We are currently accepting expressions of interest for a new Neighbourhood Residency opportunity.
Responding to the topic of small island tourism in a net zero world these Neighbourhood Residencies will provide an opportunity for two individuals to develop a detailed understanding of how their own communities will be impacted by national and global tourism trends using research, community consultation and learning exchange. The residents will share the results of their research with each of their communities through a collaborative report and public event.
This opportunity is open to people from all walks of life; you do not need a formal research background. One person will be from the Isle of Eigg and be a member of the Isle of Eigg Residents Association. The other person will be from another small Scottish island or mainland Highland rural community, and be a member of, or linked to, a similar local community organisation.
The two Neighbourhood Residents will spend a week collaborating together in each other’s communities, exploring:
- the current positive and negative impact of tourism on their community’s economy, environment and social fabric
- what their community’s future visitor and social economy might look like as climate change and net zero influence local priorities and visitor choices
- what their communities could do now to anticipate that impact of change and build a more resilient response
Each resident will then spend a week in their own community doing personal research and community consultation. After this both residents will produce a collaborative report which could be in the form of collective views, recommendations or calls to action; whatever they believe is most valuable going forward. The two residents will present the results of their work at a public event in late 2026/early 2027.
Fee:
Each resident will receive a residency fee (£2,250), budget for travel (£350), a fee for the final report and its presentation (£500) and support from an external adviser from SCOTO CIC, Scotland’s leading community tourism organisation. In addition there are funds to cover accommodation, liaison with a community organisation and community engagement.
The residency fee is calculated as £750 per week for three weeks over the duration of the project including:
- One week working with their own community, doing their own research and community consultation
- One week visiting the partner community
- One week collaborating with each other remotely (this can be spread over a longer period of time if needed)
Dates:
The residency week on Eigg is scheduled for Saturday 3 October – Saturday 10 October 2026. The visitor to Eigg will stay at Sweeney’s Bothy.
We hope that the week within the partner community will take place between October and December 2026. The accommodation in the partner community to be arranged.
Next steps:
Submit an expression of interest: fill out the form here
Expression of interest deadline: Wednesday 15 July, midnight
In mid-July, representatives from Bothy Project, the Isle of Eigg Residents Association and the external advisor will review all expressions of interest and invite a shortlist of applicants to submit a full application.
We will be in contact with all who have submitted an expression of interest by 31 July 2026.
We’re grateful to The Pebble Trust for supporting this iteration of Neighbourhood Residencies.
