1 What do we want to do?

Tobermory Fisherman's Pier Association intends to renovate and improve Thomas Telford's hisoric pier for the use of fishermen and other commercial users.  We would like to preserve the pier as a place that can be used and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.  We want to open the pier to other commercial users and provide a solution to the risk of flooding caused by increasingly higher tides.  A structural engineers report has been commissioned and has provided a plan for remedial works.

2 Why is the project needed?

While the pier is a vital economic resource for the fishermen of North Mull, it is also an essential and integral part of Tobermory's built heritage.  Without the pier the fishermen would need to look for alternative space to store and repair gear.  They would have to use moorings or pontoons and they would have to use alternative means to land their catch.  All of these alternatives are costly, inconvenient and not as safe as the platform provided by the pier.

We have the support of the community and are backed by Mull Community Council, Tobermory Harbour Association and Mull and Iona Community Trust.

3  What positive changes will our project bring about?

The proposed improvements to the pier will provide a fit for purpose structure that will enable the fishing community, and other commercial users, to have confidence in the long-term viability of their businesses and provide the oppurtunity to support new entrants to the sector.  Securing the long-term future of the pier will enable it to remain at the heart of the community for centuries to come, bringing economic benefit to the town as a platform for the fishermen and also as part of what draws visitors to Tobermory.  It will continue to be a much loved hub for community celebrations and a valued civic space for locals and visitors to enjoy.

4  How long will our project run for?

The project will start in March 2026 and run for seven months.

Please refer to the attached PDF file for our more comprehensive proposal.

MACPool Activity Hub is a local community hub settled within the rural area of Lochgilphead. We currently service the area of Mid Argyll, where the population is approximately 6,000 people. On an average week, we will provide services such as specialised swimming sessions, fitness classes and Learn to Swim lessons, where over 500 regular participants will attend the Activity Hub.

MACPool Activity Hub works closely with rural school with promoting Water Safety Sessions and scheduled blocks of weekly lessons to pupils. The main Learn to Swim program caters to more than 220 participants from a 25 mile radius on a weekly basis, with ages ranging from 4-75 years old.

We offer a range of programs designed to specialise in different needs such as our Toddler Time sessions to classes such as HyrdoMobility, a senior exercise class, focusing on water-based exercises to strengthen the core and increase stability.

In collaboration with RMFitness and the NHS Living Well Program, MACPool Activity Hub has been assisting with the rehabilitation within the senior community, providing a bespoke area to re-build confidence, both in and out of the water. 

We also host Additional Support Needs (ASN) and Young Carer sessions in partnership with the Mid Argyll Youth Development Services (MAYDS), providing a safe space for those in the community who may not otherwise have access to such spaces. 

In accordance with our sustainability principles, MACPool Activity Hub is a part of the Renewable Heating Incentive (RHI) scheme. Therefore, the Hub uses a biomass boiler that is fuelled by woodchips to produce the necessary heating for the swimming pool and hot water systems. MACPool Activity Hub is also a part of the Feed In Tariff (FIT) scheme and have over 100 solar panels, which generate renewable electricity.

During previous winters, however, the quality of the fuel source has declined, causing our boilers to malfunction. It is essential that our boilers remain fully operational to comply with regulations concerning water and air temperatures. When we do not meet these regulations, we are forced to close the pool, cancelling valuable swimming lessons, fitness classes and pre-programmed sessions, thus losing credibility and revenue.

Our vision is to expand on the foundations of what we have created so far, improving integral community bonds, while seeking other connections to become a cornerstone of the community. To sustain our efforts, we aim to secure funding for a secondary heating source and to upgrade the storage silo, to allow us to change over from woodchips to wood pellets. This will enable us to remain in the RHI scheme while continuing to develop our programs and timetable, while also fostering partnerships that align with the needs of the community. 

