March 2026:

AGDT Community Update

We have had a busy start to 2026 indeed, as you’ll read below! Take a look below, and for upcoming events, keep an eye on social media (you can find us on Facebook and Instagram) and our website – ardgourcommunitiestogether.net for more information.

AGDT AGM and FREE Supper:
This will be held in Ardgour Hall on the evening of Wednesday 13th May, where the proposals for the new Recreation Area and MUGA will be on show, along with hopefully more detail on the new housing at Clovullin. A hot meal will be provided.

With several Trustees retiring this year, the search is on for new Trustees to help continue the work on the various projects outlined below. We will also need a new Treasurer (although day-to-day bookkeeping is carried out by the Project Officer).

Anyone interested in becoming a Member can sign up via the website www.ardgourcommunitiestogether.net and, if interested in joining the Board, please contact one of the Trustees.

Grant Applications Open:
Local community groups are reminded that the Ardgour Area Fund is open for funding applications, with the next deadline being 1st May.

The current allocation for the full year is £5,000, as the new arrangement with Glensanda Quarry has not yet been finalised. As no applications were received in February, there are still funds available.

Details, revised funding guidelines, and application forms are available on the website.

MUGA Project:
Work on surveys and designs at the proposed site (opposite the Village Hall) continues, funded by the Scottish Land Fund. A public meeting will be held after Easter (date tbc) to share initial proposals.

The planned “community scrub clearance” has been postponed, as surveyors have confirmed they can carry out their work without it.

Community Litter Pick & Beach Clean:
The week from Sunday 12th April through to Saturday 18th April will be the community litter pick and beach clean.

All residents are invited to use the bin bags, gloves and litter picking equipment stored beside the bottle banks to “take a walk and fill a bag” along local paths and roadsides. Full bags can be left by the bottle bank and will be removed periodically throughout the week.

Salachan Beach can be cleaned at any time, with full bags left at the gate by the car park. Bowmans Skip Hire have kindly donated a skip for Saturday 18th to collect all rubbish.

There will be hot soup, teas, coffees and refreshments at the car park from 11am to 3pm on Saturday 18th - please come along and help clear the rubbish from the winter storms.

Housing at School Road, Clovullin:
Survey work, funded by the Ardgour Area SCIO and the Scottish Land Fund (totalling £36,000), continues. A pre-planning application has been lodged with the Council for 6 affordable housing units.

Capital costs are estimated at £1.8 million and, if land acquisition is secured and funding raised, construction is anticipated in 2028.

Gaelic Geotourist Trail & Village Hall Sign:
The Gaelic version of the Geotourist Trail has now been translated and recorded using local voices. This was showcased at the community event on Saturday 21st February at Ardgour Memorial Hall.

Thanks go to Watercolour Music for co-sponsoring the recording and translation, Bòrd na Gàidhlig for funding the work, and UHI in Fort William for technical support.

Thank you also to Kendra and Niall Turnbull for arranging the mobile forge, where members of the community of all ages helped create a new Gaelic sign for the Village Hall using upcycled horseshoes. Once completed, this will be mounted on the Hall opposite the existing sign.

Heritage Conversations:
As part of the work supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, we will be hosting another “Heritage Tea and Chat” to gather views on how Ardgour’s heritage can be recorded, preserved and promoted. Date tbc.

Urram E.V Charger at Ardgour Hall:
Thanks to a partnership between Urram and Ardgour Memorial Hall (supported by the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub), the charity now has an E.V charger for a hospital transport vehicle, which will soon be based in the village.

This will make it much easier for volunteers to take local residents to medical appointments.

Thanks also to Ardgour Community Council, Highland Council Ward Discretionary Fund and Urram for funding, and to Kenneth MacLennan for helping with the groundworks.

Anyone interested in volunteering as a driver is encouraged to contact Urram - even occasional availability is very welcome.

Treslaig Hall:
We are awaiting a final report on insulation and heating recommendations to help inform the next stage of developments. Users have reported that the new double glazing has already made a noticeable difference.

Winter Suppers:
The final supper of the season took place in Treslaig on Monday 23rd March. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with a record level of donations received. Thank you to everyone who contributed, and joined us for the suppers!

However, this represents only a small proportion of the overall funding required, so work is now underway to secure funding for next year, as the National Lottery Community Fund has only supported the programme for 2026.

A big thank you also goes to Ardgour Ales, Ardgour Inn, Conaglen Estate and Nomad Café for providing delicious meals, and to the team of volunteers (you know who you are) who helped set up, serve and clear away at events in both Ardgour and Treslaig.

Crofters Woodland:
AGDT will be progressing further grant applications this month to support the Community Council in securing funding for a new access route, improved fencing and native woodland regeneration in the Crofters Woodland near Achaphubuil.

Events:

Do you have a community event in the Ardgour Community Council area that you would like to promote? Please email enquiries@agdt.co.uk and we will add this to our website, and feature it on social media.