Isle of Gigha

O J Borg (in voiceover): This is Gigha - a small island with a population of one hundred and fifty nine, located off the west coast of Scotland. At six miles long - and one and a half wide - it's one of the smaller islands in the Inner Hebrides. Throughout its history it has been owned & managed by lairds. Until recently it was facing an uncertain future.

Willie McSporran, MBE, Heritage Trust Spokesman: I was born on the island, I've lived and worked on the island all my life. Gigha means a lot to me, when I left school you didn't need to look for a job, there was plenty of jobs available but at that time there were thirteen farms on the island 

OJ Borg: But gradually over time with little new development on Gigha the population began to dwindle

Lorna McAllister, Head Teacher Gigha primary school: The lack of opportunities for the people on the island, the lack of opportunities for employment, a lot of the children I had taught weren't able to return and work on the island 

In 2002 the residents of Gigha took control of their own destiny and with the help of a three and a half million pound grant raised through the sale of National Lottery Games, purchased the island from the laird at the time. Now the community vote on everything which happens there and it is managed day to day by an elected Trust committee.

Before the community took over houses were tied into jobs, when people retired they were forced to move out of their homes and off the island. Residents can now purchase plots and build their own houses.

To help the island become fully self sustainable a tourist industry is being developed. The community own The Gigha Hotel, a number of holiday homes and the once famous Achamore Gardens, which are being rejuvenated and are becoming a popular attraction on Gigha.

This is has been made possible through the sale of NATIONAL LOTTERY games.

An addition to the island since the community have taken over have been three wind turbines that provide green, renewable energy. This is sold to provide a continual source of income to help secure Gigha's future.

Thanks to people playing NATIONAL LOTTERY games the island of Gigha and it's community have been given a new hope for the future.