The View down the Kyles of Bute

Following their successful applications to Leader Argyll and the Cruach Mhor Windfarm Trust, the Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust (CGDT) is recruiting a Development Officer to work on a freelance basis for two years. The position, which is worth £24,000 plus expenses to the successful applicant, will involve preparation, implementation and follow up on a variety of projects from public consultations to project managing capital projects in a wide range of endeavours. The Development Trust has prioritised renewables schemes, and these will form the basis of the first year’s work, alongside, smaller, but no less important micro projects like getting laptops into village halls.

Colintraive and Glendaruel are two rural communities in South-west Cowal, Argyll, united by proximity, the ColGlen shinty club and long tradition, with a total adult population of just over 250, and beset by all the issues which characterise rural decline: aging population, lack of employment, poor housing stock and falling school roll. The Development Trust is tasked with revitalising the community ensuring its longterm economic, social, cultural and environmental sustainability – and the Development Officer is a key figure in this.

Founded at an inaugural meeting in November 2008, the trust consists of ten board members, including local resident and MSP, Michael Russell who says of the project:

A small and fragile community like Colintraive and Glendaruel must go forward or it will inexorably decline - in population, in services and in viability. A development officer focussed on securing economic opportunities within the community, and accountable to that community, will be a vital step forward. In a very real sense this appointment could and must secure the future for all of us who live here.

Application packs, including research materials and information are available to applicants from Sybel Peters, Camusfernan, Colintraive PA22 3AR, tel: 01700 841 200

For more information on CGDT, click here

This project is funded by:

THE CRUACH MHOR WINDFARM TRUST 

and

With comparative examples from across Scotland, particularly communities like ours in Argyll, ForArgyll again covers the sale and future of the Glendaruel Hotel, mentioning the effect the lack of a hostelry has had on local business, the Cowal Way and ColGlen Shinty Club.

http://forargyll.com/2009/05/what-has-happened-to-the-glendaruel-hotel/

Book Launch, Heritage Walks, BBQ, Ceilidh

Guided/Bussed Walks

The Whisky Trail

‘Wanted’! Smugglers in Glendaruel. Join The Walking Theatre Company for an intrepid romp through wild woodland to a ruined village. Keep the secrets of the Glen from the Excise men! Come and be a part of Scottish history through this interactive play which spans 200 years and a struggle for power after the Act of  Union!  Sponsored by The Heritage Lottery Fund.
Register in Hall, 2.30 pm
The Abandoned Village of Kildavain
A walk to the abandonned village above the West Road, guided by Michael Kaufman.
Register in Hall, 2.45 pm
Cruach Mhor Wind Farm
Take the free bus up the hill to wander around the turbines.  Bus or walk back
Register in Hall, from 2 pm (by request)
Owl Walk
A walk to visit owl chicks in boxes in the Glendaruel area, guided by expert Arthur French
Register in Hall, 7pm
(12 maximum)

“Free-Range” Walks

Home Farm walks
Enjoy the newly formed walks around Home Farm Steadings or visit the historical buildings and former site of Glendaruel House and Estate.

Maps and display available in Hall
Old Chapel open to public by kind permission of Anne Ferguson
Glendaruel House and Old Chapel

BOOK LAUNCH
4.45 pm - Join us for the official of the new Guide, published by Rucksack Readers, by Michael Russell, MSP, Minister for Culture, The Constitution and External Affairs.

Catering
Teas, Coffees and Homebaking
In aid of Kilmodan Primary School Funds from 2pm to 6pm
Bar from 4.30 - midnight
Winston Churchill’s Barbeque & Soup from 6pm

Entertainment (music from 5.30 pm)

Ceilidh with Canned Haggis
£5 per adult, children 16 or under free
Raffle
7pm

Free bus available (book in Hall or phone 0774 800 3351)
from Colintraive – 6 pm and 8 pm, return on request, last return bus midnight available from Tighnabruaich or Strachur if booked in by 4 pm

The Cowal Way now runs all the way from Portavadie to Inveruglas, Loch Lomond – all 57 miles of it! (92km). This makes it possible to walk all the way from the  Mull of Kintyre to Inverness (excepting intervening sea crossings unless you are very special!) but there are ferries…

The new Rucksack Readers guidebook to the Cowal Way can now be pre-ordered

To mark this exciting development an afternoon of fun and activities has been organised, based at the Glendaruel Village Hall.

Why not join us on Saturday 16th May 2009, from  1400hrs?

·         Guided and non-guided walks

·         The Walking Theatre Company – ‘Whisky Walk’ (terrain not child buggy friendly!)

·         Refreshments available from 1400hrs – teas, coffees and home baking

·         New guidebook for the Cowal Way to be ‘launched’ by Michael Russell MSP (be among the first to buy a copy!)

·         Barbeque by Winston Churchill

·         Bar from 1730hrs

·         Ceilidh with Canned Haggis

For more information on the Cowal Way and the 16th May events see www.cowalway.com

Visitors to the glen will be warmly welcomed.

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