Our directors are:
Joy Talbot, Director, Chair
I was born in the south of England but have lived in the Glendale area for 48 years. My family was raised and educated on the island and have all now moved away to pursue successful careers, whilst still maintaining their strong links with the island.
I opened the Three Chimneys restaurant 45 years ago and after it was sold I worked for over 22years at Gaeltec in Dunvegan, a small high-tech electronics factory producing transducers, mainly for medical applications. Since retiring eleven years ago I studied for and gained a Bsc. (hons) in Social Science with Geography with The Open University.
I have always been involved in the community, through amateur drama, I am at present National vice-chair of The Scottish Community Drama Association as well as serving on the committee of Dunvegan Community Hall for many years.
I am very keen on helping the Glendale Community to maintain its culture and identity by supporting projects within the community which will enhance the lives of all the residents.
Richard Powell Secretary
I was born in Birmingham and lived there until I moved to Northamptonshire at the age of 18. I have spent the majority of my working life in Underground Utility Surveys, the electronic tracing of pipes and cables. I have been self employed for most of the last twenty five years, initially starting a company with one other person and then in 2004 I started my own company, Amethyst Surveys, which I built up for six years before selling to two of the people that came to work for me.
Since my first visit to the Lake District as a child I have always had a love for wild and remote places, and when I first visited the west coast of Scotland I knew I wanted to live here one day. In 2010 my wife Sandra and I decided that it was time to change our lives, which was when we decided to move to Skye and start a breeding herd of Alpacas on the island. I hope I can use my business experience to help both the Trust and the whole of Glendale.
I am also a keen wildlife photographer and love travelling especially to Africa.
Angela Finlay,Treasurer
Angela is currently the General Manager of The Three Chimneys and The House Over-By.
With a degree in business Angela has built an outstanding career in the Scottish Hospitality Industry. With over 15 years’ experience launching high-end restaurants and bars in both Glasgow and London before taking a senior operational role with Marriott Hotels. Angela has a wealth of professional knowledge, financial and HR skills as well as a passion for running managing and growing small business.
Having recently moved to Glendale with a young family Angela is keen that the area remains a vibrant place to live; she is passionate about the environment and has developed a strong sense of community.
By helping with the Trust she is aiming to ensure Glendale can provide the best possible opportunities for her young family whilst safeguarding community growth and sustainability by providing prospects for future young families.
Angela brings the skills required as Treasurer and will ensure the Trust will operate competently in all financial matters. Her leadership and management skills will also ensure that the board can rely on sound advice relating to operational aspects including, management, employment and finance.
Raymond Coughlin Director
I am married with 4 children and have lived in Glendale for most of my life.
I have been a joiner for over 25 years and am soon to become self-employed. During my years in Glendale I have served on the Community Council, been an auxiliary fire-fighter and have actively participated in the local community. I hope that by a being part of the trust I can help Glendale work towards a viable and sustainable future for the young people, giving them a better chance of being able to stay in the glen.
Gordon Thomson, Director
Gordon moved to Skye from Felixstowe, Suffolk in October 2009 after retiring from BT. Born and brought up in England, although both his parents were Scottish. After studying Mathematics & Statistics at Southampton University his career took him from British Petroleum to Thames Water to Standard Telephones & Cables and finally to British Telecom, working mostly on IT projects. He has a son who is a chemical engineer and a daughter who is a physiotherapist and became a grandfather on 1st January 2012. Outside of his family Gordon’s interests include Scottish country dancing, badminton, singing (with Coisir Sgire Port Righ), playing the piano & accordion and last but not least, trying to grow trees, vegetables and other plants in the windy valley that is Hamaraverin.
Elly Knight, Director
Elly Knight is an artist and co-owner of the award winning Red Roof Cafe Gallery in Glendale. Graduating with BA (hons) in Contemporary Textile Practice in 2002 she worked with homeless and disabled people for several years, before going back to art and settling in Glendale in 2008. Elly is the Highlands and Islands 2012 Princes Trust young entrepreneur of the year and hopes to help make Glendale a more feasible place to live for other young people by enhancing work opportunities, affordable housing and transport links.