Client Spotlight | South Islay Development

Client Spotlight | South Islay Development

02 September 2026

We have worked for many years with the team at South Islay Development, and with the recent official opening of the new Port Ellen Playing Fields Pavilion it gives us a good opportunity to shine a light on the work they do.

South Islay Development (SID) work hard to provide suitable facilities, services and activities to cope with the challenges and opportunities the South Islay community will face in future years. Since forming in 2011, SID puts creativity and entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of its work in the community, and empowers people by developing skills and supporting projects that create local opportunities, employment and community spirit.

We love working with community groups and on projects that make a real difference to people in their local areas, and SID deliver this consistently across South Islay. They regularly arrange community events, concerts, fairs, sporting activities, men’s clubs and more to engage and support the local economy and people. We are so pleased to have worked with SID since 2019, playing a part in shaping the facilities in Port Ellen which will serve the local community and visitors for years to come.

Our most recently completed project with SID included replacing the former pavilion building with a new multi-purpose community facility, with café, business units, meeting rooms, toilets and sports storage facilities. The development was completed in 2025 and officially opened in June 2026 by local resident May Carmichael, who also cut the turf at the start of construction. Following extensive community consultation and the consideration of options, the final design was intended to acknowledge the former pavilion building (with its distinctive red roof!) which had been a landmark of the playing fields for many years.

On the wider site, a larger secure community play area was installed, and new motorhome pitches with a dedicated toilet and shower block added to provide regular income to the community. Funding for the project was provided from a range of private and public sources including The Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Visit Scotland – Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund, The Glenmorangie Company, Argyll & Bute Council, Inspiring Scotland – Rural Communities Ideas into Action, Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), SUEZ Communities Fund, Elixir Distillers, Garfield Weston, and Islay Energy Trust.

Adjacent to the playing field site is the only vehicle filling station in South Islay, owned and operated by South Islay Trading Company (the trading rm of SID) for many years. In addition to this vital service, SID deliver assistance and support to the surrounding towns, villages and farms, and encourage community enterprise and projects. SID also work with Ardbeg Distillery and a panel of local residents to identify and fund notable projects through the “Ardbeg All Islay Fund”, providing £1m of grant support over five years to local initiatives and organisations working to enhance the local community.

Our next project on the drawing board with SID is the first purpose-built children’s nursery on the island, which will provide dedicated space for childcare. After considering a number of options, work is progressing on a new build proposal on the site adjacent to the playing fields. Planning Permission was recently granted for a building to cater for 0-3 year olds, with secure external play areas. The technical design is currently progressing, including options to utilise an off-site manufactured solution, which will bring a high quality finished building with low environmental impact and construction time on site.

We are so pleased to work closely with such a community minded and proactive organisation! If you find yourself in Port Ellen, why not pop into the café at the playing fields and enjoy the view!