Nearly two decades on from Community purchase, Comrie is celebrating a trading milestone

Comrie’s former Prisoner of War camp has reached positive trading status for the first time, with plans afoot to lure new revenue through environmental credits and weddings.

It is 20 years since 40 locals in the community attended an inspiring meeting by the Westray Development Trust which ultimately led to the formation of Comrie Development Trust.

In September 2007, the Trust purchased the former POW camp at Cultybraggan for £350 000 from the MOD under Land Reform legislation and has since endeavoured to make it an asset for the community.

Now, two decades on, and following successful commercial and holiday rentals, the Trust is reporting trading profitability, with further developments planned.

Extensive renovations at the site over the years has nudged the Cultybraggan project closer to its target of self-reliance and new ventures being developed could bring wider benefits for Comrie’s 2500 residents.

Carbon Markets

The possibility of selling carbon credits from its woodland is being explored as is a small solar farm. In the next few weeks, the camp will also launch its offering to attract ‘boho’ weddings and celebrations, with all supplies being sourced within the local community.

“This project is a journey but, a few months ago, we went into the black, so things are slowly starting to pay for themselves,” said CDT Chair, Fiona Blacke.

“We want to remove ourselves from being dependent on grant aid. That is the goal.

“We are still partially reliant on grant funding, but we want to make the camp the asset it should be. We have the commercial rentals, all now paying on time, and we also have the holiday rental properties which are starting to be profitable.

“We are not there yet but we’re getting closer to the vision. We’ve got a hub for small businesses, a community woodland, an orchard, allotments, accommodation for more than 8 community organisations, a café and holiday rentals.

“We have opened up a small amount of space for motorhomes, which also brings an income, and it is about looking at all aspects of how the site can bring revenue. We have challenges but they are not insurmountable.”

Pivotal moment in Land Reform

Purchasing PoW Camp No.21 with its rows of listed Nissen huts, was no ordinary endeavour for the Comrie community. Indeed, it remains one of the most unique acquisitions in the history of Scottish Land Reform.

Its historical value as a maximum-security camp and its Cold War past make it unique in heritage terms, with Italian and German prisoners previously resident in its four compounds.

However, maintaining that heritage also exacts a unique toll on budgets, with the structures built in 1941.

In the last few days, final elements of funding have been secured for repairs to the camp Museum’s roof, but other huts require repairs and grant funding is likely to be the route for that capital spend.

“We have the largest collection of Nissen huts, we think, in the world. They are of significant historical interest, but we also have a heritage burden as well,” explains Fiona.

“I was at a gathering of all the Development Trusts recently and it was very apparent that none own a site as complicated as ours. Some might be running a building or an arts centre. We’ve got all of it,” she smiled.

“Grants will be important to sustain the heritage value because some of the huts are in poor physical state and sustaining them will come at a significant cost.

“However, we think this can be a major tourist destination. We don’t want to be a ‘passing through’ place.

“For other people in the region, we also offer commercial accommodation a third cheaper than the standard rates.”

Rejuvenating relationships

Most community buy-outs encounter financial challenge along the way, sometimes eroding some of the passion which was required to bring them about in the first place.

However, with a number of new faces at the helm of the Trust, its Chair is confident for the future.

“I do think there was a loss of enthusiasm for a while but I think the community are re-enthused. We have virtually a new board, with a range of backgrounds, and there has been a lot of necessary bridge building.

“People felt it was more like the Cultybraggan Development Trust for a while and not the Comrie Development Trust and we want to support the broad development of Comrie and District. By becoming self-sustaining, we can do that better.”

Find out more about Cultybraggan and the Comrie Development Trust.