What do you want to do?

Build a wet weather and indoor sports hall next to the Island playing fields at Garmony, near Craignure.

A healthy lifestyle is essential for the well being of a community. A core pillar of attaining health is access to physical activity. Over the past 20 years there has been a dramatic weather change on our island. Gone are the frosty days and snow covered mountains. During winters it rains most days and is often stormy. As a direct result of this sports participation on Mull has fallen away at an alarming rate. The proposed project is to construct a desperately needed Wet Weather Sports Hall. The project has significant support from throughout Mull. This was reinforced by active participation by our Community Council who submitted our application for full planning permission. This facility will be available for all to use. The Mull Rugby Club will be in full consultation with Sportscotland on a fair and equitable way to manage the facility. 

Why is your project needed?

There is no wet weather or indoor sports hall on Mull. As Mull is an island people cannot travel to facilities elsewhere without difficulty. They must be provided locally. 

Apart from greatly improving life on Mull this project will be invaluable to existing community sports groups, create opportunities for new organisations and, hopefully, re-establish some we have lost. Many events are organised at the Garmony playing fields but with the increase in inclement weather these often have to be cancelled on the day of the event. For example our island sports day has now been abandoned after many disruptions due to weather. It cannot proceed on wet grass. This was sole destroying for all involved. A cancellation causes great disruption to island life due to difficulties of communication as children are travelling by a variety of methods from up to 40 miles away and in different directions. With the hall this event could move inside if it was raining. The hall would also give our indoor athletes a suitable premises and allow them to have well catered home events on Mull. At last Mull would have a full sized basketball court and could, for the first time, play home games and join leagues. The facility would mean evening training for all sports could always go ahead no-matter the weather. Multiple badminton courts would provide an exciting and competitive space. It will even accommodate a tennis court for our keen players. It is heart breaking to record that the once very active Isle of Mull Football Association is no longer in existence. There is still a strong football presence on Mull and this facility will provide an indoor pitch giving an gateway to football participation in all weathers. And finally our own club, the Isle of Mull Rugby Club has seen a drastic decrease in player numbers over recent years. Training is almost always in wet, cold windy weather. This is disheartening for the players and leads to more injuries as the fitness to participate is diminished.

What positive changes will your project bring about?

This project will enrich life on the Island of Mull.

For the active participants the wet weather hall will provide a comfortable environment. This results in higher skill levels and increasing participation. For voluntary officials it will enhance achievement and remove the demoralising effect of bad weather. For communities it will encourage supporting roles and family involvement across all sports and leisure activities. The project also aligns with many lifestyle priorities. Well-being is improved. A tailored space protected from a hostile environment encourages diversity and inclusion for all. Try running a fun day in horizontal rain and our use of words becomes well chosen as only the hardy participate. Performance is improved across all age groups and skill levels leading to enhanced personal satisfaction.

It is highly probable that a project of this nature will encourage local families to stay on Mull and remove barriers to decisions on whether to move to our island. It is therefore considered that the project will have a positive impact on the population of our island. The Mull Community Council was unanimous in its support of the project.

By situating this project at Garmony it becomes part of a prooven sports destination. The Isle of Mull Rugby Sevens takes place at Garmony and this event has attracted teams from as far away as America with four figure attendances each year. Members and players of visiting teams and organisations will find the experience of using the facility highly rewarding.

How long will your project run for?

This project is stage three of the long term development of sports facilities at Garmony on the Isle of Mull.

Out of a need for playing facilities the Isle of Mull Rugby Club decided to embark on a long term development of sports facilities for the island. There were none available on Mull. An island survey by Tobermory High School selected Garmony as it was in a central position on Mull and was situated between the two main ferry terminals of Craignure and Fishnish.

Stage 1 Building a two pitch sports field from scratch on waste ground. Successfully completed.

Stage 2 Building changing rooms and community club house with kitchen. Successfully completed.

Stage 3 Building a wet weather facility. This objective was always planned but has become a matter of urgency in recent years. We project a start date and completion in 2026

The existing Garmony facilities are available for all to use. They also receive no revenue support and are fully self-supporting financially. We anticipate the same for Stage 3.

