MSP visits site of new educational and cultural centre on South Uist
Alasdair Allan MSP called on the site of Cnoc Soilleir this week (19th July 2021) and observed the rapid progress being made on the construction of the new education and culture centre on South Uist.
Catherine Yeatman, Project Manager for Cnoc Soilleir, guided Dr Allan around the building along with Sue MacFarlane, Principal of Lews Castle College, and Shaun MacIsaac from contractor MacInnes Bros Ltd.
Cnoc Soilleir will be a state-of-the-art institution for education, music, dance, culture and Gaelic and is being developed through a partnership between Lews Castle College and Ceòlas. Lews Castle College will deliver courses from the centre during the week in term time, while outwith core college hours Cnoc Soilleir will become the base for events and activities with Ceòlas.
Earlier this year the Scottish Government committed £3 million towards the second phase of the Cnoc Soilleir centre development, with the first now under construction at Daliburgh.
Local contractors, MacInnes Bros Ltd, started work on construction of the first phase of the new centre early in 2020. Phase one will see the construction of teaching and office spaces, while the second stage will comprise a bespoke auditorium and dance facilities. It is estimated the second phase will cost around £5 million to develop, with £3 million now secured from the Scottish Government.
Cnoc Soilleir has received funding from numerous individual donors, Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
