Compelling Argyll and Bute
Economic Baseline Report August 2015
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Contents
1. OVERVIEW ...... 1
1.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1
1.2 BACKGROUND ...... 1
1.3 REPORT FORMAT ...... 2
2. ECONOMIC PROFILE ...... 3
2.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 3
2.2 LABOUR MARKET ...... 15
2.3 BUSINESS BASE ...... 24
2.4 KEY SECTORS – EMPLOYMENT, ENTERPRISES, TURNOVER ...... 28
2.5 INCOME AND OUTPUT ...... 33
3. SKILLS PROFILE ...... 35
3.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 35
3.2 WORKFORCE QUALIFICATIONS ...... 35
3.3 OCCUPATIONAL PROFILES ...... 36
3.4 SCHOOL LEAVER DESTINATIONS ...... 38
3.5 SCHOOL ATTAINMENT ...... 39
3.6 POST SCHOOL EDUCATION ...... 40
3.7 FURTHER EDUCATION IN ARGYLL AND BUTE ...... 43
4. REGIONAL ASSET AUDIT ...... 44
4.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 44
4.2 HOUSING PROFILE ...... 44
4.3 EDUCATION AND HEALTH ...... 50
4.4 BUSINESS PROPERTY ...... 57
4.5 TRANSPORT REVIEW ...... 63
4.6 TOURISM, LEISURE AND CULTURE ...... 72
4.7 FDI PROFILE ...... 79
4.8 RETAIL SECTOR ...... 80
4.9 UTILITIES REVIEW ...... 82
4.10 ENVIRONMENT ...... 84
4.11 COMMUNITY SERVICES ...... 86
1. Overview
1.1 Introduction
This socio-economic baseline research has been prepared for Argyll and Bute Council and its key partners and stakeholders as part of developing Argyll and Bute Council’s Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP).
This economic baseline presents a desk based analysis of the area with a focus on the economy, skills base and physical assets within the region.
1.2 Background
The Argyll and Bute Council’s Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP1) has set out the economic priorities for the region over the next few years and, in particular the key actions outlined in the Economic Development Action Plans for the four administrative sub-regions across Argyll and Bute, which are:
Bute and Cowal (BC);
Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands (MAKI);
Helensburgh and Lomond (HL); and
Oban, Lorn and the Isles (OLI).
The Action Plans are based around four key themes, and this socio-economic baseline focuses on Theme 4 - Compelling Argyll and Bute2, which seeks to increase the profile of the area to attract economically active new residents (individuals and families), inward investors and visitors.
It is therefore focused on growing the (working age) population as a high level objective.
1 http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/business-and-trade/economic-development-action-plan 2 Competitive Argyll and Bute; Connected Argyll and Bute; Collaborative Argyll and Bute
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The primary objectives of the overarching study are to:
undertake a detailed economic profile and analysis of Argyll and Bute and each of the four sub-areas, with a particular focus on skills development issues; and
develop ‘compelling’ propositions/promotional action plans for Argyll and Bute and each of its four sub-areas.
The Action Plan objectives therefore seek to address the key issues and challenges of reversing the long term population decline as a major limiting factor in achieving economic growth.
One of the key factors which emerges from the analysis is not just that Argyll and Bute is different from Scotland as a whole but that the sub regions in Argyll and Bute are themselves all different.
We have sought where possible to tease out and highlight these differences.
Finally, we also highlight the potential impact which the MOD Base at Faslane may have on the data and analysis, particularly in relation to the population and employment figures. At this stage we have been unable to get to speak to either the MOD or Babcock to obtain a better understanding and have therefore presented the data as available.
1.3 Report Format
As highlighted earlier, the economic baseline report is based largely on an analysis of published information, web based data and previous baseline reports. It covers the following:
Chapter 2: Economic profile;
Chapter 3: Skills profile; and
Chapter 4: Area asset audit.
A more detailed sub regional analysis is provided in a separate report.
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2. Economic Profile
2.1 Introduction
This Chapter sets out an analysis of the economic and skills profile of the Argyll and Bute region and where possible, provides an analysis at the local level where the data is available / or reported.
It also provides some high level conclusions and identifies some strategic indicators to inform potential responses.
The economic profile includes a review and profile of the following indicators:
population and demographics;
labour markets;
business base;
key sectors; and
income and economic output.
2.2 Population and Demographics
In 2013, the total population of Argyll and Bute was 88,0503, comprising 40,130 households, and the largest settlement is Helensburgh, with a population of 15,590.
Table 2.1 presents the most recent population data available for Argyll and Bute and Scotland (2013) and the sub–regional level (Scottish Census 2011) broken down by demographic group. It is important to consider the demographic breakdown of the population as it has a significant impact on a number of factors, including, provision of services e.g. health and education, availability of labour, and demand for housing – all considered within this baseline.
3 Mid-year estimates from the National records of Scotland.
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Table 2.1: Population Breakdown 2013
Children (0- Working age Pensionable 15) (16-64) age (64+) Total
3,059 12,046 5,955 Bute and Cowal (14.5%) (57.2%) (28.3%) 21,060
Helensburgh and 4,291 16,559 5,320 Lomond (16.4%) (63.3%) (20.3%) 26,170
Mid Argyll, Kintyre 3,165 12,349 5,072 and the Islands (15.4%) (60.0%) (24.6%) 20,586
Oban, Lorn and the 3,313 12,648 4,273 Isles (16.4%) (62.5%) (21.1%) 20,234
13,828 53,602 20,620 Argyll and Bute (15.7%) (60.9%) (23.4%) 88,050
911,679 3,469,159 946,862 Scotland (17.1%) (65.1%) (17.8%) 5,327,700 Source: Scottish Census 2011
There are a number of important points to note when comparing the demographic breakdown.
Firstly, the proportion of working age population is higher in Scotland than in Argyll and Bute, 65% compared to 61% which indicates that there is therefore likely to be a smaller labour pool within Argyll and Bute (assuming parity of employment rates).
The proportion of working age people does, however, vary sub-regionally, with Bute and Cowal having a working age population representing 57% of the total population and Helensburgh and Lomond having a proportionate share closer to the national average at 63%.
We also note a recent trend at the national level – Scotland has an ageing population and this appears to be more pronounced within Argyll and Bute, with almost one quarter of the population (23.4%) of pensionable age. Again, this varies at the sub-regional level, with Bute and Cowal in particular having a proportionate share of pensionable age residents that is c. 10% points greater than the national level.
Figure 2.1 charts the annual % change in population from 2001 and shows that Argyll and Bute has experienced a -2% decrease in its population base, whilst the population at the national level has increase, +4%. The decline across Argyll and Bute is equivalent to a decrease of c, 1,700 people over the ten years.
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Figure 2.1: Change in Population 2001 – 2011
1.05
1.04
1.03
1.02
1.01
1
0.99
0.98
0.97 % Change from 2001 Baseline 2001 from Change % 0.96
0.95
0.94 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Argyll & Bute Scotland
Source: Scottish Census and National Records of Scotland
Figure 2.2 details the population changes at the sub-regional level.
Figure 2.2: Sub-Regional Change in Population 2001 – 2011
1.08 1.07 1.06 1.05 1.04 1.03 1.02 1.01 1.00 0.99 0.98 0.97 0.96 0.95
% Change from 2001 Baseline 2001 from Change % 0.94 0.93 0.92 0.91 0.90 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Bute & Cowal Helensburgh and Lomond Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Oban, Lorn & the Isles
Source: Scottish Census and National Records of Scotland
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Oban, Lorn and the Isles is the only sub-regional area that has experienced an overall increase in population between 2001 and 2011 (+7%) or 1,300 people.
In contrast, there has been a significant decline in the population within Helensburgh and Lomond over the same time period, -7% equating to 1,900 people – greater than the total decrease at the regional level. The population decline in Helensburgh and Lomond has been the key driver for the overall decline at the regional level.
However, this change in population has not been uniform across the three demographic groups. Table 2.2 sets out the change within demographic groups for Argyll and Bute and draws comparison with Scotland.
