Community takeover of Rousay hotel gains financial backing

A pub, hotel, and restaurant development in Rousay has gained financial backing of over £250,000.

Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre Development Trust has been awarded a total of £530,136 for two projects it has in the pipeline.

An award of £267,948 from the Scottish Land Fund will allow the trust to purchase the Taversoe Hotel, which it plans to operate as a hotel, pub, restaurant and community space. The hotel will also serve as a year-round gathering place for the community, helping to combat rural isolation.

The trust will use a second award of £262,188 to purchase a manse in Rousay from the Church of Scotland. This is to be converted into three separate housing units that will be available for affordable rent.

More on this news in this week’s edition of The Orcadian — available online from Wednesday afternoon, and in shops from Thursday.