New Homes @
The Mac

A once-in-a-generation, community‑led opportunity
to create new homes at the Macleod Centre on Iona.

Why It Matters

Iona faces a critical shortage of secure, affordable homes. The Mac Project is a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to create long‑term housing that supports families, key workers and the future of the island. This feasibility phase is where the foundations are laid, and where early support has the biggest impact.

Where are we now?

The project has entered a busy and productive phase, with design work, technical investigations and partnership discussions all moving at pace.

Design & Feasibility

The Design Team completed a full site visit recently, gathering detailed information on the building, services, drainage and structural conditions. This work, alongside new surveys, is shaping two concept options - a rebuild and a new‑build scheme - to be shared at community workshops on 1st April.A follow‑up structural and ground‑conditions assessment is scheduled, and efforts are underway to secure original construction drawings to better understand the building’s adaptability.

Community Voices

Residents of the Glebe and young people seeking secure housing have provided clear, consistent messages: the need for adaptable layouts, good storage, porches, well‑insulated homes, accessible options, and a sense of a small, supportive settlement. These themes are now embedded in the design brief.

STRONG PARTNERSHIP WORKING

Meetings with The Iona Community, Historic Environment Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland confirm broad support for housing on the site.

Steering Group Momentum

The Steering Group continues to meet fortnightly. Recent work includes:- Completing the first stages of tendering and appointing professional support- Preparing for community workshops- Detailed VAT explorations and technical advice- Coordinating with NTS on land‑use constraints- Developing a funding strategy for both feasibility and capital phasesThe overall timeline still anticipates December 2026 as the projected point for disposal/transfer of ownership.

FUNDING POSITION

Feasibility funding of £100,000 from Argyll & Bute Council is underpinning the work, supported by contributions from The Waterfall Fund, IHP and ICC. Additional feasibility funders are being approached, and capital funding routes are being mapped.

About Us

The MacLeod Centre Steering Group emerged from a shared recognition across Iona’s community organisations that the island faces a pressing need for sustainable, affordable housing. In response, a Steering Group was formed, bringing together:

Iona Community CouncilIona Housing PartnershipIona Village Hall Community TrustMull & Iona Community Trust (MICT)

This group works in partnership ensuring that decisions are rooted in both local needs and wider community stewardship.Together, these bodies are guiding the project through its feasibility phase, with a strong emphasis on transparency, collaboration, and long-term sustainability for Iona.

Your Support Can Help

This feasibility phase includes essential costs; surveys, legal work, specialist assessments that are not always covered by standard funding routes. Additional support at this stage helps:- Strengthen the design brief- Reduce risk- Accelerate progress- Unlock future capital fundingWe’ve already secured £120,000. We need £40,000 more to finish the surveys, design work, and planning preparation that will unlock the next stage.Every donation, large or small, brings us closer to a future where:

• Families can stay
• Young people can return
• Workers can live where they work
• The school can thrive
• Iona remains a living island, not just a place to visit

If you know of funding opportunities, grants, or partnerships that could support this phase, your insight could make a meaningful difference.

Please help us make this happen

Thank You!

on behalf of
Iona Housing Partnership
Iona Community Council
Iona Village Hall Community Trust