Back row left to right - Alice Campbell and Georgina Melville Front row left to right - Rhona McBean and Ellie Davenport.
Birnam Ballet School in the Christmas show ‘Twinkly 2025!’
Photo: Graham Robb
Meet the Team
EDITOR
Sally Robertson
Please e-mail your article to Sally at: editor@dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk or post to: The Bridge Dunkeld & Birnam Community Co-Working Space Lagmhor, Dunkeld PH8 0AD
ADVERTISING MANAGER Kirsty Gowans
Please e-mail your advertising to Kirsty at: adverts@dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk
Advertising rates from £7.69 per month. Contact Kirsty for details. Tel: 07967 117149
The Bridge, edited by volunteers for the people of Dunkeld, Birnam and the surrounding villages since 1974. Thank you for all your support.
Dunkeld & Birnam, The Bridge
The Bridge Newsletter is produced and distributed by Dunkeld and Birnam News CICa Community Interest Company Registered in Scotland SC813544
Editorial
Keeping It Merry and Bright
I was chatting to a colleague recently who knows far more than I do about the Chinese zodiac. I’m a Sheep/ Goat, apparently — which makes me laugh because in the Bible Jesus famously separates the sheep from the goats, so I’m clearly covering my bases. I’m also a Gemini — the Twins — which astrologers insist means “versatile and curious,” not “indecisive with a short attention span.” Still, with goats, sheep and twins in the mix, I wonder what the universe trying to tell me! Anyway, my colleague said we are currently in the Chinese Year of the Snake, the final year of a 20-year cycle. I’d said I was feeling a sense of “endings” in my life — not in a dramatic way (and if St Peter, Thanatos or Yama appear, I’ll no doubt be saying “Hang on a minute .. I’ve not finished my list… and can I water the plants before I go?”). A friend warned me that next year is the Year of the Fire Horse, and as a Fire Sheep/Goat, I should be careful not to burn myself out. Sage advice. Whatever tradition you follow, this time of year always seems to bring a celebration. The Norse New Year, Yule, runs for 12 days from 21 December, while some Nordic traditions wait for the first full moon after the solstice.
The Chinese New Year begins on the second new moon — usually in February — marking renewal, light and possibility.
So as our year winds towards its close and the new moon rises across the world for us all, I hope that whatever 2026 holds for you — in your own tradition, rhythm, or zodiac — it brings warmth, new beginnings, and the fulfilment of your dreams.
A huge thank you to everyone who helps keep The Bridge going — all who send in updates and
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 will be on Thursday 29th January, 7.30pm at the Guide Hall (behind Royal School of Dunkeld) All welcome! If there are significant developments sooner we’ll be in touch. (if you’re not yet on our email list, let us know, see below). Dualling of Tay Crossing to Ballinluig:
Angela Newlands, Community Liaison Manager for contractor Wills Bros attended our meeting on 27th Nov. They have held (at very short notice) “meet the contractor” drop-ins in Pitlochry and Ballinluig with one in Perth (Dec 3rd) and an online one to come. See page 22 for more information. https://www.a9dualling.scot/a9-dualling/news/meet-the-contractor-for-a9-dualling-tay-crossing-to-ballinluig/ We await information about a drop-in In Dunkeld and Birnam. They have also just issued a letter about the start of work, extract follows: “Overnight temporary traffic signals and a convoy system will be installed on the A9 between the Jubilee Bridge and Ballinluig from Monday 24 November 2025 until March 2026. This traffic management is expected to be in place during weekdays between the hours of 19:30hrs and 06:00hrs the following morning. Whilst these signals are in place, a temporary speed restriction of 30mph will be in place through and on approach to the works area. No works will be undertaken on Saturday or Sunday overnights. The location of the traffic signals will change as works progress, so road users are advised to take care and follow all on-site signage. The temporary traffic management will be removed between 19 December 2025 to 7 January 2026 in order to minimise disruption over the holiday period.”
Angela Newlands can be contacted at AngelaNewlands@willsbros.com 01698 479230 or enquiries. A9TC2B@willsbros.com 0800 011 4255. The details of the dualling design for Tay Crossing to Ballinluig are at: https://www.transport.gov.scot/projects/a9-dualling-perth-to-inverness/a9-tay-crossing-to-ballinluig/projectdetails/
Dualling of Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing:
The Transport Scotland Major Projects Team is still preparing responses to all the representations received during the statutory consultation period which ended in July.
Submissions can still be made to:
Director of Major Projects, Transport Scotland, 177 Bothwell St, Glasgow G2 7EQ or by email to: A9dualling@transport.gov.scot.
If you do, please copy to us (see below), and once responses start to come from TS it would be a great help if you can share these with the A9CG. And please do let me know if you have still not received a reply to any questions/requests for info that you put earlier to TS/Jacobs.
As always you can contact us at email: dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail.com , also to have your details added (or removed from) our mailing list; or just phone me!
For our reports on “The Bridge” website: https://www.dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk/
contributions, everyone who braves the rain to deliver it through every door, our volunteer board, Kirsty our wonderful advertising manager, and all those who support our community by choosing to advertise with us. I’d also like to give a shout-out to the design and print team at Winter & Simpson, who are endlessly patient with my “stop press! can we squeeze this in?” moments. This really is a community publication, kept alive by the goodwill and graft of local people. Here’s to good endings, bright beginnings, and the light and blessing of a New Year — whether you’re a fiery sheep/goat, a horse, a dragon, or something in between. We are a remarkable community, and I look forward to all that 2026 brings — fire and all!
Sal Robertson
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A THANK YOU AND AN UPDATE FROM THE TRUSTEES
From Sarah Yearsley and Andrew Cave, Co-Chairs
A huge thank you to everyone who has taken the time to fill in the survey, add a ‘leaf to our tree’, send emails, or pop in to talk with us over the past few weeks. The level of engagement has been extraordinary. We are now carefully going through every comment and suggestion as we continue to shape the way forward.
A couple of things are already very clear. First, how deeply this community values Birnam Arts – the space built by us in 1883 and extended for the millennium. Many of you have told us how hard it would be if it were to disappear. We feel exactly the same.
Second, Birnam Arts has always relied on volunteers, and it still does. If you can help with the community clear-and-clean days on 4 & 5 January, lend a hand during the year in the bar, shop or at events, support us financially, or offer your professional skills in a specific way, we would be incredibly grateful. Please get in touch at chair@birnamarts.com or feel free to pop in and speak to us. On that note can we say a huge thank you to Frazer at the Birnam Reader for recently raising £314.50 for hall equipment!
Please also buy your tickets for our Burns Night Ceilidh Fundraiser on Saturday 24 January – a lovely opportunity to meet and say hello. With Karys Watt’s wonderful ceilidh band Tunna booked, we’re getting ready for a joyful, highenergy night and a chance to celebrate what we have.
What is very clear is that whatever the next chapter holds for Birnam Arts, our future depends on you – our community, our bedrock. Thank you for everything you’ve done, and continue to do.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2026.
A collection of fabulous works from local creatives and artists.
Cinderella: Birnam Institute Players
Thurs 4th & Fri 5th Dec: 7pm / Sat 6th: 2pm & 7pm
Tickets: £10 Adult/£7 U16/£25 Family (2adults/2 u16s)*
Cinderella the panto - a coachful of laughs, plus - as always, singalong favourites for all the family!
Santa Day Story Telling: With Dan Serridge Sat 6th Dec 11am £7*
Seasonal stories for Santa Day, suitable for all the family!
