Stuart Cannon MBE

Stuart grew up in Lincolnshire on a mixed cattle and arable farm. He has lived in Kilmelford for 53 years, and been fully involved with community life, in particular with the Kilninver and Kilmelford Community Council, serving as a past Chair (when the current Village Hall was built), then as Treasurer, and currently as Council Member. He is also the current Chair of the Board of Trustees of St Columba's Church, Poltalloch.

Stuart moved to Argyll in 1972 and has played a major role in Scottish Aquaculture. He is co-founder and chair of Kames Fish Farming Limited, one of the last family-run fish farms in Scotland, producing unique sea-grown Steelhead Trout. He was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List 2025, in recognition of his services to the Sustainable Development of the Aquaculture Industry in Scotland over the past fifty years.

Stuart personally pioneered fish husbandry and welfare techniques in the early days of fish farming in the UK, helping to influence best practice in the global aquaculture industry today.

He was the first to grow trout in cages in freshwater lochs; he pioneered cage construction and helped establish many farms around the world from Chile & Greece to the Middle East & Sri Lanka to Africa & Europe; he established Kames' own significant trout breeding programme ensuring high quality and welfare from egg to plate.

Over the years Stuart has been involved with many companies, serving as President of Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society, Director of Scottish Association of Marine Science, Quality Trout UK, Selonda Aquaculture SA (Greece), & OceanPick Ltd (Sri Lanka's first oceanic fish farm), and Board Member of National Farmers Union (Scotland), Scottish Environment Protection Agency, & Scottish Association of Marine Science.

Liz Mackay

I was born and brought up in Renfrewshire, and we visited and holidayed in Argyll many times. I married a Tarbert man and had to move to Edinburgh, where we raised our family, but we visited the west coast often and decided when the time came, we would retire to a home in the west somewhere. We did so in 2020, and now I spend whatever time I am not at the PC for LMKC gardening, reading, volunteering for Kilmartin museum and lots of crafting. I also enjoy cooking and baking, travel and far too much trashy TV.

I was asked to gather a group of people together to see if we could set up a community company in early 2022. I am a lawyer, although now retired, and am able to find my way around the formalities. I have also been involved in many voluntary groups and committees in various capacities, and am known for my persistence (just ask the other Directors...)

After various public meetings, phone calls and emails, a steering group was set up and we were able to get a lot of advice and support from different sources. I prepared the documents required to set up LMKC and the company was registered in 2024.

My duties as Secretary include being the main contact for lots of other groups and individuals, organising Board and other meetings, communicating with the Board, members and third parties, attending networking events, keeping membership and company records and helping to arrange company events.

Alex Tweedly

I've been visiting Argyll regularly since the 1950s, and Kilmelford in particular since 1980, even while living overseas. I've lived here since 2014, and have a strong desire to keep this area a vibrant and pleasant environment for us and our children. After a career in software development, I can bring a range of skills to help in this effort. My main hobbies now are walking the dogs, failing to train the dogs, and keeping my mind active with computers.

e: alex@tweedly.net

David Wilkie

I was born in Cheshire and educated in Manchester. I worked for an Activity Centre on Knoydart in 1973 and then came to Kilmelford in February 1974 to work in the Boatyard that then belonged to Arden Yachts. We built our house in 1980 and then in early 1985 I took over the management of Ardfern Yacht Centre which I developed over 25 years. During this period I was also Scottish President of the British Marine Federation for 13 years. In 2010 we set off sailing and cruised to the Caribbean, the East Coast USA and then back to the Caribbean before heading home 3 years later.

During my time in Kilmelford I have been Secretary of the old Village Hall; leader of the volunteer fire brigade and been on the Community Council twice including being Chair. I believe that a Community Company is an essential way for the Residents to improve the environment and facilities that would benefit us.

Sandi Chaitram

I was born and have lived all of my life in London. In 1994, a road trip with husband Joe saw this city girl fall in love with the rugged, heroic landscape of Scotlands Highlands and Islands. Thirty years on, in March 2024, we finally swapped the London skyline for sea, hills and forests, and moved to Arduaine.

I have a background in marketing (copywriting and social media strategy and management), and film journalism. In the early 2000s, I founded and ran FilmExposed Magazine which focused on independent and world cinema; and provided much needed critical ink for emerging lo-no budget British filmmakers. I've worked since with musicians, artisan businesses and charities, creating social media strategies promoting their brilliance to meet their business goals.

When I'm not at my computer, I like to stare at the sea while eating cake, read, dabble in paint and ink, visit theatres and galleries, and go for walks. When I'm not doing that, you'll find me curled up on the sofa with the cat, watching a serial killer go rogue in a Nordic Noir film!

Ross Mackay

I grew up in Tarbert, Loch Fyne and studied at Aberdeen University. I then trained in Edinburgh, qualifying as a solicitor in 1982. In 1985, I became a partner at my then firm in Edinburgh, where I continued to work until I made the move to Arduaine in 2020. I retired in 2022, and in 2024, I received an Honorary Membership from the Law Society of Scotland for my contributions to the profession. I'm married to Liz, and we have two children. In my free time, I enjoy reading, cinema, and dog walking!

Antoinette Mitchell (Toni)

I was a member of the Kilninver and Kilmelford Community Council (KKCC) for eight years and served as chair of the Kilninver and Kilmelford Village Hall for nine years. Additionally I was a founding member and Chair of New Start Oban, Obans charity for the homeless, for thirteen years. I remain an active member of St. Columba's Church and a dedicated ecumenist who contributes to the work of Kilmelford Kirk. My early life was spent travelling the world with my parents in British Diplomatic service; living on five continents and sailing around the world. I settled in West Sussex where I had a career in teaching, eventually becoming a Head teacher of a girls boarding school. When I moved to Argyll, I tutored a number of children.

I'm married to Nigel and have lived in Kilninver at Barochreal for 20 years. We have no children but always owned by several cats who are our babies. Animals and nature are our passion.

My personal interests include travelling, swimming and walking (when fitter) and singing cantor at the cathedral. We built the garden at Barochreal from a house and barn in a field and its open under the Scottish Garden Scheme. I also enjoy crafts, particularly embroidery, crochet, knitting and flower arranging.