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Editorial
Where is your happy place? I was listening to a radio programme discussing this very question. For me, it’s the garden—digging, cu ing, planting. I’m not a particularly skilled gardener, and I don’t worry too much about how the garden looks. I just love being out in it, ge ing tangled in the roses and pulling twigs from my hair. There’s something deeply grounding— well, earthing—about contact with the soil.
So, I’m absolutely delighted to share the news that Evergreen – Gardening for Everyone is launching in the village! Based at the Guide Hall, this new initiative o ers hands-on gardening activities that are accessible to all, regardless of mobility, vision, hearing, or fitness levels. It’s also a great opportunity to connect with others while enjoying an interesting, rewarding activity. This is a trial of eight sessions, so please come along as o en as you can and share your feedback on how this might grow in the future. (see page 14)
For those who are able to dig and bend, a quick reminder that the Field, Orchard, and In Bloom groups are always looking for extra volunteers. This is a particularly busy time of year, with plenty of planting to be done—so if you can spare a few hours, they’d love to see you!
April also marks the start of a new membership year at our sports and leisure hub, making it the perfect time to sign up. Whatever the weather, the MUGA provides a dry, floodlit space for activities like netball or a family game of tennis. New members are always welcome, from tiny tots upwards. You can join a club—such as tennis or bowls—or take out an individual or family membership. See page 6 for details on how to join.
Finally, there was a collective sigh of relief when Perth and Kinross Council agreed to additional funding for Culture Perth & Kinross (CPK), ensuring that existing library services will continue for the next two years. However, this funding comes with the expectation that CPK will work with communities to develop long-term, sustainable solutions. If you value our 143-year-old Birnam Library, please consider becoming a Friend of the Library and sharing your ideas on what its next chapter should look like. While technology continues to race ahead, our fundamental need for information, entertainment, and a warm, safe space to think and explore remains unchanged. (see page 4)
So whether you are gardening, reading or o to join the bowling club. I wish you a very happy and active April.
Sal Robertson
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Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group
Working constructively to get the best community outcomes from the A9 dualling proposals
The next A9 Community Group meeting and our AGM will be on Thursday 22nd May, Birnam Arts, 7.30pm.
There will be no routine CG meeting at the end of April but if there are important developments before that we shall of course be in touch.
Transport Scotland’s Consultation Summary Report for their August 2024 Community Engagement Event about the A9 dualling from Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing is on their website at the following link Consultation Report - August 2024 Community Engagement Events - Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing - A9 Dualling | Transport Scotland.
There is still a hard copy at Birnam Arts for ease of reference, as well as their Consultation Report on the January-March 2024 exhibit/engagement which was published last August (see Appendix J with 85 wri en comments.)
https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/consultation-reportpreferred-route-exhibition-pass-of-birnam-to-tay-crossing-a9-dualling The report’s Appendix E contains detailed responses to each individual, anonymised, piece of feedback received. Where contact details were provided with the feedback, they intended to provide a specific response via email or le er.
If you have not received an individual response from TS to your comments on either of these consultations please do let me know. Email and phone number below.
TS are progressing towards the publication of “Dra Orders and Environmental Impact Assessment” for the Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing A9 dualling project in Spring 2025.
For all Transport Scotland contact details/links including their DMRB Stage 2 assessment and Preferred Route, see the June 2024 Bridge, also available on our A9 dualling page in the online Bridge, link below As always you can contact us at email: dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail.com , and to have your details added (or removed from) our mailing list; Also at Facebook page: Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group. Please Like and Share it. or just phone me! Alasdair Wylie - Coordinator 07927 175121 awylie2002@yahoo.co.uk
For our reports on “The Bridge” website: h ps://www.dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk/
Arts News
Concerts & Events • Café • Shop • Gallery • Beatrix Po er
Station Road, Birnam PH8 0DS 01350 727 674
Tickets and details: www.birnamarts.com
Exhibition: Stepping into the Mythic: Claire Hewi
Continues until Sun 20th April: Gallery
Claire shares with us the stories that have guided her through grief and hope, though drawing, sculpture and storytelling.
Exhibition: The Land Remembers What The
Waters Tell Us: Eve McGovern Miller
Sat 26th April – Sun 8th June: Gallery
Eve’s exhibition will include a series of cyanotype photography made from swimming within the River Tay and in Loch Faskally, through a collaboration with the Pitlochry-based outdoor swimming group The Dell Dippers.
King Lear: Odd Bodies
Fri 4th April 7.30pm /£10/£13/£16*
A tour-de-force performance that tells the story of King Lear’s tragic downfall from the perspective of his loyal fool, using only a chair, guitar, knife, and drum!
BETH PORTER: support with TATHAJAM
Fri 11th April 7pm / £13*
Beth is a master collaborator, songwriter, cellist and artist who blends folk, pop and classical to create a unique sound, quintessentially understated and original.
Allo Allo: Birnam Institute Players
Thurs 17th- Sat 19th April 7pm + Sat Matinee 2pm / £10/£7* Farce abounds in Rene’s small French café/safe house for WWll British airmen with covert operations, flirting with the waitresses, while keeping his oblivious wife happy!
Warm Spaces: Free Wednesday Film: Sister Act
Wed 23rd April: 2pm / Lunch: 1pm (Free for the first 15 to arrive)
Art Club For Adults: Michael Fullerton
Tues 29th April: 1.30pm-3.30pm / £25*
Sessions aimed at artists who would like to benefit from expert tuition, exchange ideas and connect with others.
Bodies Of Water: Sa y Setohy and Laura Bradshaw
Fri 25th April: 8pm-9pm / £10*
A playful, multi-sensory performance experience weaving together movement, choreography, water, objects and sound.
Rosco Mcclelland:
Comedy: Sudden Death Tour
Sat 26th April 8pm / £16*
Sudden Death – a comedic whirlwind set in Scotland, Glaswegian Rosco McClelland is a regular on BBC’s Breaking the News - the topical comedy panel show which takes a satirical view of the week’s headlines.
Volunteering at Birnam Arts
Interested in the cultural heartbeat of the area? If you’d like to volunteer at Birnam Arts, we’d love to meet you!
Contact Elspeth on: Volunteer@birnamarts.com, or ask at Reception! See website for workshops and more: Birnamarts.com / 01350 727674
* Denotes Booking Fee
Just Singin’ Community Choir
We have just completed a fantastic eight week term with tutor Emma Neck, who led us through songs from a wide range of musical genres ranging from traditional to jazz, current and folk. Our next term runs from 23rd April until 11th June, meeting at 7.30pm on Wednesday evenings at Birnam Arts. We anticipate covering material from traditional Sco ish songs to polyphonic Georgian folk and everything inbetween with tutors Amy Lord, Cecille Irwin and Irene Railley. If would like to experience the joy of learning a few new songs by ear and some simple harmonies with a room full of friendly local folk and leaving each week with a smile and feeling upli ed, do please come along and join us! Further details are available on our website justsingin.co.uk
Dunkeld & Birnam Traditional Youth Music Group
Our new guitar and whistle classes now run alongside our fiddle and accordion classes. All have had a lovely uptake and we have welcomed lots of new members since the beginning of the year. We still have spaces for those aged P5 – S5 who would like to learn whistle, fiddle, accordion or guitar.
All classes are in small groups lasting half an hour each week. They are completely free and we provide instruments, without cost, for our members to take home and use as their own.
Our junior and senior bands are for those who can already play at least a li le, and are suitable for most instruments. We welcome accordion, string, wind and brass players, guitarists, pianists and more to join in with our musical adventures and concerts throughout the year. Next concert is part of The Niel Gow festival on Saturday 22nd March.
½ hour group lessons - Mondays 4-6pm
Junior trad band (P5-S2) - Mondays 6:30-7:30pm
Senior trad band (S3-S6) - Mondays 7:30-8:30pm
All classes and bands run weekly during term time based at Birnam Arts –we’ll be taking a break for Easter holiday break. Although we are based in Dunkeld & Birnam, we’re open to anyone living in surrounding areas such as Aberfeldy and Pitlochry, Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus, Stanley and Luncarty and everywhere in between.
We rely entirely on funding and donations to keep our group accessible to all and as always, our thanks go to SSE Renewables, National Lo ery, Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust, Basil Death Trust, Scops Arts Trust, The Lang Foundation, Hugh Fraser Foundation, Crescendo and Enchanted Forest for their funding, and all of the local residents and groups who have generously donated money and instruments.
If you do have any small guitars, fiddles or piano-accordions hanging around your home and would like them to be brought back to life, we’ll happily put them to good use.
Find us at www.facebook.com/dbtradgroup
Email dbtradgroup@gmail.com or call 07958 324 766 for more info.
Messy Music
Tuesdays a er School, Messy music meets in Li le Dunkeld Kirk. There are refreshments (usually cakes involved) fun songs, activities and even a bit of recorder playing.