Workshop: Drawing Techniques With Pencil:
Caroline Foote
Sat 13th Dec 12 - 4pm £20 (Booking Link Onine)
All materials provided – please bring a packed lunch with you!
Amos & Jauncey
Christmas All Stars
Sat 20th Dec 7.30pm £13 - £20*
Join us for a night of classic hits, festive fun, and all-out singalong magic!
Singing And Rainbows Workshop
Sun 21st Dec 1pm – 2.15pm £10*
Learn a selection of cheerful Christmas songs to perform in a joyful endof-workshop concert!
Concert
Sun 21st Dec 3pm - 4pm £14/£8 U12s*
Bring your jingle bells for an hour of themed Christmas music. With Opera singers Colleen and Katie.
Warm Spaces: Free Film
Tues 23rd Dec 2pm: The Man Who Invented Christmas
Tues 20th Jan 2pm: Quartet
Lunch 1pm
Warm Spaces Free Film and a complimentary light lunch at 1pm for the first 15 people to arrive is back… no booking required!
Film: Seen
Thurs 8th Jan 6.30 – 9.30pm £8*
SEEN is a powerful and deeply moving feature documentary that explores how personal healing can transform the way we parent — and the way children grow.
Sound Of The Sirens
Sat 17 Jan 8pm £18.50*
Songwriting duo, Abbe Martin and Hannah Wood deliver heartfelt and genre-blending songs that shift from tender ballads to foot-stomping anthems.
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
Ashley Campbell: The Good Night Nashville Tour
Fri 23rd Jan 8pm £20*
Ashley Campbell brings soulful country/Americana with a legendary pedigree and a voice all her own.
Birnam Arts Burns Night Ceilidh Fundraiser
Sat 24 Jan 7.30pm £14/£8*
Join Local Ceilidh band Tunna, featuring Karys Watt, for a joyful, highenergy night for all, raising funds for Birnam Arts!
Workshop: Fearless Painting: Alison Price
Sun 25th Jan 10.30am – 4pm £65/£45 (Booking Link Online)
A playful exploration into the world of paint and colour.
PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES
at Birnam Arts, December 14th @ 7.30pm
A ritual in our house every year was the Christmas film. The Radio Times and TV Times were scoured and a viewing timetable was agreed after much argument. On Christmas Day there were films which seemed to appear every year: The Great Escape was an early favourite, later we had the Muppets Christmas film and more recently Love Actually, Paddington and Nativity. This tradition is gradually dying as the advent of Netflix, Amazon Prime and BBC I Player have changed routines so families can watch what they want, when they want.
Similarly a trip to the cinema to see the Wizard of Oz or a Disney film was a regular feature.
Birnam and Dunkeld Film Society keeps these traditions alive locally with a seasonal film at Birnam Arts every year in the run up to Christmas. This year we are showing the very funny Planes Trains and Automobiles - a film set in America in the run up to their ChristmasThanksgiving season. The film stars the late great John Candy and Steve Martin and is a mixture of comedy, slapstick and emotional moments.
As ever, we will be serving refreshments and mince pies after the Christmas film so it is a chance for us to get together and celebrate how lucky we are to live in such a wonderful place in our very own community hub at Birnam Arts.
Non-members are always welcome and the admission charge (including mince pies!) is £8, £4 for students and under 18s.
Birnam Arts New Year Clear Out & Clean Days - Volunteers needed!
Sunday 4th and Monday 5th January
Join the BA team for some clearing and cleaning and help get Birnam Arts Centre spruced up and ready for 2026. Come for the whole day or just a couple of hours. Register you interest in helping with Elspeth Wood, Volunteer Development Manager on volunteer@birnamarts.com
Thank you
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Arts News
Dunkeld & Birnam Traditional Youth Music Group
We’re looking forward to our Christmas concert on Monday 15th December. Doors open 6pm with concert from 6:30-8pm at Birnam Arts. Tickets are free with donations at the door. If you’d like to come along and hear our young musicians play some of the tunes they’ve been learning, along with some Christmas favourites, all are welcome.
DB Trad Group will be on Holiday for the festive period with usual activities back to normal in January.
If you would like to learn how to play whistle, guitar, fiddle or pianoaccordion, we run small group classes lasting half an hour, lead by our experienced and professional trad musicians. They’re completely free and we provide instruments, without cost, for our members to take home and use as their own. Suitable for P5 - S6.
We have plenty of space in our junior and senior bands. These are for those who can already play at least a little and are suitable for most instruments. We welcome accordion, string, wind and brass players, guitarists, pianists, percussionists and more to come along and join in with our musical ventures.
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.
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.
To keep up with our up coming concerts and other activities follow us at facebook.com/dbtradgroup.
We rely entirely on funding and donations to keep our group accessible to all and as always, our thanks go to SSE Renewables, National Lottery, 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. Find us at www.facebook.com/dbtradgroup Email dbtradgroup@gmail.com or call 07958 324 766 for more info.
Just Singin’ GRAHAM ROBB
Photographer in residence at Birnam Arts on 6th December
I’m delighted to have been invited to return to Birnam Arts as photographer in residence on Saturday, 6th December; I’ll be upstairs on the mezzanine and you’re welcome to drop in anytime between 10.00 and 4.00 for a quick, easy photo session.
It’s free, it’s fun, it takes only a few minutes, and I’ll email some photos to you which you can use for Facebook/Instagram/etc. If you want prints I’ll organise that too, at a very modest cost, some of which goes to Birnam Arts! I’m very pleased that after my two days of photographer in residence sessions at Birnam Arts back in October during which I photographed twenty-two visitors, there are now elegantly mounted and framed prints adorning walls in homes across Scotland!
Bring the kids, bring your mum, bring the dog! There’s no need to get dressed up, but Christmas is on the way….
Community Choir, Birnam
Festive Greetings from all the members of Just Singin’.
We are a friendly Community Choir where everyone is welcome! We are a group of around thirty and squish into the upstairs room at Birnam Arts on Wednesday evenings. Just come along, no preparation required! We provide the words, and our wonderful tutors teach us a few songs each week. Basically we learn the tune by the tutor singing a line at a time to us, and us singing it back. Then we learn a few simple harmonies, ending up with a wonderful, uplifting sound and the pleasure of singing together. We cover a wide range of musical styles and try to make sure that there is something for everyone.
Our current term concludes with an appearance at the start of Santa Day in Birnam on 6th December, then our final session of the year on 10th December. We have a bit of a rest in January, and our next eight week term begins on 4th February led by Emma Neck who is a fabulous, fun and uplifting tutor – just what is needed as we emerge from winter! New singers are welcome any time.
Full details of the group are available on our website https://www.justsingin.co.uk or contact us at enquiries@justsingin.co.uk
If you feel that you might enjoy singing with a bunch of friendly folk, why not come along and give it a try - a warm welcome is guaranteed!
Slating
Leadwork
UPVC
Flat
General
Rivendell provides high quality care and support for you and your elderly relative. Based in Birnam and Dunkeld our homely environment provides a safe and fun community spirit. Our trained staff provide care and support for all your needs 24 hours a day, we are always there.
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.
Please phone 01350 727413 and speak to Gina or email: manager@rivendellcarehome.co.uk.com for more information.
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.’
Dunkeld and Birnam Sports and Leisure Hub : including Multi Use Games Area
(MUGA); Tennis and Bowling
The Sports Hub (formerly the Rec Club) 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. Visithttps://clubspark.lta.org. uk/DunkeldandBirnamSportsandLeisureHub/Membership/ Join or Contact dbsportsleisurehub@gmail.com at any time for further information.
