About Us
Our History: In November 2021, the Lochranza and Catacol Community Society (LCSS) called an open meeting in the village hall to discuss that the Lochranza Hotel, the last Hotel and hostelry in the north of Arran was being put up for sale. The meeting of around 80 residents agreed unanimously that the community should attempt to buy the Hotel for the benefit of the community. As a result an independent team of volunteers was formed. During 2022, following research, much form filling etc the North Arran Community Benefit Society Ltd (NACBS) was formed as a Charity with the team becoming the founding members and Directors.
The reason that it was a Benefit Society rather than another type of organisation such as a CIC, Trust or SCIO was that it was felt that in order to buy the hotel and with the uncertainty of being awarded 100% grants, that the body would need a method of raising its own capital through a share offer which it did towards the end of 2022, when around 80 members gave their support.
On December 22nd, 2022, with the help of grants from the Scottish Land Fund (SLF) the NACBS acquired the Lochranza Hotel (renamed the Lochranza Country Inn ) for the community and opened for business in May 2023.
Inn start-up: During 2023 and 2024, there was much work required to bring the Inn up to standard so that it could operate within the various health, food hygiene, environmental and fire safety standards. This was achieved through various grants and hard work but by the end of 2024 the operation of the Inn became more settled and the business turned the corner towards profitability.
Moving forward: Since the end of 2024, the NACBS has turned its attention to other Community Projects, the main one being the provision of affordable housing. This is a 5 year project to help the regeneration of the Community. However while this is its major project the mission of the NACBS is to support any projects requested by its community members and to provide its expertise to help the other Community Groups.
The hotel in Lochranza, which hosts the last remaining pub in the area, closed its doors during the Covid-19 pandemic and was put up for sale. The loss of this vital facility for the cohesion and well-being of the community was keenly felt. In November 2021, the Lochranza and Catacol Community Association (LCCA) arranged an open meeting to all residents to discuss the sale of the Lochranza Hotel. At the meeting there were over 80 attendees including the local MP. It was openly agreed that the loss would result in a further decline in the area and it was proposed that the hotel be bought for the community.
NACBS applied for and was awarded a grant from the Scottish Land Fund, which allowed for the purchase of the hotel in its entirety. A further grant was awarded by the Community Ownership Fund to complete much needed refurbishments to the building and enable it to be opened as a business again. Walls were painted, floors laid and equipment replaced while NACBS searched for a General Manager. Finally, in May 2023, Lochranza Country Inn opened its doors for the first time in three years.
NACBS has a board of five members:
Since forming, NACBS has encouraged the local community to get involved, become members, join the board and shape the future of the organisation. We firmly believe that NACBS will be most effective if it has a broad a membership in the community as possible. As of 1st July 2023, there were 84 community members and 8 contributor members.
Duncan Craig (Chair)
Duncan has been in the Community for over 16 years. A former Business Consultant and Project Manager, he was also a Trustee of the Hostelling Scotland for 8 years. He is a current Director of the Lochranza and Catacol Sea Society and one of the founder members of the Benefit Society. He is the current Director of Operations and Chair.
Robin Finlayson (Treasurer)
Alison Richards
Andrew Rigby (LCI Board)
Andrew lives in Shiskine where he is renovating his house and runs Kayak Arran. In addition, he lets out a property in Lochranza where he also keeps his yacht. Andrew also has a bar licence and was the premises manager for the Inn during 2024. He is the current LCI director for NACBS.
Robert Cumming (Secretary)
