Ardgour Glensanda Development Trust Meet the team / Coinnich ris an sgioba Trustees / An luchd-urrais
Trustees retire after 3 years, and are eligible for re-election. (years in brackets are the year of the AGM at which trustees retire)
Trish Kennedy
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Trish joined as a trustee at the formation of the Trust and has been Chair of the Trust since 2022. Originally set up to manage community benefit payments she has been involved in the changes to a Development Trust and the expansion that allows. She was brought up in Fort William, and after a period away on the Inner Hebrides, moved to Ardgour in 1989, initially to Inverscaddle where she was employed on Conaglen estate for some 18 years. She now lives in her croft in Clovullin having spent 20 years in the Education sector.
In those 37 years, she has served on several committees and groups, most notably as Chair of the Ardgour Primary School Parent Council during the building of the new school, as Treasurer for (and participant in) the Ardgour Drama Group since 2012, Ardgour Memorial Hall Committee for some 20 years, Ardgour Community Council for the last 7 years (3 as Vice Chair), a member of Iomairt Gaidhlig Loch Abar and Ardgour representative for the Arainn Shuaineirt Management Committee.
Trish has a background in successful community grant applications, Youth Enterprise Team involvement leading to a European Final and heading up Springboard Scotland Future Chef Competitions as well as Rotary Young Chef of the year led to success in National Finals in both competitions.
Trish was heavily involved in community liaison and consultation to construct our Community based Place Plan which leads the projects in which we are currently involved and is committed to seeing the progress lead to outcomes for our residents.
Trish joined as a trustee at the formation of the Trust and has been Chair of the Trust since 2022. Originally set up to manage community benefit payments she has been involved in the changes to a Development Trust and the expansion that allows. She was brought up in Fort William, and after a period away on the Inner Hebrides, moved to Ardgour in 1989, initially to Inverscaddle where she was employed on Conaglen estate for some 18 years. She now lives in her croft in Clovullin having spent 20 years in the Education sector.
In those 37 years, she has served on several committees and groups, most notably as Chair of the Ardgour Primary School Parent Council during the building of the new school, as Treasurer for (and participant in) the Ardgour Drama Group since 2012, Ardgour Memorial Hall Committee for some 20 years, Ardgour Community Council for the last 7 years (3 as Vice Chair), a member of Iomairt Gaidhlig Loch Abar and Ardgour representative for the Arainn Shuaineirt Management Committee.
Trish has a background in successful community grant applications, Youth Enterprise Team involvement leading to a European Final and heading up Springboard Scotland Future Chef Competitions as well as Rotary Young Chef of the year led to success in National Finals in both competitions.
Trish was heavily involved in community liaison and consultation to construct our Community based Place Plan which leads the projects in which we are currently involved and is committed to seeing the progress lead to outcomes for our residents.
Chair (2028)
Michael Foxley
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Dr Michael Foxley is retired general practitioner and was a Highland Councillor for 25 years, who keeps livestock on the family Croft in Achaphubuil, (currently only sheep.)
He has a wide range experience achieved by working closely with key officials, fellow Councillors and the community:
Infrastructure: 14 new schools in Lochaber including Ardgour and Acharacle primaries and Ardnamurchan High School; Lochailort to Mallaig Road; Small Isles and Knoydart jetties.
Housing: Founder board member of Lochaber Housing Association, dealing with landowners and building groups of 4-6 quality houses in virtually every small rural village in Lochaber for local people.
Further Education: A 40 year continuum becoming Chair of Lochaber then West Highland college; UHI Court; FE regional lead for the H&I now UHI NWH Board and the Cnoc Soilleir Board which is just completing a £6M extension.
Land Reform activist: Buy out of Eigg, Knoydart, Ardnamurchan lighthouse, Loch Shiel jetties and Camusnagaul/Achaphubuil ancient woodlands.
Community benefit: Negotiated, with extreme difficulty, the original and current funding from the Glensanda super quarry. Initiated benefits for wind farms from 1991 and from estate hydro schemes across the Ardgour Community Council area.
Gaelic: 3 Lochaber Gaelic medium units and Gaelic schools in Fort William and Portree. Bilingual signage- initially in Ardnamurchan and Morvern, then the Mallaig Road then across the Highlands.
Woodlands: Chair of Sunart Oakwoods Initiative across Ardnamurchan, Morvern, Ardgour and Moidart. £5M of developments including wildlife hides, car parks, tracks, interpretation and extensive native woodland planting. Chair of H&I Forestry forum. Planted 30k native trees on my Croft's hill grazings.
Board member of several public bodies: Mallaig Harbour Authority ( major harbour developments); NHS Highland ( with successful campaigns to retain the Belford as a Rural General hospital as well as buying the site for the new hospital); SFRS(new major training facilities in Stornoway, Orkney and Shetland); Crown Estate Scotland( a long campaign to devolve ownership to Scotland with planned control and benefits to local communities; Offshore wind lease optDr Michael Foxley is retired general practitioner and was a Highland Councillor for 25 years, who keeps livestock on the family Croft in Achaphubuil, (currently only sheep.)
