Hope Cohousing—a community interest company—is working to establish a small cohousing project for older people in St Margaret’s Hope, Orkney, as a lasting community benefit. Six new, eco-aware, affordable rental homes will be built for people wanting to live independently and build a supportive community. The project will have shared amenities, a garden….and chickens.
Since early in 2024, HCH has been under the umbrella of the Communities Housing Trust (CHT). Backed by the Scottish Government, the Trust is the leading charitable organisation for facilitating community-led housing in central and northern Scotland. When the homes are built, they will be owned by CHT. The responsibility for day-to-day management will lie with the HCH residents.
Find out more about the project; become a Friend of Hope Cohousing; or join our monthly meet-up.
Contact us if you have questions about HCH.
In the news
Our next monthly meet-up
Our next meet-up will be in February. Our monthly meet-ups (open to all) normally take place on the first Saturday the month. [December 17, 2025]
December Newsletter
The new edition of the Hope Cohousing Newsletter is now online and has been mailed to those on our list. Please contact us if you wish to be included on our mailing list. [December 17, 2025]
Government urged to arrest housebuilding ‘collapse’ after record low in social housing starts
Scottish Housing News has reported that statistics just published by the Scottish Government show work had started on only 3,031 social homes in the year ending September 2025. This is the lowest since records began in 1997. The number of homes completed was 4,122. This is an 8-year low since 2017. [December 17, 2025]
A Roadmap for Independent Living: Reimagining housing, health and ageing in Scotland
Bield Housing and Care’s new report explores what needs to be done to face the challenges and opportunities that Scotland’s ageing population brings. As they put it, the ‘question is not simply how people can live longer – but how they can live well, safely, and independently in the homes and communities they choose’.
What we urgently need, they argue, is a National Independent Living Strategy – ‘a shared, long-term framework that unites housing, health, and social care around one purpose: helping people live well, safely, and independently at home’.
Cohousing initiatives such as Hope Cohousing embody all the key elements required. The Strategy entails:
- Putting independent living at the heart of national policy.
- Committing to long-term, preventative investment.
- Amplifying tenant voice, embedding lived experience in every decision.
- Harnessing technology and design to enhance safety, dignity, and choice.
- Confronting inequality, so independence is not determined by income, gender, or geography.
In short, we need to build a fairer, healthier Scotland – where ageing well is part of everyday life. Click to download the report from Scottish Housing News. [December 1, 2025]
Exploring South Ronaldsay – Listening Walks
Created by Sheena Graham-George, and based on conversations with local people, the Burwick, Kirkhouse and St Margaret’s Hope Listening Walks are now available on Exploring South Ronaldsay [which started life on these pages]. The result is a fascinating collage of life on the island. [updated November 17, 2025]
Resources
Featured article: Why cohousing is good for people and communities – the evidence. [Updated January 2024]
Creating a cohousing project: Materials and videos exploring different aspects of putting together a cohousing project.
Look out for: Burray and South Ronaldsay: Local services. [New and updated]. See also the new Exploring South Ronaldsay site, which began life on these pages.
For more about the development of cohousing in Scotland, click on the Cohousing Scotland logo below.
