Employment and the Local Economy
February 2008
Table 5: Economic Activity (Residents between the ages of 16 and 74 only)
| Economic Position | Male |
Female |
Total | Scottish Average | |||
| Employed full-time | 133 | 43.8% | 75 |
24.1% |
208 | 33.8% | 40.3% |
| Employed part-time | 5 | 1.6% | 57 | 18.3% | 62 | 10.1% | 11.1% |
| Self Employed | 53 | 17.4% | 27 | 8.7% | 80 | 13.1% | 6.6% |
| Unemployed | 11 | 3.6% | 7 | 2.3% | 18 | 2.9% | 4.0% |
| Full time Students | 5 | 1.6% | 7 | 2.3% | 12 | 2.0% | 3.0% |
| Part time Students | 8 | 2.6% | 3 | 1.0% | 11 | 1.8% | 4.3% |
| Permanently sick/disabled | 19 | 6.3% | 16 | 5.1% | 35 | 5.7% | 7.4% |
| Retired | 66 | 21.7% | 86 | 27.7% | 152 | 24.7% | 13.9% |
| Looking after home/family | 2 | 0.7% | 28 | 9.0% | 30 | 4.9% | 5.5% |
| Other | 2 | 0.7% | 7 | 2.3% | 7 | 1.1% | 3.9% |
| TOTAL | 304 | 311 | 615 | ||||
Source: 2001 census
Comment:
The striking figures from the table are the high proportion of retired people (nearly twice the national average) and the low proportion of students (about half the national average). The former, of course, will tend to drive down the latter. The figures for those in employment are nevertheless very close to the Scottish average (57% and 58%) helped by the self employed sector being twice the national average.
4.1 Local Economy and Sectors
In the past Strachur was a successful herring-fishing centre. The village's key location meant that several drove roads passed through it on the way to livestock markets down south. The 20th Century saw more trade in trees and major parts of the district came under conifer plantation with the advent of the Forestry Commission in the 1920's.
The Forestry Commission was a major employer, and the local villages grew with the settlement of forestry workers in tied cottages. The hills which remained unplanted primarily carried hardy hill sheep breeds, initially Cheviots, then moving to the Scottish Blackfaced breed.
Employment in the 21st Century tells a different story again. There are now fewer forestry employees locally, where once there were at least 60, there is now only a handful of staff, the rest of the work being carried out by contractors, usually from outwith the area.
Archd. Fergusson Ltd employs 24 people locally in the building trade. This family-run business was founded in 1823. There are also several other building, joinery, plumbing and electrical contractors. Many local workers travel outwith the district to work at Loch Fyne Oysters, Lighthouse Scotland Ltd (fish processing), and a call centre at Dunoon (TSC).
Tourism plays an increasingly important role in the community. There are two small hotels catering for private holidays. There is some local employment at these hotels. There are several caravan and camping sites, numerous bed and breakfast establishments, restaurants, pubs and retail outlets.
4.2 Informed estimates of employees in sectors
The following table shows the main sectors and numbers employed in them:
Table 6: Informed estimates of employees in sectors
| Sector e.g. | Full-time | Part-time | Seasonal | Total |
| Public Service | 9 | 11 | - | 20 |
| Retail, Hospitality and Tourism | 29 | 34 | 27 | 90 |
| Trades | 32 | 1 | - | 33 |
| Farming, Fish Farming, Forestry | 26 | 5 | 12 | 43 |
| Other Small Businesses | 8 | 2 | - | 10 |
4.3 Local Detail for each Sector
The following list shows the number of current businesses by economic sector with the
number of full time, part time or seasonal employees detailed.