1. What do you want to do? Describe the activities your project will carry out and list any partner organisations.
2. SVH Management Committee is seeking funding to redevelop the village hall in a rural community where there are no other community facilities. The hall hosts a range of groups and services, such as yoga classes, family celebrations, presentations e.g. local wind farm, fundraising events and acts as a polling station during local and national elections. 
3. Why is your project needed? Summarise the evidence showing your community needs this project. Help!

Today, SVH remains a vital institution within the village, embodying a rich heritage and an unwavering commitment to community values. It stands as a reminder of the village's history, a venue for collective memory, and a beacon of fellowship. The hall continues to host a diverse range of activities, adapting to contemporary needs while preserving its historical essence.

1. What positive changes will your project bring about? Describe the benefits for participants. Help!

The SVH project will help deliver community needs which evidence: - 

• Clear and genuine need. 

• Relevant and appropriate consultation. 

• The ability to keep the site in good order and well maintained once the project is complete. 

• Reasonable costs which offer good value. 

• The ability to deliver the project on time and on budget. 

• The project’s outcomes will benefit the natural, social or built environment and make a positive impact on local communities. 

1. How long will your project run for? Provide the project duration and estimated start date.

From 1st April 2025 to 31 March 2026 

Dunoon Community Development Trust wants to work with children and young people to design and develop a new skatepark facility in Dunoon that will better meet their needs and encourage increased outdoor activity and community connection.

Dunoon Skatepark is sited in Ardenslate, one of two areas in the town within the highest decile of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.  The original skatepark was campaigned for and developed by local young almost 20 years ago and its creation was a major achievement for those involved. It was well used for several years, however, the original steel structures and rough surfacing are no longer fit for purpose and levels of use have seriously declined. Some elements of the facility present a significant hazard, especially for learners, so there are very few younger users or family involvement. Local young people and young adults have been actively involved in campaigning for improvements to the skatepark gathering hundreds of signatures on their petition on Change.org  Recent engagement with school pupils has confirmed their interest in improved facilities for skating and wheeling on the site.

By developing this facility to better meet the needs of skateboarders, in-line skaters and BMX bikers of all abilities, we will be able to support and encourage children, young people and young adults to build their skills and enjoy peer-to-peer learning experiences. More time spent outdoors engaging in interesting physical activities will help to address the health and wellbeing challenges faced by young people and young adults and help to reduce social isolation.

This project will run for between 12 and 18 months including consultation, design, planning, permissions and construction.

The skatepark is situated on land owned by Argyll & Bute Council so it will be vital to work in partnership with them. Consultation will also involve local schools, Dunoon Community Council and Live Argyll youth work team.

What we want to do - Lorn and Oban Reuse Initiative (LORI) is our long-standing furniture reuse project based in Oban, serving communities for over 15 years. The project, which aims to achieve a Zero Waste society, diverts furniture, household goods and electricals etc. into reuse and before [these] unwanted items enter the waste hierarchy. In the last 12 months, LORI has supported over 11500 customers including businesses, individuals and families. Those in poverty and personal crisis, those displaced by war in Ukraine and communities challenged by the ongoing cost of living crisis. “Such a fantastic way to reduce wasting perfectly good products. Furniture is top quality and the staff I met were friendly, welcoming and incredibly helpful.” CustomerThis is an exciting period for our charity, as we are planning a major expansion of our work to enable us to better support the growing number of people who come to us for help. Our plans are well advanced including planning consent and building warrant for the proposed improvements and renewals to increase available floor space to meet the growing demand for reuse goods. GRAB has set aside reserves to contribute to the cost of these improvements.Under this grant we propose to move forward rapidly with the project. Available match funding already secured will support project management and admin resources and back LORI during any disruption to trade while improvements take place. Under this grant, captal funds will be deployed to prepare groundworks and the foundations to accommodate new modular buildings, the purchase of new buildings to replace derelict and delapidated units and much-needed welfare facilities. And extensive refurbishment to an existing building.    Why the project is needed - In Argyll and Bute, landfill accounts for around half of the Council’s annual production of Carbon Dioxide equivalent emissions (CO2e). (Source: Argyll and Bute Council Decarbonisation Plan 2021). Positive changes will the project bring about - Planet – Tackling the climate emergency, LORI reduces landfill; 45% of greenhouse gases come from products we use and purchase. Saving valuable resources from landfill, LORI reduces the communities’ carbon footprint and cuts emissions.  In Oban and Lorn approx. 858 tonnes of Municipal Solid Waste is produced each year.  Currently just over 10% or 86 tonnes is diverted through reuse by The GRAB Trust.  People – supporting local people and creating jobs, LORI supports communities to utilise existing resources, LORI has steadily increased volumes diverted from landfill each year; diverting over 450 tonnes from landfill in the last 8 years. The initiative sustains 7 jobs and 12 regular volunteers.  Pounds – Strengthening the circular economy we offer low cost, high quality furniture and homewares to everyone as a sustainable, low cost alternative to buying new.  LORI supports the Circular Economy by keeping existing resources in use for longer and our not-for-profit community enterprise now recirculates over £120,000 in our communities annually. Reducing the tax burden, LORI decreases landfill tax, saving local taxpayers over £8,000 annually. Place – engaging and empowering communities LORI is a place where ideas flourish. We support community groups and partners in the third sector. We help businesses like cafes, hotels and Air B&B furnish their premises.  We help communities to share and to learn new skills; reusing and repairing is a creative way to try new things, gain useful skills, appreciate what we already have and find new uses to make the most of it.  GRAB is part of Circular Communities Scotland Share and Repair Network and LORI is a source for tools for makers and craftsmen - keeping traditions alive.Our renewals project at LORI will ensure communities are supported for years to come - increase available floorspace by 80%, introduce welfare facilities for staff and volunteers and extend product lines – the new provision of running water at the site will open up the possibility of testing white goods (washing machines & dishwashers) for example. With increased floorspace LORI will better serve the growing demand for reuse, further reduce landfill and offer increased support to the circular economy in Oban and Lorn.   