We have all ages from newborn babies up to primary 3 so if you have family in that age group you will be very welcome to join us. It will be on every Tuesday in March - just come over a er school.
Dunkeld Cathedral Art Exhibition
Registration for the 55th annual exhibition will start online on 1st May. Artists may enter up to 3 pieces of work and these should be brought to Dunkeld on Sunday 20th/Monday 21st July. We will have a Preview Evening on Monday 28th July and the Exhibition will open on Tuesday 29th and run until Thursday 28th August.
We do need to recruit new stewards to ensure our opening every day, if you would like to help please get in touch with Margaret Sco 07474183042 or email Dunkeldart@aol.com. www.dunkeldartexhibition.com
Birnam Arts Open 7 Days: Café: 10.00-16.00 | Shop: 10.30-15.30
Booking Fees apply to all events. Birnamarts.com / 01350 727674
Community Noticeboard
Dunkeld and Birnam Art and Cra s Fair Easter weekend 18th to 20th April from 10am to 5pm each day.
Cra s include handmade to measure leather shoes, harris tweed, silver jewellery, embroidered garments, unique knitwear, quirky felt, leather belts, hats, glass and sheepskins. Demonstrations, free entry.
The
Meeting Place
The Meeting Place is open every Friday in the Duchess Anne from 10-12.
On Friday 25th April, Dunkeld In Bloom will have a Plant stall and Cake and Candy to help raise funds for all the work they do in and around Dunkeld and Birnam.
Come and join us any Friday to sample the lovely home baking.
Three
Churches Charity Shop
It is an exciting time in the shop just now. With the promise of spring come the tourist buses and their eager sightseers. So many customers are now coming into the shop a er visiting the cathedral. First commenting on the cosiness of the shop and the cold of the cathedral then comes the appreciation of the stock and the liking of the look and use of space within. Books, clothing and an array of gi s leave with happy travellers and we close the doors at 4 pm feeling satisfied with a job well done.
Clara Cameron
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of Clara Hermione Cameron, aged 24 in Zimbabwe on 22nd February having the time of her life. Darling daughter to Charlie and Fiona and adored sister of Amy and Gracie. Donations to www.breakthrought1d.org.uk
Maths Tutor
All levels of school maths including Nat 5; Higher and Advanced Higher & A level Maths
Former Breadalbane and St Andrews Maths Graduate (Master Maths) Sco Robertson o ers friendly on-line or in person support with all levels of school maths.
Contact sco robertson424@gmail.com 07809 294280 for more information or to book an on-line session.
“Sco has immeasurably furthered my understanding and appreciation for mathematics” A level student
“He really listens and finds ways to make me understand it”
Local student age 13
Rivendell provideshighqualitycareand supportforyouandyourelderlyrelative. BasedinBirnamandDunkeldourhomely environmentprovides a safe andfun community spirit.Ourtrainedstaff providecareandsupportforallyour needs24hours a day, wearealways there.
So,ifyouarelookingfor socialcontact, a safeandsupportiveenvironment, supportwith healthormedical needs thencontactus.Ourmissionistoprovide a homeforlife, socomeand livelife with us.
Pleasephone 01350 727413 andspeak to Gina or email: manager@rivendellcarehome.co.uk.com for more information.
Library campaign success!
There has been a surge of support for the five rural libraries under threat across Perth and Kinross with 5600 people signing petitions in their communities. The Save Birnam Library group, which formed following two strong public protests and a petition signed by over 1000 people in the community has stood side by side the other four rural library groups under threat (Alyth, Auchterarder, Comrie and Scone) to form Save Our Rural Libraries, a group united in seeking a public funding solution for our libraries. The campaign received backing from our First Minister, John Swinney MSP, who visited Birnam Library and from politicians across all parties at a debate in Holyrood.
On Wednesday 26 February Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) voted to provide a further £1 million to the charity designated with running rural libraries, Culture Perth and Kinross (CPK) to maintain museum and library services, including the current rural library services for the next two years. In announcing the proposals, the leader of the council, Cllr Grant Laing said that he wants Perth and Kinross o cers and CPK to work with communities to look at the future of libraries. Save Birnam Library and Save Our Rural Libraries are delighted with the news that our libraries will remain open, and grateful to have support and commitment from PKC for libraries. Since the announcement, we have approached PKC and CPK to start the conversation about next steps and how we as communities work together with them to ensure our libraries are equipped for the future.
To get involved and join the conversation contact savebirnamlibrary@gmail.com
Learning and Community History
12 The Cross, Dunkeld, PH8 0AN. www.historicdunkeld.org.uk manager@historicdunkeld.org.uk 01350 727786
Development
OPENING HOURS
Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm
We would very much like to hear your thoughts about what our new heritage centre should look like, including your views about our hopes to purchase the Duchess Anne building. Please get in touch.
Talks
Duchess Anne Hall at 7.30pm.
Tickets (£5) are available via Eventbrite or on the door. Tea/co ee & biscuits will be served a erwards.
14/03/25 – Paul MacLennan: Dundonnachie ~ The Man Behind the Bridge Toll Riots
11/04/25 – Lesley Wilson: Local Stories from Local People
12/09/25 – Dr Allan Kennedy: Serious Crime in Late 17th Century Tayside 10/10/25 – Dr Andrew Tibbs: Romans
Exhibition
An exhibition of local music will be on display from Friday 21st March for the Niel Gow Festival.
Living History Event Reimagined
Following our Public Consultation and our pledge to the Regenerative Tourism model we have reforma ed our Living History event. The big weekend event, which was planned for the 3rd & 4th May, has been replaced with 5 smaller events throughout the summer months. These will “spread the load” and consist of single subject re-enactment guided tours and an evening performance in The Taybank. Details will follow next month.
Mid-Week Memories Club
Wednesday’s from 10am to 12pm in the Archive. Reminisce over tea/co ee & biscuits. If you need transport please get in touch.
Royal School Of Dunkeld - School Reunion Annual School Reunion A ernoon Tea
Saturday 12th April 2025 at Birnam Arts
(for pupils who a ended The Royal School of Dunkeld during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s)
Following on from last year’s successful Reunion it is planned to make the A ernoon Tea an annual event when former pupils can gather and meet up with old school friends.
During the A ernoon Tea this year, former pupils will have the opportunity to look at more old school
photographs which were recently donated to the Dunkeld Community Archives from the Royal school of Dunkeld as well as individual contributions from former pupils.
Further contributions would be gladly received. (We can scan and copy your original photographs and return them to you.)
Tickets will be available soon from Birnam Arts. A number of tickets will also be available from the Dunkeld Community Archive for those who cannot access online ticket sales.
Please note:
There will be a further evening event in the Autumn for those who a ended the Royal School of Dunkeld during the 1970s.
Young Archaeologist Club (Age 8 To 16) Fortnightly during school term in the Community Archive at 4pm. The next meeting is Thursday 6th March.
We have an exciting project on the horizon thanks to local Archaeologist, Bob Carchrie (Alder Archaeology). The children will be given the amazing opportunity to excavate an area in Dunkeld to learn all aspects of an archaeological dig.
Newsle er
To keep up with all our news and what’s on in Historic Dunkeld, sign up for our free monthly newsle er.
Sign up at www.historicdunkeld.org.uk
AIMS:
Sports, Health and Wellbeing
1: To transform the lives of people in the villages and surrounding areas through sport and leisure.
2: To promote the various sports and leisure activities in the Dunkeld & Birnam area.
3: To support the building and maintenance of sports facilities including a sports hall.
All sports and leisure clubs are invited to join ‘The Sports Hub.’ Membership is free.
Please send details of your club’s activities and events to editor@dunkeldandbirnmamnews.co.uk for inclusion in the hub page of ‘The Bridge.’
Sports and Leisure Hub
The Sports Hub has overall responsibility for the clubhouse, tennis courts and bowling green and the Covered MUGA. We are a membership organisation and although people can pay per play, we are very keen to encourage locals to join as members at the very reasonable annual fee- you can decide to join just the MUGA or any combination of the clubs.
The membership year runs from April but people can join any time during the year. The fees for the new membership year are £20 for Hub membership, £25
for MUGA membership and £20 for tennis club membership (bowling club membership will be notified separately). Under 16s and students are free. This means an adult member joining the MUGA and tennis club will pay £65 per year for unlimited use of the facilities which is incredibly good value- the fee can be paid in instalments. You can join online at h ps://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ DunkeldandBirnamSportsandLeisureHub/Membership/Join
The Hub have also recently installed an upgraded base on the car park which is located between the Hub and the Medical Centre. This should enable Hub users and visitors to park all year round. We would like to thank Morrison Energy Services for carrying out this work for the club. A final stage of the project is to install lighting in the car park and on the new path linking the car park and Hub.
Contact dbsportsleisurehub@gmail.com at any time for further information.