Table 7: Local Detail for each Sector
| Public services | ||||
| Name |
Full-time staff
|
Part-time staff
|
Seasonal staff
|
|
| Primary School |
5
|
5
|
-
|
|
| Playgroup/Child Care |
3
|
1
|
-
|
|
| Health Centre |
2
|
4
|
-
|
|
| RUN Office |
-
|
1
|
-
|
|
| Retail Outlet | ||||
| Name |
Full-time
|
Part-time
|
Seasonal staff
|
|
| PO/shop St Catherines |
1
|
1
|
0
|
|
| PO/Bay Cottage Restaurant Strachur |
4
|
5
|
0
|
|
| Strachur Filling Station |
1
|
4
|
1
|
|
| Hotels, Restaurants, and Pubs | ||||
| Name |
Full-time staff
|
Part-time staff
|
Seasonal staff
|
|
| Inver Cottage Restaurant |
6
|
12
|
All staff are seasonal – open May to October
|
|
| Clachan Bar |
2
|
3
|
0
|
|
| PO/Bay Cottage Restaurant Strachur |
See above
|
See above
|
-
|
|
| Creggans Inn |
10
|
6
|
7
|
|
| Whistlefield Inn |
5
|
3
|
1
|
|
| Bed and Breakfasts and Self-Catering It is difficult to estimate the numbers working in these establishments, but the Steering Group considers that they will account for many of the self employed sector. | ||||
| Name | Location | |||
| Thistle House | St Catherines | |||
| Ardchyline Holiday Cottages | St Catherines | |||
| Bay Cottage | Strachur | |||
| Carraway | Strachur | |||
| Smiddy Cottage | Strachur | |||
| Rosehill Cottage | Strachur | |||
| March Cottage | Strachur | |||
| Kenmore | Strachur | |||
| Strachur Estate Cottages | Strachur | |||
| Barnacarry | Strathlachlan | |||
| Castle Lachlan | Strathlachlan | |||
| Springburn | Strathlachlan | |||
| Caravan Parks | ||||
| Name | Location | |||
| St Catherines Caravan Park | St Catherines | |||
| Eas-mor Chalet Site | Strathlachlan | |||
| Stuckreoch Caravan Park | Strathlachlan | |||
| Strathlachlan Caravan Park | Strathlachlan | |||
| Trades and Other Local Businesses | ||||
| Name |
Full-time staff
|
Part-time staff
|
Seasonal staff
|
|
| Archibald Fergusson Ltd. (builder) |
26
|
1
|
0
|
|
| McKellar & Paterson |
2
|
0
|
0
|
|
| Argyll Sawmills |
7
|
-
|
-
|
|
| Haulage Companies |
6
|
-
|
-
|
|
| Otter Ferry Sea Fish |
6
|
0
|
-
|
|
Source: Strachur District Profile 2007 & Strachur and Strathlachlan Community website
4.4 Small Businesses
There are a number of independent self-employed/small businesses including:
| Electrician | Art Studios/Galleries |
| Gardening | Crafts |
| General Building | Plumbing |
| Joinery | Carpets and Removals |
| Landscaping | IT/Website development |
| Walking Holiday firm |
4.5 Land Use/ Farms
There are 7 extensive hill sheep farms in the Strachur District area, some carrying suckler herds as well. This number has fallen over the last 30 years, as farming incomes have fallen in relative terms, in line with changes in the situation of local estates.
The low-lying and hill areas of Strachur Estate are being farmed on a contract basis by a neighbouring farmer, who manages the land along with his own. This is a pattern repeated across Argyll. The Estate in the past 30 years has supported 4 farms - The Home Farm, Inverglen, Strachurmore and Glensluain with a manager, shepherds, a tractorman and their families. Much of the Glensluain hill was planted with conifers around 25 years ago, and every farm area is now incorporated into the contract farming area as mentioned above.
The majority of the rest of the land in the district is under forestation, with a current plan of felling and ultimately replanting. Through consultation with the Forestry Commission and the National Park Authority a more imaginative and varied landscape is emerging, through a change in policy to include broken planting patterns and greater percentages of hardwood trees in forest plantations.
There has been a noticeable increase in tree scrub and bracken encroachment over the past ten years in areas previously clear of such vegetation. This could partly be ascribed to reduced livestock grazing pressure, as sheep and cattle numbers have reduced in recent years, and generally less intensive farming. Generally milder and wetter weather may also have encouraged stronger growth.
Strategic Issues
The high seasonal variations in population from the large numbers of holiday/second homes has implications for the viability of local businesses due to short seasons.
The district appears to provide an environment conducive to self employment which could be further developed.