“A wonderful community project run by knowledgeable and friendly people.”

About us

The Arisaig Community Trust took over responsibility for the Land, Sea and Islands Centre in 2012 and we’ve been going from strength-to-strength ever since. In 2015 the centre was completely refurbished to high environmental standards and has become a firm favourite with visitors and local residents, partly because it’s so bright, warm and welcoming!

The Land, Sea & Islands Centre is entirely community owned and run. We have one part-time employee, and the rest of our staff give their time cheerfully and voluntarily.

If you buy something from the shop or make a donation, you’re helping the community in a very direct way. Everything we receive goes back into projects that will have a positive impact on Arisaig, the people who live here and our very special environment.

Land, Sea and Islands Centre

Opening of Bill's Shed

Installing the new EV Charging points

What’s happening in 2022?

Changes to electric vehicle charge points:

Arisaig Eco Project 2020 - 22

Funding has again been awarded through the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund (managed by Keep Scotland Beautiful). This will enable us to continue to work towards our goal of meeting carbon reduction targets for our coastal community. This project is addressing the issue of carbon reduction through a range of innovative measures aimed at encouraging behavioural change. Project themes in this round of funding will be focusing on reducing waste by reducing, re-using and recycling, with a particular emphasis on textiles. The project will also promote greener transport measures. To find out more about the project please visit the Arisaig Community Trust

Recent acquisitions

The Arisaig and South Morar Record of Service 1914-18

The Land, Sea and Islands Centre recently received into its care the Arisaig and South Morar Record of Service. Created at the end of the First World War, the book is essentially a beautifully illuminated, large scrapbook of original postcards, photographs and accounts from the people of Arisaig who served in the war.

Ninety nine people are commemorated in the Record of Service, twenty three of whom did not return. The book stands as a unique, moving memorial to them all.

The illuminated text and the images shown here are taken from the book.

The digital version of the Arisaig and South Morar Record of Service can be seen here.

The Arisaig, Nova Scotia Tartan

The vibrant colours displayed in this tartan reflect the communities of Maryvale West, Malignant Cove, Doctors Brook, Arisaig, McArras Brook and Knoydart. From the breath-taking landscape to the panoramic view of the Northumberland Strait, these chosen colours are the sky, the ocean, the land and its people . . .

Two colours of blue — one light, one dark — represent the ocean, which is calm and peaceful some days, rough and churning on others. At all times it is one of the most important elements of these communities – a way of life, a means of travel and a source of enjoyment for the generations of people who live here.

White represents the transformation the shoreline and ocean take in the winter. Snow covers the land and the big ice of the Northumberland Strait reaches as far as the eye can see.

Red represents the sun and its spectacular display of colour. One band is for sunrise and the other for sunset.

The green represents the land used for farming and the trees in the hills and valleys. Yellow is the bright sun and sunny beaches which draw people to the area.

In tribute to the first Scottish settlers of over 200 years ago are the traditional dark colours of that time period. The Scottish immigrants named one community after the Arisaig they left behind. This gave inspiration to the dark block, which takes its pattern from the ‘Gayre of Arisaidh Tartan’, from Arisaig, Scotland.

The band — comprised of narrow strips of red, white, black and yellow — has local significance. Red represents the lobster, one of the main sources of income for our area, white for the church — a beacon for travellers on land and sea. The yellow and black represents the Sunrise Trail and the road that leads away from, and home to, our community. Together these colours and pattern weave a community life that reflects the uniqueness of the area and reasons why people continue to thrive on these shores.

Looking to the future

We’re always looking to improve our displays and facilities, so we’re fundraising again. We want to build a new extension to give more room for our growing collections and to provide additional space for refreshments, community meetings and events. We’re really lucky that Sam Foster, who grew up in Arisaig and helped with our refurbishment, is designing it for us. You can view the plans by visiting Arisaig Community Trust

LAND, SEA & ISLANDS CENTRE

“A wonderful community project run by knowledgeable and friendly people.”

About us

What’s happening in 2022?

Changes to electric vehicle charge points:

Arisaig Eco Project 2020 - 22

Recent acquisitions

The Arisaig and South Morar Record of Service 1914-18

The Arisaig, Nova Scotia Tartan

Looking to the future

Get in touch

Spring/Summer opening times

Times may vary to those advertised. The centre is staffed by volunteers, and there may be occasions where cover isn’t possible.

Monday: 10am – 4pm

Accessibility

Admission