry and Land Scotland. The proposed project would create a community woodland and several woodland crofts, helping to support local businesses, address housing pressures and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the community.
- The Committee also visited Ardtornish Estate, a diversified Highland estate covering around 11,500 hectares. The estate is involved in a number of activities relevant to the Committee’s interests, including organic agriculture, deer management, woodland expansion, peatland restoration and freshwater habitat improvement. It also contributes to the local economy through housing provision, renewable energy generation, tourism and hospitality.
- At Lochaline Native Oyster Project, MSPs learned about community-led efforts to restore native European oysters to local waters. Led by the Community Association of Lochs and Sounds (CAOLAS), the project aims to rebuild marine habitats, enhance biodiversity and support long-term environmental resilience through active community involvement in marine conservation.
