Banner image: Launch Event at Three Villages Hall in Arrochar, May 2014 

As we begin the countdown to ACT’s 10-year anniversary event in December, it’s a good time to look back at where it all began. In 2013, while working for Argyll and Bute Council, I had the exciting opportunity to take a 1-year secondment to help start up a countryside trust for the region. Before this, progressive thinkers from Argyll and Bute Council, Scottish Natural Heritage (now NatureScot), Forestry Commission (now Scottish Forestry), and NHS Highland had come together to commission a community consultation. The goal? To see if there was broad support for the creation of an Argyll-wide countryside trust.

ACT Argyll Open Day, 2015

The response was overwhelming, 89% of those consulted supported launching a Trust. They also agreed on a set of objectives, which were focused yet flexible, giving us room to adapt and grow. From the outset, we had a strong community mandate, and that laid the foundation for what ACT has become today.

Fast forward to May 2014, when ACT was formally launched with our charitable status, brand, and a new Board at the Three Villages Hall in Arrochar. I still look back at the photo from that day with pride, many of the folks standing in the line-up are still deeply involved with ACT, which speaks volumes about the commitment of our team and supporters.

Tree planting partnership SSEN and Argyll and Bute Council, 2022

Looking back over these 10 years, we’ve grown from a single temporary staff member to a team of 34. Along the way, we’ve weathered significant challenges, Covid, Brexit, staff changes, but we’ve also been privileged to work with incredible people and communities across Argyll. Of course, the beauty and uniqueness of Argyll itself are rewards we get to enjoy every day.

   

One of our first Branching Out programmes – making damper bread, 2014           

One of our proudest achievements is the creation of a physical base for ACT. Our Rainforest Hub at Kilmory, located next to MAKI Pups and our new Tree Nursery, has become a central space where part of our team can work and where we can host visitors. Having this dedicated space is fantastic, but we know we have more work to do to reach the communities that aren't within easy reach of Mid-Argyll.

Erin first getting the keys to the Hobbit House at MAKI Pups, 2022

Our mission is far from complete, and while we remain closely aligned with the objectives and values set back in 2014, we continue to evolve. One thing has stayed the same; we are a team who gets things done.

Here’s to the next 10 years!