Strathdon Area Community Action Plan May 2016 Location Map Community Action Plan

2 3 Introduction Community Action Plan

Welcome! An Introduction To The scattered ruins and remnants Strathdon of the many clachans (fermtouns), This document brings together a small farms and crofts that supported wide range of issues, actions and Strathdon is an upland rural area on rural life are still visible. Most of the projects which the community the eastern edge of the Cairngorms habitable dwellings in Glenbuchat of Strathdon has identified as mountain range within the Cairngorms and Corgarff are well spaced out and important to its members. National Park. It includes the parishes located some distance apart from of Glenbuchat and Corgarff. The whole one another, but the settlements of Following a thorough and inclusive area is approximately 16 miles long by Bellabeg, Roughpark and Heughhead consultation programme, all of 6 miles wide. are clustered cosily together and the proposed actions are grouped provide some sense of how small under the following nine themes: The Strathdon area is bound by the communities evolved in the past. Deeside Hills to the south and the Theme 1: Recreation and Ladder Hills to the north, and includes By the late 18th and early 19th social life the mountain road to the Lecht Ski centuries, the breeding and rearing Centre. It broadly follows the River of cattle and sheep had become the Theme 2: Assets and Don from its source at 2000 feet mainstay of the local economy and facilities above sea level, eastwards to Corgarff the main crops in arable farming were Castle and onwards to Glenbuchat oats and barley. The former fed both Theme 3: Local attractions Castle, which stands at the foot of the animal and human populations and tourism the dominant landmark of Ben Newe. and the latter was largely used in the Strathdon’s high altitude makes its brewing of ale and the distillation of Theme 4: Employment, weather unpredictable and its winters whisky. The introduction of excise duty business, training and particularly harsh and long. The resulted in an illegal trade in whisky, education waters of glens Ernan, Nochty, Buchat, much of which was smuggled through Deochry, Conrie, Carvie and Deskry the Ladder Hills to Glenlivet by Duff’s Theme 5: Access, all feed into the Don. The area has a Defiance, allegedly so named as a house infrastructure and transport distinctive and specific geography and built in defiance of the local laird. shows much evidence of glaciation, Theme 6: particularly in its rounded hills. It is By the 1800s local limestone deposits Telecommunication home to an abundance of wildlife were being utilised to condition the soil including red and roe deer, grouse, and enhance crop yields with the aim Theme 7: Local ptarmigan, red squirrels, mountain of improving the ‘miserable condition’ communication hares, crossbills, buzzards, golden eagles of the inhabitants during depressions and visiting ospreys. in farming. Remnants of these lime Theme 8: Environment kilns are still visible, particularly in Although it is officially recognised by Glenbuchat and Corgarff. Theme 9: Housing and some bodies as a very remote and The clan system was much in evidence resident support rural area with a lack of facilities, the before the 1745 Jacobite rising. wider community of Strathdon has Particularly predominant were the The themes are described more shown itself to be remarkably resilient, Gordon and Forbes clans. After the ’45, fully on pages 6 - 11. The table independent and self-reliant, continually Corgarff Castle, with its distinctive star- on pages 12 - 14 lists each issue, evolving and changing to meet the shaped wall, was rebuilt as a military together with its proposed actions needs of its people. barracks on the newly established and associated key partners. General Wade military road from Strathdon Past Braemar Castle to Fort George. Part of the original military road and several The area has a rich history with bridges still exist in the locality. evidence of human habitation dating as far back as 2000 BC. Artefacts include By 1820 the population was recorded Iron Age hut circles, earth houses and as approximately 2000. The rise of the Pictish Doune of Invernochty. sporting estates wrought significant changes in local farming practice along

2 3 Introduction Community Action Plan

with the introduction of enclosures and now add to the old drove roads and mechanisation. Later records indicate smugglers’ trails. The estates continue that many people squatted in the upper to have a huge influence on land use glens, whereas others emigrated and and still offer grouse and pheasant moved elsewhere. The large family shooting, deer stalking, and trout and estates of Candacraig, Edinglassie, salmon fishing. Nowadays only a small Allargue, Tornashean, Inverernan and number of tenant farmers manage Newe, with their substantial houses and larger areas in the glens. Many of these surrounding gardens, were to become original farms have been occupied major employers and also landlords to by the same families for several tenant farmers. The improved tenants’ generations. In recent years it has housing of the early 20th century, built become common for farm tenancies to in traditional granite, continues to be replaced with farm managers who account for most of today’s housing oversee several incorporated farms. stock. However, until well into the first The area’s climate and remoteness, and half of the 20th century it was normal changing land use, have all combined for each area to sustain shops, sawmills, to result in substantial population a smiddy, a miller and a tailor, as well as fluctuations. a school and church. The population of the area supported churches in each Grid electricity did not reach the community, with two in Glenbuchat, outlying areas of Corgarff and one in Strathdon, and two in Corgarff, Glenbuchat until the mid to late 1970s. including the Catholic Chapel, Our Since then, and particularly as private Lady of the Snows. transport has become more attainable, the area has gradually become more In 1823 Sir Charles Forbes attractive as a place to live. Greater reintroduced the previously numbers of young people are staying in proscribed wearing of Highland dress or returning to the area, which is also and encouraged the preservation witnessing an influx of new full-time of the Gaelic language. A Highland residents, many of whom are either and Friendly Society was created self-employed or work outwith the area, to promote ‘manly conduct’ and often in the oil industry and related ‘benevolent feeling’. At its heart was activities. Otherwise, the population - and remains - the annual Lonach is mainly employed in the service Gathering. industries, gamekeeping, farming, tourism and creative industries, although retired Changes And Present-Day people form a significant proportion of Strathdon current residents.