Table 2.2: Change in Demographic Breakdown 2001 - 2011
2001 2011 Change % Change Children Argyll & Bute 17,052 14,128 -2,924 -17% Scotland 970,374 913,317 -57,057 -6% Working Age Argyll & Bute 54,442 52,454 -1,988 -4% Scotland 3,149,716 3,299,643 149,927 5% Pensionable Age Argyll & Bute 19,806 23,008 3,202 +16% Scotland 944,110 1,041,840 97,730 +10% Total Argyll & Bute 91,300 89,590 -1,710 -2% Scotland 5,064,200 5,254,800 190,600 +4% Source: Scottish Census and National Records of Scotland
Some key differences to note include:
whist there has been a decline in young people at the national level, this has been more pronounced within Argyll and Bute – the rate of decline has been around three times greater (-17% compared with -6%);
as noted from Table 2.2 Argyll and Bute has a smaller proportionate working age population compared to Scotland, and this has declined by -4% since 2001, compared with an increase at the national level; and
as noted above, Scotland has an ageing population, +10% since 2001, Argyll and Bute has experienced a larger proportionate increase in its population aged 64+ (+16%).
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Table 2.3 presents the absolute and proportionate changes at the sub-regional level.
Table 2.3: Sub-Regional Change in Demographic Breakdown 2001 - 2011
2001 2011 Change % Change Children Bute & Cowal 3,998 3,161 -837 -21% Helensburgh and Lomond 5,134 4,222 -912 -18% Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands 4,218 3,351 -867 -21% Oban, Lorn & the Isles 3,702 3,394 -308 -8% Working Age Bute & Cowal 12,401 11,880 -521 -4% Helensburgh and Lomond 17,816 15,896 -1,9204 -11% Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands 12,713 12,345 -368 -3% Oban, Lorn & the Isles 11,512 12,333 821 7% Pensionable Age Bute & Cowal 6,124 6,637 513 8% Helensburgh and Lomond 4,919 5,866 947 19% Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands 4,842 5,798 956 20% Oban, Lorn & the Isles 3,921 4,707 786 20% Total Bute & Cowal 22,523 21,678 -845 -4% Helensburgh and Lomond 27,869 25,984 -1,885 -7% Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands 21,773 21,494 -279 -1% Oban, Lorn & the Isles 19,135 20,434 1,299 7% Source: Scottish Census and National Records of Scotland
Figure 2.3 – Figure 2.5 present the annual changes within the demographic breakdown at the sub-regional level.
4 Note, presence of Faslane may impact on this data
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Figure 2.3: Sub-Regional Change in Children Population, 2001 - 2011
1.03 1.00 0.98 0.95 0.93 0.90 0.88 0.85
0.83 % Change form 2001 Baseline 2001 form Change % 0.80 0.78 0.75 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Bute & Cowal Helensburgh & Lomond Mid Argyll, Kintyre & the Islands Oban, Lorn & the Isles Argyll & Bute
Source: Scottish Census and National Records of Scotland
Figure 2.4: Sub-Regional Change in Working Age Population, 2001 - 2011
1.10
1.08
1.05
1.03
1.00
0.98
0.95
0.93
% Change from 2001 Baseline 2001 from Change % 0.90
0.88
0.85 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Bute & Cowal Helensburgh & Lomond Mid Argyll, Kintyre & the Islands Oban, Lorn & the Isles Argyll & Bute
Source: Scottish Census and National Records of Scotland
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Figure 2.5: Sub-Regional Change in Pensionable Age Population, 2001 – 2011
1.23
1.20
1.18
1.15
1.13
1.10
1.08
1.05
1.03 % Change from 2001 2001 BaselinefromChange % 1.00
0.98
0.95 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Bute & Cowal Helensburgh & Lomond Mid Argyll, Kintyre & the Islands Oban, Lorn & the Isles Argyll & Bute
Source: Scottish Census and National Records of Scotland
Key points to note from the analysis at the sub regional level:
Child aged population:
significant decreases in the proportion of children of around 20% across all sub-region, except for Oban, Lorn and the Isles where the decrease was 8% - the decline appears to be a fairly consistent year on year decline;
Working age population:
the increase in the working age population within Oban, Lorn and the Isles was pretty uniform until 2009 where it experienced a notable increase;
the working age population within Helensburgh and Lomond decrease significantly over the period 2001 – 2005, made a brief recovery and has since declined sharply since 2006 (10% points)
Pensionable aged population:
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the increase in pensionable aged population across the sub-regions (excluding Oban, Lorn and the Isles which increased at a slower rate) has been uniform since 2001 – steady increase.
Table 2.4 presents the change in total population across some of the larger settlements in Argyll and Bute over the period 2003 – 2012 (most recently available data).
(Note, the recording of settlements has changed over time and as such it is not
always possible to provide like for like comparisons)
The data shows that there have been significant variations across different settlements and it is difficult to establish any real clear pattern driving these local variations.
The changes in population will likely be driven by a number of factors, including (but not limited to) availability of housing, access to employment/education opportunities,
‘quality of life indicators’ e.g. access to outdoor space, etc.5
5 Note the difference in trend period i.e. figures 2.3-2.5 refer to Census data and Table 2.4 presents MYE data.
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Table 2.4 Change in Settlement Populations
Locality Settlement Mid-year Population Estimates 2003 2010 2012 2003/12 % Ardrishaig Ardrishaig 1,230 1,280 1,320 90 7% Bowmore Bowmore 860 860 760 -100 -12% Campbeltown Campbeltown 5,030 4,810 4,800 -230 -5% Cardross Cardross 1,920 2,110 2,130 210 11% Dunbeg Dunbeg 710 660 610 -100 -14% Dunoon Dunoon, Settlement of 8,160 9,400 9,540 1,380 17% Garelochhead Garelochhead 1,310 2,610 2,110 800 61% Helensburgh Helensburgh, Settlement of 14,510 15,430 15,590 1,080 7% Innellan Innellan 1,180 1,180 980 -200 -17% Inveraray Inveraray 570 650 570 0 0% Kilcreggan Kilcreggan 1,320 1,340 1,290 -30 -2% Lochgilphead Lochgilphead 2,340 2,280 2,390 50 2% North Connel Oban - - - - - Oban Oban 8,000 8,180 8,540 540 7% Port Bannatyne Port Bannatyne 1,390 1,230 1,200 -190 -14% Port Ellen Port Ellen 830 850 830 0 0% Rhu Helensburgh, Settlement of 1,870 - - -1,870 -100% Rhu and Shandon Helensburgh, Settlement of - - - - - Rosneath Rosneath 920 780 1,260 340 37% Rothesay Rothesay 5,040 4,750 4,540 -500 -10% Sandbank Dunoon, Settlement of 800 - - -800 -100% Shandon Shandon 2,290 - - -2,290 -100% Tarbert Tarbert 1,360 1,300 1,130 -230 -18% Tighnabruaich Tighnabruaich - 660 520 -140 -21% Tobermory Tobermory 980 970 1,010 30 3% Total 62,620 61,330 61,120 -1,500 -2%
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Population Forecasts
Future population projections/forecasts show a notable divergence between what is forecast to happen at the Scotland level overall, and Argyll and Bute in the future.
The overall Scottish population is forecast to increase (projected to increase by +9% over the period 2012 to 2037), however, the Argyll and Bute population is expected to continue its decline, by 2037 this is forecast at -14%, equivalent to over 12,000 people over the same period, Figure 2.6, and Table 2.5.
Figure 2.6 Forecast Population Estimates
1.15
1.10
1.05
1.00
0.95
0.90 % Change since 2012 Baseline 2012 since Change %
0.85
0.80 2012 2017 2022 2027 2032 2037
Argyll & Bute Scotland
Source: National Records of Scotland
Argyll and Bute has the second largest projected proportionate population decrease of all 32 Scottish local authorities6.