Booking for the tennis courts and MUGA can be done online at: h ps://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ DunkeldandBirnamSportsandLeisureHub
Community Developments
The Community Trust
Spring is here and with the changing season comes fresh ideas, activities and exciting new projects for the Trust.
Firstly however we must announce the resignation of Trustee Kirsty Binnie. We would like to thank Kirsty for all of her work and support on the board. If you would like to get involved and please get in touch! We are a varied group of local residents and we would welcome anyone aged 16+ with enthusiasm for the community to consider joining the team. To learn more about the DBDCT and the groups it supports please visit our website at: www.dbdct.org
Several of our Trustees a ended a wonderful training Seminar this month, hosted by Sarah Brown Charity Law. The session was incredibly informative and was well a ended by several local charity groups. Sarah’s specialist knowledge in this field ensures charities are operating at optimal level with all of the current legal updates and advice.
Our latest board meeting was joined by Community Council representative Sonia Forsyth. Sonia is part
of the newly formed community Housing Group. If you would like to keep up to date with the group’s news please visit their Facebook page, ‘Community Housing Group -CHG Dunkeld & Birnam. We are delighted to host a member of the CC each month and look forward to working together across community issues when necessary.
Energy Group
A proposal to form a new ‘Energy Group’ has been discussed this month and the Trust is delighted to support a group with environmental and energy issues at the forefront. As highlighted in our community action plan, this topic is of great importance to the community and we look forward to supporting the initiatives as they progress. Please find more details on The Energy Group within this edition of the Bridge.
Local Place Plan
We are pleased to announce important updates on the LPP including up-coming community consultations. Please find more detailed information within this edition.
Care Group Update
On Tuesday, 4th March, the Care Group held an open meeting where a presentation was delivered on the next stage of a care partnership between Dunkeld, Birnam and District Community Development Trust and their sister Development
Trust in Kinloch Rannoch. The first stage locally, ‘PH8 Caring Support’ , has seen the appointment of a Coordinator tasked with increasing the number of Personal Assistants and Befrienders and connecting them to people’s families requiring support. The next stage envisages an extension of the project to include the delivery of Homecare under the auspices of a Social Enterprise covering both Kinloch Rannoch and Dunkeld/Birnam areas. Dr Susan Warrender and Nikki Hesketh from SKS Scotland ( consultants to the enterprise) then explained how the model would work. A Board of Directors will oversee the whole Enterprise while a Management Group, comprising people from the relevant areas will liaise more directly with the Managers and Coordinators responsible for delivering the service. The Coordinators will report directly to an overall manager while another manager will be responsible for the admin side of the business. The Enterprise has been specifically designed to meet the needs of more rural areas where there is o en a higher turnover of Private Homecare providers. It will be a not for profit organisation with strong links into both communities and the capacity to expand beyond its initial borders dependent on demand and support at Community level. It will remain rooted, however, in the communities which it seeks to serve with strong links to other Community groups. Further open meetings will be convened in the months to come. Anyone living in the PH8 area, or simply interested in the project, will be welcome to a end.
Sports, Health and Wellbeing
Bowling Club
Everyone old and new and any age are very welcome to join our friendly bowling club. The season opens on Saturday 26th April at 1pm all welcome. Fees for the year are £60 which includes £20 MUGA membership and winter indoor bowls.
Dunkeld Women’s Social Netball vs. Crie Comets
On Sunday, 9th March, Dunkeld Women’s Social Netball hosted a friendly match against Crie Comets. It was a well-fought contest, with the score remaining level until the third quarter when Crie , drawing on their experience, pulled ahead.
Dunkeld played exceptionally well, rotating all positions and ensuring that all 14 squad members had time on the court. The game was filled with energy, teamwork, and plenty of laughter. Despite Dunkeld’s strong e ort, Crie ’s experience shone through as they secured a 42–22 victory. Following the match, the home team served tea, sandwiches, and cake, reinforcing the spirit of friendly competition. A return fixture in Crie is already in the works.
Woman of the Match: Dunkeld’s centre, Saskia Praill, for her outstanding performance.
Dunkeld Women’s Social Netball has been running for nearly two years, o ering a fun game with a competitive spirit. Sessions take place weekly on Thursdays at 7:00 PM and fortnightly on Sundays at 4:00 PM at the MUGA. The group welcomes new players of all abilities—those interested can drop in or contact Julie 07746 899 837 or Lou at 0784 1037118.
Dalguise Meditation Group
Meditation has all sorts of benefits – increased focus and calmness, the opportunity to see things from a di erent perspective, a greater feeling of freedom and harmony, among many others. Whether you have never tried meditation before, or whether you have an established practice, why not come to one of our meetings and find out what we do?
Live meetings take place every other Tuesday in Dalguise Village Hall from 10.30 to 12.30. In April these meetings will be on 8th and 22nd. We enjoy si ing and walking meditations, discussions and refreshments. There are no charges, no formalities, and we have no religious a liations –what we do is decided among our members. We also have virtual meetings on zoom on the first Tuesday evening of every month, from 6.30 to 8.30pm. (Thus they sometimes coincide with the days of live meetings and sometimes not.) In April the zoom meeting is on 1 April (really!). These meetings usually include a guided meditation at the beginning and a silent meditation at the end, with a discussion on the latest topic (mailed to all members, see below) in between. People a ending can join in or remain incognito as they wish. If you would like to take part in a zoom meeting, please contact Maragaret margaret.q.lear@ gmail.com who will send you the link.
If you aren’t able to a end in person, and are not wanting to join a Zoom session, you might nevertheless be interested in going on our mailing list. Members receive thought-provoking and helpful compilations about meditation and mindful living, on the Tuesdays between live meetings. If you would like to know more about our meetings or about meditation in general, please do contact faithanstey@gmail.com
Breadalbane & District Riding for the Disabled (SCO47991)
Riding will begin for this year at the end of April with the start of the school summer term. We are expecting the majority of last autumn’s riders to be returning and any new riders joining the group will have been assessed as to their suitability. For safety’s sake we cannot accept potential riders who have totally unpredictable behaviour. Our ponies are almost completely ‘bomb proof’ but they are animals and this has to be taken into account. It is very important to match riders to ponies as much as possible. Broad sturdy ponies are not good for a rider with short legs but on the other hand they are very suitable for the taller, heavier rider who would be too much for smaller pony. Welfare of our ponies is a very big part of RDA and we have a duty of care for them along side helping our riders enjoy the thrilling experience of being mounted.
One of the most obvious signs that volunteers notice with our riders is their huge increase in confidence as the weekly visits go by. And it is so encouraging to get the ‘feedback’ from the schools where this increased confidence is carried back into
the classroom. They have achieved something that probably no-one else in the classroom has. This can be life changing.
As this goes to press we have an encouraging lead on the possibility of a new pony. However our search still continues for the loan of a quiet 13hh –14hh pony who is reasonably forward going and who lives within reasonable distance of Pitlochry. We operate weekly on Monday mornings during the school summer and early autumn terms. Please do contact us through our email address breadalbanerda@gmail.com or ring Vicky on 07786262329. Also new volunteers are ALWAYS welcome.
Food Share
We have recently welcomed two new recruits to our teams, but if there’s anyone else out there who could spare 45 minutes per month to do the 8pm collection from the Coop we would be very grateful for the help.
Remember to check the stalls and fridges at the Duchess Anne and St Marys, when you’re passing. Everyone is welcome to take the produce on o er to stop it going to landfill.
If you have an excess of seedlings they have been popular in the past, and any excess fruit or veg always disappears!
If you could even be a reserve to fill in teams at holiday times, that would be a huge help.
Please contact Jan Silburn at 07881 813835 or j.silburn@ btinternet.com
Food Bank
We can provide extra help for anyone who needs it from the donations which are being le in the basket at the Coop counter and from the generous regular donations from St Columba’s. Just contact our confidential phone number 01350 700018 or email PH8foodbank@gmail.com
Slating
Leadwork
UPVC
Flat
General
07946 861520
grahamrobb@grahamrobb.co.uk
www.grahamrobb.co.uk
Three Churches in the Community
Thought for the month
Hope in di cult times
This is the third year where it has been my privilege to write this short reflection for the edition of the Bridge that coincides with the season of Lent. I say this because if I were asked to choose my liturgical favourite season in the Christian calendar, it would be Lent. Some might say this is because I am a bit of a pessimist, and I would probably need to admit to that. I have heard a pessimist defined as being someone who sees a partially filled glass as half empty rather than half full and to me that seems to be realistic. I would justify this by saying that from my pessimistic perspective I tend to expect the worst and so it is an agreeable surprise that awaits me if I am proved wrong. Meanwhile for the optimist their error can only lead to disappointment!
