MEET Brian Macleod, the man appointed as Community Project Officer for Merkinch. Financed by the Community Economic Development Fund, SIPS, Highland Council and Inverness & Nairn Enterprise, and employed by Merkinch Enterprise, Brian, pictured right, will be working out of ME, as from 2nd June, for the benefit of the community in this two-year project.

Much of Brian’s working life has been in the field of community work and this has enabled him to live and work in Shetland, Skye and Lochalsh, North and West Sutherland. Currently he lives on a small croft at Skerray on the north coast with his wife Irene, a dog and two cats.

He trained in Youth & Community Work at Aberdeen College. He says, “I was drawn to the course because it was promoted as being about Life, Love and Laughter. That still seems to me a good reason to get involved in community activities.”

Brian likes reading and cycling and he also enjoys travel - in recent years he has visited Spain and Cuba. And although he is not himself a musician, he enjoys music and dance and feels cultural activities can play a central role in local development.
Brian is also enthusiastic about the Gaelic language and culture.

He says, “I am looking forward to working with local people to help further develop the positive influences that they are exerting over the future of the area.”