6 Inverclyde’s population is projected to decrease by 19% over the same period.
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Table 2.5 Population Forecasts by Demographic Group, 2012 - 2037
2013 2037 Change % Change
Children 13,828 11,452 -2,376 -17%
Argyll Working age 53,602 38,061 -15,541 -29% and Bute Pensionable age 20,620 26,313 5,693 28% Total 88,050 75,826 -12,224 -14% Children 911,679 964,964 53,285 6% Working age 3,469,159 3,342,249 -126,910 -4% Scotland Pensionable age 946,862 1,473,158 526,296 56% Total 5,327,700 5,780,371 452,671 9% Source: National Records of Scotland
Argyll and Bute (as well as Scotland) are predicted to experience a large increase in the pensionable age population - the national forecast increase is expected to be double that of Argyll and Bute (56% compared with 28%). Both regionally and nationally, the ageing population is predicted to place significant demand on public services, for example, health and housing.
This increase in pensionable age population within Argyll and Bute is offset by significant population losses across children (-2,400) and working age people (- 15,500).
Argyll and Bute is therefore forecast to lose around one third of its potential labour pool, this could have a significant negative impact on the economic vibrancy of the region.
Sub-Regional Forecasts
Although population forecasts are not provided below local authority level, Argyll and Bute Council has provided some outline forecasts to show the expected trends across the sub-region, Table 2.6.
These data should therefore be viewed as high level estimates and treated with caution.
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Table 2.6 Population Projections
Bute and Cowal 2012 2037 Change % Children 3,362 1,969 -1,393 -41% Working age 12,009 6,798 -5,211 -43% Pensionable 5,847 6,788 941 16% age Helensburgh and Lomond 2012 2037 Change % Children 4,723 3,429 -1,294 -27% Working age 15,224 10,596 -4,628 -30% Pensionable 29,675 27,276 -2,399 -8% age Mid Argyll Kintyre and the Islands 2012 2037 Change % Children 3,720 3,643 -77 -2% Working age 12,568 12,393 -175 -1% Pensionable 25,111 24,922 -189 -1% age Oban, Lorn and the Isles 2012 2037 Change % Children 3,737 3,696 -41 -1% Working age 12,442 12,454 12 0% Pensionable 23,496 23,629 133 1% Source:age Argyll and Bute Council
The data show that again, there are notable differences across the region. Oban, Lorn and the Isles will experience a small overall increase – around 100 people, whilst Mid Argyll Kintyre and the Islands is expected to decrease by around 400 people.
Conversely, Bute and Cowal and Helensburgh and Lomond are forecast to undergo significant changes with predicted losses of 5,700 and 8,300 people respectively – the majority of these coming from the working age population.
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2.3 Labour Market
2.3.1 Economic Activity Overview
Table 2.7 provides an overview of economic activity and employment across Argyll and Bute, and Scotland.
In addition, where appropriate, in order to provide some wider context of the economic changes happening across rural Scotland we have also looked at the Highland economy (considered as The Highland Council local authority area).
Across the period 2009 – 2014, Argyll and Bute performs well in terms of economic activity and employment rates, and has outperformed Scotland in the two comparative periods.
Table 2.7: Economic Activity and Employment, 2009 - 2014
Argyll and Highland Scotland Argyll and Highland Scotland Bute Bute 2009 2014 Economic activity rate 79.7% 79.8% 77.5% 80.7% 81% 77.5 % Employment rate 76.1% 74.8% 72% 76.8% 77.2% 72.6% Employees 61.6% 62.8% 63.5% 63.3% 65.7% 64.2% Self employed 13.6% 11.4% 7.9% 12.7% 11.2% 8% Unemployed 4.6% 6.2% 7.2% 6.2 % 4% 6.2% Source: Labour Force Survey
Argyll and Bute has a higher self-employment rate than all the comparator areas – nearly 13% – which represents around one in eight working people as self- employed.
It is, however, more common for rural areas to have higher levels of self-employment due to the relative lack of employment opportunities.
It is important to note that this data simply reflects the numbers in employment and not the quality, regularity or level of employment.
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2.3.2 Employment
Table 2.8 presents the 2013 employment base broken down by sector and by sub- region. Total employment in Argyll and Bute in 2013 was circa 37,650, this includes those considered self-employed.
The largest employing sectors in Argyll and Bute are;
Accommodation & food services (16%, c. 6,000 employees);
Health (15%, c. 5,800 employees); and
Public administration and defence (11%, c. 4,000 employees).
The employment base within Argyll and Bute is broadly similar to the Scottish base, although there are a couple of notable differences – the higher proportionate share of accommodation and food service jobs 16% compared to 8% and the higher number of people working in the public admin and defence (11% compared with 6%).
These employment base characteristic are fairly common amongst rural areas - higher levels of employment in sectors aligned to tourism and the public sector.
Generally speaking, there is a fair degree of parity when reviewing the current employment base broken down by sector across the sub-regions.
There are, however, a few variations, in particular, we would note the high proportion of employment in Helensburgh and Lomond employed within the Business administration & support services sector (18% compared with 2% in MAKI, 3% in OLI to 6% in BC).
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Table 2.8: Total Employment and Share by Sector, 2013
Bute and Helensburgh Mid Argyll, Kintyre Oban Lorn and Argyll and Cowal and Lomond and the Islands the Isles Bute Scotland
Agriculture, forestry & fishing 1% 0% 3% 3% 2% 3% Mining, quarrying & utilities 1% 0% 1% 3% 2% 3% Manufacturing 6% 2% 7% 3% 4% 7% Construction 5% 3% 7% 6% 5% 6% Motor trades 2% 2% 1% 1% 2% 2% Wholesale 2% 0% 3% 3% 2% 3% Retail 9% 6% 8% 10% 8% 10% Transport & storage 4% 2% 7% 5% 5% 4% Accommodation & food services 13% 17% 13% 20% 16% 8% Information & communication 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 3% Financial & insurance 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 3% Property 3% 1% 2% 2% 2% 1% Professional, scientific & technical 3% 4% 2% 7% 4% 7% Business administration & support services 6% 18% 2% 3% 7% 7% Public administration & defence 12% 17% 11% 3% 11% 6% Education 8% 7% 8% 7% 7% 8% Health 18% 10% 18% 16% 15% 16% Arts, entertainment, recreation & other services 6% 7% 6% 4% 6% 5% Total 7,565 10,010 9,558 10,526 37,658 2,470,381 Source: Business Register and Employment Survey, 2013
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Table 2.9 considers the overall change in employment over the period 2009 – 2013.
Table 2.9: Employment Change, 2009 - 2013
2009 2013 Change % Change Bute and Cowal 9,253 7,565 -1,688 -18% Helensburgh and Lomond 9,864 10,010 146 1% Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands 9,643 9,558 -85 -1% Oban Lorn and the Isles 10,286 10,526 240 2% Argyll and Bute 39,046 37,658 -1,388 -4% Highlands 107,342 109,986 2,644 2% Scotland 2,523,054 2,470,381 -52,673 -2% Source: Business Register and Employment Survey
At the Argyll and Bute level the total employment has decreased by 1,400, representing a decline of -4% since 2009. This compares with a +2% increase within the Highlands and a -2% decline across Scotland. These data should be considered in the wider context of the economic recession in c. 2008.
The decline across the sub regions has not been uniform, there have been marginal fluctuations across all sub-regions, except for Bute and Cowal which has seen a significant decline in its employment base of -1,688 (-18%).
Table 2.10 shows the changes at the sectoral level.
Across Argyll and Bute there has been considerable movement within sectors, the key changes in employment are summarised below:
Increases within (major) employment sectors:
Accommodation and food services, +28%, 1,330 employees;
Arts, entertainment, recreation, other services, +28%, 470 employees; and
Professional, scientific and technical, +22%, 300 employees.
Decreases within (major) employment sectors:
Public administration and defence, -36%, 2,240 employees;
Retail, -15%, 570 employees; and
Education, -11%, 350 employees.