Traditionally of course Lent was a time of penance. As I am writing this on Shrove Tuesday we might recall the tradition of making pancakes. This came about to avoid waste by using up ingredients that were not permi ed for use during Lent. With typical British understatement we limit this to making pancakes but elsewhere in Mediterranean countries this has expanded into a week of festivities and fancy dress known as the Carnival season. In both cases however his has to end on Ash Wednesday when the penances have to start.
This year Lent coincides with a period of international uncertainty about what will happen with the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Whilst none of us could wish for the terrible violence and loss of life to continue, there remains a very real worry that an ill-conceived political solution might leave us with some dangerous unanswered questions for the future. In the Hebrew Scriptures Jubilee years are seen as being a time to put things right. Chapter 25 of Leviticus goes further by saying that a Jubilee should occur every fi y years, allowing the poor to be supported, slaves to be freed and debts forgiven. In 1300 the Catholic Church decided to start its own tradition of declaring periodic jubilee years of prayer that were focused around specific themes. Given the present perilous state of international relations it therefore seems timely that Pope Francis had previously declared 2025 to be a jubilee year where the theme is to be Hope. So, how might we understand hope in this context? One definition here is that:
The virtue of hope responds to the aspiration to happiness which God has placed in the heart of every person; it takes up the hopes that inspires humanity’s activities and purifies them so as to order them to the kingdom of heaven.
In our present di cult situation this seems to be a very reasonable Lenten theme that all Christians might pray for on behalf of the whole of humanity. So may we all keep hope in mind as we enter into a reflective Lent where we are preparing ourselves for the joys of Easter.
Catechism CCC 1818
Roderick Campbell Guion OCDS
Holy Week
On the Thursday of Holy Week (17th. April) there is a Communion Service in the Cathedral at 7pm. to remember the events of the night Jesus was betrayed and handed over to be crucified.
On Good Friday the Parish church and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church hold a join service. This year it is in St. Mary’s at 7pm.
Holy Week & Easter Services
Dunkeld and Birnam Three Churches 20-27th
April
Palm Sunday Morning Service in Li le Dunkeld at 11am
Maundy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper
St Columba’s Roman Catholic Church at 4pm
Maundy Thursday Communion Service in the Cathedral at 7pm
Good Friday Joint Service between the Parish and the Episcopal Church at St Mary’s 7pm
Easter Day
Communion Service
Church of Scotland Cathedral 9am
Communion Service at St Mary’s Episcopal Church 10am
Easter Sunday Mass
St Columba’s Roman Catholic Church 10am
Easter Egg Hunt in the Cathedral grounds 10:30am
Morning Service
Church of Scotland in the Cathedral 11am Service Amulree Kirk Church of Scotland 2:15pm
Prayers for Help & Healing
On the first Sunday of the month there is a short service held jointly between the Parish Church and St.Mary’s Episcopal Church at 6.30. This follows the pa ern of the weekly service of healing in Iona Abbey and lasts about 45 minutes.
It is a very gentle, quiet time of worship and prayer for specific things people may mention if they want to.
The next one will be in St. Mary’s on April 6th. and then in Li le Dunkeld on the 4th. of May
Annual Meeting
The Annual Stated Meeting of the Church of Scotland Congregation will be held on Sunday 6th. April a er the morning service. A summary of the accounts will be made available beforehand and if anyone would like a copy of the full Accounts and Trustees’ Report, please contact the treasurer, Louise Luke, at treasurer@dunkeldcathedral.org
Kirk Session
The next meeting of the Kirk Session is on Tuesday April 29th. at 7.30pm. in the Duchess Anne.
Christian Aid
Christian Aid week this year is the 11th- 17th. May and our local group will be organising some fundraising events.
There will be a second hand book sale on the 9th, 10th, 16th & 17th. of May outside the Duchess Anne. Donations of books are needed and can be dropped o at the Duchess Anne when the Meeting Place is on or le in the Food Share shed in front of the Duchess Anne.
On Fridays the 9th & 16th. of May proceeds from the Meeting Place will be for Christian Aid and on Saturday 10th. the Youth Group will be running a co ee morning while the book sale is on to help raise money.
Church of Scotland Services
March 30th11.00amMorning Service in Li le Dunkeld
April 6th11.00amMorning Service in Li le Dunkeld
The Annual Stated Meeting will take place immediately a er the service
6.30pm – Prayers for Help & Healing in St. Mary’s.
April 13th11.00amPalm Sunday Morning Service in Li le Dunkeld
April 20th Easter Sunday
9.00amCommunion service in the Cathedral
10.30amEaster Egg Hunt in the Cathedral grounds
11.00amMorning Service in the Cathedral
2.15pmEaster Service in Amulree Kirk.
April 27th11.00amMorning Worship in the Cathedral
May 4th11.00amMorning Service in the Cathedral
6.30pmPrayers for Help & Healing in Li le Dunkeld Kirk
Every Sunday there is chance to meet together over tea and co ee a er the service. In Li le Dunkeld this happens in the church and when we move to the Cathedral it is in the Chanonry.
Holiday Club
The Parish Church is running a holiday club in the School Easter holidays - The Great Glen Green Welly Garden Show in the Duchess Anne. It starts on Monday 7th April for three days from 10am -12.30 each day. All children from age 4 up to primary 7 are welcome.
The theme we are using is based on the good world that God created and how it has become very damaged. We will celebrate the hope that Jesus brings to restore it. It also highlights our environment’s biodiversity and the need to ensure our lifestyles are ethical and environmentally friendly. There will be a small daily charge to cover costs.
To register please email Susan Penny on susiecpenny@gmail.com or scan the QR code on posters around the village which will take you to a registration form.
Fellowship Group – ‘Exploring faith and life together’
There are two ecumenical groups which meet on a Tuesday evening and a Wednesday morning for Bible Study and prayer.
The up-coming dates for the Tuesday group will be on April 1st., 15th & 29th at 7pm in the Chanonry. The Wednesday group will be on April 2nd., 16th. & 30th. at 10.30am in the Chanonry.
It is possible to join both meetings by zoom too on this link:
Meeting ID: 898 7502 8047
Passcode: 809745
All are welcome and for more information available from John Ferguson (727585), William Hogg (727053) or Fraser Penny (727249)
Men’s Breakfast
Every second Wednesday a group of men meets in the Chanonry to start the day with a cooked breakfast together, discuss events, both local and
Three Churches in the Community
Church Services and Contacts:
international, and enjoy each other’s company. Upcoming dates are April 2nd., 16th. & 30th. There is no need to book; just turn up and enjoy and all are welcome.
If you would like more details please contact Peter Mackie at Petermackie46@gmail.com
Youth Group
A group for all P.7s and upwards meets during term time in the Duchess Anne on Thursday evenings Each night we start at 7pm. and finish at 8.30pm. More information from Fraser Penny.
Messy Music
Tuesdays a er School, Messy music meets in Li le Dunkeld Kirk. There are refreshments (usually cakes involved) fun songs, activities and even a bit of recorder playing.
We have all ages from newborn babies up to primary 3 so if you have family in that age group you will be very welcome to join us. It will be on every Tuesday in March - just come over a er school.
Booking Halls
Anyone who would like to book either the Duchess Anne or the Chanonry for meetings and events should contact Jill McCrory on: chanonrydunkeld@gmail.com
Weekly Services
Church of Scotland:
Dunkeld Cathedral at 11am.
Every Sunday from Easter Sunday to Remembrance Sunday. Li le Dunkeld Kirk at 11am.
Every Sunday from the Sunday following Remembrance Sunday to Palm Sunday.
Sco ish Episcopal Church: St Mary’s Birnam at 10am. Every Sunday.
Roman Catholic: St Columba’s, Mass 6pm. Every Saturday
Monthly and Occasional Services
Church of Scotland, Amulree Third Sunday of the Month 2.15pm
The Chanonry, 07808 703641 email: o ce@dunkeldcathedral.org www.dunkeldcathedral.org
St Mary’s Episcopal Church, Birnam Sunday Service 10 am - Holy Communion with hymns, music and sermon, followed by refreshments. The church is open daily for visitors, and prayers are said at 5.30pm on Fridays and 9.30am on Saturday.
The Servite service is now held monthly on the last Saturday of each month at 2pm and is led
ecumenically by members of the three churches in Dunkeld and Birnam. It is not a communion service. Every 3rd Sunday the Eucharist is a contemporary and interactive service suitable for all ages and abilities. Every 1st Thursday at 2-3om is our All together now free concert for those with memory challenges and their families
Every 1st Sunday at 6:30pm is a short but beautiful healing service . April’s service will be at St. Mary’s then in Li le Dunkeld Kirk on the 4th. of May
The Rector: Reverend Lesley-Ann Craddock
Priest in Charge of St Mary’s Birnam and Dunkeld St Mary’s rectory, St Mary’s Rd, Birnam, PH8 0BJ Tel: 07903 020509 email: lesley.craddock@btinternet.com
Part time = Friday, Saturday & Sunday I can also be found dwelling nr Loch Ness 01456486663
St Mary’s Church held a very successful snowdrop day on Saturday 1 March at St Mary’s, which a racted a sizeable and steady through-put of locals and visitors. The day was the brainchild of Anita Irvin who along with many congregational helpers delivered what turned out to be a marvellously successful event for St Mary’s and our many visitors.
