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Interesting news · Tuesday 28 July

Eigg's old church is becoming an island arts centre

Lochaber · from solaseigethelightofeigg.org

Photograph · solaseigethelightofeigg.org

St Columba's church on Eigg belongs to the island now. Solas Eige, a charity set up on 27 February 2026 with money from the Scottish Land Fund, bought the building from the Church of Scotland and is turning it into Ionad Solas Eige, a centre for culture and heritage.

The name means Light of Eigg. The island has been in community ownership since 1997 and has run on its own renewable grid since 2008. The first job is the roof. That means £153,000 to repair the skews, treat the timbers, insulate, and lift and relay every original Ballachulish slate. BARD are the conservation architects.

An exhibition by the Glasgow-based artist Sana Obaid opened in the building on 30 June, with collagraph printing workshops for island children alongside it. It was the first art exhibition ever staged on Eigg. The pews and the pulpit are still in.

Read it at the sourcesolaseigethelightofeigg.org

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Lochaber · scottishconstructionnow.com

Glenachulish Distillery approved beside Loch Leven

Highland Council granted permission on Thursday 6 August for a six million pound single malt distillery on land beside Loch Leven, close to the Ballachulish Bridge.