Tiree Community Development Trust (known as “Urras Thiriodh”) are seeking a Head of Projects to take on a lead role in delivering our ambitious ongoing community development work for the beautiful and vibrant Inner Hebridean island of Tiree.

The newly created role combines management and direct project delivery work and would suit a candidate with relevant experience and a pro-active approach looking to take on a challenge in a unique, bustling and diverse community development environment. You’d join a strong established team with a track record of delivering ambitious capital projects, with the goal of ensuring the sustainable development of a small island community, making Tiree the best possible place to live, work and grow.

Our current projects include developing community housing solutions, supporting veterinary services in our predominantly crofting community, operating and further developing community-owned renewable generation, working towards community-led plans to adapt to climate change, and continuing to operate key services such as a local broadband network, tourism information service, light commercial business units and the community filling station.

The role will play a key part in the ongoing delivery of our Community Development Plan – tireetrust.org.uk/the-development-plan

Role Summary

The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust (RBET) seeks a highly skilled Project Manager to lead the Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne project, delivering significant conservation and adaptation works at Ellisland Museum and Farm. The post is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to players of the National Lottery and South of Scotland Enterprise.

Introduction

The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust (RBET) safeguards the 1788 farm designed and built by the poet Robert Burns on the banks of the Nith near Dumfries. The A listed steading is the best preserved of all the poet’s homes, the only one he built, and the place where he wrote a quarter of his musical output, including the international anthem to friendship, Auld Lang Syne. The farmstead sits in 140 acres comprising woodland and fields which were first enclosed by Burns himself. RBET is a membership Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation with a volunteer board of Trustees formed in 2020, although the site itself has been held in trust since 1928. It is located six miles north of Dumfries off the A76. It is an accredited museum, with seasonal opening, holding events and group visits off-season, depending on capacity. A small team of volunteers maintain the grounds and riverside walks for free public enjoyment all year.

The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust’s charitable purpose is as follows:

To hold the lands and farm of Ellisland, and such other funds and assets as may from time to time be comprised in the Trust Property, in trust for the following purposes:

(a) the advancement of education

(b) the advancement of the arts, heritage and culture

(c) the promotion of the life and works of Robert Burns

(d) to maintain a museum and collections for the benefit of the public

The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust Mission Statement is as follows:

“Ellisland is the place to fall in love with Burns. We will increase awareness of Ellisland as central to the artistic development of Robert Burns in poetry and romantic song. We will enhance understanding of the site as the best place to see the natural world through the poet’s eyes. We will create a world class visitor experience and a vibrant centre for creative learning to ensure the unique collection, buildings and landscape are accessible to a diverse range of modern audiences.”

Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne

In September 2024, our trust secured the offer of a development stage grant of up to £489,206 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne. In November 2024 we were awarded up to £313,000 from South of Scotland Enterprise towards the project. We expect to receive Permission to Start by January 2025. The development stage of the project is costed at £945,000 while the full cost after delivery and re-opening is £7.4m, which includes start up activity costs.

Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne intends to bring the spirit of Burns – love, kindness and equality – into the 21st century and widen access to Ellisland with a vibrant programme of events, activities and artist residencies. We will restore the 1788 cottage, creating an immersive visitor experience, and develop a gallery/museum to display the collection, which is at risk in the deteriorating buildings. Our barn will be sensitively adapted as a Centre for Song, so future generations are inspired by Burns’s “sweet poetic ground.” We will increase visitor numbers and develop new income streams to protect the built heritage, collection and outdoor spaces, including woods, paths and fields created by Burns. This will increase economic prosperity in South Scotland and enhance wellbeing with skills training, jobs and volunteering opportunities.

A full brief can be downloaded below.

Do you have experience of working with groups, able to provide information and to be a mentor? Are you able to work in partnership with a wide range of organisations?

We are looking for a Churches Advisor to cover central and southern Scotland. Working with an Advisor already in post, as well as the Community Ownership Support Service team, this role will work with communities across Scotland on the sustainable transfer of former places of worship into community ownership.

This role is office-based, working in Edinburgh, but with the potential for some home working. Travel throughout the country will also be required