1. What we want to achieve.

The Cairnbaan Community Trust, (SC052905) wants to refurbish the forestry buildings to provide a community gathering point and flexible workshop and event spaces. We want a community hub that can be used by the community for education such as crafts and Gaelic, health e.g. yoga and other activities, recreation and social gatherings, inside and outside and temporary office space for local entrepreneurs.

Our priority is the smaller of the two buildings which will provide space for community events and workshops, social meeting space, hot desks and a community kitchen. There is external space that can be developed to provide a community garden and outside event space.  It is hoped in the future the larger of the two buildings can be developed to provide space for larger workshops and events.

We have divided the work into phases and we are currently seeking funding for phases 1 and 2. 

Phase 0: This covers the procurement of the forestry buildings under a community asset transfer funded by the Scottish Land Fund and we have secured initial funding for essential repairs to both buildings to make them safe and weatherproof.  The work will start when we take ownership on the 01/08/2025.

Phase 1: Is the refurbishment of the smaller building.  This phase will change the internal layout of the building to create flexible spaces.  This entails new partitions, doors, lighting and upgrade to the heating.  Additional facilities, external and internal, will be needed for disabled and users with special needs.  We also aim to fit a community kitchen and social space for coffee mornings.   Finally we need to replace windows and install new furnishings and fittings.

Phase 2: Is the landscaping and provision of a community garden and outdoor space.   

Phase 3: Is the refurbishment and fitting out of the larger building.  In this phase we also plan to look at energy efficiency improvements, e.g. heat pumps and solar panels.

2. Why our project is needed

Currently there is no community centre to provide a focal point or resources for the community.   There is a risk of social isolation amongst our older population and there are no facilities for the young people in our village.  Community cohesion is being eroded.

We commissioned a feasibility report through Community Enterprise which highlighted the following points. Accessing facilities is difficult without a car, the minimal bus service is a school service with no evening or Sunday services.  There are no shops, medical or other services in the village.  Despite scoring highly in other domains the area falls into the 10% most deprived areas in Scotland in terms of access to services in relation to the Scottish indices of multiple deprivation. Feedback from local people highlighted that a primary need in the community is an indoor social area and meeting space.

3. The positive changes our project will bring

Our vision is to reduce isolation, improve community life and reflect the cultural, environment and historic heritage of the area. The current priorities for the CCT are.

• Bringing the community together to enable opportunities for social interaction and growth.
• Advancement of arts, heritage, culture and science.
• The provision and organization of recreational facilities to improve the quality of life for the community.
• Improving the environment including education about the environment, culture and history.
• The relief of thos in need either because of age, ill health, disability or financial hardship.

The refurbishment of the buidings will provide a focal point for the community and the resources to bring the community together especially those that feel isolated. It will provide resources for all ages across the community and give everyone opportunities for development and a sense of purpose and indentity.

