November 2025: Ardgour Glensanda Development Trust Update
Interim Funds Available – next deadline Feb 1st 2026
The Trustees of the AGDT have agreed to release an interim amount of £5,000 for applications from local groups, as there are still delays in finalising the community benefit payments to come from Aggregate Industries who run the Glensanda Quarry. This coincides with some clearer funding guidelines and a revised application form which will hopefully assist groups with making successful applications. Learn more.
Anyone wishing to secure funds in the early part of 2026 should submit their application by February 1st, with quarterly deadlines thereafter. For anyone who might want to talk through their project before making an application, James Hilder can be reached by emailing projectofficer@agdt.co.uk
Housing Survey Finishes but Housing Feasibility Begins!
The joint housing needs survey conducted by AGDT and Ardgour Community Council concluded in mid-November and the results will be used to help guide the Trustees in developing a housing strategy for the area. Specifically, it will help inform Catoe Brown Architecture & Landscape Practice, whom we have commissioned to prepare outline designs for the proposed new housing units at the Clovullin Plot beside the Primary School. We are delighted to have secured the support of the Scottish Governments’ Scottish Land Fund to begin the feasibility study, and we have also recently applied to the Highland Councils’ Community Regeneration Fund to complete the study.
The photograph shows AGDT Trustee Elizabeth Carmichael meeting with Edward Brown (Architect) and John Forbes of developing agents, Communities Housing Trust
Cearcall Comraidh Àird Ghobhar – Ardgour Gaelic Conversation Circles
With the assistance of Mary Ann Kennedy of Watercolour Music, another of our local Gaelic Conversations Circles took place on Sunday 16th at the Ardgour Brewery. Although it was cosy around the firepits there was a cold wind off the loch, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of the participants. The circles are open to anyone from near of far who just want to chat in Gaelic but also perhaps learn some new vocabulary. We were very grateful to have the enthusiastic leadership of Ceit Langhorne, Creative Practitioner in Gaelic Cultural Heritage & PhD Researcher at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, whose interactive session kept everyone involved despite the cold.
The next session will be on Sunday December 14th at 3pm and will likely be held the meeting room at Ardgour Church unless we have a warm spell of weather. Everyone is welcome - you don’t just have to live in Ardgour
Photo shows participants, led by Ceit Langhorne round the lovely firepits at Ardgour Ales!
Winter Suppers Are Go!
January may bring long winter nights and cold weather, but in Ardgour it also means we have the Winter Suppers to look forward to! Supported by AGDT, the National Lottery Awards for All, the Community Council and Ardgour Village Hall, ten Monday nights in January, February and March will see community suppers provided free for local residents (although donations are gratefully received to keep the suppers going!).
We are looking forward to the first meal of the New Year to be at the Ardgour Inn on Monday 5 Jan, with Monday 12th provided by the Conaglen team and 19th by Nomad Café – both served at the Ardgour Hall. There is a volunteer team of helpers to make these happen, setting up and clearing away and organising the tea and coffee etc and help is much appreciated on the night.
Further details, including two events at Treslaig Hall are being confirmed but make sure you’ve got Monday Meals in your diary. This year we are also looking to provide some talks and quizzes or even some Board Games after the suppers for those who would like to make a bit of an evening of it, and we will be partnering with Urram and other volunteer drivers to make sure folk who don’t have access to a car can attend. If you need a lift please contact one of the Trustees, or email enquiries@agdt.co.uk
Trustees commit further resources to Ardgour Place Plan Vision
As previously reported the value of projects supported by the AGDT team has now reached £100, 000 in just over 12 months. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees felt it was essential to keep up momentum and have agreed to continue contracts for James Hilder and Becky Drinkwater for another year. They have been working hard to make sure the Ardgour Communities Together website is up to date with local events, and also includes more Gaelic. The team will continue to push forward on a range of projects working with local voluntary groups. We are also up to our full complement of Trustees now that Rebecca McKellar from Kingairloch has joined and this means we are maintaining a good geographic spread of Trustees from our area.
Events and Contact
Our website’s Events page is the best place to find out what’s happening across the Ardgour area, from community gatherings to local activities. If you’re organising something and would like it included, just drop us a line at enquiries@agdt.co.uk and we’ll be happy to share it on the website and social media. You can also stay up to date with AGDT projects, news and opportunities by visiting www.ardgourcommunitiestogether.net where we post updates on the work we’re doing with and for the community.