Between World War I and the 1970s, Changing patterns in land ownership as people migrated to towns and cities, have resulted in many more privately the population declined and with it owned properties in recent decades many of the area’s facilities. Properties and a more mobile demography. became vacant, were allowed to The area includes a small number of fall into disrepair or were bought privately rented properties, as well as as second homes by professionals large quantities of estate housing for from elsewhere. As the Forestry rent. There is still a certain amount of Commission began to clothe the hills weekend holiday homes, but these are with conifers, many of the marginal decreasing significantly in number as upland farms disappeared and the hills properties are now more likely to be became the patchwork of high heather bought as full-time residences. Holiday moorland and managed forestry we lets, mainly in the more remote glens, see today. Forestry and estate tracks are now a feature of visitor amenities.

4 5 Introduction Community Action Plan

Over the past 30 years Strathdon Gathering, which includes the March itself has suffered reductions in of the Lonach Highlanders. This event, public transport, as well as the loss held on the fourth Saturday of August, of a garage, a shop at Roughpark, attracts over 6000 people into the area. a hotel at Boultenstone, a branch of the Clydesdale Bank and several The Community Action small visitor attractions such as open Planning Process gardens. Corgarff School closed due to lack of pupils in 1998. Strathdon The community’s interest in developing School (which also houses a playgroup) an action plan was motivated by remains an integral part of the present discussions between Donside community and has a steady roll of Community Council (DCC) and approximately 25 pupils. When children Marr Area Partnership (MAP), which reach secondary school age, they enrol explained the benefits of community at Alford Academy in the village of action planning and offered to work Alford, a distance of 20-25 miles from with the local community to develop an most of Strathdon. This academy draws action plan. Discussions between DCC, students from an area of approximately which also agreed to chair a proposed 600 square miles. The reductions in local steering group, and members of the services, as well as employment outwith community, held in order to gauge the community, have led to a heavier interest, then led to the development reliance on car transport to Aboyne, of a local steering group. Tarland, Alford, Ballater, Aberdeen and Huntly. The community’s carbon The steering group first met in footprint is correspondingly high. November 2014. It was supported by MAP and the Cairngorms National Across the wider area facilities Park Authority (CNPA) and comprised nowadays include nursery provision members of DCC, two hall committees at Towie School, sheltered housing and other volunteers from the for 10 residents in Bellabeg, two Post community, including parents, local offices and a variety of other local artists and people who work in land businesses including; shops, mechanical industries. It was open to anyone who and gardening services, restaurants, was prepared to contribute to the art galleries, hotels and IT services. process. Some young people joined the The Lonach Hall at Strathdon and group at a later stage. the smaller halls at Corgarff and Glenbuchat all provide social events The steering group’s role was to and activity space. The general practice encourage and enable the involvement surgery in Strathdon covers the whole of local people in order to ensure that Upper Donside area. The ambulance their needs and aspirations would be service is based in Alford, roughly 25 reflected in the action plan. To do this, miles away. Volunteer services include the steering group: a fire service, first responders, the Silver Circle Day Centre, a lunch club, • Designed a questionnaire and a weekly community bus and a hospital delivered it to all households in the volunteer driver scheme. area in spring 2015. This was also made available in local facilities, such The established tourist route runs from as shops, and online Ballater to Speyside (the A939), which • Publicised the process in order to passes through Corgarff bypassing most encourage people to respond and of the Strathdon area. The major visitor then analysed the survey results (105 event of the year in this quiet area is responses were received) the annual Lonach Highland Games and

4 5 Themes Community Action Plan

• Attended Strathdon Primary School energy of the community to enable to seek the views of the children on action to be achieved. what they wanted for the future of their community Theme 1: Recreation and • Organised a community open day social life in May 2015 to feedback on the information gathered, seek ideas for A sense of community was mentioned community projects and enable more repeatedly as a real attraction to living input (over 90 people attended) in this area. Many ideas for setting • Reached out to local toddlers groups, up new, reviving old or building on the service industry, younger people, established groups, activities, events older people’s groups and other or clubs were put forward. Currently, identified individuals to feedback there is felt to be a lack of organised information and enable input social opportunities for children and • Collated all of the information and young people. Brownie and Scout prepared an outline of the themes, groups, which were formerly available, issues and potential areas for action were particularly valued by primary • Facilitated a community conversation school pupils and the reviving of a around the draft action plan in youth club was mentioned across November 2015 for local group 10-16-year-olds. Across other age representatives, support agencies and groups various suggestions were made, others interested in supporting the including Scrabble or debating clubs in action planning process in order to Corgarff, general fitness projects across further develop the outline actions the area, the promotion and expansion and promote involvement in their of arts and culture projects and events, implementation (46 people attended) the creation of an annual week-long • Redrafted the action plan, collected event with music and arts connecting images via a community photography with the Lonach Gathering, a competition, and wrote the community garden and bee-keeping. All introduction to this document of the suggestions collected received through discussion with various some enthusiasm from members of the residents. community.

Areas For Action Village halls are recognised as key venues for social activities. Events at The actions proposed by the community these are often organised directly by have been grouped into nine themes and the hall committee. It was suggested, by are summarised in the table at the end committee members and others, that of this plan. The most significant of these, the three halls and community groups or those for which potential solutions might benefit from linking with each are readily achievable, are described in other to coordinate events, and to more detail below. support cross-community activities and planning. Local hotels, cafés and pubs These reflect the situation that were also mentioned as important was current as the action plan was for social opportunities and events. As developed, but will be supplemented Strathdon is a geographically scattered by further actions as these are community, it was suggested that identified over time. Community action transport links between the halls and planning is a dynamic and progressive other venues could be developed to process that will reflect the priorities enable people across the area to access of the various subgroups within the more activities, which would help to community as they evolve. It is also bolster the numbers attending each dependent on the involvement and venue.

