Mull and Iona Community Trust is a locally based organisation working to improve the quality of life for the residents of Mull and Iona. It runs services, develops projects and supports other island groups, with a long record of delivering community development work and of tackling the problems that come with geographic isolation and economic and social exclusion in remote and rural communities.
The trust works with many external organisations and, crucially, within its own community. You can read more in the Operational Strategy.
TO CONFIRM: The old site links two different strategy documents – a February 2024 strategy on /about-us/ and an April 2025 file labelled “MICT Strategic Plan 2023-28” in the document library. Confirm which is current and link only that one.
Our values, vision and strategy
**Our values are to be *Open, Democratic, Accountable and Enterprising***.
**Our Vision is to be Influential, Respected and Sustainable.** Working closely with other organisations we strive to make a positive contribution to community developments and with social enterprise projects to become less reliant on grant income.
**Our Strategy is working together to unlock the potential of our islands.** We strive to work in partnership with other community groups, local government, national government and non governmental organisations to maximise the benefits for all our residents and visitors alike.
Membership is open to every resident
Membership of the trust is open to every resident in Mull and Iona. Members elect the board, and are welcome to attend board meetings.
TO CONFIRM: The membership page has not been placed in the new structure yet, so no link is given here. Add it once the URL is fixed.
How the trust is run
The trust is run by a board of volunteer directors. Up to 14 directors are elected from the membership, with one representative from Iona Community Council and one from Mull Community Council. All directors are unpaid. A staff team delivers the day to day work.
See Who we are for the board and staff, and Governance for articles, board minutes, annual reports and accounts.
TO CONFIRM: The old site says the staff team has grown from one employee in 1997 to 14 full time equivalent. That figure is undated. Confirm the current number.
Our history
In 1996 a community project funded by the Corrom Trust identified the need for a community owned development trust with a clear remit – to formulate strategies and give practical support to local projects aimed at improving the social amenities and the physical and economic infrastructure of the islands. Mull and Iona Community Trust was registered as a company limited by guarantee and granted charitable status in 1997.
In 2011 the trust’s ambition to have a permanent base was realised. The building was given a Gaelic name to reflect the cultural heritage of the island – An Roth, meaning “The Wheel”. An Roth Community Enterprise Centre opened officially on 10 February 2012.
Several projects started over the years are now mainstays of the trust’s work:
- Countryside Ranger Services
- MESS (Mull and Iona Environmentally Sensitive Solutions), including the Island Castaways charity shops
- An Roth Community Enterprise Centre, providing office, meeting and training space
- Self storage
- Nonhebel Park
- Ulva Ferry regeneration – affordable housing, the pontoon, community transport and the Ulva Ferry community hub
- Affordable housing rentals
- Ardura Community Forest
- The community helipad at Craignure hospital
TO CONFIRM: The old history page spells this “Ardour Community Forest” but the project pages use “Ardura”. Ardura is used here. Confirm.
What that has meant for the islands
Since it was formed in 1997, the trust has brought in well over £5 million of funding for community projects in the islands – money that would otherwise have been spent elsewhere. It also offers paid work and volunteering in a fragile rural economy.
Surpluses from the Island Castaways charity shops and from Mull Eagle Watch go back into the community as small grants.
TO CONFIRM: The old site links these to /mess and to a Mull Eagle Watch page that redirects to mulleaglewatch.com, a domain currently flagged by security software as carrying a trojan. Both links have been removed. New destinations are needed. Community groups, local organisations and projects in Mull, Iona, Ulva and Erraid can apply for up to £500 through the MESS Funds and the Sea Eagle Funds.
TO CONFIRM: The published grant totals – over £28,300 through the MESS Funds and over £41,500 through the Sea Eagle Funds – were last updated in October 2013, as were the recipient lists. The application forms are 2013 Word documents. Ask MICT for current totals and forms.
Other results of the work include waste diverted from the landfill site outside Tobermory, a free jute shopping bag for every household, help in setting up the kerbside recycling scheme, meeting and office space to rent in a central island location, and island produce and wildlife festivals.
Supporting other island groups
The trust has supported island groups and projects since it started in 1997 – giving advice and guidance, pointing people towards funding, helping with funding bids, providing administrative and constitutional support, lobbying local and national government, and working to sustain the environmental and cultural heritage of the islands. It supports both Mull and Iona Community Councils.
It has helped set up and run island events and forums, including Wild Isles, Mull and Iona Wildlife Week, the Taste of Mull and Iona Food Festival, and the Mull and Iona Land and Sea Forum, which came out of a national conference on sustainable land use.
The trust also works alongside local friends groups, including the Friends of Calgary Bay, established in 2005 to protect Calgary Bay, and the Friends of Aros Park, set up in the late 1990s, whose volunteers have worked on footpaths, tree planting and the wooden play trail.
Lists of the funds secured, the funding bids assisted and the organisations supported are published as PDFs:
- Community involvement – secured funds
- Community involvement – funding bids
- Community involvement – organisations supported
- About community benefits beneficiaries
TO CONFIRM: These four files sit in the old theme folder (/wp-content/themes/mictmain/downloads/) and will be lost when the theme is replaced. They need to be re-uploaded to the media library, and checked – the filenames suggest they have not been updated in years. One has a typo in its filename.
New projects come either from community consultation and planning, or straight from members, residents and the community councils. Suggestions are welcome – see Contact.
Networks the trust belongs to
Being part of these networks gives residents of Mull and Iona a voice, and lets the trust share its experience with other social enterprises.
| Organisation | Role |
|---|---|
| Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations | Member |
| Development Trusts Association Scotland | Member & Director |
| Iona Liaison Committee | Member |
| SENSCOT (Social Entrepreneurs Scotland) | Member |
| Argyll & Bute Social Enterprise Network | Member |
| Scottish Countryside Ranger Association | Member |
| Argyll & Bute Access Forum | Member |
| Community Energy Scotland | Member |
| Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition | Member |
| Mull & Iona Chamber of Commerce | Member |
| Community Business Network | Member |
| Argyll & Bute Biodiversity Partnership | Member |
| Community Transport Association | Member |
| Community Recycling Network Scotland | Member |
| Employers in Voluntary Housing | Member |
TO CONFIRM: This network list is undated and some of these bodies have since merged or closed. Ask MICT to check it before publication.
Registered details
Mull and Iona Community Trust is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland.
- Company number: SC172897
- Scottish Charity Number: SC025995
- VAT registration number: 296254275
- Registered office: An Roth Community Enterprise Centre, Craignure, Isle of Mull, PA65 6AY