To create a modernised, environmentally low-impact, accessible resilience hub for residents of, and visitors to, ColGlen.
Estimated Price
25000
Priorities: Address the climate emergency. Ensure high-quality, sustainable public services.
1. What do you want to do?
Glendaruel Hall has served the community since before WWI. Its age and remote location have left it behind in energy efficiency, accessibility, and—since Covid—community relevance. We want to change that. The board oversees the building’s upkeep and seeks funding to modernise and maximise its community potential.
We’re committed to our Wellbeing Project, aiming to attract diverse local users and visitors, including holidaymakers from the nearby caravan park and the 45,000 annual users of the Cowal Way (3,000 completing the full route). We recognise the need for major upgrades to create a warm, welcoming, and environmentally responsible facility.
We’ve begun installing solar panels, but plan to go further—adding insulation and efficient windows to cut energy loss. The exterior needs basic care: repainting, gutter repair, and ground maintenance. Accessibility is poor. The current ramp is hazardous. We aim to create a wider entry, level the entrance, and build a compliant ramp.
Recent extreme weather caused prolonged power outages, leaving locals without heat, light, or a way to cook. The hall could serve as a community refuge, but our fully electric setup failed. We aim to install an emergency back-up system to create a resilience hub for locals and visitors. We also plan to convert cloakrooms into showers, a drying room, and washing facilities. These will serve both emergencies and Cowal Way users or campers needing shelter from poor weather.
2. Why is your project needed?
Glendaruel is very remote. Our nearest towns are ~20 miles away via challenging roads. In times of crisis, we’re isolated. We’ve endured a pandemic and power cuts, leaving a lasting mark on community wellbeing.
Glendaruel is a linear village with no natural hub. Since our only inn closed in 2010, there’s been no central gathering space. This hurts social cohesion. A warm, modern hall would be a lifeline. The next nearest halls are 20–30 miles round trip—difficult or unsafe in poor weather.
NHS Highland reports 32% of the area’s population is aged 65+, 12% above the national average.* This raises urgent accessibility and isolation concerns. Social isolation is not limited to older adults but affects all rural communities. Mental health in rural and farming areas is at greater risk,** due to high living costs and isolation. Upgrading Glendaruel Hall would promote community resilience and offer low-cost access to heat, food, and companionship.
What positive changes will your project bring?
• Social cohesion – Pre-2010, Glendaruel had a hotel, active church, supper and book clubs, school events, and a lively hall. Then the hotel closed, church numbers fell, and community leaders left. Covid worsened disconnection. The current board is reaching out to young families and isolated residents. A refurbished hall would spark new events, groups, and friendships.
• Environmental improvement – The current hall is outdated and inefficient. We aim to make it low-impact, warm, affordable to run, and welcoming to all.
• Increased diversity – The hall is now mainly used by older generations. By adding showers, a drying room, and laundry facilities, we’ll attract younger people and sports groups. These improvements will encourage users to stay, socialise, and support local businesses. Better accessibility will also include more people with disabilities.
• Greater resilience – Only 4.7% of Scottish homes used wood heating in 2015.*** Alternatives to electric heat are limited, especially for those with health or mobility issues. Creating an emergency-ready hall gives the area a safe haven when outages or weather events strike.
• Futureproofing – Upgrading the hall prevents decay and secures its use for generations to come.
4. How Long Will Your Project Run For
An estimated year, dependent on service providers.