6 7 Themes Community Action Plan

Theme 2: Assets and unofficially loaned to the community. facilities A local estate has expressed a desire to support the community to this end As members of a very remote rural and has suggested that the community and therefore necessarily self-reliant could potentially use a piece of its community, residents recognise the ground in Bellabeg, which would fit the need to both protect and expand location criteria; at the time of writing on the assets and facilities available. this is being explored. From the community action planning consultation it became clear that Primary school children and their both privately owned and community parents value the playpark facilities, assets, such as the village halls, hotels, but expressed frustration that these pubs, café, school, ski centre, local are suitable only for very young shop, garage services and post office, children and that there are no facilities are valued. It is appreciated that local for upper primary school and older and visitor support for these facilities pupils. A desire to expand the playpark is critical to their survival. Particular facilities to meet the needs of older concern was expressed over the children was widely indicated. sustainability of local hotels and pubs. Indeed, these were frequently There was also interest in exploring mentioned in association with the need the potential of a community-run for good quality places in which to project to raise revenue, which would eat and socialise in the area. The three strengthen the community. This might village halls in the area are important to include identifying assets that could be the community as venues that provide purchased, developed and managed by spaces for a variety of activities. A great the community. The various suggestions amount of work by volunteers goes included small-scale renewable energy into running, maintaining, utilising and schemes, recreational tourism facilities improving the halls. Threat of closure and heritage projects, and more to any remaining facilities would very specifically referred to a biking centre much impact on the community as a and trails, a swimming pool, a petting whole. farm, camping facilities, heritage sites and eco-tourism sites. The Clubby Rooms, currently privately owned by the Lonach Society and not Theme 3: Local attractions presently available or in fit condition and tourism for community use, were mentioned frequently as a potential venue for a In the context of the local economy, variety of community uses. Potential spending by tourists and other uses include a youth club, the provision visitors is recognised as a means of of community internet access, a supporting and sustaining essential training venue, a community café and a local services and social facilities. museum. The Clubby Rooms building is These include the Bellabeg Spar Shop particularly valued by the community and Post Office, Goodbrand and for its location at the heart of Bellabeg, Ross Café and Gift Shop, the two close to local amenities. local hotels and the Lecht Ski Centre, as well as individual providers of Hopes were expressed across age tourist accommodation. People in the groups that a community playing field service industry, and other residents, could be developed in a site that is consider that Donside has been given accessible to local amenities and the little support in promoting tourism school. This could replace the privately compared with Deeside and other owned piece of land that is currently areas in the Cairngorms National Park.

6 7 Themes Community Action Plan

The provision of cohesive information opportunities was mentioned, about the area’s attractions would specifically in information technology. be of significant value. Methods of dissemination might include leaflets, a Business, education and employment web presence and a visitor information opportunities are seen as key to point; during the period in which attracting and retaining younger people action planning took place, the current in the area, which the wider population owners of Bellabeg Shop developed an identified as important. Additional information point and a basic visitor research with young people, aged 16-30 information leaflet with support from years, was carried out by MAP during the CNPA. Owners of other businesses the community action planning process. indicated that they would be interested in forming a business group for the Lack of childcare is a problem for purpose of attracting visitors. parents who wish to return to work or education or seek to expand a business. There was a lot of interest in not only A number of parents expressed no promoting existing attractions, but in expectation of returning to work until further expanding what is currently all their children were of secondary available. Community participants school age. After-school clubs or demonstrated interest in exploring breakfast clubs would be of interest, heritage projects, and in looking at but parents commented that this ways to ensure that local hotels, other would not resolve issues for preschool accommodation and eating places are children. attractive and accessible to visitors and residents. In particular, there were A number of residents across the suggestions to improve and develop area run small businesses from home, pathways, including by reinstating partly as a result of their remote bridges and developing more ambitious locations. It was widely considered projects such as a ‘Donside Way’ (see that poor broadband causes problems also Theme 5: Access, infrastructure and for a variety of local businesses that transport). range from hindering day-to-day administration to stalling business Theme 4: Employment, start-ups or progression. business, training and education Some self-employed residents were unclear about the support available Residents expressed positive feelings to businesses. In addition, further about the local primary school. expansion of small businesses is seen Access to extracurricular activities to be hindered by a number of factors, for teenagers attending the secondary including a lack of suitable premises school in Alford was reported as for storage or for service provision, difficult due to distance and lack of and concern about the implications transport. Journey times and costs of taking on employees in terms (by both public and private transport) of administration and costs. There were seen to represent significant was interest within these groups in barriers to accessing opportunities receiving information, training and for further education. In addition, other support. poor or no broadband access to the internet added a further substantial A significant number of people in the barrier to accessing further education area are employed or run businesses opportunities, and completing in land industries, including forestry, online training for work or school tenant farming and land management homework. A desire for local education for sporting estates. Particularly