1  We need to repoint the external stonework and do work on the chimneys and roof of the 4 lighthouse cottages.  No maintenance work has been done for many years and there has been major issues with damp and water damage in these 4 properties.  There is a critical housing shortage on Tiree and in particular affordable housing.  We have now 2 of the cottages on long term lease to locals and would like to make the other 2 habitable for long term lease.  We would also like to use this opportunity to encourage young people on Tiree to consider construction and in particular stonemasonry as a possible career.  The team we would use, have experience of running training programmes for school pupils to come and work on the site and learn some of the basic skills of maintainting heritage buildings.  This added value to the project would bring a very useful experience to our local children who are disadvantaged at present from these type of careers activities.  We would also offer to design a long term training programme for a local person so that we could have local skills to maintain the A listed heritage buildings on our site.

2  We funded work late last year on two of the chimneys by a stonemason specialising in these kind of listed buildings.  He has advised that all the external walls, chimneys and roof require work done to preserve these wonderful buildings. The work he did was enough to sort the immediate issues of dampness coming from the chimneys.  There is still some damp coming through the walls/windows.  Also the other chimneys that we did not repair mean that two of the cottages are not fit for long term lease at the moment.  Funding has been recieved by Argyll and Bute Council to allow us to the internal upgrading but we require major funding for all the external works so that we an offer 4 good quality upgraded affordable homes for locals.  One of the issues has been lack of maintenance of all the A listed buildings on our site.  There has been some repair work done but it has exaccerbated the problems due to lack of knowledge.  These buildilng require specialist skills.  If we can train up someone locally to do the basic ongoing maintenance through this project this would be of huge long term benefit to the Hynish Trust.  

3  When we advertised the last cottage for lease we got 5 applicants.  They were all local people wanting to come to live at Hynish.  Our vision is to create a clachan type village at the Skerrryvore Shore Station in Hynish for people to live, play, learn and enjoy.  The demand is there amongst the community for long term affordable housing and this is a relatively quick win to maintain the two leases we have and create another two.  But more importantly to ensure the buildings are presrved for the long term future.  So the refurbishment of the externals of these buildings would be transformational for the Hynish Trust.  It would ensure that these buildings will be fit for purpose for the future.  It also addresses the critical housing situation.  Providing an opportunity for local children to experience somehting different as a possible career opportunity would be welcomed by the school and the community.  If we can also get a local person trained up to be able to maintain all our buildings externally this would be a long term benefit to the community and create much needed local employment.

4  The project would start in March 26 and run to September 26.

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

SKDT already operates the gateway garden (under licence from ACHA), as well as the putting green and herb garden (under licence from ABC) and the Robert Black Memorial Helipad (owner operator).

SKDT has well developed plans in place for these areas, which we would obviously like to see being well used by the community.

The creation of the Gateway Garden over the last 18 months has provided opportunities for food growing, education and intergenerational activity which are identified actions in the Campbeltown Community Action Plan (2022 – 2027). The Growing Project will also go some way towards developing local resilience and food security.

The initial redevelopment of the Gateway Garden, which is in a prominent location at the entrance to the town, has given impetus to other volunteers and potential gardeners to come forward.

Unfortunately, the limited size of the current garden area has restricted the number of growing plots available. The Growing Project would allow us to identify other suitable growing areas which we can develop in a gradual and progressive way, The, now ceased, Campbeltown Community Garden has donated their remaining plant and equipment to SKDT, now in storage, which will give us a head start in developing new growing spaces.

We also have a large selection of lawnmowers, gardening tools, hoses and other items which we can use for this project. However we will still need to acquire additional equipment and sundries (gloves, boots, compost, fertiliser etc) to allow us to proceed.

We will look to access additional funding to develop the project further via local funding through e.g. Common Good Fund, MACC and Campbeltown Community Windfarm Fund.

The main focus of this expansive project will be to attract, retain and train volunteers to get their hands dirty and get digging, weeding and planting.

As well as our own volunteers, there is another group of volunteers who have been looking after the bus terminal area. We will work alongside and support both of these groups. We will access additional training and advice from a network of community gardens throughout Scotland.