He has a wide range experience achieved by working closely with key officials, fellow Councillors and the community:
Infrastructure: 14 new schools in Lochaber including Ardgour and Acharacle primaries and Ardnamurchan High School; Lochailort to Mallaig Road; Small Isles and Knoydart jetties.
Housing: Founder board member of Lochaber Housing Association, dealing with landowners and building groups of 4-6 quality houses in virtually every small rural village in Lochaber for local people.
Further Education: A 40 year continuum becoming Chair of Lochaber then West Highland college; UHI Court; FE regional lead for the H&I now UHI NWH Board and the Cnoc Soilleir Board which is just completing a £6M extension.
Land Reform activist: Buy out of Eigg, Knoydart, Ardnamurchan lighthouse, Loch Shiel jetties and Camusnagaul/Achaphubuil ancient woodlands.
Community benefit: Negotiated, with extreme difficulty, the original and current funding from the Glensanda super quarry. Initiated benefits for wind farms from 1991 and from estate hydro schemes across the Ardgour Community Council area.
Gaelic: 3 Lochaber Gaelic medium units and Gaelic schools in Fort William and Portree. Bilingual signage- initially in Ardnamurchan and Morvern, then the Mallaig Road then across the Highlands.
Woodlands: Chair of Sunart Oakwoods Initiative across Ardnamurchan, Morvern, Ardgour and Moidart. £5M of developments including wildlife hides, car parks, tracks, interpretation and extensive native woodland planting. Chair of H&I Forestry forum. Planted 30k native trees on my Croft's hill grazings.
Board member of several public bodies: Mallaig Harbour Authority ( major harbour developments); NHS Highland ( with successful campaigns to retain the Belford as a Rural General hospital as well as buying the site for the new hospital); SFRS(new major training facilities in Stornoway, Orkney and Shetland); Crown Estate Scotland( a long campaign to devolve ownership to Scotland with planned control and benefits to local communities; Offshore wind lease options.
Vice-Chair (2027)
Val Bremner
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Val joined as a trustee in May 2026.
She grew up in Ardgour and returned there in 2004 after 20 years living in other parts of Scotland.
Val retired in 2025 and has a work background within the charity sector and civil service.
A keen gardener and is chair of the Ardgour Horticultural Society, she also served for 8 years previously on the Community Council and chaired the Ardgour Improvements SCIO which fundraised and renovated the North Corran playpark.
Val wants is excited to be part of AGDT, and is looking forward to contributing to the future of our rural area, and creating a thriving community with housing and opportunities for young people.
Trustee (2029)
Ian Jackson
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Ian was brought up in Fort William and returned to the area in 2000 after 20 years away. He has lived in Clovullin since that time, and worked in the Education Department of Highland Council from 2000-2025. Initially he was involved in providing support to local schools, the overall management of non-teaching staff, the management of certain budgets within the Education Service, and took overall responsibility for the management of school hostels in Highland. Latterly he took a lead role on public engagement over changes to school provision.
In 2025 he retired from his employment at the Highland Council, and has acted as Secretary to the Trustees since 2014.
Secretary (2027)
Richard Stevens
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Richard moved to Achaphubuil with his wife in 2021 from County Durham, having bought the building plot in 2018 after a few years searching for the right place to return to Scotland to enjoy their retirement.
He was employed by North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service working in the Emergency Control Room as an operator and progressed onto managing a watch. He was also an active member of the FBU being a branch representative then Brigade Secretary and a Regional Representative for Yorkshire & Humberside Control Staff, and a foster carer for over 10 years
Since moving to the area he has taken on the role of Chairperson for Treslaig Village hall which is an important asset for community activities and gatherings, and therefore worth saving for future generations. Richard looks forward to putting his knowledge and skills to use for the benefit of the Trust and progressing the Community Place Plan.
Trustee (2028)
Rebecca Mackellar
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Rebecca was born and raised locally and attended Ardnamurchan High School before pursuing a degree in Rural Business Management, with a particular focus on rural land management.
After completing her studies, Rebecca pursued a career in commercial insurance, gaining valuable experience in risk management, business operations and strategic planning. She later returned home to apply these skills within the rural sector and take on the management of Kingairloch Estate.
She is currently the Estate Manager of the 14,000-acre Kingairloch Estate, which encompasses the southernmost part of the Ardgour Community Council area. As part of the estate management team, she is involved in sustainable management of a diverse rural estate, balancing environmental stewardship with commercial activity. Her work spans habitat and wildlife management, renewable energy generation, forestry, hospitality , and sporting enterprises, helping to ensure the long-term sustainability of both the estate and the wider local community.
Trustee (2028)
Irene Evison
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Irene moved to Clovullin five years ago, having lived in Wales for many years beforehand. She and her husband Steve love the area, and count themselves lucky to have moved to this community.
Her professional background is in community development and stakeholder engagement. She has worked with communities around England and Wales, as well as at strategic levels for charities, NGOs, government departments and grant-making bodies, so a real mix of hands-on very local and policy/strategic stuff.
