About The Trust

Our Mission

Our Aims focus on:

• The management of community assets and land for the benefit of the local community and general public

• The provision, support, and promotion of recreation facilities for all

• The encouragement and advancement of community development including education, training and skills

• The advocacy and education in local culture, environment, and history for the community

• The protection, conservation and improvement of the natural environment and our cultural history

The KCT is a community-controlled membership body that is run by an elected volunteer board and managed by employees.

We are currently developing a new multi-year strategic development plan to be initiated in 2024. Find out more about our community consultation process.

Land Management

The following map shows the land that KCT owns, manages and leases on behalf of the community.

How the Trust developed

Kinlochleven is a place of rich heritage, change and resilience, all set in the stunning location of the Mamore mountain range at the head of Loch Leven.

Long before the arrival of the Aluminium Smelter in 1907, Kinlochleven existed as two small hamlets called Kinlochmore and Kinlochbeag. King Edward V11 stayed at Mamore Lodge and Kinlochlochmore Lodge and those who say he stayed at Mamore Lodge (1902 and 1909) on Kinlochmore Estate while shooting in the area. Later the woodlands above Kinlochleven were chosen as a suitable site for a POW camp during World War 1. The remains of the site are still visible today, visited by many using a popular access path from the village.

The village of Kinlochleven was developed in the early 1900’s when the then North British Aluminium Company harnessed two of the Highlands natural assets – water and hills – to create the Blackwater Reservoir, a hydro-electric plant and the Kinlochleven Aluminium Smelter.

The small hamlet, built where the River Leven meets Loch Leven, quickly became the thriving one-industry village of Kinlochleven. As the smelter developed, so did the community. The smelter employed over 800 at times, making a major contribution to the economy of South Lochaber for almost a century. With strong international demand for aluminium, the village quickly grew to a thriving community of over 1000 people. The smelter specialised in the production of high purity aluminium. The large hydroelectric scheme that powered the processing plant utilising made Kinlochleven the first village in the world to have every house connected to electricity, coining the phrase ‘The Electric Village’.

The smelter’s operator, Alcan Smelting and Power (UK) Ltd, announced in 1994 that, due to changing international patterns of demand, outdated technology and economies of scale, it would close around the turn of the century. In March 1999, 96 people were employed in the smelter, with an anticipated closure date in June 2000. In June 2000, the smelter finally closed, and this had an understandably devastating effect on this community that was, to a large extent, economically and socially dependant on Alcan. In response, a multi-agency and community forum was established to address the regeneration of the area. An outcome of this group’s work was the formation of the Kinlochleven Land Development Trust (KLDT), now known as Kinlochleven Community Trust, a private company limited by guarantee, and with charitable status, that is working with the community in taking forward the strategy for redeveloping the village.

Today the village has around 800 inhabitants and welcomes thousands more visitors every year that have encouraged growth and development in the outdoor and tourism sector. Kinlochleven is a notable destination for a variety of local, national and international events, is experiencing much interest in film and television opportunities and is a popular starting point for walking and outdoor pursuits.

Timeline

2008 Kinlochleven Community Trust was founded

2010 Centenary Garden

2014 Community Toilets

2014 Grey Mares footpath restoration

2015 Walkers are Welcome Status

2016 Mission Compostable

2016 Secret Garden

2018 Community Toilet renovation

2019 EV Charge Point

2020 Pantry

2020 Green Spaces

2021 E-Bikes

2021 Tourism Infrastructure

2024 Aires

Professional Memberships