We would also continue and expand our work with the local schools on developing their own gardens and teaching kids the benefits of growing your own food. This would also allow for some important intergenerational activities which improve the lives of young and old.

We will also support and lobby for the provision of allotments for people to grow their own produce.

The Problem

Our petrol station is threatened with closure due to retirement of the owners, and the business case for a commercial purchase is very weak. We are likely to end up with no fuel within 24 miles (and more for the isolated parts of our district). If people are forced to travel out of the area for fuel, they will tend to do all their shopping on the same trip, affecting other local shops and businesses . Carbon emissions will increase as people are forced to travel at least 48 miles round trip for fuel, over single-track mountain roads. Even running garden tools will become problematic, and our local Life Boat and volunteer Fire Service will have problems with adequate supply.

The Solution

This type of scenario is a perfect fit for a community enterprise response: improving the resilience and sustainability of the local area; providing opportunities for business and employment; and helping our community plan ahead for the switch to electric vehicles. We need a community-owned petrol station to secure fuel supplies in the area in the medium-term, install charging points, create business units for rent, and refurbish the historic building as a community transport and resilience hub. Having run two community consultations in the past two years we know that people will continue to need fuel for the next 10 - 15 years, that there is demand for workshop spaces for small businesses and that the petrol station building (a former Victorian pier house) has a high heritage value for the local community.

Opportunities

Since consulting on the community purchase of the petrol station, we have a had two direct approaches from potential workshop tenants. One local community group has a waiting list of small businesses looking for premises, so the creation of new work units would have a positive impact on the local economy. With joint support from the Scottish Land Fund we would be able to employ a Project and Transition Manager, tasked with delivering improvements to the building, installation of charging points and other renewables measures, managing the workshop spaces and developing our plans for electric community transport. We see many benefits arising from this project as well as securing a vital service.

Current Stage of Planning

We are about to apply to the Scottish Land Fund for support in meeting the purchase price and employing a part-time member of staff. Other funds will come from applications to charitable trusts and the Scottish Government, a community share issue and our own resources. We have a clear idea of the costs of the building refurbishment and the replacment of the fuel pumps with card payment models. Support to install charging points will be our other target for the early stages after our community purchase and there are several possible sources of funding.

Longer Term Goals

The move away from fossil fuels is envrionmentally and socially necessary. Climate change is driving a rise in the number of destructive weather events - Storm Eowyn resulted in a five-day power cut for the district. Our scattered population has a very high percentage of older people and the lack of power and communication was very concerning for them. In bringing the petrol station to community ownership we are not blind to the impact of carbon emissions and their effect on community resilience and environmental sustainability.

Although it may seem paradoxical, our purchase of the petrol station will help in lowering carbon emissions by removing the need for unnecessary journeys of around 50 miles. It will protect local services by keeping a point of sale in the area. It will make the district more secure in providing a storage space for emergency resilience supplies (like camping stoves and satellite phones to be used in future storms). It will allow us to install charging points and solar panels. It will bring a restoration of the adjoining pier into consideration as a tourist and leisure resource for swimming and boating. It will give us a site to base the community transport project that was viewed so favourably in our 2023 community survey. All of these achievable goals mean that the community buy-out will be benefiting the area long after the need to sell fossil fuels is gone.

Atlantis Leisure is a vibrant, community-run health and wellbeing hub in the heart of Oban. For over 30 years, we’ve been a lifeline for locals of all ages - a place where toddlers learn to swim, teens train with sports clubs, adults improve their fitness and older residents stay active and connected. As a registered charity and social enterprise, every penny we earn is reinvested. Our huge range of facilities are designed to support active, healthy lives. We work with schools, NHS partners, and community groups to deliver inclusive, high-impact services. With over 150,000 visits a year and no other facility like it for 95 miles, Atlantis isn’t just a leisure centre - it’s the beating heart of our community.

