Take control of Seil. Make it the place you want it to be

[Pentlandpirate]

Not happy with things the way they are? An aging population, no affordable housing, declining infrastructure, community tensions...........
Take a look at Gigha, not so far away, and see how they are working to make their island the place they want it to be:

http://www.gigha.org.uk/

What Seil seems to lack is a real community, in the true sense of the word, with everyone working together for a better future.

[wasseventhseil]

Yes true we have a lack of true community spirit ,as for the comparison with Gigha their experience was different as,
1 they had a community buy out of the estate that was Gigha I believe.
2 Again as it is far more remote than Seil and you need to get a ferry you really have to work there to live there.

[NickB]

For most of the population of working age Seil is a commuter suburb for Oban, so there really is no way it can be compared with Gigha.

Maybe we should get rid of the bridge and tow the island out to the Garvellachs . . . although for many part of Seil's unique charm is the 'island yet not an island' status which allows us some island privileges without the feeling of being trapped that a remote island can give.

The place is OK - there is some community spirit, but Seil is big enough to have more than one community. We aren't forced to all huddle together due to isolation and lack of numbers, which means that a wide variety of eccentrics can flourish.

Not sure where this post is going, so I'll shut up now - I need to pop into Oban and get some M3 stainless bolts from Nancy Black's. Try doing that if you live on Gigha.

- NickB

[Pentlandpirate]

I need to pop into Oban and get some M3 stainless bolts from Nancy Black's. Try doing that if you live on Gigha.

Suppose they might make their own.....and it's often true that in this consumer world there are many things you can do without and when forced to.

Yes, you're right you can't compare Seil too closely to Gigha, but maybe taking on board a little of what Gigha is doing might improve Seil.....for those who want improvement.

[Minimum]

Don't believe all you read about Gigha. I have met some folk from there.

Small communities are not always the romantic places that people like to believe they are.

[NickB]

My point exactly. With over 500 souls and a bridge to the outside world rather than the restrictions of a ferry timetable, Seilachans have a choice of commuinties they can belong to. Falling out with one or two people does not necessarily lead to life becoming intolerable, as can happen in small isolated communities.

Seil is OK. In fact, Seil is better than OK.

- NickB