Anita transported a wonderful selection of snow drops from her home to the church. She had also made jam and marmalade too all of which added to the day’s flavour.
St Mary’s ladies had baked tirelessly and co ee, cake, scones, soup and bread and more co ee were on o er throughout the day. A huge thank you to the cooks and bakers.
The day started o in style as our vicar, Lesley ann, was struggling with a gazebo outside the church when a car pulled up outside the Post O ce. Out stepped five strapping young men. Never short of what to say or do Lesley ann summoned them to help her. There were a few moments of indecision. They were Spanish aircra engineers from Lossiemouth enroute to Edinburgh looking for breakfast! The gazebo was erected in no time and the Spaniards were duly given co ee & cakes before heading o to Edinburgh’s bright lights!
For many this was an ‘up-market’ Meeting Place but, blessed with lovely weather, Birnam & Dunkeld came out in force in their support. Thank you all very much indeed.
St Columba’s Roman Catholic Church
Catholic Church Priest: Fr Emmanuel Adindu MSP
Tel: 01796 472174
e-mail: stbridespitlochry@dunkelddiocese.org.uk
Roman Catholic Churches
Dunkeld is a village with a long history of Christian worship and we are pleased to continue that worship at St Columba’s in Birnam.
Parish Priest: Fr Emmanuel Adindu MSP (Missionary of St Paul)
Tel: 01796 472 174
Email:
stbridespitlochry@dunkelddiocese.org.uk
Serving St Columba’s RC church in Birnam/ Dunkeld, St Bride’s RC church in Pitlochry and Our Lady of Mercy RC church in Aberfeldy. Follow us on Facebook at: St Bride’s RC Church, Pitlochry.
We celebrate the presence of the Risen Lord amongst us during these Masses:
Sunday Masses:-
Saturday Vigil6pm St Columba’s Birnam
Sunday9.30 am Our Lady of Mercy Aberfeldy
Sunday11.30 am St Bride’s Pitlochry
Weekday Masses:-
9.30 amTue - Aberfeldy
9.30 amWed, Thur, Fri - Pitlochry
Holy days of Obligation:9.30amBirnam 12.30pmAberfeldy 6.00pmPitlochry
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available prior to mass in St Columba’s. Please phone Father to arrange it.
If there are any parishioners who are housebound and wish the Sacrament of Holy Communion, let Father know and this will be arranged.
St Columba’s, St Mary’s Road, Birnam PH8 0BJ St. Bride’s, Rie-Achan Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5AL Our Lady of Mercy, Home Street, Aberfeldy PH15 2AL Father Emmanuel in.
Save money this spring
Living on a tight budget can be a struggle but there are ways to be creative with very li le. Lots of people are now rejecting the extreme consumer culture and finding ways to reduce spending so there’s plenty of useful information available. Here are some ideas to help you save and even make money this April.
Cancel what you don’t need
We all think we’re on top of our money but when was the last time you checked your Direct Debits or standing orders? It’s worthwhile taking the time to go through. According to Money Saving Expert, we could be losing out on several hundred pounds from regular payments we’ve forgo en about. See moneysavingexpert.com/ banking/direct-debit for some great tips.
Check your statement and receipts
It’s also worthwhile taking the time to check your bank and credit card statements to make sure you’re paying the amounts you expect to be paying. If you spot an error, get in touch with the company to get it sorted as soon as possible.
Plan your meals for the week ahead
Planning what you’re going to eat for the coming week can boost savings, contribute towards eating more healthily and prevent food waste. It can also be fun being creative with what you already have in the cupboards. Plus, you can use any le overs as packed lunches for work and school – according to research from vouchercloud.com, taking your own lunches instead of buying sandwiches every working day could save you around £1,500 per year!
Upcycle your wardrobe
Splurging on new clothes can feel like a luxury when you’re on a tight budget, but these days everybody seems to be buying less in an e ort to halt the damage being made to the environment by fast fashion. Why not try upcycling some of your old clothes? Check out pinterest. co.uk/jenuinemom/diy-upcycle-clothing for inspiration. If upcycling isn’t your thing, you can still save money by making the most of charity/thri shops, having a look on eBay or organising a clothes swap with friends.
Cra and create your own cool gi s
When birthdays and events come around, we may want to get a nice gi or card for someone but struggle to a ord it. However, a handmade version can be such a pleasure to receive and save pounds in the process. Search 5-minute cra s on YouTube for some creative ideas.
Make cash out of clu er
Declu ering your home is good for mental wellbeing but can also be great for your wallet too. You could start with just one room and then ruthlessly get rid of anything that you no longer use, want or that doesn’t fit. Check out free ways to sell your stu like Facebook Marketplace and get the cash rolling in!
Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a UK charity delivering debt counselling and budgeting courses locally. Visit capuk.org to find out more or call 0800 328 0006 if you’d like a Debt Coach to visit you.
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Home Repairs and Improvements
Fraser Mills - NICEIC registered All domestic and commercial work undertaken
Tel: 07545 078968
Carpentry : Plumbing : Tiling Glazing and Decorating SERVING PERTHSHIRE FOR 30 YEARS NO JOB TOO SMALL
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Locally based
Phone: 01738 710671 / 07925 844491
Three Churches Charity Shop
High Street Dunkeld
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Saturday, 10am - 4pm If you are interested in volunteering, please enquire in the shop for more info
WRAP ® Wellbeing Training
in a stressful environment? overwhelmed, exhausted unsatisfied with life? proactive in your wellbeing?
Find us on Facebook at 3 Churches Charity Shop
Rivendell provides high quality care and support for you and your elderly relative. Based in Birnam and Dunkeld our homely environment provides a and fun community spirit. Our trained staff provide care and support for all your needs 24 hours a day, we are always there.
Join us for a two day free WRAP® workshop to self-reflect, learn skills and build an action plan for early intervention and prevention, to support your wellbeing.
So, if you are looking for social contact, a safe and supportive environment, support with health or medical needs then contact us. Our mission is to provide a home for life, so come and live life with us.
17th & 24th Sept 2024 9-3pm both days
Please phone 01350 727413 and speak to Gina or email: manager@rivendellcarehome.co.uk.com for more information.
Book a free place
THE PLANT NURSERY
KINDALLACHAN
West Countlich Farm, Kindallachan, Near Ballinliug, PH9 0NW
April - October | Monday - Saturday 9am - 4:30pm November - March | Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm
How to find us: turn off theA9 at Kindallachan and follow the signs to the nursery. 07554 008058 nursery@alexbutter.co.uk www.alexbutter.co.uk
Raise your level of wellness, reduce pain, stress/anxiety & re-align where you are in life. Health & Wellbeing Hub
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Nature and Climate
EvergreenGardening for everyone
Do you enjoy – or did you used to enjoy gardening –but find it di cult due to your health, age etc? Would you like to meet up with others to do some gentle gardening and/or gardening/nature-related arts and cra s?
This spring/summer why not come along to the Guide Hall in Li le Dunkeld and join our new gardening group – we’ll be gardening in ways to make it easier to learn, keep or regain that connection with seeds and soil – working from a seated position at tables and/or planting and caring for planters which avoid the need to bend down or stand for long periods. We may be indoors or outside, depending on the weather and activity. From planting seeds and bulbs, pricking out seedlings, dividing and propagating houseplants, making terrariums, growing herbs and micro-greens and more – growing and caring for plants and nature is a feel-good activity. We also look forward to sharing our gardening stories and reminiscences and learning from each other’s experiences whilst we gently work on the week’s project.
We’ll be running eight sessions over the coming months - on Tuesday mornings, from 1030-1200 (see advert/calendar for dates). The first session will be on Tues 6 May. The all-important tea and co ee will be provided! The Guide Hall is just behind the school, on School Lane, with parking outside, a ramp for access into the building and adapted facilities indoors. We would welcome help with all aspects of the event from o ers to make teas and co ees to helping put out the tables. If you can lend a hand with this community e ort please get in contact.
“Gardening can make our days shine with joy.” (Monty Don, Down to Earth, 2017) For more information and to let us know you are coming please contact Mel Nicoll 07876 118625 mel@cavecrag.com
With grateful thanks to the Guide Hall for use of the venue, to Dunkeld, Birnam and District Community Development Trust, Dunkeld & Birnam Co-Working Space and Perth & Kinross Council’s Community Investment Fund, also to members of the community who have donated or are loaning tools and equipment.