Booking for the tennis courts and MUGA can be done online at: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ DunkeldandBirnamSportsandLeisureHub
Dalguise Meditation Group
The world we live in is full of conflict, anxiety and suffering. Sometimes our own lives are too. We can’t always change outward circumstances; what we can change is how we respond to them. Meditation can help with that. It can alter how we perceive things, give us resilience and calmness in the face of difficulties, encourage compassion for ourselves and others. The only way to find out if it can do that for you is to try it.
Whether you are completely new to meditation, or have an established practice, you are welcome to our meetings. These take place on the first and third Tuesdays of every month, from 10.30 to 12.30 in Dalguise Village Hall. So in December, meetings are on Tuesday 2nd and 16th. We enjoy sitting and walking meditations, discussions and refreshments. There are no charges, no formalities, and we have no religious affiliations – what we do is decided among our members. If you aren’t able to attend in person, you might nevertheless be interested in going on our mailing list. Members receive thought-provoking and helpful compilations about meditation and mindful living, in the weeks between live meetings. If you would like to know more about our meetings or about meditation in general, please do contact faithanstey@gmail.com
The Annual Bridge Pub Crawl Draws A Keen Crowd Of Players To Dunkeld And Birnam
“Participants in the Dunkeld and Birnam CaféBridge Day at The Taybank during the event held on Tuesday 21 October. Other hostellries included Birnam Arts, the Birnam Oak Café, Corbenic Café, the Dunkeld Royal Hotel and the Dunkeld House Hotel.”
It was a quiet Tuesday morning in Dunkeld’s Main Street – a little sun, a little rain – as 112 bridge players gathered in the Royal Hotel ballroom to register for the fourth Dunkeld and Birnam CaféBridge Day. Tagged and colour-coded, they dispersed across seven local pubs and cafés for what is affectionately known as the annual “bridge pub crawl”.
“A bridge pub crawl?” you might ask. Yes indeed: duplicate bridge played purely for the joy of good cards, good company and the novelty of playing in local hostelries. Players were divided among the venues and played two rounds of five boards before lunch, walking between pubs along the banks of the Tay. The event, billed as “Walks, Bridge and Lunch”, ensures all host venues receive customers
throughout the day.
After lunch the personalised route maps sent players onwards to more boards and more scenic strolls. In total, 28 boards were played before everyone returned to the Royal ballroom for results and prizes, calculated by tournament director Victor Lesk. The top pair, John and Sarah Williams from Montrose, received commemorative medals and an afternoon tea at the Dunkeld House Hotel, and their names will be added to the Hamish Smith silver salver.
Assistants helped Victor oversee scoring using BriAn, a mobile platform designed for café bridge events. There were no masterpoints on offer –just fun, friendship and five hours of relaxed competition in autumn sunshine.
The idea comes from the Netherlands, home of the original “Kroegentochten” bridge pub crawls – some even by bicycle. Spoons, the organisers, developed the concept locally after success in 2022, and this year expanded to 112 players with a
waiting list. Alcohol is optional; registration covers lunch, drinks and prizes.
Left-over proceeds go to charity, and in 2025 SCAA (Scottish Charity Air Ambulance) will benefit by £3,600. Spoons thank all local venues and sponsors – The Hairy Coo and Athol Malts – for making the event such a success.
More information: BridgeDays website https://www.bridgewebs.com/bridgedays/
Top Winners, John and Sarah Williams from Montrose with the Hamish Smith salver
Nature and Climate
Community Orchard
The orchard has entered its quiet time and we are taking a well-earned rest during these colder, darker months. Come the New Year we will be starting work on the annual winter pruning to improve tree health and vigour, for example removing any damaged or diseased wood and crowded growth. There is a fair bit to do, with some trees needing particular attention this year. We’d love to hear from anyone who would like to join us. You don’t need any prior experience to help –we can link you up with other volunteers so that you can learn together as you work and there is a lot of flexibility as to when. We try to pick winter days with a bit of sun when it’s lovely to be amongst the trees and keeping that connection with plants and nature through the winter. To find out more please get in touch. Find us and follow us on social media. You can also email us: dunkeldbirnamorchard@gmail.com
DRINK, CHAT, ACT
Part of the growing Climate Café® movement that began in this village over ten years ago, the Climate Café® Dunkeld & Birnam offers a welcoming space to share ideas, news, concerns, practical actions and find out more about local initiatives to tackle the climate emergency – all over a friendly cuppa. The café connects our community with the wider network of Climate Café® spaces springing up across Scotland and beyond, making it easy to learn, connect, and take action together.
Join the chat and action in the Coworking Space in Little Dunkeld, the first Thursday of every month from 7pm9pm. There’s no formal agenda, chat is led by those who come along, it is a place to share information, keep up with events, get support with your ideas and find inspiration. Find out more at www. climate.cafe or follow the conversation online #ClimateCafe #DrinkChatAct
Gardening & Growing
Club – Join Us!
Love plants? Whether you’re a windowsill potterer 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 green-fingered. (Just £15 if joining from July onwards!)
Everyone’s welcome! Drop by, meet like-minded folks, and grow something wonderful with us. For more info dbggclub@gmail.com
Forthcoming Events
Wed 19 Nov 7pm Wreath making. The Guide Hall
10 December Christmas Night Out
2026
Jan ‘All things herbs’ with Iain Broadhead / Kirstin Lamotte of Little Trochry Farm
22nd February Snowdrop walk, with tea and cake at Cambo Estate, near St Andrews. 11th March AGM
Start of the New Gardening and Growing Year : Membership re-news
26th April Visit to the Japanese Garden, Dollar. 10th May Visit to rhododendrons at Glendoick House Gardens
15th July Murthly Walled Garden
15th August The Annual Show
20th September Falkland Palace Gardens
Next Repair Cafe
Monday 1st December
Venue – Birnam Arts in the Arts Studio 300pm to 6.00pm
Thanks to everyone who made our Repairfest in November such a success. It was a busy, lively day and we hope everyone enjoyed it. Have you still got things stored away waiting to be mended? Jumper with a hole in? Broken ornament? Lamp with a loose wire? 3 legged chair?
Worried about your computer and no support for Windows 10? Don’t chuck it out yet – there is an alternative. Come along and find out about that too.
Anything portable - bring them on 1st. Service by volunteers is free. Only cost might be for spare parts. Donations welcome.
Come along and have a tea or a coffee and we’ll see if we can help. We’ll also pass on repair skills if you want to learn to fix things.
Note – No cafe in January.
February 2nd Feb is the first cafe in 2025 Contact for queries dbrepaircafe@gmail.com
Food Share
It’s been quite a busy month, making good use of our new fridge .
We’ve had lots of food from the Coop, Livvy’s and Aran bakery and also loads of apples and bananas. I hope you’ve all been busy making banana bread! Birnam Arts are leaving spare sandwiches at St Mary’s and leftovers from functions are also donated. A big thank you to everyone.
It would be great if we had a few extra volunteers on standby for the holiday period so if you’d be happy to fill in the odd evening pick-up from the Coop please get in touch. Jan Silburn - j.silburn @btinternet.com.
Food Bank
For help with more regular food please contact our confidential links - 01350 700018 or email PH8foodbank@gmail.com. Donations can be left in the Coop and are generously supplied by the Catholic Church. Scan the QR code or visit www.dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk/contactus to view our 2025 advertising rates! The Bridge connects you with loyal, community-minded readers who love to shop local.