8 9 Themes Community Action Plan

amongst the latter two, concerns An alternative service operates were raised about the impact on through the Silver Circle with some sustainability of various aspects of land public funding. A minibus takes older reform and other legislation. residents from their homes to larger local settlements on Friday afternoons Theme 5: Access, for shopping. This runs weekly in infrastructure and transport summer and fortnightly in winter. Also coordinated by the Silver Circle is a A number of people in the community volunteer hospital transport service. expressed the opinion that access to There is interest in finding sustainable and around the area could be improved alternative solutions to transport in a variety of ways, both to encourage that will support the needs of the visitors and to support residents in wider population. Residents would everyday life. The public bus service like access to larger settlements for has been extremely limited: there is social activities and recreation, as well currently one service that runs on as for education and employment weekdays only and which has recently opportunities. They would also like been further limited so that it runs transport within the community to during the school term only. The Dial-a- link settlements and there is some Bus service to Alford runs one day per interest in exploring the feasibility of a week, leaving Bellabeg at 9.30am and community-run bus service to operate 1.10pm. Currently, there is no weekend with some public support. service and no link to facilities on Deeside. Many expressed the need to further develop path networks and walkways The community understands that linking the settlements. This would issues around public transport are not only allow local young people and difficult to address because the area is other residents to cycle and walk safely on the edge of Aberdeenshire and is to and from the various settlements sparsely populated. In addition, many and facilities, but would encourage residencies are located far from the tourism in the area. main road. Although many people described a need for a fit-for-purpose Further issues relating to services public transport service, they recognise and signage for those using private that lack of commercial viability means transport were raised, particularly with it is unlikely there will be significant regard to the lack of access to fuel improvements to public transport in between Glenkindie and Ballater or the future and alternative solutions Grantown-on-Spey, and the provision may need to be investigated with public of accurate information about fuel support. Residents explained that the access and road closures due to winter established bus service is not well weather. Both local businesses and used as the timetable does not enable individuals, particularly in Corgarff, people to access larger settlements have had to provide essential help to on its route (Aberdeen and Alford) tourists, passers-by and other local for normal working hours or for people who have run out of fuel in further education or at peak social and remote areas or have been caught out recreation times; residents have raised by road closures in winter. Signage on this issue with bus forums previously, fuel availability, road closures and new but no action has been taken. Young facilities for fuel have been suggested people wishing to access further by both residents and businesses. Snow education and work opportunities gate web cameras were also suggested. were most vocal in expressing their concern.

8 9 Themes Community Action Plan

Theme 6: much outreach, including some door- Telecommunication to-door communication.

Broadband access is a significant There are a variety of volunteer groups problem in the area and was by far the coordinating activities, but, although most commonly mentioned issue as these are often interdependent, there a significant proportion of residents is no formal body to support this currently have poor or no access. interdependence. During the process of Glenbuchat and Corgarff have been community action planning, a steering involved in a pilot scheme for the group member created the Corgarff, provision of community broadband Glenbuchat, Strathdon Facebook services, but those involved in the page, which is growing as a tool for project or living in these areas sharing and gathering information. expressed anger and cynicism that the Again, concerns were raised that there scheme, despite assurances, was not is no formal mode of coordination progressed by supporting agencies, to monitor and ensure that this and that communication with these continues to develop and to function agencies had diminished following well. An Upper Donside website much effort by volunteers in the area created a number of years ago is now to fundraise and progress. During the redundant for this reason. There is also action planning process community a variety of mailing lists, noticeboards, groups have been brought back newsletters and social media sites for together with the various agencies individual groups, but these are not involved to look at current options. coordinated across the area.

The mobile phone signal was also Many of the actions identified in this reported to be patchy in the area, with plan initially rely on communication, some locales receiving zero signal. particularly in terms of identifying Landlines were also considered to be community leads and support. Further of poor quality for some residents and discussion around actions highlighted digital radio is not available in parts of that the development of a community this area. The majority of respondents trust or association to bring together consider that provision of all of these this interdependent community would services is unsatisfactory. be valuable and that it should ideally incorporate representatives of different Theme 7: Local areas, including geographically based communication groups such as hall committees and non-geographic interest groups such The need to improve communication as the Silver Circle, and arts or parent and community coordination in and groups. This group could facilitate around the area was expressed by communication across the area and the community through consultation. perhaps even host and monitor the This was highlighted by the difficulties community action plan. A discussion experienced by the steering group in group felt that it would be useful the community action planning process. to employ somebody to initiate Difficulties in communicating with such a project and to develop and the whole area became apparent and initially monitor communication and included problems in finding up-to- administration for a period. date contact details and information about established groups and other stakeholders, and in updating the community as a whole on activities. As a result, the steering group resorted to

10 11 Themes Community Action Plan

Theme 8: Environment voluntarily pick up litter in Bellabeg and the surrounding area. This In this very rural and sparsely activity masks the litter issue, and the populated area, there was much suggestion that their efforts should evidence that the natural environment be supported by a formal community is greatly valued by the community. litter-picking group was widely agreed. Many enjoy and use the land for More strategically placed micro waste work and/or recreational purposes and recycling facilities and signage were and appreciate the local wildlife and also mentioned. diversity of green spaces. Notably, there was evidence of some conflict around Theme 9: Housing and land use for recreation and for business resident support and some strong opinions on how areas of the land are managed were Many people across the area, especially expressed. farmers and estate workers, live in houses that are tied to their During the period of consultation, employment. Outwith these, although there was much forestry activity in the some residents expressed satisfaction area. Various concerns were expressed with housing availability and prices, a about the process and aftermath of range of residents, particularly younger tree felling; these referred to the lack people and those with young families, of information given to households that indicated that suitable housing, to were impacted by smoke from burning either buy or rent, was not affordable hag piles and the condition of roads relative to income they could generate after forestry use. in the area. It is not uncommon for young people to stay in the parental Other residents expressed concerns home into adulthood for this reason. about the activities of shooting estates Some residents were also dissatisfied and their impact on wildlife and with the condition of housing. residents’ access to green spaces. Some residents involved in managing the land Further, people were not confident felt misunderstood and drew attention that suitable care at home for those to ways in which recreational land requiring support is currently, or will users sometimes disrupt their industry, be in the future, available to meet how they support the established eco- local requirements. This includes the system and their aspirations to educate provision of home helps and initiatives the wider population about their such as meals on wheels. practices. Both those involved in land management and those with concerns about land management practices recognised the need for improved communication and possibly even conflict resolution.

One resident offered to coordinate fishing permits across the area by working with different landowners and a business which would administer permits at the point of sale. This idea was supported by other residents.

