A new website has launched aimed at giving residents on the Isle of Cumbrae a quick and simple overview of the many projects, initiatives and groups on the island, as well as community events. Until now, information about the island has tended to focus on supporting tourists and visitors. Cumbrae.org has been created for the 1,300 people who live, work and go to school on the island.

Cumbrae.org includes a directory of the many projects, organisations, representatives and groups on the island, with links to relevant websites and facebook groups. The aim is to help people see what’s going on, from special interest groups to events, as well as to see which organisations are responsible for what on the island.

Alex Harvie, Chair of Cumbrae Community Council said: “Cumbrae is lucky enough to have a number of significant capital projects underway, including The Flood Defence Scheme, the Marina, Millport Town Hall and The Cumbrae Wave. As well as this we have a large number of thriving community groups, initiatives and clubs. We hope the website will give people an overview of what is going on so they can keep up to date and maybe join something new.”

Councillor Alan Hill, Partner at Robert Duff & Co, said: “Cumbrae was one of the first Scottish islands to get super-fast broadband and it’s great that we now have a number of residents working remotely in digital and the tech industries. The island is attracting people who may not have considered a small island as a viable place to live and work, and since the pandemic we have seen a really strong demand in family homes.”

In response to the strong interest from people looking to move to the island, the website includes a section to help people better understand what it is like to live on Cumbrae. This includes a link to a recent BBC film made by P5 and P6 children in Cumbrae Primary School about how much they love living on the island.

Julie McAleese, Head Teacher, Cumbrae Primary School said: “One of the highlights of my job is seeing how much the children love learning and are engaged by the exciting activities we can offer them in our unique setting. This website captures the rich variety of what is going on here on Cumbrae and we welcome it.”

John McHenery, Vice Chair of Cumbrae Community Council said: “This website has been created by people of the island, for the people of the island. Cumbrae Community Council aims to create a stronger community voice so that we are more involved in decisions that affect our lives.”

Councillor Ian Murdoch said: “It’s great to see this community-focused website. The people of Cumbrae have a large number of events, groups and initiatives running on the island and this website will help people see the wide range of what is happening. It is really important that people are supported in getting the most out of island life, and this website is a great step forward.”

Councillor Alex Gallagher said: “This website is an excellent and much needed development. With the imminent publication of the ten-year Cumbrae Island Plan and the centrality of Community Wealth Building to our strategy, it is important that we have a united community to carry through the ambitions of the plan in line with the wishes of the island population.”

March 2022