Over the past few weeks, 58 people from across South West Mull and Iona have taken part in our “Your Voice on Our Future” survey. Thank you — the responses have been thoughtful, honest and hugely helpful.
We want to share what we’re hearing so far, including what people think SWMID should focus on next, and why your voice still really matters.
Most respondents:
Support SWMID’s vision, mission and values
Believe in community ownership, long-term thinking and environmental care
Want SWMID to succeed and deliver real local benefit
At the same time, there is a very clear message:
People want clearer priorities, better communication and more transparency around decisions and finances.
This survey is already helping us respond to that.
What people want SWMID to focus on
When asked where SWMID’s energy and attention should go, several themes came through strongly:
Community, place and resilience
The strongest support was for projects that:
Strengthen community resilience (including off-grid or emergency-ready spaces)
Improve everyday amenities that locals and visitors actually use
Protect and enhance community-owned land and assets
Housing
Housing came through as one of the most consistently prioritised issues.
People see this as:
A critical barrier to people staying, returning or working locally
An area where community-led solutions could make a real difference
Tiroran Community Forest
People want Tiroran to be:
A long-term community and nature asset
Focused on biodiversity, access, learning and wellbeing
A place for small-scale enterprise, not just timber extraction
Supporting small local enterprise
There is strong interest in SWMID:
Supporting community-run or micro-enterprise
Using places like Bendoran, Tiroran and the Columba Centre as platforms for local economic activity
Helping ideas grow without over-commercialising assets
Projects people would like SWMID to explore further
When asked what SWMID could explore next, people highlighted a wide range of ideas — with some very clear front-runners:
Most supported ideas
Community-run small enterprise at Bendoran, Tiroran or the Columba Centre
Housing initiatives
Community resilience infrastructure (e.g. power, shelter, shared spaces)
EV charging points
Education events, skills and workshops
Improved visitor amenities at Tiroran (paths, signage, toilets, play)
Marine conservation and education partnerships
Using sawmill waste for biomass or fuel
Emerging / smaller-scale ideas
These were mentioned by fewer people, but add to the picture:
Sauna and wellbeing facilities
Community transport or accessibility projects
Marine infrastructure (e.g. haul-out facilities)
Renewables and low-carbon innovation
Crofting, hutting or land-based learning
These ideas help us understand where there is energy, even if they’re not all things SWMID can or should do at once.
Two key areas people are thinking hard about
Aird Fada Seaweed Farm
Views here are mixed, but thoughtful.
What people are telling us:
Many are open to selling or transferring the farm, if it avoids further cost and is done responsibly
There is a strong desire for values-aligned outcomes (environmental care, community benefit)
A significant number want more information before forming a view
This reinforces the importance of openness and clear communication before any decisions are taken.
Tiroran Community Forest
Tiroran matters deeply.
The strongest support is for a balanced approach that:
Keeps land in community ownership
Prioritises nature recovery and amenity
Supports small-scale enterprise
Treats timber as part of a wider mix, not the sole driver
There is much less appetite for land sales without strong justification, safeguards and community discussion.
What happens next?
The survey is not a vote, and no decisions will be made on survey results alone.
What it does do is help us:
See where there is strong alignment
Identify where more explanation or conversation is needed
Shape clearer options and priorities
Improve how and when we communicate
We will:
Share clearer updates and summaries
Be more open about constraints, costs and trade-offs
Set out what decisions are coming up and how people can be involved
Why your voice still matters
If you haven’t completed the survey yet, we’d really encourage you to take part — especially if:
You feel unsure or conflicted
You want SWMID to succeed but want greater clarity
You care deeply about specific places or projects
You haven’t felt heard in the past
Your input helps shape what SWMID focuses on — and how we do it.
👉 Take the survey here: SWMID Community Survey: Your Voice on Our Future – Fill in form
Together, we can shape a future for SWMID that is transparent, grounded, financially responsible and genuinely community-led.