Dunkeld and Birnam in Bloom
I seem to have been saying this for the last three months, but the begonia’s have now definitely all been lifted from all the troughs throughout both villages and spring bulbs planted.
We all went over to support the Birnam Arts volunteer day on the 27 October. We swept up the leaves and generally tidied the front entrance, removed compost from the troughs and refilled with new compost, plants and Spring bulbs.
The very large picnic table which has been made and donated by Scott Perry and “Digger” Dave Brown has been delivered to St Ninian’s gardens. It has a remarkable pedigree as it was constructed of timber from the first Douglas Fir in Britain to reach 200ft. It is
believed to have been planted in the 1750’s. Unfortunately it was blown down at the Hermitage during the 2017 storms. So as you sit with friends and family enjoying your lunch or a take away coffee just think of the stories this table could tell.
If the weather is kind we will continue to meet on Monday mornings 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.
Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2026 to all the volunteers and to everyone who has supported us over the year.
Thank you
Moira (07931 758 456)
North Logiealmond Wind Farm
Project Update
Muirhall Energy is proposing to develop North Logiealmond Wind Farm, located around 18km north-west of Perth, in partnership with the landowner Scone Estates.
We are undertaking a range of activities to provide a further update on Muirhall Energy’s proposed North Logiealmond Wind Farm, located around 18km north-west of Perth. When we first consulted with communities in November 2024, 20 turbines were proposed. Following this engagement, alongside further design and survey work, an 18-turbine scheme was consulted upon in May of this year.
In response to further feedback received, the final turbine numbers have been reduced to 13 turbines, removing turbines from the western part of the site. When making this decision, concerns on visual impacts to the west and north of the site have been taken into consideration.
We are planning to hold three public drop-in events in late January and February, prior to the planning submission, and we would like to encourage you to attend and view our amended plans.
These will also be widely advertised in the New Year.
3pm - 7pm
Thursday 22nd January
Bankfoot Church Centre, Tulliebelton Rd, Bankfoot, Perth PH1 4BS
3pm - 7pm
Wednesday 28th January
Chapelhill Hall, Logiealmond, Perth and Kinross PH1 3TH
By attending these events you will be able to:
• Speak to the project team
• Learn how the plans have changed
• Have your questions answered
• Provide your comments
3pm - 7pm
Tuesday 3rd February
Birnam Arts & Cafe, Station Rd, Birnam, Dunkeld PH8 0DS
You will also be able to view the materials, including interactive visualisations, online at www.muirhallenergy.co.uk/projects/48-north-logiealmond, closer to the events. Further information will also be available on key issues, such as construction access, noise, proposed infrastructure and environmental enhancements.
We hope you will be able to attend the events and should you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch: email NorthLogiealmondWF@muirhallenergy.co.uk
Three Churches in the Community
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
Fraser Penny
It has become a bit of a tradition now that in the lead up to Christmas that the likes of John Lewis and M & S compete with each other for the best Christmas Advert. The race is on to be the most amusing, moving, poignant, or imaginative. Admittedly, there have been some very clever ones over the years but the bottom line is they are all to peddle the same message – buy from us, not that lot! So they try ever more inventive ways to advertise their wares.
This year will be my 25th Christmas here and as always it can be a struggle to find new ways to communicate the same message. Finding fresh ideas for worship and for articles like this can be challenging. (I know I am flattering myself by thinking folk will remember what I said a year or two ago when I can hardly remember myself!)
We do like to find contemporary ways to communicate a timeless message but the bottom line is that the message remains the same however we package it – that ‘the Word became flesh; he made his home among us and we saw his glory, full of grace and truth.’ (John 1:14)
The message is simply this, that God’s truth and love were brought down to our level in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. If you want to see what God is like, there’s the answer in the one who was born for us, died on the cross and rose again.
That’s the timeless message of Christmas. We don’t need to find increasingly elaborate ways to package it. The message is enough in itself and the best advert for it in every age is followers of his showing the difference he makes by living out that love in their daily lives. God’s Word of life made flesh in our lives today.
Happy Christmas and a blessed New Year!
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 6.30pm. This follows the pattern 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, or you can simply join in the service and have your own time of prayer.
On December 7th. we meet in St.Mary’s and on the 4th January in Little Dunkeld Kirk. All welcome from any church or none.
Kirk Session
The next regular meeting of the Kirk Session is on January 20th. at 7.30pm. in the Duchess Anne.
Fellowship Group
‘Exploring faith and life together’ Two Fellowship Groups meet, fortnightly, one on a Tuesday evening at 7pm and the other on Wednesday mornings at 10.30am, both in the Chanonry.
The Tuesday group has taken a new direction with ‘Coffee & Questions.’ Everyone has questions about life, belief or ethical issues which bother them – whether it be assisted dying or world peace or….? You are invited to come along and add your questions to the mix. One will be drawn out each night to provoke discussion on that theme. So, if there is an issue about faith or life you would like to discuss with others then come along. No special knowledge is required, just a willingness to be stretched and challenged. In December the Tuesday group will meet on the 2nd. and 16th. at 7pm.
Church of Scotland Services
Dec 7th 11.00am Communion Service in Little Dunkeld Kirk
6.30pm Prayers for Help & Healing in St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.
Dec 14th 11.00am Morning worship in Little Dunkeld Kirk
3.00pm Service of Remembering in Little Dunkeld (See explanation below)
Dec 21st 11.00am Morning Worship in Little Dunkeld Kirk
4.00pm Christingle service in Little Dunkeld
Dec 24th 6.30pm Christmas Eve Service at Amulree 11.30pm Watchnight service in the Cathedral (Carol singing from 11pm onwards)
Dec 25th 11.00am Christmas Day Service in Little Dunkeld Kirk
The Wednesday group will meet next on the December 3rd. and 17th. gathering at 10.15 and starting just after the Men’s Breakfast. This session the group is studying the Letter to the Ephesians.
All Welcome.
Both meet in the Chanonry but if you would like to join by zoom let Fraser know and that can be set up.
Men’s Breakfast
The smell of bacon and sausages will once again be wafting out of the Chanonry as the Men’s Breakfast gets started again. It starts at 9am and meets fortnightly. Upcoming dates are December 3rd. and 17th. There will be a break over the Christmas season and it will start up again in January/ There is no need to book; just turn up and enjoy and all are welcome.
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
St Mary’s Episcopal Church
Sunday 21st December - Carol Service 10amAll Ages Welcome
Christmas Day 10am - Family Christmas Worship With Communion.
Christingle
There is something special about the annual Christingle service! Through carols and an unrehearsed nativity play the story of Jesus’ birth is told again. Young and old can dress up to be part of the telling or you can just sit to watch the drama unfold and join in the songs.
THE 3 CHURCHES CHARITY SHOP
Dec 28th 11.00am Morning Worship in Little Dunkeld Kirk
Jan 4th 11.00am Morning Worship in Little Dunkeld Kirk
6.30pm Prayers for Help & Healing in Little Dunkeld Kirk
Jan 11th 11.00am Morning Worship in Little Dunkeld Kirk
Jan 18th 11.00am Morning Worship in Little Dunkeld Kirk
2.15pm Service at Amulree Kirk
Jan 25th 11.00am Morning Worship in Little Dunkeld Kirk
Feb 1st 11.00am Morning Worship in Little Dunkeld Kirk
6.30pm Prayers for Help & Healing in St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.
