Highland Renewal is a charity based on the Isle of Mull in the Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland which was created to manage an estate on the southwest corner of the island. Originally the aim was to combine the regeneration of the landscape with the rebuilding of a small village as a pilot project in cultural regeneration. However it became clear that any permanent repopulation of this particular estate was impractical. Access, planning issues and local concerns all contributed to this decision.
At the same time, it was realised that Tireragan was already an important and perhaps unique area in terms of conservation importance and if managed for that purpose an invaluable ecosystem could be regenerated. With limited resources, the directors Highland Renewal decided to concentrate their efforts on the conservation management of Tireragan and to use the land as a community resource for education, interpretation and enjoyment.
Highland Renewal have a thirty year lease on the Tireragan estate but have now relinquished a lease on an adjoining house, farmbuildings and some inbye land.
Amongst other accomplishments Highland Renewal have:
* researched the history of the land resulting in the production of a book entitled 'The History of Tireragan Township, Ross of Mull'
* organised surveys of the ornithology, archaeology and vegetation of the estate
* initiated continuing research links with Manchester Metropolitan University
* produced a ten-year management plan for the estate
* planted 36 hectares of new woodland
* managed and encouraged over well over 100 hectares of natural woodland regeneration
* created and maintained a six kilometer network of marked walks through the estate with associated interpretive leaflet and displays
* encouraged local schools to use the estate as an educational resource
* leased the game shooting rights to halt any such activities
Highland Renewal is run on a local basis with the majority of directors & members from the local community.
The current directors of Highland Renewal are:
P F Haworth
P M Haworth
H H Van Der Sluis-de Brouwers
M M N Van Der Sluis-Kuypers
A Van Der Sluis
H G Van Der Sluis
A Fielding
L MacLaren
J Cameron
D H Morgan
A Hendrick
Last updated on March 10th 2009.
Highland Renewal publishes its Annual Report by 31st of January each year for the previous financial year ending in May.
The most recent annual report from the year ending in May 2008 can be downloaded here as a pdf file.
For any more information contact Highland Renewal at:
Highland Renewal
Bendoran Cottage
Bunessan
Isle of Mull
PA67 6DU
Tel: 01681 700582
Email: info@highlandrenewal.org
