The Westray Development Trust is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. Everyone in our community is invited to become a member. The Trust will be working with our partners to implement the strategies, projects and actions detailed in this Development Plan prepared by our community.

The Development Plan has defined the Vision of the future of the island:

“To develop the economic, social and cultural sustainability of our community by harnessing the quality of our resources, people and island environment.”

In March 1998 the Westray Community Council held a public meeting attended by over 100 residents to discuss the issues facing our community. In April 1998 the Westray Development Group (now Trust) was formed to progress the many positive ideas to emerge from that meeting. Sub groups were set up and, crucially, a conference was suggested as a way of bringing together the community and the various agencies which might contribute to the island's future.

In June 1998 the conference proposal was greatly enhanced by the announcement that Westray and our neighbour Papa Westray (Papay) were to be included in the new government programme “Initiative at the Edge”. The aim of this programme is to bring together communities with local agencies to identify local need and practical solutions to the problems they face.

Being included in the “Initiative at the Edge” and the huge success of the conference attended by over 400 people, has inspired the Trust to lead the preparation and implementation of this Development Plan with our partners.

Partners to the trust
Our Development Plan has come from our community and will be driven by our community. We aim to forge meaningful partnerships with our local agencies and all organisations keen to help us progress our work.

Already our partners include:

  • Church of Scotland Board of Social Responsibility
  • Corrom Trust
  • Highlands and Islands Enterprise
  • Orkney College
  • Orkney Enterprise
  • Orkney Islands Council
  • Orkney Tourist Board
  • Papay Development Group
  • Scottish Executive
  • University of the Highlands and Islands
  • Voluntary Action Orkney
  • Westray Community Council
  • Westray and Papa Westray Craft Association
  • Westray and Papa Westray Tourist Association

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