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Table 2.10: Sectoral Employment Change, 2009 - 2013
Helensburgh and Mid Argyll, Kintyre Oban Lorn and Bute and Cowal Lomond and the Islands the Isles Argyll and Bute Scotland
% % % % % No. Change No. Change No. % Change No. Change No. Change No. Change Agriculture, forestry & fishing -104 -57% -3 -100% -36 -11% 39 15% -103 -13% -3,418 -4% Mining, quarrying & utilities -27 -25% 1 2% -8 -7% 9 3% -25 -4% 1,216 2% Manufacturing 15 4% -53 -22% 56 9% -23 -6% -5 0% -14,937 -8% Construction -170 -31% -72 -20% 102 17% 156 30% 17 1% -9,044 -6% Motor trades -52 -30% -61 -24% -6 -4% -2 -2% -121 -18% 3,219 7% Wholesale -38 -23% -13 -21% -68 -18% 9 3% -110 -12% -6,458 -8% Retail -148 -17% -90 -13% -94 -11% -243 -19% -574 -15% -10,310 -4% Transport & storage -22 -7% 50 26% -73 -10% -69 -11% -114 -6% -7,886 -7% Accommodation & food services -68 -7% 790 82% 285 30% 324 19% 1,330 28% 9,018 5% Information & communication -4 -5% -8 -10% -51 -39% -28 -22% -90 -22% -3,303 -5% Financial & insurance -33 -46% 7 11% -8 -10% -11 -14% -45 -16% -8,565 -9% Property 37 17% -37 -27% 106 108% 62 50% 169 29% 2,588 8% Professional, scientific & technical -25 -10% 75 21% 23 11% 232 42% 306 22% 6,926 4% Business administration & support services 62 15% 144 8% -39 -21% 86 32% 252 10% 107 0% Public administration & defence -1,020 -53% -590 -26% -432 -30% -201 -37% -2,243 -36% -9,426 -6% Education -84 -12% -81 -10% -158 -18% -33 -4% -354 -11% -8,154 -4% Health -103 -7% -7 -1% 139 9% -176 -9% -147 -2% -4,283 -1%
Arts, entertainment, recreation & other services 94 26% 94 16% 178 51% 105 30% 471 28% 10,037 9% Total -1,688 -18% 146 1% -85 -1% 240 2% -1,388 -4% -52,673 -2%
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We would note that two of the largest employing sectors (first and third biggest sectors respectively) across Argyll and Bute - accommodation and food services and public administration and defence have performed very differently over the recent past (an increase of 28% and a decrease of 36% respectively).
Key changes at the sub-regional level include:
Bute and Cowal - significant decrease in the Public administration and defence sector (c. -1,000 employees), we are, however, unable to identify the source of this decline. In addition, only four sectors experienced an increase in employment over the period.
Helensburgh and Lomond – another large decrease within the Public administration and defence sector (-600 employees) most likely linked to activities at Faslane. These losses however, have been offset by a significant increase within employment in the accommodation and food services sector.
Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands – experienced notable losses within parts of the public sector (c. -600 employees), however, the Accommodation and food services sector, Health, and Arts, entertainment, recreation and other services all performed strongly.
Oban Lorn and the Isles – notable decline in the public sector (37%) and retail (19%), however this was offset by strong performance within Professional, scientific and technical (41%); Business, admin and support services (32%); Arts and entertainment (30%); Accommodation and food services (19%), and Construction (30%).
Young People
Within our assessment of employment we have considered young people (aged 16 – 24). Figure 2.7 provides an overview of the employment rates for young people since 2009.
Compelling Argyll and Bute: Interim Report 20
Figure 2.7: Employment Rate for Young People Aged 16 - 24
70.0
67.5
65.0
62.5
60.0
57.5
55.0
52.5 Employment Rate (%) Rate Employment 50.0
47.5
45.0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Argyll and Bute Highland Scotland
Source: Annual Population Survey
In the post-recession period within Argyll and Bute, the employment rate decreased notably until 2012 (nearly 10% points), however, it has subsequently risen sharply since 2012 and is now performing on par with the Highlands, and above pre- recession levels.
In 2014, the employment rate for those aged 16 - 24 was 64% (this compares with 74% across all working age people in Argyll and Bute).
2.3.3 Claimant Count
The Claimant Count measures the number of people that are not in employment including those actively seeking work and claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA).
Table 2.11 sets out the claimant count data for the four sub regions in Argyll and Bute and draws comparison with the Highlands and Scotland.
In 2014 there were 860 people registered for JSA representing a six year low Claimant Count rate of 1.6% in Argyll and Bute.
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Table 2.11: Claimant Count Rate, May 2014 and May 2015
Claimants Claimant Count Rate
May 2014 Bute and Cowal 429 3.5% Helensburgh and Lomond 274 1.8% Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands 262 2.1% Oban Lorn and the Isles 183 1.5% May 2015 Argyll and Bute 861 1.6% Highlands 1,514 1.0% Scotland 77,488 2.2% Source: Claimant Count Note: the most recently available claimant count data at the sub-regional level is for May 2014. Data at the local authority and national levels is reported at May 2015
Figure 2.8 details the change in Claimant Count within Argyll and Bute and the sub- regions over the period 2009 – 2014.
Figure 2.8: Claimant Count Rate, 2009 - 2014
6 5.5 5 4.5 4 3.5 3 2.5 2
Claimant Count Rate (%) Rate Count Claimant 1.5 1 0.5 0 May 2009 May 2010 May 2011 May 2012 May 2013 May 2014
Bute and Cowal Helensburgh and Lomond Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Oban Lorn and the Isles Argyll and Bute
Source: Claimant Count
There is a broad trend across the region, with the claimant count rate increasing over the period 2009 – 2012 (on the back of the recession) but has now experienced two years of notable decline.
Compelling Argyll and Bute: Interim Report 22
We would however, highlight that within Bute and Cowal, the claimant count rate has historically been at least 1.5% points greater than the regional average.
If we consider the duration that claimants have been claiming JSA, we can see that the majority (52%) have been on the claimant count less than six months.
Almost one third (31%) are considered as long term claimants. Both Argyll and Bute and Scotland have a higher proportion of claimants claiming for over one year – in part this could be due to the more limited employment opportunities within rural areas.
Table 2.12: % Claimants by Duration May 2015
Duration Argyll and Bute Highland Scotland
% of No. of % of No. of % of No. of total claimants total claimants total claimants
Up to 6 months 52% 450 52% 790 59% 45,385
6 to a year 17% 145 18% 265 17% 12,835
Over 1 year 31% 265 30% 455 25% 19,145 Source: Claimant Count Note: sub-regional data not available
Table 2.13: % Claimants by Age May 2015
Age Argyll and Bute Highland Scotland
% of total No. of % of total No. of % of total No. of claimants claimants claimants
16 - 24 20% 170 15% 230 22% 16,755
25 - 49 50% 430 56% 840 57% 43,810
50 - 64 30% 255 29% 440 22% 16,795 Source: Claimant Count Note: sub-regional data not available
Argyll and Bute has a higher proportion of young people (aged 16 – 24) claiming JSA compared to the Highlands, this, is, however, lower than the national level.
Whilst the absolute levels are not significant, it should be noted, however, that young people represent a disproportionately high number of JSA claimants – within Argyll and Bute young people represent 10% of the total population but 20% of total claimants.
Compelling Argyll and Bute: Interim Report 23
2.4 Business Base
The business base measures the number of registered businesses within an area. Table 2.14, details the number of businesses broken down by broad industrial sector.
In 2014, there were approximately 4,400 local business units7 in the Argyll and Bute area; just less than one-third (32%) of these were based in Oban, Lorn and the Isles – this compares with 28% of the employment base, potentially indicating comparatively smaller businesses.
The largest sector in terms of number of businesses across Argyll and Bute is Agriculture, forestry and fishing – representing 20% of the business base, and is nearly twice as big as the next biggest sector (Retail, 12%). Given the predominantly rural nature of the region, the high proportion of businesses in this sector is unsurprising.
That being said, employment within the Agriculture, forestry and fishing only represents a very small percentage of total employment, 2%. This may however, underrepresent employment in the sector as farming in particular will use seasonal employment, for example, at particular times of the year.
Other industries well represented in Argyll and Bute are Retail (12.3%), Accommodation and food services (10.8%), Professional, scientific and technical (8.6%); Construction (8.3%); Production (6.2%) and Arts (5.7%) – all accounting for more than 5% of the total business base.