Through consultation it became apparent that one family regularly and

10 11 Action Plan Summary Community Action Plan ED, CNPA ED, businesses, Local businesses, AC tourism group, landowners Local people & tourism group, Local tourism group, Health groups, Local Health groups, AC, CNPA, Walk to Walk CNPA, AC, Access Trust (COAT), (COAT), Trust Access AC ED, CNPA, SNH CNPA, ED, AC Outdoor Cairngorms tourism group Scotland, Local Scotland, AC ED, CNPA, Visit CNPA, ED, AC SE AC ED, AVA, MAP, MAP, AVA, ED, AC Local volunteers MAP, AC, CNPA, CNPA, AC, MAP, CNPA volunteers, AC, volunteers, MAP, Local MAP, Local landowners, Enterprise (SE) Development (AC Development Scottish ED), AC Economic AC Heritage (SNH) AC, Scottish Natural AC, Scotland (HS), CNPA, CNPA, Scotland (HS), MAP, AVA, Historic AVA, MAP, AVA Partnership (MAP), Partnership (MAP), Marr Area Marr (DCC) Community Council Community people, Donside people, volunteers, Young Young volunteers, Learning & Local Development, AC, Community AC, Schools Council (AC), Active Active Council (AC), Aberdeenshire Aberdeenshire Local volunteers, Local volunteers, Scouts Scotland, Scouts Scotland, Local volunteers Key Partners Key

support tourism Heritage buildings/sites Identify and develop other assets that Identify and develop accommodation (bunkhouse, camping) accommodation (bunkhouse, of alternative feasibility Explore projects revenue-raising feasible forward Take equipment and install new purchase Fundraise,

the community use by site for Develop

forward take Obtain support and funding to

halls transportCommunity links between

Long-term actions community potential for Explore involvement/support current Health check and identify how facilities can be supported

feasibility Identify/obtain support and explore promotion materials promotion Support tourism assets Identify/obtain support and explore of a museum feasibility Historical documentation Tourist information area and area information Tourist tourism in the area promote Develop marketing strategy to marketing Develop feasibility Explore specific need and feasibility specific need and Identify and obtain advice support to further explore group community Obtain support and develop

to further explore group community feasibility specific need and Obtain support and develop Explore potential for community community potential for Explore involvement/support facilities can be supported current Health check and identify how

Identify and obtain support for community use community for Explore feasibility of Clubby Rooms of Clubby feasibility Explore area strategy across promotion Explore Complementary events strategyComplementary events

options and feasibility Explore

well set up and sustainable well activities are support to help ensure strategy across area strategy across Obtain set-up funding or other Explore and develop promotion and develop Explore Develop events committee events Develop Medium-term actions Identify potential courses of action and leads involvement community/business promotion development, improvement or improvement development, including signage, access, paths access, including signage, to identify projects Local groups publicise to identify projects Local groups attractions and opportunities and Gather information on all tourist Gather information Establish a local tourism business group Identify possible projects and courses of action Identify community lead, potential sites lead, Identify community action and community leads action and community Identify potential sites and courses of and community lead and community Identify potential courses of action hall use Identify improvements to sustain Identify improvements identify projects Local groups and existing facilities (i.e. Lonach Hall) and existing facilities (i.e. representation from Lonach Society from representation Develop local group with local group Develop support each other Link halls, groups and other venues to and other venues groups Link halls, start and develop activities start and develop Seek volunteer and other support to Seek volunteer spaces Identify community lead and potential Identify community develop activities develop and other support to start and to start and develop projects to start and develop seek volunteer and children Parents Obtain funding and volunteer support Obtain funding and volunteer activities and events support to develop Local groups and individuals seek Local groups Short-term actions

(see Theme 5: Access, infrastructure and infrastructure Access, Theme 5: (see

attractions Sustainability and quality of local service industry (hotels, cafés, cafés, Sustainability and quality of local service industry (hotels, accommodation and bars) support emerging for restaurants,

transport) Pathways underexploited as tourist attraction and underused underexploited Pathways locals by recreationally and/or enhance the which protect and support projects Develop heritage of the area

a tourist destination Promote as a visitor destination: raise profile of Upper Donside as of Upper Donside raise profile as a visitor destination: Promote project small-scale renewable tourism or social enterprise, raising; revenue Community room for expansion on current site expansion on current for room Playpark facilities not suitable for older school-aged children; little older school-aged children; facilities not suitable for Playpark

school use, suitable for football and other sports, close to and other sports, football suitable for school use, with some lighting school and preferably amenities, Explore feasibility of having a playing field for community and for community field a playing of having feasibility Explore

Protect hotels and pubs from closure or decline closure hotels and pubs from Protect

Village halls; continued improvement and sustainability of halls improvement continued Village halls; Heritage project Heritage project the community; seen as key location seen as key the community; Rooms by in exploring the potential use of Clubby Interest

established, emerging and new activities emerging and new established, Utilising and supporting village halls and other venues; support for Utilising and supporting village halls and other venues;

and at weekends Access to larger settlements in evening • and transport) infrastructure Access, Theme 5: • (see • Youth café or club Youth • Young people want space to hang out Young

• Scrabble, debating, bee-keeping groups, community gardening, gardening, community groups, bee-keeping debating, • Scrabble, fit) • keep classes cookery • Film nights, morning café/coffee • Bellabeg community (or similar) • Strathfest people young for groups more like would and parents Children or Scouts) Brownies coaching, football (e.g. Expand on the activities available, start activities and bring up new Expand on the activities available, back old activities: Support established and emerging groups for Issues

Local service industry

Pathways Heritage projects

tourism Theme 3: Local attractions and tourism Theme 3: to approach Cohesive

revenue Community

Children’s facilities Children’s

Community playing field playing Community

drinking and meeting Facilities for eating, Facilities for

community assets community Theme 2: Assets and facilities Theme 2: Build and develop

Venues sustainability Venues

and sports activities Young people: social people: Young

social and Children: sports activities and events Theme 1: Recreation and social life and social life Recreation Theme 1: projects Social activities, This table summarises the issues identified in the extensive community engagement to prepare the action plan, as detailed in the foregoing narrative. Where no community lead is listed, there is no identified group to progress the action. progress group to is no identified there lead is listed, no community Where narrative. foregoing as detailed in the the action plan, engagement to prepare community This table summarises the issues identified in extensive Title

