Gateway to Gigha

Our most recently completed evaluation was for the Gateway to Gigha project for the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust (IGHT). We were appointed in late 2020 and the final evaluation was done in April 2023.

The small island is owned by the Trust and the project improved access on foot and by bicycle to heritage sites, which were better managed through the project. It provided interpretation and it engaged the community and visitors in a range of archaeological and natural heritage activities. Its aims were to encourage people to visit the island without a car and to engage residents and visitors in the island’s heritage.

The outputs and outcomes were complex as there were two very different funders – the Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund and the NLHF. It was important to bring together the requirements of the two funding organisations and the principles of the IGHT under one framework that could direct the evaluation of the project.

We held regular zoom meetings with the team, with site visits as required, and provided advice on project delivery in order to meet the proposed outcomes. We completed Interim and Final Evaluations, which included analysis of data collected (including project management information, ferry passenger data, feedback from events, etc.), interviews with the team and IGHT Board members, site visits, online and in-person visitor surveys and an online resident survey.

The project was extended, again partly due to difficulties caused by Covid-19, and we remained flexible regarding their timing and requirements.