Laggan Community Association (LCA)

The initial idea to establish a Community Association was discussed as far back as 1972. L.C.A. was formally established in 1974 and constituted in 1978 to give recognition to the population, other than that provided by the District Council. It functions as a Community Council and is recognised and funded in the same way. Membership is free and open to all Laggan residents who are encouraged to attend meetings and to vote. Committee members are elected annually. It meets every second month, and has recently acquired charitable status.

L.C.A. has, over the years, established a number of subcommittees. These subcommittees report their activities and progress to L.C.A., as their parent body.

The Association has also initiated a variety of projects. In 1979, it began work lobbying for better television reception for Laggan.
The topography of the area means that the quality of reception is poor and the low population base makes the cost of any improvements very high. L.C.A. tried, without success, to lobby the BBC and the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) into providing improved reception.

The L.C.A. then decided to do something about the signal themselves.
A number of individuals and a local engineer spent a considerable amount of time trying to identify a suitable site for the relay station. They tested site after site until they found a suitable location at the pictish fort of Dun da Lamh in Strathmashie Forest. This site provided reception for 90% of the population. A series of events were then organised to try and raise funding for the installation. The L.C.A. also managed to obtain some funding from the Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB) to cover some of the costs. A monthly local draw, which runs to date through the efforts of a few committed individuals was also instigated about that time, to cover the ongoing costs of the signal provision.

L.C.A. also established a number of subcommittees to deal with specific initiatives including the future of Strathmashie Forest (Laggan Forestry Initiative (LFI)).

L.C.A. was fundamental in the establishment of Laggan Community Trading Company Ltd., in 1984.

Community