19th Sep 2014

Having hosted a hugely successful rally in July, being announced as a potential location for the first British spaceport and with production soon to start at a new onshore fish farm located on site, it has been a very busy year so far for Machrihanish Airbase Community Company. However, it is full steam ahead with the recruitment of a new projects officer this month.

New appointment, Cameron McNair, joins MACC with a background in commercial property. Having started his training to be a chartered surveyor in Campbeltown assessor’s office in 1979, Cameron went on to become a director at Jones Lang LaSalle in Glasgow, where he was responsible for the asset management of large commercial property portfolios.

Jim Martin, chairman of MACC Developments Ltd said: ‘We are really pleased that Cameron is now in post and we believe his background knowledge and expertise in the property sector will allow us to forge on with a number of projects that have been on the cards for a while. MACC’s assets have a great deal to offer and there is a vast amount of potential for development in a number of industries. We have big plans for the future so we must be equipped with the right people.’

Cameron has a strong connection to Campbeltown, having spent many childhood holidays in Argyll, then later working in the assessor’s office in the early stages of his career. After retiring from Jones Lang LaSalle in 2002, Cameron moved back to Campbeltown in 2011. Returning to work after 12 years, Cameron feels his experience in property development will be a great benefit to MACC going forward.

He said: ‘Machrihanish Airbase has gone from strength to strength in the two years since the community buyout. This is a really exciting new challenge for me and I am looking forward to contributing to its continued success.’

A key role of Cameron’s will be to explore opportunities in the renewable development of the former military airbase. There has been considerable interest in the site from a number of renewable energy firms, including industry leaders in solar, biomass and wind.

MACC continues to receive valuable support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) through its account management programme and they hope to further build on this relationship in the future by attracting inward investment and creating more opportunities.

Claire Simers, HIE Development Manager said: ‘HIE is working closely with MACC to explore a variety of inward investment opportunities and the appointment of Cameron will contribute to the skills of the MACC team. The site provides huge potential for future business and community development which will benefit South Kintyre and HIE looks forward to working with MACC to realise the potential.’