We visited Cromarty Community Development Trust to learn about their community run campsite. We had a tour of the site and met with the development officer, board members, campsite warden and apprentice. Whilst at the site we learnt about regulations, planning, risk management and health and safety, including some valuable insights Cromarty Development Trust have gained in their first 18 months of running a campsite.

The development officer and board members were able to give us insight on the process of developing and setting up the campsite including how challenging the process was when it came to community engagement and buy in as the process went on. It was very helpful to learn this from a Community Development Trust who has been through the process quite recently and who could identify some of the pitfalls and things they would have done differently.

Cromarty are one of the few campsites open all year round and it was particularly useful to see the detail of their occupancy rates and financial information for the full 12 months of a year. Julie, the development worker for Cromarty Community Development Trust also produced a very comprehensive handout for us to take away.

Learning Outcomes

• Participants will gain an understanding of the financial management of a community run campsite including potential grant funding, business planning, salary costs etc.
• Participants will learn about the regulations, health and safety and risk management involved in running a campsite in Scotland.
• Participants will learn about the process of setting up and running a community owned campsite, including strategies for community engagement with the project.

"The exchange allowed us to make valuable links with a Community Development Trust further along in the process of income generation. It was useful to hear their reflections on what they would have done differently and what new challenges they face as an organisation trying to provide benefit for the community whilst running a business aimed at tourists."