In response to the incredibly positive Local People Leading event at the Scottish Parliament in February, SCA member SCOTO CIC were inspired to revisit their idea of a visual aid to highlight a community tourism enterprise – for the benefit of visitors and locals. Following a positive exploratory session with the SCOTO network in May, the June SCA member thematic session introduced the idea to the wider network and with a broader focus on community owned assets.

Carron Tobin and Russell Fraser explained why this concept is becoming increasingly important for community tourism enterprises and their belief that this is about the community sector as a whole.

Carron highlighted how so many communities across Scotland are stepping in where the public sector have stepped back – taking over toilets and setting up visitor information points – and also providing much needed motorhome air stop overs, hostels, shops, pubs and cafes on or in community owned assets. Although these are visitor facing many are primarily for the benefit of the community.

Russell shared insights into the moment when visitors finally realise they’re experiencing a community-owned asset and how it changes their attitude and propensity to spend money and actively support the community.  The same applies to general public awareness of community owned assets.  A pilot would help define community and community owned.

Below is an extract of Russell’s thoughts.

A SINGLE NATIONAL SYMBOL TO MAKE COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP VISIBLE

“Just as people recognise an accommodation accreditation, a recycling symbol, a net zero symbol, whatever it may be, there should be a symbol that says;

“This place belongs to the community.”

The symbol becomes a public declaration that:

•      Local people own this asset.
•      Wealth generated here stays locally.
•      Decisions are made locally.
•      The asset exists for community benefit, not private profit.

Most people can identify NHS facilities, council facilities and National Trust properties.  But very few can identify community owned-assets, or understand what that means.

This creates practical problems:

• people don’t realise what has been achieved 
• they underestimate the scale of the movement across Scotland
• they don’t choose to support community-owned enterprises
• policy makers don’t see the collective impact
• communities feel isolated rather than part of a national movement

The Opportunity: Scotland has facilitated the acquisition of hundreds of community-owned assets – each representing local people choosing hope over decline. A common symbol would turn these separate projects into one visible Scottish movement, making Scotland’s quiet success story finally visible.

Why Now? Scotland is a leading light in community ownership, but it isn’t obvious. With communities increasingly opting to own assets, deliver what were previously public services, and build local wealth, community ownership deserves visible national recognition.  This is community wealth building in action and needs greater profile.

Through my work with Loch Ness Hub & Travel, we’ve hosted visitors from Japan, Canada, Sweden, and Malta – all aspiring to achieve what Scotland is already delivering. It’s time Scotland shouted louder about our communities and what they are achieving.  

Hundreds of community owned assets already exist.  The movement already exists as we witnessed at the Local People Leading event.  What we need now is collaboration across the community sector – and visibility.”

The response from those attending the thematic session was resoundingly positive, recognising this needs to be kept simple and non-bureaucratic to administer. There was strong agreement that this should be fully scoped out and a short-life working group would be created – if you would like to be part of this group or share any thoughts please email: info@scoto.co.uk.

An overview of the proposal will soon be circulated with a survey to gauge support from each of the SCA members and their network members.

To read the full-length version of Russell’s initial thoughts, click here >: https://www.scoto.co.uk/blog/a-symbol-for-community-ownership/