Evergreen - Gardening for Everyone: 2025 Dates
1030-1200. Guide Hall, School Lane, Li le Dunkeld Contact Mel Nicoll 07876 118625 mel@cavecrag.com
Tues 6 May 1030-1200
Tues 3 June 1030-1200
Tues 24 June 1030-1200
Tues 15 July 1030-1200
Tues 5 August 1030-1200
Tues 26 August1030-1200
Tues 16 Sept 1030-1200
Tues 7 October1030-1200
Dunkeld and Birnam in Bloom
The Spring bulbs are really now starting to appear and flower and bring some lovely colour to the village. The team have been busy in March. On the 17th we joined other volunteers at Birnam Arts to help tidy up the outside of the building.
On the 24th we took delivery of gravel in St Ninian’s so had a busy morning spreading it and tidying up the edges.
We will be unwrapping the Begonia and Dalhia tubers that some of the volunteers have overwintered at home then begin the process of po ing them up and hopefully they will flower again this year.
We are having a co ee morning with cake, candy and a plant stall to raise funds for the summer bedding. It will be held in the Duchess Anne in Dunkeld on Friday the 25th April from 10 till 12, so if you are free, please put it in your diary and we look forward to seeing you there.
We meet on a Monday morning at 10am. Groups can be found in St Ninian’s Garden, Dunkeld and Torwood Park, Birnam. Anyone who would like to come and join us, please do.
Thank you, Moira (07931 758 456)
Gardening & Growing Club Join Us!
Love plants? Whether you’re a windowsill po erer or a plottaming pro, our Gardening & Growing Club is for you!
We’re a friendly bunch who enjoy learning, sharing tips, and meeting fellow garden enthusiasts. Our year is packed with inspiring talks, garden visits, social events, and our big annual show in August.
First meeting FREE – come along and give it a try!
Annual membership: Just £20 for a year of greenfingered fun.
Everyone’s welcome! Drop by, meet like-minded folks, and grow something wonderful with us. For more info, contact: acox325@gmail.com
Programme of Events
Wed 9 April 7pm John Ma ingley Demonstration on growing Himalayan plants from seed. Birnam Arts
Wed 14 May Fiona Stewart, Scotland’s Garden Scheme Birnam Arts
Wed 11 June 7pm Kate White, Head Gardener, Branklyn Gardens Birnam Arts
Sun 29 June 2pm Wild Orchids Garden Visit, The Steading at Newmill, Nr Clunie, PH10 6SG Sat 23 Aug Annual Show Birnam Arts
The Field
As I write this in mid March the days are lengthening and the pace of work at the field is increasing . Excitement tempered with anxiety is evident in the mood of the workforce....
Will the Dung Beetlers suceed in spreading their largess on the plots before Fergie arrives to turn the sod???
Will the Living Composters manage to cover the no dig plots to the satisfaction of the Mycelium meister?? Will the Sowing Bees drill and nurture enough seed to meet the needs of the Furious Planters??
And when will the Ta ie bogle arrive in time with seed ta ies for the Dreelers??
To chit or not to chit that will be the question... The leisurely pace of winter work, lengthy co ee breaks and idle cha er are behind us now. The relentless pace of the seasons is upon us and we need to set too on Thursday and Saturday mornings and any other spare time in the week in order to get stu in the ground which will feed us for the next twelvemonth. (currently we still have plenty Brassica, leeks and onions for volunteers and to fill and the stall at the gate).
The moral of this tale is that we need willing hands and feet to fill the plots with produce which will feed us all for the next year. If this sounds like something you would like to be involved in come along to the Field at the top of Brae Street any Thursday or Saturday morning and we will show you what needs doing and how to do it. Your reward will be a warm welcome,free produce according to your weekly needs and the dubious a raction of good co ee and idle cha er. The Orraman
Dunkeld & Birnam Paths and Nature Action Group
The Group is concerned about the ‘Cathedral Path’ – from The Archive, around the Cathedral and then towards Dunkeld House Hotel. The condition of this path’s surface continues to deteriorate, making it unpleasant to negotiate and hazardous for some during wet or frosty weather. Users have been seen clinging to fences to get round the mushy wallows. Given its significance in linking Dunkeld to the upstream river walks, and the high usage by locals and visitors, the need to improve its condition has become more urgent. The need for action was raised with and gained the support of the Community Council around 2019.
Although the ground is generally porous, the path surface has been worn away and is now lower than the adjacent Cathedral grounds and field, and there is a build-up of organic ma er meaning it traps and holds water.
We have been discussing options with, and taking advice from, Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust. They advise a shallow top layer needs to be scraped away and replaced with suitable new material, and that it would best be carried out by a contractor so it could be completed quickly and minimise disruption. The location is sensitive and would be carried out a er consultation with Historic and Environment Scotland.
We hope there will be wide community support for this work and that the present unsatisfactory state of this key section of our local path network will be quickly resolved. We will provide further updates in The Bridge. If you have any comments or queries, please contact the Group at alan.dobie@btinternet.com
What is the future for energy in Dunkeld and Birnam?
Over many years folk in the community have shown an active interest in energy. It a ects us all of course. We need it to live, to travel, to keep warm. And of course it costs a lot, with many struggling to pay the bill. There’s no-one who does not have some kind of interest. And when it comes to tackling climate change - the heat is on, because a huge part of the energy we use is damaging (gas and fuel) and the demand for sustainable a ordable energy has never been greater.
I confess an interest: I work for a renewable energy company (GreenPower) which first developed the Gri n wind farm scheme, and I have been party to many conversations locally, as a resident, over the years.
Many individuals do their own good things, they have insulation fi ed, or run an electric car, or use buses and trains more, and increasingly solar panels and heat pumps are being seen on buildings locally. All great, but largely the exception and not the rule. Many would like to adopt new technologies, but think it too expensive or di cult or don’t know where to start to take advantage of support schemes or to get the right independent advice on making homes and lives more energy e cient.
At the March 25 D and B Climate Cafe I posed the question - surely we can do more working together as a community - to deliver some community scale action to benefit residents locally? Why don’t we grasp the many opportunities that exist? It was a good discussion, with members of the community including folk from the local development trust
Nature and Climate
Community Orchard Update
That is us just about finished with the winter pruning of the top fruit now (apples and pears). The rabbits have enjoyed nibbling the bark o any prunings we le on the ground but we’ll be tidying them up now, and also removing any saplings of ash and sycamore which have a habit of invading. The pruning work we have done over winter is designed to keep the trees in good health, productive and in a suitable shape by removing diseased wood, ensuring branches of neighbouring trees don’t touch, removing over-crowded branches and encouraging growth in appropriate parts of the tree. (Summer pruning can also be carried out to promote fruit buds/reduce leaf and branch growth). We’ve also been pruning the so fruit inside the fruit cage – gooseberries, currants, autumn raspberries and brambles – and giving the bushes a feed to help them on their way to a bountiful harvest.
With warmer days and more sunlight everything starts to grow – including the weeds! We will need to keep on top of ne les etc, especially in the fruit cage.
and the community council there – who all broadly supported the idea of community scale projects and action on energy. Energy was also raised as an issue in the recent Local Place Plan consultation - so the interest certainly seems to be there.
Making more of what we already use was a big point raised - be er insulation and more energy e cient homes. Another was, why don’t we create our own energy generating projects locally such as a solar farm or wind turbines, or hydro electric schemes? Other communities do it - why not us? Commercial wind farms are also seeking interest from communities in buying a share of their schemes - and funds may be available to communities to do it - again, why not us?
This article is simply to help stimulate more community conversation and encourage discussion, and see what other ideas folk may have. There definitely seems to be a big appetite to explore ideas and opportunities further.
What sort of Dunkeld and Birnam do you want to see when it comes to green energy and energy use? If interested in this - please contact me through the Bridge. Or come along to the May Climate Cafe where you will be warmly welcomed. (Thursday 1st May)
Helping Hedgehogsand AGM notice
It’s the last talk of the season for the Pitlochry and Highland Perthshire branch of the Sco ish Wildlife Trust on Monday 21st April at The Tryst, 7.30pm –and if you want to help our hedgehogs, you won’t want to miss it!
The talk will be preceded by our local Annual General Meeting at 6.00pm - everyone is welcome to review the previous season’s talks and share ideas for future programmes. Seeing us out on a high will be Morag Boyd, Rural Hedgehog O cer from the People’s Trust for Endangered Species and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. Once a common sight in British gardens and the countryside, West European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) have been declining in numbers - particularly in rural areas - with the International Union for Conservation of Nature recently adding them to the list of near threatened species on its Red List.
Morag will explore the biology and ecology of these fascinating, nocturnal animals, before highlighting the threats that our hedgehogs face and what we can do to help them. This will be followed by an opportunity to put your hedgehog-related questions to her, so don’t miss it!
Date: Monday 21st April 2025
Time: AGM from 6.00pm, talk starts at 7.30pm
Place: The Tryst, Church of Scotland, Church Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5EB.
