Thanks to TOI World Desk for the Headline.
Ah a “good” billionaire story. Ian Wace is a very successful hedge fund manager who bought an 800 acre remote Scottish Island in 2017 called Tanera Mor and has turned it back into the thriving community it once was.
How did he do it and more importantly why did he do it? They why was basically he saw that the Island was dying.
The how is by investing money to restore old buildings, planting trees ,reviving traditional crafts, rebuilding farmland and creating new communal spaces. The project is also designed to support the wider Scottish Highlands Community.4.5 miles of roads along with paths and other infrastructure needed to reconnect different parts of the island and support the growing number of people working and staying there.
Also eight fresh water ponds have been creating with the planting of hundreds of native and aquatic plants creating around 1.5million litres of freshwater pond habitat. Also about 28 acres of historic agricultural land have also been reclaimed with orchards pastures and other areas of the island being restored.
There has also been an attempt to regenerate traditional skills such as boatbuilding (relating to the Island’s History of Herring Fishing), A restored loom is being used to weave Tanera tweed, there are workshops including sailmaking, breadmaking , art , writing , flower arranging and land management.
A former quarry has been transformed into an operational centre containing offices , accomodation and workshops , while other facilities include a pub, chapel, art studio , cinema, gym and sauna. The idea is not separate private residences but shared space.
One particularly innovative idea , is to offer restorative breaks to Public-Sector workers in front-line demanding roles such as the NHS, Police and Army given them time away from their normal working environments. Around 150 people can be working and staying on the island at a given time.
The innovative nature of the project has led to a wider involvement in the “Highlands Community” with 8000 acres of maniland land gifted to the Coigach Community Development Company with a wider programme to restore properties including Achnahaird Farm and the Summer Isles Hotel(planned opening in 2027).
Tanera was transferred into a charitable trust in 2020 to continue it’s objectives of invigorating community life in the Scottish Islands .
I delved into seeing if any of this land would be used for Grouse Shooting and I could see no evidence of it. I suppose there must be good billionaire’s after all.
Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏
thenotsomightyom 