Through current engagement with the local community we have already identified skills and volunteers that can contribute to the refurbishment which will foster community involvement from the outset

4. How long will our project run

Phase 1 and 2 of the project will start on: 05/01/2026

The project will run for: 15 months

Our Business plan and the Feasibility report are available on request.  Unfortunately the file size was too big to attach.

1  We would like to refurbish Alan Stevenson House (ASH) to offer a locally inspired restaurant, bar with 6 ensuite rooms (1 disabled).  We would like to upgrade the Harbour with pontoons and seating/viewpoints to take in the wonderful natural environment and encourage people to come by boat to the site in the summer months.  Morton Boyd Hall (MBH) is an excellent multi purpose facility that just needs some upgrading and could complment any activities going on at the site.    The site at Hynish, with its heritage and special quality of place, has the opportunity to develop its local hospitality and develop something of a Hub for the southern end of the island.  Capturing tourism and events spend, alongside island/day visitor spend would provide a revenue stream.

2  The Skerryvore Shore Station was transferred to the Tiree community in January 25.  The transition has taken 3 years.  There are 3 income streams - Housing, Heritage and Business -  that will ensure it is a sustainable community organisation going forward.  We have been reviewing the use of our 20+ A listed buildings to ensure they are fit for purpose and revenue earning where possible.   ASH was first rebuilt in 1990 as a hostel type accomodation for groups with special needs.  it was only used for a few weeks in the summer months and was always a overhead for the charity.  MBH had been used to house the exhibition/museum but originally had been rebuilt as a multi purpose hall.  The harbour stands strong against the incredible tides and weather.  It is a viewpoint for sealife and birds.  The community when asked what they would like to see at the site in our survey and subsequent community events were clear that Business should be a priority.   84% said that they wanted a restaurant/cafe, quality accomodation and event space all year round.  They also wanted the Harbour preserved.  So our community mandate was clear.  We have piloted the restaurant and rooms over the past 2 years and now believe that it could definately work if we had a good standard of accomodation to offer and a multi purpose space for events.  We have moved the exhbition to another building to free up Morton Boyd Hall so that we have a this multi purpose facility.  We will then be able to work with community groups to put on a variety of events and functions during the year.  We will also be able to provide permanent employment for locals.

3  We can already see from our pilot that our community is very positive about the fact we have a local family working at ASH and have created year round employment for locals.  We have trialled a number of community events over last winter and they proved to be very popular.  The Tiree people just love the shore station and feel a strong sense of guardianship.  The pilot has also showed us that we could have a reasonable income stream from this.  We now have some facts and figures to base our projections on which gives us confidence this is the right way forward.  All the buildings at Hynish need to work and complement each other to ensure the "place" is kept in alignment.  The pilot has demonstrated that the restaurant/rooms/bar and events do contribute greatly to this.  The project would enhance the employment opportunities; keep a family with 3 children living on Tiree as they have jobs; provide the much needed income stream to ensure sustainability; reduce running costs; make the buildings all more energy efficient and in line with our aim to lower the carbon footprint and provice a place for people and business to floutish.

4  The project will start early in 2026 and be completed by November 2026.

Our primary aim is to build a safe social/recreational workshop and creative workspace for retired men & women to undertake creative projects for the village and local district. This should assist in improving the appearance of Strachur and surrounding area for the benefit of the local community and visitors e.g. by reconstituting picnic areas that have fallen into disrepair, also by maintaining benches; fences etc. such as those in our community Heron Park and installing sculpture/art works where agreed as appropriate. Similar maintenance and creative projects would be made available to the district  with the involvement of people domiciled within a 10 mile radius. Existing craft and trade skills that 'Shed' members possess would be used to do this, hopefully enabling members to learn new skills as well. Other local organizations  would also benefit e.g. the local Youth/Drama Group where members could assist in the manufacture of costumes and scenery for the regular annual productions at reduced cost.

Like many small rural villages Strachur has an increasing population of retirees. We hope that involvement in local projects - through teamwork - would help in reducing feelings of isolation for the 'older' members of our community by providing mental and physical stimulation, thus showing the 'younger' members of our community that we still have something to contribute to village life whilst improving recreational facilities for all. This approach should enable the facility to be sustained for many years as people become aware of the projects we are involved in. The provision of workshop facilities should also benefit the village Memorial Hall by providing support for maintenance and supplementing the facilities available in the centre of the village. To this end we want to work with the local Development Corporation; the Village Hall Committee and the Organisations that use the limited facilities available at present.