.
7 Local Units are individual sites that belong to an Enterprise
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Table 2.14 Business Base 2013
Mid Argyll, Helensburgh Kintyre and the Oban, Lorn and Bute and Cowal and Lomond Islands the Isles Argyll and Bute Scotland
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % Agriculture, forestry and fishing 115 13.4% 30 4.3% 410 29.8% 310 22.0% 880 19.8% 17,570 8.6% Production 40 4.7% 15 2.1% 85 6.2% 95 6.7% 275 6.2% 10,935 5.4% Construction 70 8.1% 65 9.3% 100 7.3% 140 9.9% 370 8.3% 18,535 9.1% Motor trades 5 0.6% 20 2.9% 20 1.5% 15 1.1% 95 2.1% 5,150 2.5% Wholesale 20 2.3% 15 2.1% 45 3.3% 35 2.5% 135 3.0% 7,535 3.7% Retail 130 15.1% 100 14.3% 130 9.5% 170 12.1% 545 12.3% 23,045 11.3% Transport and storage (inc. postal) 15 1.7% 0 0.0% 70 5.1% 65 4.6% 190 4.3% 6,535 3.2% Accommodation and food services 115 13.4% 75 10.7% 100 7.3% 185 13.1% 480 10.8% 15,375 7.5% Information and communication 25 2.9% 40 5.7% 15 1.1% 15 1.1% 120 2.7% 9,230 4.5% Finance and insurance 5 0.6% 5 0.7% 5 0.4% 5 0.4% 45 1.0% 4,370 2.1% Property 30 3.5% 20 2.9% 30 2.2% 30 2.1% 125 2.8% 6,000 2.9% Professional, scientific and technical 80 9.3% 135 19.3% 85 6.2% 80 5.7% 380 8.6% 31,335 15.4% Business administration and support services 40 4.7% 50 7.1% 45 3.3% 55 3.9% 120 2.7% 12,745 6.3% Public administration and defence 15 1.7% 15 2.1% 45 3.3% 20 1.4% 120 2.7% 2,915 1.4% Education 15 1.7% 10 1.4% 40 2.9% 35 2.5% 170 3.8% 5,505 2.7% Health 70 8.1% 40 5.7% 70 5.1% 65 4.6% 135 3.0% 12,430 6.1% Arts, entertainment, recreation and other services 70 8.1% 65 9.3% 80 5.8% 90 6.4% 255 5.7% 14,550 7.1% Total 860 100% 700 100% 1,375 100% 1410 100% 4,440 100% 203,760 100% Source: Office of National Statistics (ONS), UK Business Count
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Across the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands sub-regional area, almost one-third (30%) of businesses are involved in Agriculture, forestry and fishing, by far the largest sector in this administrative area.
In Oban, Lorn and the Isles, over a fifth (22%) of businesses are involved in Agriculture, forestry and fishing, the largest industry sector in this administrative area, followed by Accommodation and food service (13.1%) and Retail (12.1%). The largest business sectors in Bute and Cowal are involved in Retail (15.3%), Accommodation and food service (13.4%) and Agriculture, forestry and fishing (13.4%).
In Helensburgh and Lomond the largest number of businesses are involved in Professional, scientific and technical activities (19.3%), followed by Retail (14.3%) and Accommodation and food service (10.7%). The Clyde Naval Base is located close to Helensburgh, and is the biggest single site employer in Scotland (with 6,500 civilians and service personnel working there8)
Figure 2.9 shows the business base broken down by size of business (number of employees).
Figure 2.9: Business Base by Employee Size (2014)
1.0% 1.2% 0.7% 1.4% 1.1% 15.1% 16.3% 12.2% 15.7% 14.8%
82.3% 81.9% 85.7% 82.3% 84.1% % of Business Base Businessof %
Bute and Cowal Helensburgh and Mid Argyll, Kintyre Oban, Lorn and the Argyll and Bute Lomond and the Islands Isles
Micro (0 to 9) Small (10 to 49) Medium-sized (50 to 249)
Source: Office of National Statistics (ONS), UK Business Count
8 http://www.befs.org.uk/news/89/50/Small-Towns-Initiative-Helensburgh-Report
Compelling Argyll and Bute: Interim Report 26
Of the 4,400 businesses based in Argyll and Bute, the majority of these can be classed as ‘micro-businesses9’ - employing fewer than nine employees.
Whilst the business base overall in Scotland as a whole has increased since 2010 (+5%), it has been relatively static in Argyll and Bute over the same timeframe (- 0.1%). Although data is not available over the same time frame, if we consider the changes within the employment base (2009 – 2013) (see Table 2.14) which decreased by -4% in Argyll and Bute and by -2% nationally, this points towards the Argyll and Bute economy continuing to struggle somewhat in the post- recession environment.
Figure 2.10 shows the proportionate sectoral changes in the businesses base between 2010 and 2014.
Figure 2.10 Change in Businesses 2010 - 2014
Arts, entertainment & other services
Health
Education
Public administration & defence
Business administration & support services
Professional, scientific & technical
Property
Financial & insurance
Information & communication
Accommodation & food services
Transport & storage (inc postal)
Retail
Wholesale
Motor trades
Construction
Manufacturing
Mining, quarrying & utilities
Agriculture, forestry & fishing
-30% -20% -10% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Scotland Argyll & Bute
Source: ONS, UK Business Count
9 Figures may differ by small amounts from those published in ONS outputs due to the application of a different rounding methodology.
Compelling Argyll and Bute: Interim Report 27
Figure 2.10 above does not tell the complete story, however. In terms of absolute changes in the number of businesses, the top three sectors that have increased or decreased in number are
increase in business base:
o Professional, scientific and technical: 13.4%;
o Agriculture, forestry and fishing: 4.8%;
o Mining, quarrying and utilities: 41.7%; and
decrease in business base:
o Construction: 10.8%;
o Retail: 6.8%;
o Public admin and defence: 17.2%;
2.5 Key Sectors – Employment, Enterprises, Turnover
The Scottish Government key sectors “offer particular opportunities for growth - in all or part of that sector - due to existing comparative advantages or through the potential to capitalise on Scotland's unique natural assets. These are sectors where Scotland typically has distinctive capabilities and businesses with the potential to be internationally successful.”
Data on the Scottish Government key sectors is presented below in Tables 2.15 to 2.17. It should be noted that there are gaps in the data and is subject to rounding.