After the service tea and coffee are served in one of the gathering areas in the church and everyone is very welcome to stay for a short time.
On December 7th. at the morning service in Little Dunkeld we will have a visit from our Missionary Partners, Keith and Ida Waddell who work in education and health care in Zambia.
Service of Remembering - Sunday 14th. December at 3pm in Little Dunkeld Kirk - a service of prayer, reflection and remembrance for people dealing with loss. Families who have had funerals in the parish in the past year are invited by letter but there is a warm invitation to anyone who feels a loss keenly at this time of year, whether that loss was a few months ago or years ago. The service lasts about half an hour and those who want to, can stay for tea/coffee afterwards.
We are an independent local charity raising money for our 3 local churches. All money raised is divided by three equally and presented to each Church.
New Volunteers always welcome – just pop in and let us know if you are interested in joining our friendly team. SC043359
Three Churches in the Community
Towards the end, when the Christingle candles are lit there is a special atmosphere of wonder and prayer as we remember the purpose of it all – that Jesus is the light of the world.
Please join us this year on December 21st. at 4pm. in Little Dunkeld and at the end stay for some Christmas refreshments before heading home.
Christmas Offerings
This year the offerings at our Christmas Eve services at Amulree and the Cathedral will be to help raise money to buy a truck for our Missionary Partners, Keith and Ida Waddell who work in Zambia. They have done great work in the fields of health and education, but one thing they need is a truck to transport equipment and supplies. We, along with some other churches in Scotland, are being asked to contribute to the funds required to buy and maintain a truck. We have also had a very generous offer from an anonymous donor to match whatever we raise from our offerings – a great opportunity to make an extra special gift to the work the Waddells are doing.
Weekly Services
Church of Scotland:
Dunkeld Cathedral at 11am.
Every Sunday from Easter Sunday to Remembrance Sunday.
Little Dunkeld Kirk at 11am. Every Sunday from the Sunday following Remembrance Sunday to Palm Sunday.
Scottish 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, Cathedral Street, Dunkeld PH8 0AW Tel: 07736 423198
e-mail: sessionclerk@dunkeldcathedral.org
Treasurer: Mrs Louise Luke
The Chanonry, Cathedral Street, Dunkeld Tel: 07773 604372
e-mail: treasurer@dunkeldcathedral.org
Covenant Officer: Mrs. Ann Bryce
Tomnagrew House, Dunkeld PH80BX Tel: 01350 723228
e-mail: annbryce228@gmail.com
Organist & Choir Leader: Mrs Hazel Murch Tel: 07867 642954
e-mail: music@dunkeldcathedral.org
Santa Day
December 6th
In the Duchess Anne there will be the usual Second Hand Toy sale downstairs (see page 22) and there will be Christmas story-telling along with hot chocolate and waffles in the Chanonry in the afternoon.
To end the day there will be carol singing in the Cathedral at 4pm. Always a lovely event and a chance to kick off the Season with a good sing of favourite carols!
Church Services and Contacts:
The Chanonry, 07808 703641 email: office@dunkeldcathedral.org www.dunkeldcathedral.org
St Mary’s Episcopal Church, Birnam Sunday Service 10am - Communion with hymns, music and sermon, followed by refreshments. 3rd Sunday ALL AGE.
Once a month on third Friday there is a short prayer service in church at 6pm followed by a shared sandwich supper. During summer months (Apr-Sept) the church is open daily for visitors.
The monthly Servite worship service is at 2pm on the last Saturday of each month, led ecumenically by folk from the three churches in Dunkeld and Birnam
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
Shop will be closed after Saturday December 20th and will re-open Tuesday 6th January. Thank you to all that support the shop
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL
on
We celebrate the presence of the Risen Lord amongst us during these Masses: Sunday Masses:Saturday Vigil 6pm St Columba’s Birnam Sunday 9.30 am Our Lady of Mercy Aberfeldy
Sunday 11.30 am St Bride’s Pitlochry Weekday Masses:9.30 am Tue - Aberfeldy 9.30 am Wed, Thur, Fri - Pitlochry Holy days of Obligation:9.30am Birnam 12.30pm Aberfeldy 6.00pm Pitlochry
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.
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
Facebook at: St Bride’s RC Church, Pitlochry.
Parish Office: Mrs Jill McCrory
Three Churches in the Community
CAP HIGHLAND PERTHSHIRE
Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a local charity. It exists to free people from crippling debt, with a Highland Perthshire centre based in Aberfeldy, supported by Aberfeldy Parish Church. I have been part of The Steering Group which supports the debt manager has recently appointed a new debt manager, Helen Kirkwood, following the retirement of Angela Hanvey. Helen is currently undergoing her debt-coaching training. CAP Highland Perthshire supports families and individuals through difficult financial situations. By providing a listening ear and emotional support, as well as providing a budget and debt solution, many clients report an improvement in their mental wellbeing, family relationships and having hope for the first time in a long time. Some are on a long journey to finding freedom from debt but, thankfully, a few have become debt-free and plan to stay that way following the advice and all that they learned during their time working with CAP.
This is the essence of the work CAP does. Working alongside individuals and families to improve their lives and become debt-free. CAP will help by contacting creditors, setting up a budget plan and putting in place a befriender to support clients. CAP also works with other organisations to help with housing and benefits.
We may say we don’t have poverty in rural Perthshire; unfortunately we do. The summary of Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s report “Poverty in Scotland”, published in October 2025 says we need to aim for
“… a Scotland with a healthier and happier population, where people have a decent affordable home, where work provides a fair return, where household bills are manageable and where public services are equipped to deal with the challenges that life throws at all of us.”
Money worries put a strain on relationships too. If you or anyone you know is experiencing financial difficulties, please seek help. You can visit capuk.org/help to see what free services are available. There is also information and support at moneyhelper.org.uk.
CAP Service is completely free to all and CAP ministry is a direct response to God’s command for us to share the Gospel where there is practical and spiritual need.
You can contact Helen, who works part-time
Helen Kirkwood Centre Manager - Highland Perthshire Christians Against Poverty 07353 784 530
If you, or someone you know, would like to make an appointment for help with personal debt please call 0800 328 0006
Visit us at Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery. Enjoy 10% off in our on-site Café and Shop, perfect for a cosy coffee or why not try out our new lunch menu.
From £10 per hour
Events hall and kitchen facilities for Birthday parties, Indoor sports, Dances, Gatherings, Quiz Nights and more.
Contact: murthlyvillagehall@outlook.com
Tel: 01738 710408
pennybaird5@icloud.com Little Dunkeld • 07342 979393 Zerobalancinguk.org
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am - 4pm If you are interested in volunteering, please enquire in the shop for more info.
Clothing and shoe sale continues for one week, 3rd - 8th September. Last chance to grab a bargain.
The Birnam and Dunkeld Action group continue to raise awareness and campaign for action to improve the safety of the 8 junctions in our area. This summer and autumn have seen increased traffic but also an increase in major and minor accidents as well as near misses. We continue to monitor this and so welcome any accounts of accidents or near misses that local people experience.
Police Scotland only report and document fatalities, physical injuries and traffic offence convictions. We all know this is just the tip of the iceberg, as within our small group most have had serious accidents, damage to cars and significant delays.
What have we been doing?