This proposal meets RCGF criteria:  supporting locally developed, place-based regeneration projects that involve local communities, helping to tackle inequalities and improving the economic, social and physical environment of deprived, disadvantaged and fragile remote communities across Scotland. It is community led, addresses market failure (inadequate parking and outdoor event space) and will result in strong regeneration outcomes.

The Rockfield Centre is owned and run by Oban Communities Trust, a Community Benefit Society run by and for its members and the wider community. It sits within c. 2000 m2 of old playpark, currently used as a car park

What will your project do? The project will re-surface the existing outdoor space surrounding The Rockfield Centre, resulting in a safe, smooth surfaced area which can be used to bring the community together through large-scale outdoor events, create economic additionality by unlocking new potential for town centre events, and contribute to ongoing town-centre carparking demand.

Why is your project needed? In the recent past, The Rockfield Centre's outdoor space has been used for a range of outdoor events from the Clipper food and drink village (July 2024) and the centre's Spring Festival (June 2025), whilst day-to-day it contributes ~ 50 spaces to the town centre parking supply - a critical resource during peak season. However, the space is badly in need of resurfacing, both to ensure its future as a carparking resource and to enable its use as a safe and accessible community gathering space. 

What positive changes will your project bring about? We belive that this project will unlock huge potential for outdoor events within Oban town centre, with benefits for business, local charities, and the wider community. Our strategic planning has identified a need within the Oban town centre area for a flexible and adaptable outdoor space that can be used by community groups for a wide range of activities - including markets, concerts, festivals, and outdoor theatre. Our outdoor space is the ideal location for holding these events as it is enclosed, easy to secure, and removes the need for disruptive and costly road closures which would be highly advantageous in a town which regularly experiences traffic flow issues and can struggle with capacity at peak times. We believe that Oban and the wider community will benefit from this project as it will open up opportunities which have otherwise not been considered, as there is no alternative suitable town centre area that can offer these facilities. This project will allow these opportunities to be fully explored and realised. The Rockfield Centre is strategically placed at the heart of the town, and is open to all. We have a track record of successfully delivering exciting, inclusive, and novel community-focussed events alongside large contracted projects, and are fully commited to working collabaratively and building strength through partnerships.

How long will your project run for?  Once funding is in place, the works could be completed quickly with actual disruption to the space kept to 2-3 weeks. We estimate the cost to be £60k (based on quotes obtained in summer 2024). We aim to have this work completed by the end of 2025.

1. First and foremost, we want to keep our children safe while they enjoy being outdoors. The A83 runs the entire length of West Kintyre and as all the villages are spurs from this extremely fast and dangerous road, there is just nowhere safe for children to ride their bikes. To address this, we wish to install a pump track at Tayinloan

2. We feel it is needed because the main A83 is getting busier, and is one of the most dangerous roads in Scotland. Children and adults of all ages are now taking up more and more physical exercise and cycling has become very popular indeed.  We wish to offer a safe enclosed area where they can learn and ride in safety.

3. The project could bring many positive benefits.  Pump track riding not only provides a physical workout, but also promotes good mental well-being. It’s not just about the physical challenge – although that’s definitely a big part of the appeal. Spending time outdoors, surrounded by nature, has a way of melting away stress and lifting spirits. Pump track riding can actually help sharpen the mind and improve cognitive function. It is a way to encourage youngsters to leave their screens for a while and enjoy outdoor activities and social interaction.

These are just some of the positive changes for those participating in the sport. However there are many others, such as helping with social isolation which has become a big problem in these post Covid times.

At the pump track, generations come together, no matter their age! From little ones with their parents or grandparents to teenagers and young adults, everyone can enjoy fun and friendship, making it a true community hub. The little ones learn how to ride and gain confidence, while the more experienced riders practice their skills. Parents can have a great time too, as they watch their children gain confidence and make friends

4. Once the planning has been approved (hopefully within 6 months of application) and the funding secured, the pump track can be installed in 6 weeks.

We will work with Velosolutions, who are world leaders in this technology.

We will also liaise with schools and youth clubs.

We will work with Argyll and Bute Councillors