Suggested
Donation: £3 for non-members, £2 for members (you can donate in person on the day). Contact markandrosie@btinternet.com for more information.
Sign up to hear about events and find out more about activities on the numerous reserves in our area and beyond.
And before too long it will be time to start mowing the grass. Now is a good time to visit the orchard and take in the sights and sounds of spring – da odils are coming out and the birds are now very vocal and active.
The orchard occupies a prominent site by the bridge, joining the communities of Dunkeld and Birnam. On land belonging to Atholl Estates, it was once used as a market garden. We welcome members of the community as volunteers –age and lack of previous experience is no barrier. Many of us began with no understanding of fruit tree care and have been learning “on the job” with the support of more experienced members. Rest assured that we build in tea breaks to our work sessions, o en with homemade cakes! And there may be other ways you can support the orchard if you are unable to volunteer “on the ground.”
For further information contact Katharine 01350 727048 or email dunkeldbirnamorchard@gmail.com
Beaver talk at Dùn Coillich AGM
Save the date! It’s the Highland Perthshire Communities Land Trust (HPCLT) Annual General Meeting at 2pm on Saturday 26th April and this year the guest speaker will be talking about beavers, a topic which always generates healthy debate.
HPCLT manages Dùn Coillich Community Land by Schiehallion and the Wee Birks Field in Aberfeldy with three core aims: to restore biodiversity, support rural skills development, and encourage people of all ages to embrace the outdoors.
It’s been a really busy year for the Trust, with the creation of a new website, the launch of a Modern Apprenticeship in Rural Skills, new paths and perch seats and the planting of thousands more trees to name just a few achievements!
Come along to The Tryst, Church Road, Pitlochry to hear about what we’ve been up to, find out about membership and volunteering opportunities and enjoy a talk from Jean Oudney, Trustee of the Sco ish Wild Beaver Group, on “Beavers: Nature’s Engineer”.
Jean will take us through beaver ecology, history and reintroductions, shine a spotlight on the benefits of beavers and o er management tools for living with beavers when their land management strategies clash with human land management aims! Visit www.duncoillich.org or join our Facebook Group to discover more about us and the training, volunteering and walking options on o er.
Dùn Coillich Welcomes First Apprentices!
Celebrating Sco ish Apprenticeship Week with New Rural Skills Hires
Dùn Coillich Community Land has welcomed its firstever Rural Skills Modern Apprentices! Jamie Lean, 17, and Tony Marshall, 26—both graduates of the long-running Dùn Coillich Rural Skills Traineeship—
On Thursday 27 February, a total of twenty seven Trustees from eight di erent community organisations in the Dunkeld and Birnam area a ended a training session delivered by Sarah Brown of the recently established firm, ‘Sarah Brown, Charity Law WS’, one of only seven Charity Law specialists in Scotland. Sarah explained in detail the duties of trustees, covering a range of subject areas including Governance, The roles of trustees, Oversight and Control, Risk Management, Financial Control and Conflicts of Interests.
The session was planned by Neil Graham, Chairman of The Dunkeld and Birnam Men’s Shed and an invitation was thrown open to other groups who might wish to a end. Representatives from Birnam Arts, The Chapterhouse Museum and Archive, the Community Development Trust, Dunkeld and Birnam Gardening and Growing, The Three Churches Charity Shop, The Field, The Station Group and the Climate Cafe all a ended, ensuring that this became a true ‘community event’. Sarah then took a number of
are embarking on a new year-long apprenticeship developed by Highland Perthshire Communities Land Trust (HPCLT) in partnership with Forestry and Land Scotland, National Trust for Scotland, and Dalchosnie & Kynachan Estate.
This hands-on programme o ers training in forestry, deer management, estate maintenance, and more, with apprentices earning a wage while working towards an industry-recognised qualification. Backed by Rural Skills Scotland and part-funded by Perth and Kinross Council’s Futures For All scheme, the initiative aims to create sustainable job opportunities in rural land management.
“We need fresh talent to safeguard rural skills,” said HPCLT’s Heather Hamilton. “This partnership opens exciting career paths for aspiring individuals like Jamie and Tony.”
For more information, contact Heather Hamilton at projecto cer@hpclt.org.
questions from the floor, before Neil brought the session to a close, extending a vote of thanks to Sarah on behalf of the community for a most illuminating and eduational presentation.
Sarah Brown can be found at sarahbrowncharitylaw. com and her contact details are: sarah@sarahbrowncharitylaw.com 07947159558.
PH8 VISION 2037
PH8 LOCAL PLACE PLAN 2025
many of us happy to live here and be part of this very special community.
Dunkeld, Birnam and surrounding communities are thriving, well connected, safe and resilient, with a healthy, flourishing and accessible natural environment. Transitioning towards self su ciency in energy and as a model for locally grown food, residents and visitors alike are housed in appropriate, a ordable and suitably sited accommodation, with access to a rich variety of shops and services. Our communities o er sites for sustainable and vibrant business and third sector activity, adding to the richness of heritage and history which make this place so unique. Our citizens have opportunities to live
active and healthy lives, with the fabric of our community underpinned by a sound, representative and community minded model of civic governance.
PH8 Local Place Plan
The dra Local Place Plan (LPP) report is the result of a community consultation with the people of PH8 (Dunkeld, Birnam and District) that took place during the three months from November 2024 to January 2025. It is an initiative developed in partnership with Dunkeld Birnam and District Community Development Trust (DBDCDT), Dunkeld and Birnam Community Council (DBCC) and Perth and Kinross Council (PKC). The process has been managed entirely by volunteers from DBDCDT, DBCC and other members of the community.
The LPP considers how PH8 should develop in the next 12 years, through to end of the next Local Development Plan (LDP), building on consultation work carried out in the development of the 2022 Community Action Plan (CAP).
The process garnered a very wide range of suggestions from the community for the future of PH8. As well as informing this LPP, the results will provide the DBDCDT, the DBCC and other community focus groups with invaluable insight into community priorities and future projects.
Community Engagement
Community engagement began at the Birnam Highland Games in August, continued through ‘The Bridge’ community newspaper and then a LPP Questionnaire to the PH8 community in November 2024. Available online, with links to it advertised from the DBCC Facebook page and the DBDCDT website, hardcopy questionnaires were also delivered to all households in PH8 in the Dec/Jan edition of ‘The Bridge’. Overall, 145 returns were received by the 31st Jan deadline - approximately 16% of the 16+ population of Dunkeld & Birnam recorded in the 2022 Census.
While the young / single demographic is slightly underrepresented, there is good overall correlation of age groups represented in the survey with the 2022 Census profile.
Questionnaire Response
As well as numeric satisfaction scoring for each of the six CAP priorities, respondents were encouraged to provide free format textual answers, to gather as wide a range of feedback as possible from the community. These answers resulted in more than 600 distinct concerns and potential solutions being identified by the 145 respondents.
Questionnaire Results
According to the media, PH8 is one of the most desirable locations to live. This is very much due to the stunning geography, precious natural ecosystems and significant human history. The survey results confirm this, with so
The factors that make our neighbourhoods so desirable also constrain our community. Whilst PH8 area is very large, nearly everything must pass through the pinch points of Dunkeld and Birnam. Outlying se lements are interwoven into these constraints. We cannot escape geography, nature and history - it influences everything that happens here.
So what of the future? How do we have a livable, sustainable and productive place? How do we get the balance right? We will need many things but foremost we must cherish the community that is now, that was and that will be.
Major Conclusions
The LPP survey results indicate that Tra c, Parking, Road and Active Travel Safety concerns remain the community’s greatest priority. The A9 community co-creative process with TS has absorbed a great deal of goodwill and energy from members of the community, but the potential benefits to local people are at least another seven years away. It is incumbent upon PKC and TS to assist local community representatives in the DBDCDT, DBCC, and other engaged groups such as the Junction Action Group, to find ways to mitigate these issues as a ma er of urgency.
Parking and active travel safety & infrastructure were also key concerns, but current progress to deliver an upgraded, modern and fully accessible railway station will be a real boost both for local commuters and visitors and has been supported and welcomed in the survey results
There is strong support for the provision of more a ordable housing, but many respondents want to see this in a way that respects the existing se lement boundaries of Dunkeld and Birnam, and not as part of large commercial housing developments out-with these boundaries. There are clear concerns that such developments would exacerbate the already critical infrastructure issues the community experiences. Assistance from PKC to identify possible sites within PH8, funding sources, and to review Council housing allocation policy, is very important to these e orts.
The LPP survey generated many community suggestions and ideas, covering be er community resilience, community renewable energy development, local economic growth, and be er protection for our natural and historic
environments. It is hoped that through the LPP community engagement events and the Next Steps process, the PH8 community will be able to take forward many of these ideas, towards the future vision of a successful but more sustainable and resilient community.
