Lindsay Dunbar has taken over as chair of the board of SEALL from Rosie MacDonald who held the post for the past four years.
Rosie has stepped down owing to increased family commitments.
Originally from Achiltibuie, Lindsay (pictured left) spent a few years in Glasgow before moving back north to Inverness. She has strong connections with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and knows the Isle of Skye very well.
She said: “Because of my north west roots, I call myself a cultural crofter as I’m used to tending rural, community-led creative projects, whatever the season and whatever needs done.”
Rosie and her husband, whose family are from Tarskavaig, retired to Skye in 2014.
She said: “We joined SEALL as season ticket holders, with almost unlimited access to many fantastic concerts and theatrical events over the years.
“I really admired the aims of the charity, bringing excellent quality cultural events to a local rural community. I felt the need to support SEALL and give something back in return and so I joined the board in December 2015 and was appointed as chair in 2017, a position from which I stood down in January 2021, due to increased family commitments.”
Rosie has overseen the changes in the charity over her term of office. She said: “SEALL has gradually changed over the years, increasing the range of its reach to include all of Skye, Raasay and Lochalsh.
“In November 2019 the founder and then creative director of Seall, Duncan MacInnes, retired after 28 years and was succeeded by Marie Lewis.
“SEALL now has a permanent staff of four, who are a really hardworking and driven team with great innovative ideas, keeping SEALL’s output fresh, interesting and exciting.
“I’ll miss being a part of it all but it’s time to go and make way for a new chair to govern the charity, together with the board of directors.”
Lindsay has over 15 years’ experience as a strategic leader, delivering cultural events and projects across Scotland.
She has worked with the Touring Network and has conducted research on behalf of the British Council on Creative Hubs and also for Regional Screen Scotland. She has also worked as a trainer and facilitator for many creative companies, Seall included.
Rosie added: “Lindsay’s impeccable skills, experience and connections within Scotland’s arts sector will be beneficial to SEALL, as we adapt to the aftermath of Covid restrictions and develop new ways forward.
“I envisage her fitting in effortlessly with the board of directors and the members of staff, reflecting their enthusiasm and passion for promoting cultural events in rural areas of Skye, Raasay and Lochalsh. I wish her great success as chair and hope that our paths may cross again at a live SEALL event sometime in the not-too-distant future.
Lindsay will take up her new role in February. She said: “I’m looking forward to singing the praises of the organisation far and wide. I’m also interested in how we engage meaningfully with audiences, bringing arts and communities together to access high-quality performance or opportunities to participate.”
“There is already a great team in place, with an exciting vision, taking lead from the community.
“I’ll facilitate those discussions and support them every step of the way. SEALL has an exceptional reputation not only in Scotland but internationally as well, it’s an honour to work with the team, respecting the heritage and looking forward to the future.”
