An inspiring collaboration is breathing new life into the historic Raasay Old Mill, as an unlikely team steps up to support a long-held dream.
A community payback group from Skye travels by ferry each week to work on the mill, helping transform it into a heritage centre.
James Maybee, Chair of the Highland Community Justice Partnership, emphasised the value of community sentences in rehabilitation and reducing reoffending.
He highlighted how keeping individuals connected to family, housing, and employment plays a crucial role in breaking the cycle of crime.
Community payback provides meaningful work, benefiting both the individuals and the communities they serve.
Rebecca Mackay, trustee and former teacher, has spent decades working towards this vision and welcomes the support from the payback team.
The Raasay Heritage Trust has long provided historical resources, and the new centre will finally give them a physical space to store artifacts, host exhibitions, and welcome visitors tracing their ancestry.
The planned heritage centre will include a library, a café, and display areas, offering a focal point for both locals and those seeking to reconnect with their roots.
Rebecca spoke highly of the workers, describing them as committed and eager to see the job through.
One participant, highly skilled in plastering, has been offered paid work once his sentence is complete.
A young man completing his hours through the scheme shared his perspective, explaining that payback work gave him structure and a chance to break free from past mistakes.
He described the difficulty of finding work in a small community where his history is well known, making opportunities like this even more valuable.
Many in the group agreed that community payback is a better alternative to prison, providing them with purpose and a chance to rebuild their lives.
James Bates, Community Payback Officer, treats his team with dignity and respect, believing in their potential for change.
He has been supervising these projects for over a decade and understands the value of giving people a second chance.
Rebecca looks forward to seeing the team at the official opening of Muileann Àrais next year, as their contributions will be a vital part of its success.
She noted that another £50,000 is needed to complete the restoration and welcomed any donations to support the project.
The Highland Community Justice Partnership acknowledges the many community groups who offer placements and support the payback scheme.
Charity shops, gardens, churches, and councils across the Highlands provide opportunities for meaningful work, helping individuals reintegrate into society.
Anyone interested in taking on a placement can reach out to their local scheme for more information.
The community payback initiative proves that with the right opportunities, people can turn their lives around while making a real difference in their communities.
Stay up to date with community payback projects around the Highlands by following their Facebook page.
