Create A Beautiful Presentation For The World To See
CAOLAS (Community Association of Lochs and Sounds) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) working to protect and enhance the coastal and marine environment of Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura, including the Argyll Hope Spot. We work closely with local communities, volunteers, researchers, and partner organisations to deliver education, conservation, monitoring, and restoration activities, with a strong focus on local stewardship.
Our story
2015: The Birth of a Local Voice
Before 2015, the community around Lochaline and the Sound of Mull watched as national policies were made about their waters, often without much local input. A group of residents realized that if they wanted their marine environment to thrive, they couldn’t just be spectators.
CAOLAS was formed in 2015 with a clear, grassroots mission:
To bridge the gap between scientific conservation and local knowledge.
To give the community a seat at the table when discussing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
The “Hidden” Treasure: The Flame Shells
One of the first big stories of CAOLAS involved the Flame Shells (Limaria hians). These aren’t just pretty orange molluscs; they build complex “nests” on the seabed that act as nurseries for fish. In 2015, these reefs were under threat from dredging. CAOLAS became the voice that said, “These belong to our community, and they are worth more alive than destroyed.”
2016–2019: From Meetings to Science
The charity quickly evolved from a discussion group into a powerhouse of Citizen Science. They realized that to protect the lochs, they needed hard data that the government didn’t have.
The Sea Change: They joined the Coastal Communities Network, linking up with other groups around Scotland to share tactics.
ROV Exploration: They started using Remotely Operated Vehicles (underwater drones) to show locals what was actually down there. Seeing a Common Skate (the size of a dinner table!) on a screen in a village hall changed everything. People started to realize their “boring” local loch was actually a world-class biodiversity hotspot.
The Native Oyster Restoration
By 2018, CAOLAS took on one of its most ambitious projects: bringing back the Native Oyster (Ostrea edulis). These oysters had been wiped out by over-harvesting a century ago.
“They aren’t just food; they are the kidneys of the sea.”
CAOLAS worked to install oyster nurseries—hanging cages under local piers—to see if the water could still support them. It worked. This project turned children at Lochaline Primary into “oyster guardians,” proving that conservation starts in the classroom.
The Heart of the Matter
The story of CAOLAS isn’t just about fish or shells; it’s about empowerment. In 2015, the community felt like their waters were being managed for them by people in Edinburgh. Today, because of the charity, the people of Morvern and Sunart are the ones leading the way.
CAOLAS (Community Association of Lochs and Sounds) is the story of a small community taking a stand for their own “front garden”—the incredible marine world beneath the surface of the Morvern and Sunart coastlines.
Here is the true story of the charity’s journey since it sparked to life in 2015.
Our Trustees
Annabel
Chair Andy
Trustee Alastair
Trustee Jo
Secretary Allison
Trustee Peter
Trustee