12 13 Action Plan Summary Community Action Plan ED, CNPA ED, businesses, Local businesses, AC tourism group, landowners Local people & tourism group, Local tourism group, Health groups, Local Health groups, Business group AC, CNPA, Walk to Walk CNPA, AC, Volunteers, AC ED, ED, AC Volunteers, companies, companies, Access Trust (COAT), (COAT), Trust Access Telecommunication group AC ED, CNPA, SNH CNPA, ED, AC Outdoor Cairngorms Local broadband tourism group Broadband Scotland, Scotland, Broadband Scotland, Local Scotland, Bus Forum AC, CNPA, CNPA, AC, group, Aberdeenshire group, AC ED, CNPA, Visit CNPA, ED, AC AC & DCC, Tourist & DCC, AC SE AC ED, AVA, MAP, MAP, AVA, ED, AC Walking groups, MAP groups, Walking Local volunteers Local volunteers, Local volunteers, MAP, AC, CNPA, CNPA, AC, MAP, AC, CNPA, COAT, COAT, CNPA, AC, CNPA COAT, Local COAT, volunteers volunteers, AC, volunteers, MAP, Local MAP, Local landowners, AC, MAP, CNPA, MAP, AC, Enterprise (SE) Development (AC Development Scottish ED), volunteers AC Economic AC local forum, volunteers, bus volunteers, Heritage (SNH) Local AC, DCC, AC, Scottish Natural AC, forum volunteers, bus volunteers, Scotland (HS), CNPA, CNPA, Scotland (HS), DCC, AC, Local AC, DCC, MAP, AVA, Historic AVA, MAP, Scottish Government AVA Farmers, CNPA, AC, AC, CNPA, Farmers, Partnership (MAP), Partnership (MAP), Scottish Agricultural Scottish Young College (SAC), business group Marr Area Marr (DCC) businesses, SDS, local SDS, businesses, Community Council Community people, Donside people, AC, CNPA, SE, local SE, CNPA, AC, volunteers, Young Young volunteers, group Local broadband Learning & Local Development, Broadband Scotland, Scotland, Broadband AC, Community AC, Schools Scotland (SDS) CNPA, AC, Council (AC), Active Active Council (AC), Development Development Aberdeenshire Aberdeenshire businesses, Skills businesses, AC, CNPA, SE, local SE, CNPA, AC, Local volunteers, Local volunteers, parent groups groups parent Scouts Scotland, Scouts Scotland, Council (PC), other Council (PC), Local volunteers Parent School, AC, Key Partners Key Partners Key

support tourism Heritage buildings/sites Identify and develop other assets that Identify and develop

Ballater and Lecht solutions community Explore accommodation (bunkhouse, camping) accommodation (bunkhouse, including at Corgarff for roads to roads including at Corgarff for Possible snow gate web cameras gate web snow Possible of alternative feasibility Explore Look at possible fuel points projects revenue-raising feasible forward Take equipment Develop and maintain new paths and maintain new Develop and install new purchase Fundraise, Reinstate bridge links

transport scheme

the community use by site for Develop Feasibility of social enterprise Feasibility

Community transportCommunity options Links with other bus services transport scheme

Feasibility of social enterprise Feasibility

transport scheme forward take Feasibility of social enterprise Feasibility Obtain support and funding to

halls

transportCommunity links between

Address issues and need Address

Long-term actions Long-term actions

community potential for Explore involvement/support current Health check and identify how facilities can be supported

Explore current coverage and planned coverage current Explore of services improvements feasibility Explore options for community community options for Explore scheme broadband Identify/obtain support and explore access point promotion materials promotion Support tourism assets Identify/obtain support and explore of a museum feasibility Historical documentation Explore options for broadband public broadband options for Explore Tourist information area and area information Tourist 3G/4G signage is appropriately updated and signage is appropriately accurate Public bus service including seasonal bus to be re-visited mobile broadband options for Explore tourism in the area promote closure road to ensure ways Explore to fuel Develop marketing strategy to marketing Develop paths including a ‘Donside Way’ ‘Donside paths including a of guided walks feasibility Explore sustainable maintenance of Explore and established paths new limited access around Info/warnings feasibility Explore Explore possibility of developing new new possibility of developing Explore specific need and feasibility specific need and Identify and obtain advice support to further explore group community publicise Obtain support and develop Explore options for community bus community options for Explore cycle paths and and improve Develop existing paths; signage for Develop

website hosted on community to further explore group community feasibility specific need and Obtain support and develop Explore car share scheme to be car share Explore Explore potential for community community potential for Explore involvement/support facilities can be supported current Health check and identify how

links and buses at weekends

Feasibility of more frequent buses, bus buses, frequent of more Feasibility Identify and obtain support of services for community use community for improvement for Publicise and lobby Explore feasibility of Clubby Rooms of Clubby feasibility Explore

area forward raise issues and identify way Explore issues and identify support to Explore strategy across promotion Explore employment/training skills employment/training Complementary events strategyComplementary events

business start-up and

Explore options for supporting options for local Explore

options and feasibility Explore units locally Explore feasibility of small business feasibility Explore

well set up and sustainable well

activities are support to help ensure Explore issues and needs Explore strategy across area strategy across Obtain set-up funding or other

