Launching Calanais Fund for Heritage
Members of the Community wanted to join Decision-Making Body of New Heritage Fund
The Calanais Fund for Heritage (CFH) is currently recruiting two members from the wider community to join its Decision-Making Body (DMB).
What is the Calanais Fund for Heritage?
The CFH is a groundbreaking grant-giving scheme developed by Urras nan Tursachan (UnT) in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland. The fund is designed to be a long-term, sustainable engine for community growth. By reinvesting a portion of visitor proceeds from the Calanais Standing Stones and Visitor Centre into community-led heritage projects across the Outer Hebrides the fund will benefit the whole of the Outer Hebrides.
- The Pilot Phase (2026–2028): Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this initial two-year period allows us to test the grant process and support the first wave of projects.
- The Operational Phase (Starting 2028): Moving forward, a portion of the visitor admission proceeds from the new Calanais Visitor Centre will be passed to the Calanais Fund for Heritage to be used for grant support for heritage projects across the Outer Hebrides.
Aims: More Than Just Monuments
The fund’s mission goes beyond preserving our monuments – it is built on three core pillars:
- Accessibility & Inclusion: Improving physical and digital access to lesser-known sites so everyone can enjoy them.
- Community Wellbeing: Using heritage as a tool for education, mental health, and social connection.
- Local Empowerment: Putting “Your Heritage in Your Hands” by funding projects that celebrate everything from archaeology to Gaelic traditions and local folklore.
Your Role in the Process
As a member of the Decision-Making Body, you will be part of a group of key decision makers who will:
- Review funding applications – ranging from £500 micro-grants up to grants of £15,000
- Seek to ensure that the money goes where it can do the most good for island heritage and residents
- Ensure decisions reflect community values and local knowledge.
Who are we looking for?
You don’t need to be a professional historian or a governance expert to apply. The fund is looking for individuals with:
- A genuine interest in heritage, culture, or community development.
- The ability to weigh evidence and make fair, balanced decisions.
- Good communication and collaboration skills.
- A commitment to the ethical standards and confidentiality required for grant-making.
By joining the Decision-Making Body, you will help bridge the gap between heritage experts and people who live and breathe island culture every day.
The Commitment
This is a voluntary role, initially for eighteen months to support the pilot scheme, involving attendance at project meetings and time to review applications in advance. Meetings will be largely conducted online. Likely time commitment during the pilot phase will be 6 meetings a year, concentrated around two grant applications deadlines. Any travel and meeting expenses will be covered.
How to Apply
Please email some information on your background (or CV) and a covering letter, stating what you feel you would bring to the role, to hello@calanais.org by the end of May 2026.