Where possible, we have used the most up-to-date data available. Some key findings at the Argyll and Bute level include:
key sector business base (Table 2.15):
o overall, there has been little movement within the business base
o that the biggest absolute increase was within in the food and drink (+20 businesses) and energy sectors (+15 businesses)
o Argyll and Bute has around 2.7% of the Scottish key sector businesses which is in line with the share of overall businesses;
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Table 2.15: Key Sector Businesses, 2010 -2013
2010 2011 2012 2013 Change % Food and Drink 17,360 17,415 17,400 17,370 10 0% Financial and Business Services 20,165 20,635 21,900 22,680 2,515 13% Life Sciences 450 440 460 480 30 7% Scotland Energy (including Renewables) 1,780 2,095 2,520 3,085 1,305 73% Tourism 13,595 13,290 13,730 13,480 -115 -1% Creative Industries (including Digital) 11,025 11,495 12,325 12,890 1,865 17% Total 64,375 65,370 68,335 69,985 5,610 9% Food and Drink 820 840 845 840 20 2% Financial and Business Services 305 305 310 295 -10 -3% Life Sciences 5 5 5 5 0 0% Argyll and Bute Energy (including Renewables) 35 40 40 50 15 43% Tourism 540 525 535 535 -5 -1% Creative Industries (including Digital) 170 170 170 165 -5 -3% Total 1,875 1,885 1,905 1,885 10 1% Food and Drink 2,090 2,115 2,120 2,125 35 2% Financial and Business Services 980 930 965 985 5 1% Life Sciences 25 25 20 20 -5 -20% Highlands Energy (including Renewables) 95 120 140 185 90 95% Tourism 1,190 1,150 1,200 1,200 10 1% Creative Industries (including Digital) 455 445 445 450 -5 -1% Total 4,840 4,780 4,895 4,970 130 3% Source: Scottish Government, Office for National Statistics (Inter Departmental Business Register)
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Table 2.16: Key Sector Employment, 2010 - 2013
Change 2010 2011 2012 2013 (10-13) % Food and Drink 117,500 117,600 117,900 116,000 -1,500 -1% Financial and Business Services 206,900 211,000 215,400 215,200 8,300 4% Life Sciences 14,600 17,300 16,300 - 1,700 12% Scotland Energy (including Renewables) 65,300 65,200 63,400 66,000 700 1% Tourism 183,400 185,100 181,500 211,200 27,800 15% Creative Industries (including Digital) 71,900 64,100 65,200 68,600 -3,300 -5% Total 659,700 660,100 659,700 679,013 19,313 3% Food and Drink 3,900 3,800 3,900 3,800 -100 -3% Financial and Business Services 1,400 1,500 1,400 1,500 100 7% Life Sciences 100 300 200 - 100 100% Argyll and Bute Energy (including Renewables) 500 400 500 500 0 0% Tourism 4,900 5,600 5,800 6,900 2,000 41% Creative Industries (including Digital) 600 500 500 500 -100 -17% Total 11,500 12,000 12,200 13,200 1,700 15% Food and Drink 12,800 12,400 12,900 12,700 -100 -1% Financial and Business Services 5,200 5,600 5,000 5,100 -100 -2% Life Sciences 1,200 1,300 1,400 - 200 17% Highlands Energy (including Renewables) 2,200 2,000 2,000 1,200 -1,000 -45% Tourism 12,400 13,300 13,100 15,600 3,200 26% Creative Industries (including Digital) 2,700 2,400 2,400 2,700 0 0% Total 36,600 37,100 36,700 37,300 700 2% Note: Total change in key sector employment (2010 – 2013) does not include the life science data – data not available for 2013 The change in life science employment is based on the period 2010 - 2012 Source: Scottish Government, Office for National Statistics (Inter Departmental Business Register) (-) data not available or reported
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Table 2.17: Key Sector Turnover (£million)
Change 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 (08-12) % Food and Drink ------Financial and Business Services ------Life Sciences 1,869.3 1,558.0 1,672.8 2,046.2 2,017.0 147.7 7.9% Scotland Energy (including Renewables) 64,689.6 52,515.0 58,150.6 64,115.6 55,267.0 -9,422.6 -14.6% Tourism 5,763.4 6,031.1 6,270.6 5,899.1 6,372.8 609.4 10.6% Creative Industries (including Digital) 5,295.2 4,843.8 4,788.7 5,000.7 5,488.3 193.1 3.7% Food and Drink 231.1 193.8 221.0 295.2 268.7 37.6 16.3% Financial and Business Services 77.6 43.1 62.4 69.6 55.5 -22.1 -28.5% Life Sciences 25.7 - 10.4 14.5 11.3 -14.4 -56% Argyll and Bute Energy (including Renewables) ------Tourism 181.4 155.6 150.2 167.0 178.9 -2.5 -1.4% Creative Industries (including Digital) 30.7 25.8 27.2 29.0 32.5 1.8 5.9% Food and Drink 476.2 469.5 472.7 570.8 509.9 33.7 7% Financial and Business Services 265.9 176.0 212.5 268.4 200.2 -65.7 -24.7% Life Sciences 27.4 29.0 - - - - - Highlands Energy (including Renewables) ------Tourism 468.6 327.4 333.0 419.3 426.1 -42.5 -9% Creative Industries (including Digital) 147.6 140.9 146.7 168.0 198.4 50.8 34.4% Source: Scottish Government, Office for National Statistics (Inter Departmental Business Register) (-) data not available or reported Note: Given the gaps in data we have not presented the total change within key sector employment
Compelling Argyll and Bute: Interim Report 31
key sector employment:
o whilst data suppression makes direct comparisons challenging, we can see that there has been modest growth within most of the key sectors. The two exceptions are the creative industries which experienced a small decrease in employment, and the tourism sector which increased employment significantly over the period (+1,600 employees)
key sector turnover
o no major changes have occurred
o there has been some increase in food and creative industries.
Argyll and Bute has around 2% of the Scottish key sector businesses which is in line with the share of overall businesses.
Aquaculture
One sub-sector that Argyll and Bute is seen to have comparative advantage is within aquaculture. In part, this is due to the high number of fish farming operations and The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) which is based in Oban and provides research, education and consultancy services in the wider area of marine science. SAMs employs circa 165 staff on a regular basis, although there are seasonal fluctuations where casual workers are brought in if required.
Table 2.18 shows that over a five year period, employment within this sub-sector has increased by over 100 employees, 28%.
Table 2.18: Aquaculture Employment Argyll and Bute
Industry 2009 2013 Marine aquaculture 200 200 Freshwater aquaculture 100 100 Other R&D 100 300
Total 400 500 Source: BRES Note: employment at the sub sector level are suppressed
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2.6 Income and Output
Figure 2.11 sets out the average earnings in Argyll and Bute and draws comparisons with Scotland and the Highlands.
Figure 2.11: Average Weekly Earnings, 2009 - 2014
540.0
520.0
500.0
480.0
FT Workers (£) Workers FT -
460.0
440.0 Gross Weekly Pay Pay WeeklyGross 420.0
400.0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Argyll and Bute Highland Scotland
Source Annual Survey of Household Earnings (ASHE)
In 2014, the weekly gross earning for a full time worker in Argyll and Bute was £510, which is marginally below the Scottish average of £519. The average salary across the region has fluctuated since 2009 but overall (2009 – 2014) the average salary has increased by 10%, however, we would note that there has been a notable increase in salary levels since 2013. Generally speaking, we would expect the average salaries in more rural areas to be lower than the Scottish average due to the higher operating costs for businesses.
Table 2.19 shows the change in economic output, considered as Gross Value Added (GVA). Whilst the employment and business base have decreased within Argyll and Bute over the recent past, the region’s economic output has increased by 6% (note that the time periods that the business and employment base are assessed against are slightly different). Over the same period, the proportionate growth in the Highlands GVA output is twice as large (12%), whilst nationally there has been a decrease of 8%.
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Table 2.19: Gross Value Added, 2008 – 2012 (£m)
2008 2012 Change % Change
Argyll and Bute 843.2 894.2 51 6% Highland 2,547.9 2,861.6 314 12% Scotland 90,739 83,230 -7,509 -8% Source: Scottish Government. Note: GVA reported at basic prices
If we look at the average GVA per employee across the comparator areas, we can see that since 2008, Argyll and Bute and the Highlands have had a broadly similar average GVA per employee. That being said, since 2008 the average GVA per employee in Argyll and Bute has increase by circa £1,500, representing an increase of 5%. However, across the Highlands, the average GVA per employee has increased by circa £8,300 representing an increase of 27% over the same period.
This potentially indicates that there has been a greater number/proportion of ‘higher value’ jobs created within the Highland economy compared with Argyll and Bute over the period.
The average GVA per employee is however, significantly lower than the national level – this is not surprising given that rural areas tend to have a greater reliance on sectors that are regarded as ‘lower value’ and have greater levels of part time and seasonal working e.g. agriculture and tourism related sectors, plus higher proportions of self-employment.
Figure 2.12: Average GVA per Employee, 2008 - 2012
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000 Average GVA per Employee (£) Employee per GVA Average 10,000
0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Argyll and Bute Highland Scotland
Source: Scottish Government
Compelling Argyll and Bute: Interim Report 34
3. Skills Profile
3.1 Introduction
This section provides a review of the education and skills profile within Argyll and Bute and its sub regions.
3.2 Workforce Qualifications
Table 3.1 and Figure 3.1, below provide an overview of the workforce qualifications across Argyll and Bute.