Nowadays, she is focused on her small tapestry weaving business and making her own woven tapestries, many of them now inspired by the landscape on my doorstep. She is also a keen long distance trail runner, and enjoys taking time to watch the local wildlife.
Irene is excited to use some of her experience and skills to help with what’s going on and what’s being planned at the Development Trust.
Trustee (2028)
James Campbell
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James has lived in Ardgour for 15 years, first in Kilmalieu and now in Clovullin. He joined the Board of Trustees two years ago, motivated by a desire to contribute more actively to the community and gain a deeper understanding of local priorities as the Place Plan developed.
With a background in electrical and electronic engineering, James spent 27 years working in the electronics industry, primarily in Hampshire and Surrey. After relocating to Ardgour to escape the daily commute, he applied his skills in a new direction—taking on roles as a maintenance manager and ski instructor.
James currently works part-time as a maintenance manager and as a Facilities Assistant at Ardgour Primary School, continuing to support the community in practical and hands-on ways.
Trustee (2029)
John MacInnes
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John has lived in Ardgour for almost seventeen years now and has been a Gàidhlig teacher at Ardnamurchan High School in Strontian for all that time. Before that he taught in Perth and Aberdeen for about 15 years. Having been born and raised as a native Gàidhlig speaker with both parents from the island of Eriskay, he has a keen interest in the language and culture and is active in promoting its use and growth in this area, taking part in the 'Cearcall Comhraidh' group and recording some of the info in Gàidhlig for the local walk app.
His other interests are spending time with his family, walking his dogs round the many woodland paths in the area, gardening, reading and acting in the local Ardgour Dramatic society.
John's final comment here is in Gàidhlig "Tha mi an dòchas leantainn ann a bhith dèanamh diofar gus a' Ghàidhlig a neartachadh agus a leasachadh anns an sgìre Ghàidhealach, bhrèagha seo a tha nam dhachaigh a-nis."
Trustee (2029)Publicity Secretary: Vacant (currently managed by Ardnamurchan Marketing)
Our Former Trustees
Tony Boyd
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Tony was born in Fort William, and has spent most of his life on his family croft in Achaphubuil, with a short time living on the island of Ulva and later in Oban for secondary school. He returned to Achaphubuil 40 years ago, working with Marine Harvest/Mowi for 37 years – first as Farm Manager, then as Harvest Planning Manager for around 15 years
As former Chair of Ardgour Community Council, Tony played a key role in negotiations with Foster Yeoman (Glendsanda) alongside Michael Foxley and David Corrigan, which he considers one of his most rewarding contributions to Ardgour and the Lochside. One of the first tasks for the Community Council was improving local internet access – working with Mowi IT and Chris Pellow, they secured a £50K donation and achieved unprecedented speeds for the Lochside and beyond.
A strong supporter of encouraging young people to excel in traditional music, sport and community involvement, Tony believes that if communities do not act for themselves, nothing will change. He sees the shortage of affordable housing as the biggest obstacle to keeping the next generation in the area.
Former Trustee (until May 2026)
Elizabeth Carmichael
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Elizabeth has lived locally for nearly 60 years, with the last four decades spent in North Corran and Clovullin. Her professional life has been rooted in education, having served as assistant teacher at the village school for 16 years, following a post as sole teacher at a small school on Loch Fyneside.
As the wife of the parish minister for 30 years, Elizabeth became deeply involved with the many communities across the Ardgour area. She served as a Community Council member for 12 years, was active in the SWRI when it was running locally, and remains a committed church elder and member of the Church of Scotland Guild.
Elizabeth is also a trustee of both Ardgour Memorial Hall and Urram, and continues to volunteer her time and energy wherever it is needed. Now in her final year as a director of AGDT, she reflects on her role with pride, having long aspired to support the Trust since its early days as the Ardgour Glensanda Trust.
Trustee (2026)
Pete White
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Pete currently lives in Ardgour, but over the past 15 years or so has lived in both Conaglen & Kilmalieu. He has been with the Development Trust since it started, and is currently the Treasurer. When he is not volunteering for the Trust, he works as a Lecturer & Instructor for University of the Highlands & Islands in Fort William, and also as a freelance instructor for outdoor activities for other organisations.
Former Treasurer (until May 2026)Team members / Buill an Sgioba
James Hilder
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James will be working for ADGT as a Development Officer throughout 2025 and looks forward to meeting as many residents as possible as he tries to push forward many of the projects outlined in the Place Plan. James has extensive experience in developing and supporting social enterprises at local, regional and national levels. James works as a consultant in the sector, running training programmes for the Social Enterprise Academy in the UK and internationally, is a Trustee of Foundation Scotland and Urram SCIO.
Development Officer
Becky Drinkwater
Communications and Marketing OfficerArdgour Glensanda Development Trust is committed to advancing the Scottish Government's Fair Work First Policy, including Real Living Wage and Effective Voice considerations.
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Becky raises awareness about the work of the Trust and promoting the work of local community groups in the area. Becky is a freelance marketing & communications consultant working with local businesses including West Highland Peninsulas Tourism and Sunart Community Company, and is passionate about community projects and local initiatives.