Are we there yet?-Transport for Tongue Limited – A case study of a not-for-profit company in North West Sutherland

Abstract

This paper explores an under-researched area namely the provision of ‘public transport’ in remote and hard to access areas. The case study approach utilises social capital theory to analyse how a social enterprise has been able to provide a much needed service in the Highlands of Scotland in a situation where private sector provision is at best limited and typically non-existent. The paper highlights the issues faced by many third-sector organisations within rural communities, namely resource acquisition with an emphasis on funding, securing personnel with the right skills set, volunteer burn-out, sustainability and growth. The paper concludes by highlighting an apparent dilemma for the organisation does it scale-up, with all the potential challenges this would imply or does it consolidate?