Explore and develop promotion and develop Explore Develop events committee events Develop Medium-term actions Medium-term actions Identify potential courses of action and leads involvement community/business promotion development, improvement or improvement development, Identify community lead Identify community including signage, access, paths access, including signage, to identify projects Local groups upgrades/solutions publicise to identify projects Local groups Lobby to prioritise area for broadband broadband for to prioritise area Lobby attractions and opportunities and proposed solutions including timescales proposed on current Obtain information Gather information on all tourist Gather information Establish a local tourism business group Establish local group to explore issues to explore Establish local group identify sources of support identify sources information about existing paths; about existing paths; information Identify possible projects and courses of action Support working group; collate Support group; working Identify community lead, potential sites lead, Identify community Support established walking groups need action and community leads action and community Identify potential sites and courses of Identify group to explore issues and to explore Identify group scheme) and community lead and community hospital transport volunteer bus, Identify potential courses of action Support established schemes (shopping hall use Identify improvements to sustain Identify improvements need Identify group to explore issues and to explore Identify group Request re-introduction of services Request re-introduction identify projects Local groups forum and existing facilities (i.e. Lonach Hall) and existing facilities (i.e. Raise issues with Aberdeenshire bus Aberdeenshire Raise issues with representation from Lonach Society from representation local transport group Develop Develop local group with local group Develop and support lead(s) and supportIdentify community support each other Identify and promote sources of advice sources Identify and promote Link halls, groups and other venues to and other venues groups Link halls, group(s) Identify people to take part in business Identify people to take start and develop activities start and develop Seek volunteer and other support to Seek volunteer to explore spaces Identify community lead and potential Identify community Local businesses to obtain support Support established groups for develop activities develop and other support to start and Identify community lead and supportIdentify community to start and develop projects to start and develop seek volunteer and children Parents Obtain funding and volunteer support Obtain funding and volunteer activities and events support to develop Local groups and individuals seek Local groups forward to take Identify group Short-term actions Short-term actions

(see Theme 5: Access, infrastructure and infrastructure Access, Theme 5: (see attractions Sustainability and quality of local service industry (hotels, cafés, cafés, Sustainability and quality of local service industry (hotels, accommodation and bars) support emerging for restaurants,

transport)

No signal or poor in some areas Pathways underexploited as tourist attraction and underused underexploited Pathways locals by recreationally and/or enhance the which protect and support projects Develop heritage of the area promised solution promised

Corgarff and Glenbuchat have ongoing problems despite being problems ongoing Corgarff and Glenbuchat have

inadequate service satellite from speed in villages, low Broadband: and no access in some areas providers a tourist destination

Promote as a visitor destination: raise profile of Upper Donside as of Upper Donside raise profile as a visitor destination: Promote signage/approach closure access to fuel and road Bus links, project small-scale renewable

tourism or social enterprise, raising; revenue Community room for expansion on current site expansion on current for room linking settlements Playpark facilities not suitable for older school-aged children; little older school-aged children; facilities not suitable for Playpark particularly those and cycle paths, footpaths Improve/develop school use, suitable for football and other sports, close to and other sports, football suitable for school use, with some lighting school and preferably amenities,

Explore feasibility of having a playing field for community and for community field a playing of having feasibility Explore No transport options between settlements in the area settlements in the area No transport options between

Protect hotels and pubs from closure or decline closure hotels and pubs from Protect

and/or during No access to larger settlements in the evening people without private transport hours for working Village halls; continued improvement and sustainability of halls improvement continued Village halls;

Heritage project Heritage project and no service the majority of area for the community; seen as key location seen as key the community; Extremely limited; only one bus from Alford to Bellabeg, Strathdon to Bellabeg, Alford one bus from only limited; Extremely Rooms by in exploring the potential use of Clubby Interest

including farming and sporting estates established land industries, and sporting estates Concerns about impact of land reform and other legislation on Concerns about impact of land reform established, emerging and new activities emerging and new established, Utilising and supporting village halls and other venues; support for Utilising and supporting village halls and other venues;

Supporting established, emerging and new business emerging and new Supporting established, Limited transport and at weekends Access to larger settlements in evening • and transport) infrastructure Access, Theme 5: • (see Lack of suitable business premises • Youth café or club Youth • Young people want space to hang out Young Poor broadband provision is a barrier to business set-up, to business set-up, is a barrier provision broadband Poor sustainability and improvement

Improved employment and business opportunities and support employment Improved to retain younger people younger to retain • Scrabble, debating, bee-keeping groups, community gardening, gardening, community groups, bee-keeping debating, • Scrabble, fit) • keep classes cookery • Film nights, morning café/coffee • Bellabeg community (or similar) • Strathfest people young for groups more like would and parents Children or Scouts) Brownies coaching, football (e.g.

Expand on the activities available, start activities and bring up new Expand on the activities available, back old activities: Support established and emerging groups for locally provision Need childcare Issues Issues

Local service industry

signal Mobile phone and radio Pathways Heritage projects

Theme Telecommunication 6: Internet access tourism

Theme 3: Local attractions and tourism Theme 3: to approach Cohesive Accessing the area

revenue Community

settlements Children’s facilities Children’s between Infrastructure

community Community playing field playing Community Getting around in the Getting around

drinking and meeting Facilities for eating, Facilities for

time transport Peak

community assets community Theme 5: Access, infrastructure and transport infrastructure Access, Theme 5: Public transport Theme 2: Assets and facilities Theme 2: Build and develop

industries: tenant farming industries: Sustainability of land

Venues sustainability Venues

and support

Business development

and sports activities Young people: social people: Young Business and education infrastructure

Young and working age and working Young people social and Children: sports activities

and events Theme 1: Recreation and social life and social life Recreation Theme 1: projects Social activities, training and education business, Employment, Theme 4: Childcare This table summarises the issues identified in the extensive community engagement to prepare the action plan, as detailed in the foregoing narrative. Where no community lead is listed, there is no identified group to progress the action. progress group to is no identified there lead is listed, no community Where narrative. foregoing as detailed in the the action plan, engagement to prepare community This table summarises the issues identified in extensive Title Title