BEAR Scotland did a video surveillance study in Easter 2023 which confirmed multiple highrisk events, delays and regular driver errors. Transport Scotland [TS] commissioned BEAR to consider options for a temporary roundabout and widening the A923 exit road from Dunkeld. We met with TS and BEAR Scotland in August, and we were told that the cost and delay to implement any of these was not justifiable when dualling construction was due to start 2028. After our presentation at the August meeting, Transport Scotland agreed to explore:
Temporary Traffic Lights operating at busy times at the Dunkeld Junction.
Speed Restrictions for HGVs and cars on a temporary basis.
Improved signage. We have submitted suggestions.
In addition, Dunkeld and Birnam has been highlighted in the A9 Annual Safety Review because of the number of deaths and/or serious accidents. The Transport Scotland Road Safety Manager has done a report for the A9 Safety Group which met in October. They have promised to send us a copy of the report. The A9 safety group comprises of Transport Scotland, BEAR, haulage representatives, local authority representatives but no local community representation.
We met with John Swinney in October, and he shares our deep concern about junction safety around Birnam/Dunkeld and Dalguise. He will discuss this with Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop and perhaps, we hope, reconsider the temporary roundabout option. We have high concern and determination to prevent death, distress, damage and delays at these complex junctions.
David E Bee & Pam Green
Message from Jan Silburn –retiring chair
By the time you read this there will be a new Trust Board in place to take forward the different projects which were outlined at the AGM on 26th November.
It was a privilege to serve on our first Trust Board, in an atmosphere of support and collaboration, as we learned to come to terms with the difficulties of achieving progress with the many projects we are attempting to take forward. My colleagues were unfailingly helpful, well motivated, respectful and hard working and I’d like to express my thanks and huge respect for their commitment, support and friendship. I wish the new board every success.
However, a major blow is the resignation of our much loved Community Coordinator/
Development Officer, Beth Taylor. Beth has been integral to everything achieved by the Trust. She has become its public face from her constant support for the various smaller groups, sourcing funding and information, providing moral support through her gentle kindly approachable manner, to researching the necessary procedures and contacts required to produce our Local Place Plan. She has provided essential expertise in exploring affordable housing options, liaising with the local authority, other Trusts and national bodies and arranging online education for the Trustees. Beth organised several very successful open meetings for the community, bringing together our wide ranging voluntary groups, consultations on the Local Place Plan and a highly successful Press Pause meeting about tourism.
I would personally like to thank her for her unfailing kindness and support and her concern for our community and to wish her happiness in her change of career to horticulture. Jan Silburn, retiring chair.
Dunkeld and Birnam Community Development Trust
November sees a “changing of the guard” at the Trust as we say thank-you to Jan Silburn and Jane Bremner, who both step down as Trustees, having served the maximum term. Both Jan and Jane will be sorely missed. We thank them for all their work, chairing and minuting Trust meetings, along with the many hours of dealing with correspondence, research, organising meetings and attending meetings. All this was on a voluntary basis.
We are also saying farewell to our development officer, Beth Taylor, without whom so much of the Trusts work would have ground to a halt. We wish Beth well in her new venture and sincerely thank her for all her work.
Over and above the work Jan, Jane and Beth have done, it is the way they have served the community. Their caring, positive, patient and pragmatic natures means that, even though they vacate formal roles, we will still rely on them for a chat over a coffee. Thank-you.
Following our AGM on 26th November, there will be a few months for the new Trustees to settle and become acquainted with some of the longer term projects.
Some brief updates:
Care Group - The PH8 Care Group is now largely under the newly formed Heartland Cares Company. Divij Suri, the recently appointed
Care Manager, started work on 10th November. He has already spent time in Dunkeld, working with Eilidh Wild and the rest of the local group. We will provide further updates in the coming months as we work towards Care Inspectorate approval and start providing home care services in the local area.
Housing Group - there will be more to report next month
Parking and Traffic - jointly with the Community Council, a public meeting was held on 12th November at Birnam Arts with 59 people in attendance. The contributions of all who took part will be collated and brought back to the community.
Paths & Nature - Historic and Environment Scotland have granted Ancient Monument Consent for Paths and Nature, PKC and PKCT to repair the path adjacent to the Cathedral. Watch out for notices of work starting in this area. Other work includes culvert cleaning on Atholl Woods path between Polney Loch and Cally Car Park.
Remember, the Trust serves our Dunkeld and Birnam District Community by enabling groups, such as the Paths and Nature group, to operate. If you want to be involved, see https://www. dbdtrust.org/getinvolved - thank-you.
Paths and Nature Action Groups
Tempting as it may be to migrate to warmer climes with the last of our summer birds or take to hibernation like the hedgehogs - there is work to be done here!
We now have the final permission to start resurfacing the Cathedral Path and are now looking for a dry sunny week in early December. This task will take several days - and will need many able volunteers to shift and level tons of aggregate - please get in touch if you can help. The path will be closed and a diversion signposted during the work.
Meanwhile, on the Polney Loch to Cally Car Park path - a small party worked to divert water off the path and remove a new build-up of sediment from the culvert. Water can seriously damage path surfaces so pre-emptive drainage is generally well worth the effort. We have also asked the Men’s Shed to refurbish two timber signs from by the Birnam Oak.
This year, squirrel pox was reported in Dumfriesshire, near Stirling and in west Fife - it’s getting closer. Whilst introduced grey squirrels carry the pox and are immune - red squirrels are highly susceptible and die. The strategy to conserve our reds is to keep the ranges of the two species from overlapping and minimise opportunities for infection. Our area is generally free of greys but one was recorded around Birnam in late summer. Is it still around? Please report any and all grey squirrel sightings on the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels so action can be taken promptly. For more information or to join the group contact Stewart Pritchard stewartpritchard@aol.com
Learning and Community History
BIRNAM LIBRARY
A Free Gift That Lasts a Lifetime
Why not add a stop at Birnam Library to your magical Christmas trail on 5th December and pick up a free gift that truly lasts a lifetime!
Library membership is free for everyone – a little stocking-filler that keeps giving long after the fairy lights are packed away and summer sunshine returns. Just pop into the library at Birnam Arts, share your name and address, and you’ll walk out with your own library card – there and then.
What a lovely gift for your child… or to yourself! You can make it even more exciting by choosing a first book from our fantastic shelves and returning in the New Year to swap it for something new. And if January gets away from you – don’t worry. Library fines are now a thing of the past. If you’re late because you’ve been hibernating with the squirrels (we will be too until the 9th January), we’ll simply be delighted to see you when you’re back.
A library membership is a wonderful present for anyone who loves reading, browsing, or tackling a puzzle – yes, we lend out jigsaws too! You’ll find our opening times here in The Bridge. On the 5th December we be open between midday and 5pm.
If you’d like to join the Friends of Birnam Library, email friendsofbirnamlibrary@gmail. com and become part of a group committed to a bright and sustainable future for our muchloved library.
Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries
Bookbug sessions - every Thursday from 10.30am - 11am. Come and join us for a session of songs, stories, and rhymes for under 5s. Prebooking for each session is essential. Please get in touch with the library to book a spot.
Books on Wheels - For individuals who cannot get out and about to visit the library, this includes books in large print and audio formats. For further information, please get in touch with the library.
Recycling - All libraries accept used stamps and batteries for recycling.
Christmas and New Year: Birnam Library will be closed from 12pm on Saturday 20 December, and will reopen on Friday 9 January 2026 at 12pm.
12 The Cross, Dunkeld, PH8 0AN. www.historicdunkeld.org.uk manager@historicdunkeld.org.uk 01350 727786
OPENING HOURS
Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm
We are delighted to announce that we have secured funding which will enable us to begin our next chapter.
