The Aald Skül
CDCN began with a public meeting held in December 2015, when local residents came together to consider how the Aald Skül could be protected from potential sale by Shetland Islands Council.
At the time, the building was leased to the Nesting Local History Group but required substantial investment. Neither the Council nor the History Group could meet the full cost of restoring it, so a new community organisation was formed to explore how the property could be retained and developed for community use.
Protecting the site also preserved the home of the Nesting Local History Group and the land used for the Nesting and Girlsta Up Helly Aa burning site.
Community Ideas
CDCN brought together representatives from local groups and residents who shared an interest in protecting the Aald Skül and developing new opportunities for the area.
The organisation was formally established as a company limited by guarantee and registered charity. A door-to-door community survey was then carried out to understand local priorities, gather ideas and explore how the buildings and surrounding land could serve the community in the future.
Funding and Community Ownership
Funding from the Scottish Land Fund enabled CDCN to appoint Community Enterprise Scotland to research the community’s ideas and prepare a sustainable business plan for the Aald Skül.
The business plan supported CDCN’s application to acquire the buildings and land through Community Asset Transfer. The transfer was completed for the nominal sum of £4, making CDCN the first community organisation in Shetland to acquire a property through this process.
Community ownership secured the site’s future and gave CDCN the foundation needed to attract further investment and develop new facilities.
Building Momentum
While the ownership and planning work was progressing, CDCN established the Nesting Scrapstore. It quickly began generating income to cover operating costs, provide contributions towards funded projects and support wider community activity.
Some of this early income was reinvested in the restoration of fallen gravestones at Garth and Laxfirth cemeteries.
Further support from the Scottish Land Fund helped meet design and planning costs, provide initial building insurance and contribute towards employing a Development Officer to take the organisation’s plans forward.
From Plans to Construction
With community ownership secured, CDCN moved quickly to turn its plans into deliverable projects.
During 2018 and 2019, planning permission and a building warrant were obtained, the renovation contract was tendered and more than £200,000 was secured towards the work. CDCN also recruited its first Development Officer to coordinate projects, funding and the organisation’s growing activities.
Renovation and Growth
Major renovation work was carried out during the second half of 2019. CDCN worked with architect Suzanne Malcolmson and Shetland Construction and Development, while local volunteers contributed considerable time to demolition, waste removal and other practical tasks.
The renovations secured the building’s future and created the foundation for the Aald Skül’s development as a community hub. In the years since, CDCN has expanded the Nesting Scrapstore, established the Nesting Gym, developed outdoor growing and recreation facilities, and invested in renewable energy and battery storage.
Today, CDCN continues to manage the Aald Skül, support local organisations and develop projects in response to priorities identified by the communities of Nesting, Girlsta and Wadbister.
