About us
The Carbeth Hutters Community Company was set up in 2008 when the members of Carbeth Hutters Association voted to become a Community Company. The Company was formed to benefit persons entitled to occupy any property within the Carbeth Estate Conservation Area. The Company is run by its directors who are voted in by the company's ordinary members to carry out work on behalf of its members.
Management
Ali Ferguson - Chairperson
Ali has been a hutter for over 40 years. She has a deep passion for Carbeth and in particular its long and vibrant history. Ali has at every point in her Carbeth history been an activist fighting for the rights of Hutters and campaigning for the protection of the envioment. A love of the Gaelic language and singer she has been a member of many choirs.
Chris Ballance - Board Advisor
Chris has had a varied career, including as a playwright, a Scottish Green Party Member of the Scottish Parliament, and manager of a social enterprise creating jobs in the green sector for unemployed folk.
Chris came to Carbeth 27 years ago, organised the first meeting which led to the rent strike and buy-out, and played a leading part in the campaign. To quote Chris; "Our Company was born in radical struggle, which formed a crucial part of the arguments towards Land Reform in Scotland, and against landlordism, as did the community buy-out. It’s important we remember this."
Alan Graham -Treasurer
Alan has worked in a banking for 25 years then worked as an advocate for 17 years for adults with learning disabilities.
Alan’s parents built their first hut in Carbeth in 1955. He spent his childhood years here and bought his own hut when he was 19. He met his wife here and brought his own children here when they were young. He is now enjoying bringing up another generation of young Hutters.
Scott Donohoe - Secretary
Scott has been health and safety officer for Glasgow City UNISON for 18 years. Scott is passionate about health and safety, an interest that has seen him play a leading role in his union’s work as well participating in the Hazards movement in Scotland and the United Kingdom. He received the prestigious Frank McGuire award for his work. Scott is also Chair of Scottish Hazards Campaign and Chair of UNISON Scotland Health & Safety Committee.
Scott's family began camping by the Allander Burn at Carbeth in the early 70's. Willie Donohoe, Scotts father purchased their first hut in 1982 and Scott has been here ever since. Scot says, "I simply love Carbeth & want to see the place flourish and continue to be a great community"
Tom Mckendrick - Web, Design and PR
Tom, a graduate of Glasgow School of Art, is an award winning artist with works in prestigious collections worldwide. He is best know for his work related to Clydeside and it’s industrial and social history.
Tom spent his formative years as member of the Carbeth community and can trace his family history back to Carbeth’s beginnings. His wider family have had a continuing unbroken presence in Carbeth which he is determined will continue.
Gemma Cosimini - Community Liaison
CV to be added at a later date.
History Timeline
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1920
Following an initiative by William Ferris and a Mr McMilan, 3 huts are erected on Carbeth Guthrie Estate. Ferris is a significant figure, becoming a vice-president of the Camping Club of Great Britain and Ireland, vice-chairman of the Scottish Council of Physical Recreation, Chairman of the Scottish Rights of Way Society, Scottish Ramblers Federation and members of the Scottish Tourist Board. A few people are allowed to camp in tents on certain other parts of Carbeth Guthrie Estate. Ferris assists Allan Barns-Graham with huts at Carbeth from 1920-43.
1927
5 huts are erected on the estate. At any one time in the 1920's, there are believed to be around a dozen campsites.
1929
Carbeth Swimming Pond or 'Lido" is developed.
1940
There are 106 huts on the Estate.
1947-48
Ground rental for 191 huts is recorded at: Lochwood (8 huts), Cuilts Road (58 huts), Drymen Road (18 huts), Clachan (11 huts), Carbeth Lower Hill (40 huts), Mid Hill (26 huts), Upper Hill (18 huts), South Boundary (6 huts) and Lochside (6 huts).
1972
Carbeth Swimming Pond is closed.
1980
The West Highland Way, the first long distance footpath in Scotland, is opened. Starting at Milngavie and finishing at Fort William, it passes Carbeth Estate on route.
1997
Carbeth Hutters Association is formed.
2008
Carbeth Hutters Community Company is formed.