Chapter 3! is made possible with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players we have been able to secure the funds we need to plan the development of the Archive, its Collection and our Activities for the next twenty years, possibly including a move to a new heritage centre. Thanks also to Museums Galleries Scotland and the Gannochy Trust for their continuing support.
Young Archaeologist Club
Our Young Archaeologists meet fortnightly on a Thursday from 3.30pm to 5pm in the Archive. Our next meeting is Thursday 4th December.
Adult Archaeology/History
Club - Dates For Your Diary
Did you know, if you become a ‘Member’ of Historic Dunkeld, you instantly gain free access to our Archaeology Club. Check our Members page on our web site.
All talks and skills workshops for the club will be held in the rooms above the Perth Arms at 7.30pm. Please feel free to grab a drink on your way up!
Friday 12th December: Christmas “MEMBERS ONLY” get-together and “Dark Xmas” storytelling with Lindsey Gibb.
Thursday 29th January: Skills workshop with Bob Carchrie - Aerial photography and LiDAR. Friday 13th February: Talk with Lindsay Gibb - Murder, Monks, Mittens and a Maid, courtesy of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.
Thursday 26th February: Skills workshop with Derek Hall – Pottery Identification. Friday 13th March: Talk with Professor Kate Britton - Late Pleistocene (Ice Age) Archaeology and Archaeological Science.
Thursday 26th March: Skills workshop - Excavation skills part 1.
Thursday 30th April: Skills workshop - Excavation skills part 2.
Exhibition
Our current exhibition has been designed and built by our local ski-maker (Lonely Mountain Skis), Jamie Kunka. In Jamie’s spare time he likes to go diving and digging for old bottles which he then researches. There are some fascinating stories, so please come along and take a look. This exhibition will remain until the New Year.
Monday Memories Club
Monday in the Archive from 3.00pm to 4.30pm in the Archive. Reminisce over tea/coffee & biscuits. If you need transport please get in touch as we have a taxi available.
Moore House Group Dunkeld Campus - The Jane Moore Trust
A Story of Transformation: Moore House Academy in The Courier At Moore House Academy Dunkeld Campus, we recently had the pleasure of inviting The Courier to our school to highlight the profound impact of our specialist educational approach. The resulting article featured Jane Lothian, the mother of former pupil Marcus Meldrum, whose journey from significant challenges to academic success deeply resonated with readers and perfectly illustrates our mission. Jane’s story, shared in The Courier, began when Marcus was 11. Diagnosed with autism and ADHD, his profound frustrations often escalated into violent outbursts, rendering mainstream school environments unmanageable and unsafe. Jane’s desperate search for a special school ultimately
Newsletter
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led her to our campus, which later became Moore House Academy. The Courier article captured Marcus’s incredible transformation over a decade. Now 20, he is not only thriving but is pursuing a degree in computer science. This journey, from a crisis point to confidently embracing higher education, stands as a powerful testament to the tailored support Marcus received from our dedicated team. As Jane herself told The Courier, “If we hadn’t had the school, I hate to think what would have happened to Marcus.” Our Head Teacher, Tracey Ford-McNicol, explained to The Courier our core philosophy: “These children are sometimes called school refusers. They’re not school refusers, they are just not able to learn in that environment; it doesn’t work for them.” The article highlighted how we identified Marcus’s natural passion for computing and maths, with our IT teacher engaging him in hands-on activities like “stripping computers,” which truly brought him into his element and revealed his previously untapped potential. The Courier also detailed our unique and thoughtful strategies for preparing Marcus for college. Understanding his
Learning and Community History
need for a gradual transition, our deputy head teacher Craig Martin devised a sensitive plan, introducing Marcus to Perth UHI through gentle, non-pressured visits, ensuring he felt safe and understood the environment before he began attending. Our tranquil, sensory-aware campus in Dunkeld, as described in the article, with its small classes and individualised timetables, is designed to create a nurturing space where neurodivergent young people can truly flourish. Marcus’s inspiring journey, as shared in The Courier, serves as a powerful testament to what can be achieved when the right environment, understanding, and bespoke support are in place. We are immensely proud of Marcus and all our pupils, whose stories continually affirm the vital importance of our work.
Red Wheels
The railway from Perth to Dunkeld & Birnam was completed in 1856 and there it stopped, thus protecting the highlands from the moral turpitude and licentiousness for which Dunkeld & Birnam are renowned to this day. Nice places, like Blair Atholl
The Meeting Place
The Meeting Place will continue during December and January with the exception of Friday 26th December. We meet in the Duchess Anne from 10-12 on Friday mornings for tea/coffee, delicious home baking and good company.
One Coffee Morning in September resulted in a cheque for £390 being sent to the MacMillan Cancer charity and in November we enjoyed a visit from Wendy and Claire from SCAA, who chatted with us about the work done by Air
Dunkeld Mobile Service
Thursdays 9.00am – 10.00am Dunkeld North End Car Park, Atholl Street, Dunkeld, PH8 0AR
• Royal Mail & Parcelforce Worldwide
• Cash withdrawls
• Cash Deposits Services
Alternative Branches:
where I live, therefore had their virginal innocence protected. It all changed in 1863, however, when an interfering busybody called Jospeh Mitchell extended the line from Dunkeld & Birnam all the way up to Inverness, encompassing Blair Atholl and other god-fearing communities along the way. Mitchell was the Elon Musk of his time: an engineer with shrewd commercial acumen. To give Mitchell due respect, he completed the line from Dunkeld & Birnam to Inverness in just 23 months—which is about the time it now takes Network Rail to raise the level of a platform.
One of the first passengers on the newly opened line in 1863 was Queen Victoria when she visited her friend, the poorly Duke of Atholl at Blair Castle, who died shortly afterwards. The line, at that time went up to Aviemore then through Boat of Garten and Grantown to Forres, where it turned left and headed into Inverness. In 1898 a more direct route from Aviemore went through Carrbridge and Culloden to
Inverness, as it does to this day. The line through Boat of Garten is now the Strathspey heritage line with regular steam trains making it a great day out. The line joining Dunkeld & Birnam to Inverness is now called the Highland Main Line and is, without doubt, a marvel of engineering and commercial importance. This was recognised on October 16th when the National Transport Trust awarded their Red Wheel plaque to the Highland Main Line Community Rail Partnership. Honorary President of the Trust, John Yellowlees presented the plaque to Sally Spaven, Chair of the HMLCRP, at a ceremony at Boat of Garten. The plaque—roughly equivalent to a heritage Blue Plaque—will be permanently sited at Aviemore station. It is the first time an entire railway line has been awarded such an honour in Scotland. Whether the moral integrity of Blair Atholl will survive this mechanical invasion from Dunkeld & Birnam remains to be seen. You are welcome to jump on a train and come to visit us, but just behave!
John Martin Blair Atholl.
Community Noticeboard
Ambulance. They brought some Christmas cards to sell and we had a good cake stall, as a result we were pleased to make a donation of £405 to SCAA.
3 Churches Charity Shop News
The shop has been very busy as people have been preparing for the winter by buying winter jumpers, jackets and coats. We sell these garments at a very reasonable prices, as so many people tell us, so why look in expensive stores when you can get a bargain locally.
• Everyday Personal & Business Banking
• Cheque Deposits
• Driving: vehicle tax
Please check opening times and that these branches have the services you require.