This application comprises separate projects that are also listed on Aspiring Places indivdiually but we thought it made sense to group them together as a single proposal for the purposes of RCGF too:

1. What do you want to do? We propose a multi-strand capital regeneration programme at Atlantis Leisure — a vital, community-owned asset serving Oban and surrounding remote rural areas — to deliver large-scale, community-led change aligned with RCGF's aims that breathes new life into an over 50 year old facility. 

This project brings together three deliverable, community-prioritised infrastructure improvements:

1. Installation of rooftop solar panels and battery storage: significanty reducing carbon emissions, lowering long-term operating costs and contributing to Net Zero targets. 160k
2. Expansion of Atlantis’ gym: a two-storey extension to accommodate growing community demand, support inclusive programmes like Elevate & Stay Active, and provide flexible meeting and office space to host outreach services and community partners. 175k
3. Creation of accessible changing facility: reconfiguring existing internal space, to provide a dignified, fully inclusive changing area to support disabled users 50k
4. Restoration of end of life outdoor sports pitch: bringing an end-of-life, unusable asset back into service, enabling schools, clubs, and informal groups to use it year-round, relieving pressure from indoor space and boosting physical activity levels. 90k
5. Restoration of Sports Hall Roof: rectifying end-of-life aspects of the roofing. 150,000k

2. Why is your project needed? Atlantis Leisure is a community-run registered charity and social enterprise that delivers year-round access to sport, physical activity, and wellbeing services. We are the only such facility within a 95-mile radius and serve over 150,000 users annually — yet key parts of our infrastructure are now limiting access, affordability, and impact.

• The pitch is end-of-life and unusable, with back-up facilities constrained by a statutory noise order.
• We've run out of room in our existing gym facility meaning vital communtiy programmes like Healthy Options are unable to operate properly
• There is no suitable changing space for users with complex access needs, meaning many are excluded from participation.
• Energy costs are surging, making it harder to deliver affordable access and sustain services for low-income families.

The project will regenerate these essential community assets, futureproof our building, reduce inequalities in access, and enable Atlantis to deliver sustainable social value for decades to come — directly supporting the RCGF’s priorities around deprivation, climate, inclusion, and place-based transformation.

3. What positive changes will your project bring about?

• Inclusive Infrastructure: The accessible changing space addresses long-standing inequality, empowering disabled users to participate fully & independently.
• Net-Zero Progress: Solar & battery systems will directly reduce carbon emissions, support national climate goals, & make Atlantis more financially sustainable.
• Renewed Community Space: The front pitch transformation will reinstate valuable outdoor capacity, expanding options for schools, clubs, and families.
• Address Capacity Issues: Expanding the gym answers a growing problem with existing capacity.
• Child Poverty Impact: Reducing running costs helps us to maintain subsidised programmes, removing financial barriers to physical & social wellbeing.
• Place-Based Renewal: This project aligns with the Place Principle and National Strategy for Economic Transformation by investing in a community-anchored asset with cross-cutting impact.

Together, these outcomes represent transformational, community-led regeneration that will enhance the resilience, health, and wellbeing of Oban.

4. How long will your project run for?

The project is fully deliverable within FY 2026–27.

• Start: Early 2026
• End: March 2027
• Drawdown Ready: All spend will be committed or completed within the terms of the RCGF.
• Delivery Approach: Projects will be managed by Atlantis Leisure’s Facilities Subgroup with oversight from the Board. 
• Match Funding: Confirmed: Atlantis own contribution. Pending: we are actively pursuing applications and conversations with other funders including LES's CARES programme

What we want to do - 

Phase 1 involves replacing the hall disabled access and the provision of a generator to enhance community resilience. 

Phase 2 re-configuring the toilet block and the provision of hot water in the ladies toilets.

Phase 3 - installing a decking, and two patio doors to enhance provision for events. Also creation of more storage. 

Why our project is needed. 

The hall is used by the local primary school for provision of sports facilities and other activities. The Parent Council arranges parties and other communal events - such as an annual car wash and wreath-making at Christmas. The hall provides many family events, shows, films and talks - to keep the local community informed and entertained. A seperate gym club runs on a wednesday. The multi-sport court provides for sporting activities such as hockey and tennis, and the playing field is used for football and field sports. 