Table 3.1: Workforce Qualifications, 2011 - 2014
Argyll and Bute Scotland
2011 2012 2013 2014 2011 2012 2013 2014 NVQ4+ 39% 42% 41% 40% 43% 44% 45% 47% NVQ3 17% 15% 15% 16% 16% 15% 15% 14% Trade App’ps 7% 8% 7% 7% 6% 6% 5% 5% NVQ2 18% 14% 14% 15% 14% 14% 14% 13% NVQ1 8% 9% 9% 10% 9% 9% 9% 9% Other qualifs 8% 8% 9% 9% 6% 6% 6% 6% No qualifications 4% 6% 5% 4% 7% 6% 6% 6% Source: Annual Population Survey. Note the data shows the highest level qualification achieved
Since 2011 there has been little change within Argyll and Bute with regards to workforce qualifications.
In comparison with Scotland, Argyll and Bute has a lower proportion of the workforce with NVQ4+ level, 7% points. In addition, over the three year period, the proportion of workforce with a higher level qualification (NVQ4+) has increased in Scotland by 4% points, compared to a 1% point increase across Argyll and Bute.
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3.3 Occupational Profiles
Figure 3.1 and 3.2, below provides details of the occupational profile of the Argyll and Bute workforce.
Figure 3.1: Argyll and Bute Occupational Profile, 2014
25%
20%
15%
% of Workforceof% 10%
5%
0% Managers, Professional Associate Administrative Skilled trades Caring, leisure Sales and Process, plant Elementary directors and occupations professional and secretarial occupations and other customer and machine occupations senior officials and technical occupations service service operatives occupations occupations
Argyll and Bute Scotland
Source: Annual Population Survey
Figure 3.1 shows that, compared to Scotland, Argyll and Bute has:
a slightly higher percentage of managers, skilled occupations and process and plant operatives;
slightly fewer professional, associate professional and administrative jobs; and
a similar percentage of care and other service occupation compared to Scotland.
Scotland has a slightly higher proportion of the workforce operating within professional, associate professional and administrative occupations, this in part might help to explain, the higher proportion of the workforce that has an NVQ4+ qualification at the national level.
Compelling Argyll and Bute: Interim Report 36
Occupation data at the sub-region level is only available via the 2011 Census and is presented in Figure 3.2.
Figure 3.2: Sub-Regional Occupational Profile, 2011
30%
25%
20%
15%
% of Workforceof % 10%
5%
0% Managers, Professional Associate Administrative Skilled trades Caring, leisure Sales and Process, plant Elementary directors and occupations professional and secretarial occupations and other customer and machine occupations senior officials and technical occupations service service operatives occupations occupations
Bute and Cowal Helensburgh and Lomond Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Oban, Lorn and the Isles
Source: Census Data 2011
At the sub-regional level there is a fairly high degree of parity when considering the occupational profile of the workforce.
Within Helensburgh and Lomond, there is a notably high proportion of jobs classified as associate professional and technical (24%) – more than double the other sub regions. If we consider the employment base presented in Table 2.8, we can see that Helensburgh has a large proportion of its workforce operating within the Business administration and support services (18%) and Public administration and defence (17%) sectors – this likely explains the higher proportion of the workforce within this occupation bracket.
In addition, Helensburgh and Lomond has a smaller proportion of workers within skilled trade occupations (which represent c. 20% of the workforce across the other sub-regions). Again the employment base helps to provide some further detail on this, with Helensburgh and Lomond having a lower proportion of employment within sectors such as construction, manufacturing and mining activities.
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3.4 School Leaver Destinations
Table 3.2 shows school leaver destinations in 2012/13.
Table 3.2: School Leaver Destinations 2012/13
Higher Higher
Further Further
Training
Education Education
Employment Unemployed Bute and Cowal 36% 29% 7% 20% 7% Helensburgh and Lomond 41% 26% 4% 17% 12% Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islands 42% 14% 2% 37% 6% Oban, Lorn and the Isles 32% 17% 5% 40% 6% Argyll and Bute 38% 21% 5% 28% 8% Scotland 36% 28% 6% 21% 8% Source: SNS
Overall, the proportion of school leavers entering a positive destination (education, training or employment) is the same as the Scottish average, 92%.
That being said, there is a notable difference between the region and Scotland as a whole. In particular, the national average figures show that around two thirds (64%) of school leavers enter into education compared with 59% of school leavers in Argyll and Bute. Further, 27% enter into training or employment, whilst the proportion is higher within Argyll and Bute – 33% of school leavers.
The data for school leaver destinations at the sub regional level shows some interesting points, summarised below:
Bute and Cowal – the sub region has the highest proportion of school leavers entering into Further Education (29%) and training (7%);
Helensburgh and Lomond – over two thirds (67%) of school leavers enter into education. However, the sub-region also has the highest proportion of school leavers that don’t enter a positive destination – unemployed (12%);
Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands – the highest proportion of school leavers entering Higher Education (42%), there is also a large proportion that enter into employment – 37%; and
Compelling Argyll and Bute: Interim Report 38
Oban, Lorn and the Isles – four out of every ten school leavers enters into employment, the largest proportion across the sub-regions.
3.5 School Attainment
Details of the educational attainment at individual school level are presented in Table 3.3 below.
Table 3.3: Secondary School Awards - % of School Roll, 2011 - 2013
Argyll and Bute Scotland S4
5 awards 5 awards 5 awards 5 awards 5 awards 5 awards at SCQF at SCQF at SCQF at SCQF at SCQF at SCQF Year 3 or better 4 or better 5 or better 3 or better 4 or better 5 or better 2013 94% 81% 40% 95% 82% 39% 2012 95% 83% 42% 94% 80% 37% 2011 92% 79% 37% 93% 79% 36% S5 5 awards 1 award at 3 awards 5 awards 1 award at 3 awards at SCQF SCQF 6 at SCQF at SCQF SCQF 6 at SCQF 5 or better or better 6 or better 5 or better or better 6 or better 2013 56% 53% 32% 49% 49% 29% 2012 54% 46% 25% 47% 47% 27% 2011 56% 49% 27% 45% 45% 26% S6 1 award at 3 awards 5 award at 1 award at 3 awards 5 award at SCQF 6 at SCQF SCQF 6 SCQF 6 at SCQF SCQF 6 or better 6 or better or better or better 6 or better or better 2013 54% 38% 24% 38% 27% 17% 2012 58% 38% 27% 37% 26% 16% 2011 58% 37% 23% 35% 24% 16% Source: Education Scotland
Within Argyll and Bute, secondary school attainment levels have fluctuated over the last few years but, overall have increased across S4, S5 and S6 pupils (2011 – 2013).
Compelling Argyll and Bute: Interim Report 39
In comparison with Scotland, Argyll and Bute performs similar to the national average for S4 awards. However, attainment levels for S5 and in particular the S6 group are nobly ‘better’ than the national average.
3.6 Post School Education
Figures 3.3 to 3.6 present data on post school education.
Figure 3.3: Destination of School Leavers going on to Higher Education
Other, 17%
GCU, 13.1%
Strathclyde, 12.8% FE Colleges (HE course) Glasgow Uni, 24.3% 7.6%
UHI, 6.8%
Dundee, 3.1% Stirling, 4.5% RGU, 3.1% Edinburgh, 3.4% Napier, 4.2%
Source: Argyll and Bute Council Community Planning Partnership report (Dec 2014)
Given its proximity to the region, Glasgow is the most popular destination for school leavers going on to study in University. Over one-third attend one of the three universities in the city, which has good transport links with all of the main settlements in mainland Argyll, as well as the Isle of Bute. In addition, almost one quarter (24%) attend college (to undertake an HE course) – 70% of these are in Glasgow. This means that Glasgow is a significant draw for school leavers.
In terms of the most popular subjects for study, Arts and Social Sciences is the most popular subject category for students starting an HE course, following by Science and Maths, Performing Arts and Engineering.
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This contrasts with those starting FE study, Figure 3.4 outlines where there is a more vocational focus, with the most popular categories being Social, Caring and Advisory Services (19%), Hospitality, Catering and Tourism (11%), and Hairdressing and Beauty (9%).