12 13 Community Action Plan Circle, Local people Circle, teams, AVA, Silver AVA, teams, Health & Social Care NHS, Local GP, AC, Local GP, NHS, DCC, Local people DCC, Private landlords, Private landlords, Housing Service, Housing Service, Department, Rural Department, Landowners Housing AC DCC, Local people, Local people, DCC, Housing Service, Housing Service, landlords, Rural landlords, Department, Private Department, AC Housing AC AC, SAC Landowners, CNPA, CNPA, Landowners, volunteers, volunteers, estates, FCS, Local FCS, estates, Local sporting AC Landowners, CNPA, CNPA, Landowners, volunteers, Scotland (FCS), Local Scotland (FCS), Forestry Commission Forestry volunteers group, local group, estates, local tourist estates, volunteers Local sporting AC, KSB, Local KSB, AC, SEPA, RSPB, CNPA, RSPB, SEPA, CNPA Local volunteers, AC, AC, Local volunteers, Beautiful (KSB), PC, PC, Beautiful (KSB), Keep Scotland Keep AC, MAP AC, local groups, CNPA, CNPA, local groups, other established Hall committees, Hall committees, Key Partners Key

social care Develop projects around health and around projects Develop

Tenant association? Tenant

Community housing initiative? Community

Formal process for communication for process Formal

residents for existing residents and potential existing residents for Education about land use/management

and wild areas enhancement of wildlife Protection, management and Protection,

community in working together in working community of information and supportof information the Charitable Trust]) to coordinate sharing to coordinate Trust]) Charitable trust/association [previously Strathdon trust/association [previously wider area community group (e.g. (e.g. group community wider area Develop or re-establish Strathdon and or re-establish Develop Long-term actions

projects of new planning and feasibility Project sustainability of established projects Identify issues and support

properties/sites use of derelict options for Explore

forum Set up land industries and communities

communication Establish formal

Signage to dissuade littering facilities/bins placed recycling Strategically and establishing additional newsletter, and establishing additional websites, noticeboards, social media; social media; noticeboards, websites, existing sources; building links between ensuring and monitoring links between as a whole, and community groups key to bring useful and establishing ways into the community information assessing need for could include: Tasks networks and sustainable communication to establish fit-for-purpose coordinator a communications employing Explore Medium-term actions

• Care at home services• Care • Meals on wheels • Transport/housing • take forward take emerging issues and obtain support to Local groups to explore identified and to explore Local groups bus, volunteer taxis) volunteer bus, valued projects (Silver Circle, shopping Circle, (Silver valued projects Explore sustainability of established and Explore Identify group to explore issues and to explore Identify group need need Identify group to explore issues and to explore Identify group Access, infrastructure and transport) infrastructure Access, (see Theme 5: Theme 5: lead (see Identify community forward to take group Identify neutral support and then local forward to take Identify group forward to take Identify lead stakeholders and support Identify lead stakeholders Identify lead projects regular community litter pick community regular Identify lead and establish coordinated websites and social media sites websites Identify all existing newsletters, Lonach Society, service industry Lonach Society, village hall committees/associations, village hall committees/associations, area to lead, including key groups and groups including key to lead, area Identify community volunteers across across volunteers Identify community Short-term actions

available Health visits not always in the area the option to stay services all people have and facilities to ensure Practical support,

solutions Ensure privately rented houses are in appropriate condition, condition, in appropriate houses are rented privately Ensure consider related fuel costs; energyincluding for efficiency and

rent or sale at affordable for is sufficient housing there Ensure prices to match demand

develop and sign paths develop Working with landowners/managers to with landowners/managers Working Sensitive relationships around land use issues between land land use issues between around relationships Sensitive in some areas industries and other residents

methods and poor communication Process and aftermath of felling and replanting; concerns around concerns around and replanting; and aftermath of felling Process

Coordinated approach to fishing permits for the Don to fishing permits approach Coordinated

and wild areas management and enhancement of wildlife Protection,

volunteer collecting excessive amounts unsupported collecting excessive volunteer one Strathdon; through an issue on main road Litter currently Keep the community action plan live and activate action action plan live the community Keep

including on available support and servicesincluding on available Improved assimilation of information from outwith the community, outwith the community, from assimilation of information Improved businesses and tourism; working together working businesses and tourism; Improved sharing of local information, for groups, activities, activities, groups, for sharing of local information, Improved Issues

in the community • Care • Care at home • Care Health and social care

Housing condition

Theme 9: Housing and resident support Housing and resident Theme 9: Housing availability

Access and environment

Forestry

Fishing the Don

Biodiversity

Environment Theme 8: Litter and waste

working together working Theme 7: Local communication Theme 7: and Sharing information Title

14 15 Community Action Plan

14 15 Making It Real CommunityCommunity Action Action Plan Plan

This booklet is one of a series This information can now guide It is important that this booklet produced by Local Rural the community and Community is seen by all concerned as an Partnerships for a number of Planning Partners in drawing account of the community’s communities in Aberdeenshire. up detailed action plans to views at the time of the latest implement the top priorities consultation, and that it will have This initiative is sponsored by as well as addressing the to be regularly reviewed and Aberdeenshire Community other issues which have been updated. As some projects are Planning Partnership and run identified. For each priority or completed, other issues will arise by Aberdeenshire Local Rural issue this will involve agreeing and take their place in future Partnerships. The aim is to who should be involved, what versions of the community plan. provide community action plans resources will be needed and in an attractive, easy to read, target dates for completion. It is We recommend that this Plan professionally printed format. hoped that this process will be has a maximum life of three driven by representatives of the years. community with support - moral, technical and financial - from the relevant Partners.

Thanks are due to all of the Strathdon Area Community who submitted their views, checked and rechecked the issues and crucially discussed and enthused about the actions. Thanks also to the volunteers who researched, wrote and checked the introduction, past and present text and to those who patiently proof read various drafts and finally thanks to all those who submitted the fabulous photos. Also thanks to the agencies who supported our Community to undertake this process.

May 2016 Marr area Partnership Ground Floor • Albert Memorial Hall • Ballater • AB35 5QB T: 07585 621549 • E: [email protected]

Design by Design by www.ouraberdeenshire.org.uk

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