Compass have recently completed a 3 year, 3 phase project on the Island of Eigg which is situated amongst “the small isles” just off the West Coast of Scotland. Whilst this has been a logistically challenging commission it has also been a particularly fulfilling and rewarding project to be involved in owing to the level of engagement enjoyed with the island community and the importance of these new facilities to the inhabitants not only in terms of individual usage but also in terms of being a fundamental economic driver for the community as a whole.
Compass Building secured the first phase of the development in November 2020 , which consisted of a new build ablution block, to enhance the facilities on offer for visitors to the island. This building included WC’s, showers, laundry and food prep, dishwash areas.
The second phase entailed the modernisation of, refurbishment to and extension of the existing An Laimhrig facility with accommodation extending to catering kitchen, restaurant/café, bar area, craft shop, grocery store, post office, WC’s, island office and meeting room facilities. Completion of phase two was achieved in September 2022.
The third and final phase of the development was the modernisation and repurposing of the affectionately referred to “Green Shed”. Effectively this saw the existing industrial unit transformed into a multi-disciplinary building that further supports island business initiatives through the formation of four business units rented to local employers whilst also acting as the headquarters for the local coastguard.
The modernised unit also houses the main services hub for the three completed buildings generating and distributing the buildings’ heating and hot water which in and of itself typifies how island life requires to be adaptable, resourceful, innovative and forward thinking. The services philosophy predicated on maximising the use of available (natural) resources including solar thermal panels, biomass boilers fired on locally sourced logs, electricity supplied from the islands wind turbines, and potable water from a naturally occurring stream.
