In 2016 Dunadd Community Council along with Foundation Scotland undertook a community consultation in lieu of there being windfarm funding available from the A’Chruach windfarm. The funding was to be accessed by three distinct geographical areas, Dunadd, Lochgilphead, and West Loch Fyne. In Dunadd the community consultation was well attended and produced a strong, realistic, and achievable action plan. However, it was identified, within the process, that there was no organisation within the geographical area that had the capacity to realise the community action plan.
Initially everybody sat back thinking that Dunadd Community Council would take the action plan forward, but this is not the Council’s role and a Development Trust need to be formed, in order to be independent from political processes. Another public meeting was arranged and the Development Trust Association Scotland was invited to help lay the foundation for a way forward. From this meeting a steering group of eight people was formed to explore the best legal status for a group and move it forward.
Development trusts are a part of the community enterprise movement. They are community based and they aim to achieve their goals by making profits through trading, providing services and acquiring assets (such as buildings and equipment). Their profits are used to create community wealth that has a lasting impact on the renewal and improvement of an area
In Kilmartin and Kilmichael Glens, together with Ford, we have developed a company limited by guarantee to realise the aspirations of the community.
Introducing Our Board of Directors
Andrea Healy – Chair Person
Born in Oldham, I spent most of my life in the North West of England before relocating to Ford in November 2022 with my husband, Steve, to fulfil a long-held dream of retiring in Argyll after many years of visiting the area.
I enjoyed a 35-year corporate career with Eaton Corporation, beginning as an electrical and electronic engineer before moving into IT management. I hold a degree from the Open University, an HND in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and a Diploma in Systems Thinking. Later in my career, I worked in supply chain roles including business analyst, business process improvement, project management, and Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning Manager, supporting multi-million-dollar operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Since moving to Ford, I have become an active member of the Ford Village Hall committee and now serve as treasurer. Passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive social space, I am often found behind the bar and keen to encourage greater community use of the hall, including from those outside the village.
I hope to use my previous experience to serve as a dependable and effective Chair of the Dunadd Community Enterprise.
Gillian Rodger – Vice Chair Person
Born in Chester to Glaswegian parents, Gillian studied Medieval Art History at Edinburgh University where she lived prior to moving to Argyll in 2019. Her early career was in Heritage, starting in archives then communications until becoming a policy executive for Historic Environment Scotland with a focus on developing HES’s approach to the Community Empowerment Act.
Since university she has been a passionate activist for food sovereignty, volunteering on committees with roles in communications, events, strategy and finance. She has coordinated events and trips for youth delegations, facilitated workshops, provided food demos and compered at festivals. In 2016 she started growing food at Earth in Common. It was here Gillian left the public sector to work in community engagement and development. She also became coordinator of SFYN UK, setting it up as a CIC. In this role she sat on the Scottish Food Coalition and undertook a Social Enterprise leadership programme.
A random chance to cook aboard an old Puffer led her to move to Argyll where she has focused on nurturing a ‘slow life’ for her family. Gillian now manages the Puffer office, provides finance support for CHARTS and cooks seasonal food for retreats using her produce grown in Ford. She has helped at FVH running Lego Club, and in 2026, she launched the Mid Argyll Seed Co-op, which she is keen to grow further with DCE into the future.
Sally Wilkin – Treasurer
I was born in Lewisham, South East London. I started my working life in Woolworth’s and later joined a bank when leaving school. From there, I spent 20 happy years with the London Fire Brigade, handling administrative duties. Following the death of my father, my children and I decided to move to Scotland! We chose Argyll because my father had a connection with Inverliever Lodge, though despite his encouragement, I only visited it after his death…I was hoping to get away from an office job and grow carrots. Since then, I’ve had a variety of part-time jobs, sometimes totalling full-time hours and more. These have included: social work and SEN classroom assistant with the council, secretary in the NHS, cleaner, gardener and an after-school club leader. I found my ‘vocation’ in the Kilmartin Museum cafe one very busy Easter Monday. I’ve since worked at the museum as an Event & Workshop organiser and an assistant to the Education team. I still occasionally volunteer.
In 2008 having discovered Permaculture and my children having left for the bright lights of Glasgow, I decided to have a mid life crisis. I bought a campervan and went WWOOFing (WorldWide Opportunities on Organic Farms) with my dog, travelling mainly in Scotland. We stayed in some wonderful places where we met great people whilst learning loads about Permaculture, growing food and sustainable living.
I went back to work at the museum and started volunteering in Blarbuie Woodland, which led to a job as a development worker. Sadly, the project ran out of funds, and the woodland is now a neglected area. I am passionate about the community growing food, and have been organising seed swaps for a number of years. I was also involved in the Kilmory Home Farm project, which tried to purchase the farm and buildings at Kilmory before they completely collapsed. At last, I have been able to retire and spend my time gardening, knitting, reading, cooking, swimming, walking, and doing yoga.
Additional directors are Caroline Frost and Chris Carr (Bios coming soon). Our DCE Secretary is Hazel Fuller.