Many tourists use the hall's facilities especially for events such as "Gala day", and tourism is an important industry in Scotland. The hall was instrumental in the creation of Tayvallich Initiative which aims to provide low-cost housing in the village for essential workers and implements "rural burdens" which help ensure community survival longer-term. The annual Kayak Symposium run by local firm "Argyll Kayaks", brings dozens to the village for a weekend, centered around the hall, which benefits the whole community including the community shop and the Inn. 

"Resilience Planning" is a recent aim of the Community Hall. A few months back there was a power outage for 4 days - many were caught out by it. Apart from losing heating and cooking, many have private water supplies (pumped) and so had no water either. The hall did its best as a "resilience hub" but had no electric itself - simply brewing hot drinks on a gas stove - it could not offer shelter/heating/lighting/hot food. Resilience planning involves a back-up generator to better serve the community in such future events. 

The hall provides many services to the local community. Yoga on a monday and thursday; table tennis on a monday; bowls on a thursday; "Pickle ball" on a tuesday; "stretch and tone" on a tuesday; Fencing on a wednesday; Lunch Club every month - providing for the retired members of our community. The hall also hosts First Aid classes which benefit the local community and beyond. 

The hall is also a popular venue for weddings (and funerals). There are regular Coffee Mornings in aid of a range of charities - Beatson cancer charity; the Lochgilphead Snowdrop Centre; and the Taynish run in aid of McMillan cancer care. The annual flower show is also a popular event. In addition, the hall hosts events such as Films and Talks - often being full to capacity. Friday and saturday evenings often see the hall host Bands and Ceilidhs which attract visitors from further afield. It encourages and supports local artists and musicians. 

The project will bring about many positive changes.

It is essential that the hall can continue to act as a community hub. Phase 1 - the generator - will ensure it can run as a resilience hub too. Phase 1 also includes better disabled access which is essential. Provision of better toilet facilities is also essential (Phase 2), given the hall's popularity. Phase 3 will increase the capacity of the hall - even more community activities will be encouraged and supported. 

The hall is a vital community resource and needs to be supported and protected. The success of the community hall helps kindle social cohesion - it is a vital part of village life.

The project will start in July 2025 and take 6 months to complete.  

Inveraray Pier has been in a cycle of neglectful private ownership for over 20 years, and closed to the community, visitors and marine traffic for 10 years. In July 2023 Inspire Inveraray secured funding to purchase the pier on behalf of the community and has since successfully restored and opened the stone part of the pier to the public, however the timber pier remains closed and is in desperate need of restoration. 

The objective of the project is the restoration and opening of the existing timber peir. The heritage of the timber pier is at the heart of the community, and was identified as a priority in a recent community consultation. The timber pier is in extremely poor condition and ,without restoration, the risk of loss of a valuable local asset is inevitable.

Restoration works will commence as soon as funding has been achieved, ideally starting in October 2025.

The community ownership of the pier has given a sense of pride and achievement to local people who are now keen to help and get involved to get the timber part of the pier restored. This is the opportunity for the local community to manage a valuable local asset and to complete the full restoration of the pier including the timber part. Reopening the pier has connected local communities and is building confidence in the achievability and benefits of community asset ownership.

The pier is the gateway to Inveraray and for the past 10 years had been an eye sore in the town. Restoring the timber part of the pier will help increase the number of visitors to the town by boat, creating an opportunity to generate an income that can be reinvested into community projects.

The pier will be a flat and open accessible space encouraging activities such as water sports, community events and gatherings amongst the local community. Fully restoring the timber part will allow more vessels to moor in Inveraray, serving as a safe transfer platform for cargo and passengers.

Once fully restored, Heritage boards will be commissioned for placement on the pier to provide historical background for local people and visitors visiting Inveraray and its treasured pier.