The former Leurbost meeting house is to be sold to raise valuable funds for the North Lochs community.
The proceeds will help with upgrades at the local community centre as well as improvements to the Lochs Free Church building.
The premises was built in the 1920s as a central meeting point. At the time, there was a view pf using it for wider community usage and the original resumption order of 1929 was more than likely granted on this basis.
Almost exclusively, it was utilised to hold prayer meetings up until the new church hall was built at Crossbost in 2000.
The building then became redundant.
Though the site had been resumed from crofting tenure, title had never been taken and therefore the building could not be sold by the church.
Soval Estate generously offered to grant title for Leurbost Meeting House to the local community for free, in order that the building may be sold to raise vital funds.
Richard and Marie Kershaw, proprietors of Soval Estate commented: “We are absolutely delighted to have this opportunity to assist the North Lochs community.
“The proceeds from the sale of the disused meeting hall will enable both of these organisations to make improvements to their premises which in turn will benefit all the North Lochs villages including Achmore, Leurbost, Crossbost, Ranish and Grimshader.”
Murdo Macleod, session clerk of Lochs Free Church said: “The community of North Lochs has, for many years, substantially benefited from the supportive approach taken by the owners of the Soval Estate and this gesture is a tangible demonstration of that support.
“We also wholehearted agree with the principle that, following disposal of the building on the open market, a portion of the proceeds be given to the community association to assist with the operation of the local community centre.
“We take this opportunity to sincerely thank Richard and Marie Kershaw and wish them and their family the very best in relation to their operation of the Soval Estate for many years to come.”
Annabel Mackay, chairperson of North Lochs Community Association (NLCA) said: “The
proceeds from the sale of the mission house in Leurbost will go towards the planned
upgrade of the North Lochs Community Centre, ensuring the on-
“On behalf of NLCA I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr and Mrs Kershaw for their kind donation that will be benefit the whole of the North Lochs community.”
Attending the official handover of the meeting hall are Mairi N MacKenzie, Soval Factor; Marie Kershaw, Soval Estate; Annabel Mackay, North Lochs Community Association; Donald ‘Dodo’ Macinnes, North Lochs Community Association; Murdo Macleod, Lochs Free Church; Richard Kershaw, Soval Estate
Sale of village meeting house for community improvements
5 September 2019