Input into LDP3
Through this LPP report, supported by the Infrastructure First policy principle in the SG National Planning Framework 4, the community strongly requests that the existing Se lement Boundaries for Dunkeld and Birnam are respected in the 2027 Local Development Plan.
The vision for the PH8 community, the major conclusions from the survey and the proposals for our next steps are also in line with several key policy principles in NPF4 across all three main areas; Sustainable, Liveable & Productive Places
Swot Analysis
STRENGTHS
• Community is strong / positive / proactive / vibrant / small / close knit / supportive / caring
• Natural environment & location / scenery / landscape/ open space / access / activity in nature
• Amenities & services
• Events / clubs / groups
• Upgraded, modern & fully accessible station WEAKNESSES
• Road tra c safety & congestion / A9 & junctions / Telford Bridge / through Dunkeld
• Parking in Dunkeld & Birnam
• Lack of a ordable housing for local people
• Active travel safety
• Infrastructure at breaking point on busy tourist days
• Geographically constrained by A9 / river / flooding / landscape
OPPORTUNITIES
• Community-led a ordable housing
• PKC housing allocation policy / manage short-term lets to free up housing for local people
• Tra c management / calming / reduction
• New parking on edge of Dunkeld & Birnam
• New footbridges across the rivers Tay and Braan
• Community renewable energy
THREATS
• Any major new housing development pu ing too much pressure on infrastructure / tra c / parking / natural & historic landscape
• Risk to Dunkeld retail trade if tra c & parking issues are not addressed
• Further slippage of Transport Scotland’s A9 plans
• Inadequate maintenance of our Historic buildings
Next Steps - Bringing Action Forward / Follow-up Priorities
The questionnaire response has delivered a rich insight into the community’s concerns and suggestions for improvement. Nine potential Action Areas have initially been identified for detailed follow-up, some already very active, others less so. The follow-up community consultation events for the dra LPP report will provide an opportunity for further engagement, identification of interested volunteers, and future coordination of an overall action plan under the DBDCDT.
Notes from a Councillor
I was disappointed to see so many Community Councillors resign from the Dunkeld and Birnam Community Council (DBCC) recently. Community Councils have a vital role to play in local democracy and are the eyes and ears of many communities throughout the Country and they act as a barometer for local issues. When working in tandem with the local elected Councillors much can be achieved.
I was also disappointed that the issues which caused the split in DBCC were not discussed at the previous evening’s public meeting and brought to a sensible conclusion rather than resign en masse and continue the disagreement on social media. Further coverage of the resignations in print making the front page of The Dundee Courier, newspaper. Not the most positive press for Dunkeld & Birnam.
Most organisations like DBCC will have strong characters and di ering opinions, some of those opinions will have widespread agreement while others will be divisive. It is incumbent upon all representatives of the Council, whether that be Community Council or Perth and Kinross Council to remain neutral and work for compromise in a way that is best representative of the wider Community within the confines of due process. Place trust in legislation, democracy chain, Perth & Kinross Council, its o cers, local approaches and strategic vision.
There are a number of active groups within Dunkeld and Birnam fighting for various causes, such as libraries, housing etc, some of them are even duplicating their e orts. My hope now, is that Dunkeld and Birnam can move forward with a representative Community Council which encompasses all of the vision of the groups in a united e ort to make a real di erence for the community and a its future.
The input from the local community will be crucial to the stability and survival of the Community Council. Decisions made in haste are very o en repented at leisure and I would urge everyone to draw a line in the sand and work together for the benefit of Dunkeld and Birnam and the surrounding area.
This is an opportunity for a community reset all round and pause before moving forward. What Dunkeld & Birnam has is an enormous amount of community passion, lets use it positively.
The Community Council is currently in abeyance due to insu cient community councillors to be quorate. From April10th it will be functional when two recently elected councillors will join the one remaining councillor. Perth and Kinross Council will at this time start the process of a by-election for five vacancies, information on this will be available at www.pkc.gov.uk/communitycouncilselections
In the meantime, if you are interested in standing for election to the Community Council or if you have any questions regarding Community Councils more generally, please contact Perth and Kinross Council at CommunityCouncils@pkc.gov.uk or phone 01738 475004.
Please check back in May’s Bridge for an update.
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Claire McLaren
Work & Business Support
Moore House Academy Dunkeld Campus
Moore House Academy Dunkeld Campus - Ola’s Big Chop: A Unique Donation for Charity At Moore House Academy Dunkeld, teacher Ola is making a remarkable gesture of kindness by cu ing o her long hair and donating it to the Li le Princess Trust, a charity that provides real-hair wigs to children who have lost their hair due to illness or medical treatment. This is not only a personal transformation for Ola but also a chance to help children in need feel like themselves again. In addition to donating her hair, Ola is raising funds to create more wigs, with a target of £700 to cover the cost of one wig. Ola has been with MHA Dunkeld for nearly six years, teaching Wellbeing across both Primary and Academy levels. Her work includes fostering students’ growth through subjects like Personal & Social Education, Cooking, and Life Skills. Ola’s motivation for her hair donation stems from a personal experience—her mother lost her hair during cancer treatment in 2017 and wore a wig to regain her confidence. Inspired by this, Ola first donated her hair in 2017 and is now doing so again, driven by the desire to help others in similar circumstances. The Li le Princess Trust uses donated hair to make high-quality wigs for young people, up to age 24, who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments or other conditions. In addition to providing wigs, the charity funds childhood cancer research. Ola’s hair donation is a symbol of support for the children who rely on these wigs, allowing them to feel more like themselves during di cult times. Alongside her donation, Ola has already raised nearly £400 through her JustGiving page, with donations still coming in. To further promote the cause, MHA Dunkeld will host a ‘Fun Hairstyle Day’ on March 26th, where students and sta will showcase creative hairdos to raise awareness and funds for the charity.
World Book Day at Moore House Academy Dunkeld World Book Day was another highlight at Moore House Academy Dunkeld, with students and sta enthusiastically celebrating the joy of reading. Students dressed up as their favorite fictional characters, including Tinkerbell, Inspector Gadget, and Wolverine. The day included a World Book Day breakfast where everyone shared their favorite books, followed by a lively Kahoot quiz testing literary knowledge. The event reemphasised the joy of books and the creativity they inspire in students.
4 Enterprising Actions for April
As we head into spring, it’s a great time to get energised and ready to take on some new business projects, or refresh your current ideas. GrowBiz’s free support for rural enterprises and the self-employed can give you a boost along the way. Here are four actions you can take this month to ensure you’re on the right track:
A end a learning session
Our free online learning sessions are based around topics that can help you run your business more e ectively. In April the focus is on marketing, with sessions around how to plan your promotional content, and how to use the messaging your customers want to hear.
Speak to an advisor
Meet with one of our friendly advisors and receive support to identify what you need to get started or to achieve your business goals. Talk through your ideas, develop a business strategy or identify areas where you require training and development.
Download a resource
The GrowBiz website has a number of free editable resources to help you run your business e ciently. Download a business plan template, bookkeeping spreadsheet, marketing content planner and more.
Sign up for our newsle er
The GrowBiz newsle er is sent out fortnightly and contains a list of our upcoming events, opportunities for Scotland’s rural enterprises and communities, and positive client stories, so you can stay up to date with what’s happening in the local business community.
You can book our events, request a 1-1 support session, download free resources and sign up to our newsle er at: www.growbiz.co.uk
Birnam Library is run by Culture Perth and Kinrossa charitable trust bringing art, culture, books, learning, creative communities and local history and heritage to people across the whole of Perth and Kinross. https://www.culturepk.org.uk/
07967 117149
• The Birnam Arts Centre
• North Car Park Toilets Dunkeld
• Brodies Sawmill Inver
• The Community Telephone Box, Butterstone
• The Community Telephone Box, Willowbank, Birnam
• Amulree Village Hall
• Caputh Village Hall
• Dalguise Village Hall
• BASC office Trochry
• Auchnacloich Farm, Amulree
• Dunkeld and Birnam Golf Club
• Office Wall, Erigmore Holiday Park
• Davidson’s Chemist Dunkeld
• Inver Caravan Park
• Sports and Recreation Hub
April ‘Stick on the Fridge’
LocalOrganisations-ContactDetails
ListingforlocalvoluntaryorganisationsarefreehoweverTheBridgewelcomesdonations tocoverthecostoftheselistings.PleasesenddonationstotheAdvertisingManager, John. B. Gray at Highfield, Brae Street, Dunkeld, PH8 0BA. Many thanks. Please contact the editor with amendments/additions. Phone01350+
Dunkeld and District Strathspey & Reel Society 07740 664052 Theresa MacVarish Clark secretary@dunkeldstrathspeyandreel.org FilmSociety 727740 TomBarnard tom_barnard@btinternet.com Just Singin’, 7.30pmWeds(BA) 07765405203 KatieDalgliesh www.justsingin.co.uk