Now the shop is prepared for Christmas with decorations and gifts which have been selling very well. If you have any suitable items that we can sell as gifts or decorations you no longer need or indeed items such as Christmas jumpers please think of us as we always need more. We will also be on the look out to replace all the coats that we have sold. We close our doors for Christmas on the 20th December and reopen on 6th January.
So we wish you all a very Happy Christmas and look forward to seeing you all in 2026.
HELP RETAIN A POST OFFICE
As most local people know, Birnam Post office closed in summer 2025. A local businessman is keen to set up a new post office in his existing shop- he already runs two post offices and a number of convenience stores. However, the set up costs are about £15,000.
The Post office is a vital facility for our local community. We have applied to some local funds but not been successful. We are therefore relying on local people, who overwhelming have stated their support for the post office
Notes from a Councillor
It falls on me to provide the Councillor’s column for the final edition of the Bridge for 2025.
I am still on shock at the speed in which the year has passed by. What a year it has been!
In my last contribution, I spoke of the amount of damage and destruction being caused at many of our beauty spots, including Loch Clunie, and the need for a joint agency solution to the issue.
I recently attended a meeting hosted by Murdo Fraser and the Loch of Clunie preservation group where we had representatives from Nature Scot, Scottish land and Estates, Perth and Kinross Council, local landowners and concerned residents. Many issues were raised including the need for Enforcement of current legislation, the tightening up of the Scottish Outdoor Access code, parking restrictions and the possible introduction of Local Byelaws. It was a very constructive meeting which produced many ideas and wishes. Some issues will take a little while to implement but hopefully some of the easier and necessary actions can be in place before the irresponsible revellers arrive next year.
My email inbox has been inundated with comments and requests regarding the Meall Dearg Windfarm. There is an overwhelming sense of an over provision of wind turbines in the area with the Griffin and Calliacher windfarms already contributing 82 turbines to our beautiful landscape. As this is a development for electricity generation above 50MW, the planning application will be decided by the energy consents unit at the Scottish Government. I am a member of the PKC planning and development committee, and we are statutory consultees. We only have the ability to either support or reject the application. I will of course listen to the arguments but given the information and evidence that I currently have before me, I will be voting to reject the application. I was recently criticised for not holding local surgeries and accused of not being active within the community. Those of you who know me will know that I have never held surgeries, I prefer to react directly with anyone who contacts me and deal with their issue at their convenience. My email is ijames@pkc.gov. uk or if you prefer to call me on my mobile: 07761988308.
Finally, it just leaves me to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas. Thank you for your continued support. May you end the year with a smile and start the next one with hope, love and Happiness. Ian.
News from our Community Council
Dunkeld and Birnam Movement and Access - Shaping a Safer, More Connected Future
Residents across Dunkeld and Birnam have raised increasing concerns about traffic, parking and general safety on our streets. These issues affect everyone, from school children and older residents to visitors and local businesses. The Community Council and the Community Development Trust are now working together to develop a long-term Movement and Access Masterplan that will guide how we improve travel, safety and accessibility throughout both villages.
On 12 November, a public meeting was held at Birnam Arts and attended by around 70 people to gather people’s experiences and ideas. Thank you to everyone who came along or shared views in advance. The meeting provided valuable insight into the issues most affecting daily life and these findings are now helping shape the next stage of our action plan.
Several clear themes emerged from the meeting. These priorities are not listed in any particular order, as all are important and interlinked. The first was the need to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Residents highlighted difficulties at key crossings including the school, the bridge and the High Street. Concerns were raised about narrow pavements, speeding cyclists and the general risk
MURD O F RA S ER MS P
Me m ber of the Sco ttish Parl iament for Mid Sco t la nd & Fi fe Reg io n
FOR H EL P & ADVIC E
Det ails of regul ar su rg eries in the l ocal Pres s
You can cont ac t Mur do on 0 17 38 5 53 67 6 or wr i te to him at The Sco tt i sh Pa rl iament, Ed in burgh E H9 9 1SP E ma il : murd o. fra se r. msp@ pa rl ia me nt .sc ot
The cost of this publication has been met from parliamentary resources
when crossing the bridge. Suggestions included creating clearer separation between pedestrians and cyclists, exploring the feasibility of a dedicated walking and cycling bridge, introducing additional pedestrian crossings and considering ways to reduce speeds through traffic calming. Some residents also expressed interest in exploring pedestrian-priority areas at sensitive points such as The Cross.
A second theme focused on the need to address traffic speed and driver behaviour. People reported regular speeding on the bridge and main streets, along with concerns about heavy goods vehicles travelling through the village. Residents suggested increased enforcement of speed limits, extending the twenty mile per hour zones, reviewing HGV access routes and improving signage to encourage safer behaviour.
Parking was another important concern. Many people feel that parking pressures are affecting both residents and visitors. Ideas included expanding the North Car Park or Boat Road Car Park, making use of temporary overflow areas during busy periods and exploring the possibility of a new parking site in the Glebe or Birnam that could support a park and ride or shuttle approach.
CO UNCILL OR G RANT LAIN G ( Independent ) 01 738 47 50 00 or 07 8 81 5 00 501 E ma il : GLai ng @ pk c.gov.uk
CO UNCILL OR IAN JAME S (C o nser vat ive) 01 7 38 4 750 00
E ma il : IJam es@ pk c.gov. uk
CO UNCILL OR CLAIRE MCLARE N (Scottish Liberal Democrats) 01 73 8 47 5 00 0
E ma il : Cl a ireMcL a re n@ pk c.g ov.uk
Better management of parking was also highlighted. Residents noted difficulties caused by vehicles blocking drives or parking on corners and asked for clearer markings, one-side-only parking on narrower streets, short-stay spaces in the village centre and a potential resident permit system.
A new joint working group is now being established to take these priorities forward. The group will ideally include representatives from the Community Council, the Development Trust, local ward councillors, Perth and Kinross Council Roads officers, the Paths and Nature Action Group, local businesses, the school community and accessibility advocates. Early actions for 2026 will focus on improving signage, exploring parking trials and examining options to improve bridge and crossing safety. A community consultation on draft proposals will take place in 2026, including further public meetings.
Updates will continue to be shared through the Community Council website, the Development Trust newsletter and local noticeboards. Community input remains vital as together we work to make Dunkeld and Birnam safer, easier to navigate and more enjoyable for everyone.
JOHN SWINNEY, MSP for PERTHSHIRE NORTH can be contacted at: 17-19 LESLIE STREET, BLAIRGOWRIE Tel: 01250 876576
Listing for local voluntary organisations are free however The Bridge welcomes donations to cover the cost of these listings. Please send donations to the Advertising Manager, John. B. Gray at Highfield, Brae Street, Dunkeld, PH8 0BA. Many thanks. Please contact the editor with amendments/additions.
Organisations - General
Phone 01350+
3 Churches Charity Shop 07751 593421 Anne Graham
Alcoholics Anonymous (Helpline) 0800 917 7650
Chapter House Museum 727786 Ruth Brown (in Dunkeld Cathedral, open 7 days) archive@historicdunkeld.org.uk
D&B Paths and Nature Action Group stewartpritchard@aol.com
Dunkeld & Birnam Community Orchard 727048 Katharine Melville dunkeldbirnamorchard@gmail.com
Dunkeld & Birnam Historical Society 07584 434253 Dave Roberts daveroberts132@btinternet.com
Dunkeld & Birnam in Bloom 07931 758456 Moira Forbes Forbes50@hotmail.co.uk