Figure 3.4: Course Choice of School Leavers Going on to Higher Education
General Education Admin/Business 3% 3% Engineering Other 3% 5% Garage Services Social, caring & 4% advisory services Media/comms 19% 4% Arts/Soc Sci Hospitality & 5% tourism 11% Sport & leisure 6%
Hairdressing/beauty Construction 9% 6%
Art & design Animals, land & environment 6% Performing Arts 8% 8%
Source: Argyll and Bute Council Community Planning Partnership report (Dec 2014)
Figure 3.5: Course Choice of School Leavers Going on to Further Education
Animals, land & environment Teaching 2% 3% Law Other Art & design 3% 6% 3% Arts/Soc Sci 17% Hospitality & tourism 4% Construction 5% Science/Maths 13% Media/comms 5% Performing Computing Arts 5% 8%
Sport & Leisure 6% Engineering Health/Medicine Admin/Business 8% 6% 7%
Source: Argyll and Bute Council Community Planning Partnership report (Dec 2014)
Compelling Argyll and Bute: Interim Report 41
Figure 3.6: Destination of School Leavers Going on to Further Education
Glasgow Kelvin 3%
Scotland's Rural Other College 9% 4%
Glasgow Clyde 8% West College Scotland 35% City of Glasgow 13%
Argyll College UHI 28%
Source: Argyll and Bute Council Community Planning Partnership report (Dec 2014)
Most school leavers going on to Further Education choose institutions closer to home, possibly as many courses are part time in nature and students commute from Argyll and Bute.
The most popular destination, West College Scotland (35%), operates across three main campuses, which are relatively accessible from Argyll and Bute – Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, and Clydebank.
The college’s Greenock campus is near to ferry connections with Cowal, while its Clydebank (and to a lesser extent, Renfrewshire) campus has good train connections with Helensburgh.
Over 60% of those going on to Further Education attend either West College Scotland or Argyll College, which is based at 13 learning centres across Argyll and Bute.
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Modern Apprenticeships
Data on the number of Modern Apprenticeships is provided below in Tables 3.4 and 3.5.
Table 3.4: MA Activity in Argyll and Bute
2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13
Number of completed MA’s 226 159 342 278 401 296 Source: SDS data sets
Table 3.5: MA Activity in Argyll and Bute 2013/14
In training as Starts Leavers at Achievements as a % Completed MA’s 2013/14 2013/14 31st March of All Leavers 2014
331 381 456 292 77%
Source: SDS data sets
In 2013/14 there were 292 completed MA’s – the third highest number of (annual) completions within the last six years. This represents a 77% achievement rate form those undertaking a MA.
The figure for 2014/15 was slightly higher at 297 completions.
3.7 Further Education in Argyll and Bute
Argyll College, UHI is the only provider of Further Education in the region and is affiliated with the University of Highlands and Islands.
In 2014, Argyll College, UHI had just over 1,500 students enrolled on its courses, including those based on the Isle of Arran, the college’s only campus outside of the Argyll and Bute area. The college has 14 campuses that offer a wide variety of vocational courses.
The majority of courses are offered on a part time basis, however, there are also 255 students enrolled in full-time courses and 135 studying for a Degree or Higher National qualification.
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4. Regional Asset Audit
4.1 Introduction
This chapter presents an area audit for Argyll and Bute, describing the physical and cultural assets within the area. This is helpful to provide a baseline for the area but also to identify gaps in provision that could constrain future growth and diversification. The audit presents an overview for Argyll and Bute against specific topics – housing, health and education, business property, infrastructure, and provides details at the sub-regional area where data is available.
Table 4.1 provides a breakdown of the key towns and settlements within Argyll and Bute.
Table 4.1: Argyll and Bute Settlement Profile
Main Towns Dunoon, Rothesay Bute and Cowal Key Settlements Sandbank (including Ardnadam)
Helensburgh and Main Town Helensburgh Lomond Key Settlements Cardross, Garelochhead
Mid Argyll, Kintyre Main Towns Lochgilphead, Campbeltown and Islay Key Settlements Inveraray, Tarbert, Bowmore, Ardrishaig
Oban, Lorn and the Main Town Oban Isles Key Settlements Tobermory Source: Argyll and Bute Council 4.2 Housing Profile
There are 47,336 dwellings in Argyll and Bute.
Figure 4.1 breaks down the number of dwellings by Council Tax band, Figure 4.2 by type of dwelling, and Figure 4.3 by number of rooms. Source: Scottish Government, 2013.
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Figure 4.1: Houses by Council Tax band
Band H, Band G, 6% 0%
Band Band A, F, 9% 16%
Band E, 16% Band B, 21%
Band D, 13%
Band C, 19%
Figure 4.2: Housing by Type
Unknown, 1%
Flats, 32% Detached, 34%
Terraced, Semi-detached, 19% 15%
Figure 4.3: Houses by number of rooms
Unknown 2%
7 or more rooms 11%
1-3 rooms 35%
4-6 rooms 52%
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There is a fairly broad mix of house types across Argyll and Bute. In comparison with Scotland the region has higher proportion of detached housing and lower proportion of flatted units – this is unsurprising given the predominantly rural nature and lower density of population.
Due to its popularity as a tourist destination, Argyll and Bute has a much higher proportion of second homes than the national average – 6% compared with 1% nationally. In addition, Argyll and Bute has a higher rate of vacant dwellings than the Scottish average, giving a permanently occupied rate of 89%.
Second and holiday home ownership will be significantly higher in some locations and settlements across Argyll and Bute. For example 27% of all homes in Tiree (OLI area) and were classed as second homes (2012), significantly higher than the then area average of 6%.10
The ownership statistics for housing in Argyll and Bute are broadly similar to the Scottish average, with the two exceptions being a lower level of social housing stock (17% compared with 24% nationally) and the higher levels of second home ownership – Figure 4.4, below.
In 2006, Argyll and Bute Council transferred all its social housing over to the local Housing Associations. There are four housing associations in the area, the largest being Argyll Community Housing Association.
The other associations (which operate more at the sub-regional level) are Dunbritton Housing Association (Helensburgh and Lomond), Fyne Homes (Mid-Argyll, Kintyre, Bute and Cowal) and West Highland Housing Association (Oban and Mull).
10 Tiree Community Growth Plan, 2012, available online
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Figure 4.4: Houses by ownership – Scotland and Argyll and Bute
120%
100%
80%
60%
% of Households of % 40%
20%
0% Argyll & Bute Scotland
Owner Occupied Private Rent Vacant or Second Home Housing Association Local Authority
Source: Registers of Scotland, 2013
The size of the average household in Argyll and Bute has been consistently smaller than Scotland since 2001, and the most recent data puts it at 2.09 people per household. While the average household size has decreased at the national level, there has been a sharper decrease in Argyll and Bute – Figure 4.5. This is unsurprising given the decrease in population reported above.
Figure 4.5: Average household size, Scotland and Argyll and Bute, 2001 – 2013
2.30
2.25
2.20
2.15
2.10
2.05 Size of Average Household Average of Size
2.00
1.95 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Argyll & Bute Scotland
Source: Registers of Scotland, 2013
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There has been a significant reduction in new housing construction across Argyll and Bute and Scotland, particularly after the economic recession which the seen the annual number of new builds almost half across both areas. The market peaked in around 2005 – 2006 at about 450 new builds that year but has since decreased. In 2013, the number of new housing units built was c. 250 – Figure 4.6.
Figure 4.6: New build starts in Scotland and Argyll and Bute, 2003 – 2013
500 35,000
450 30,000 400
350 25,000 Scotland
300 - 20,000
Argyll & Bute & Argyll 250 - 15,000 200
150 10,000
New Starts Build New New Builds New 100 5,000 50
0 - 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Argyll & Bute Scotland
Source: Registers of Scotland, 2013
The average house prices in Argyll and Bute have been similar to the national average, both in their absolute value and how they have fluctuated over the years, sharply increasing until 2008 before levelling out post-recession – Figure 4.7.
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Figure 4.7: Average house price in Scotland and Argyll and Bute, 2003 – 2015
180,000
160,000
140,000
120,000
100,000
Average House Sale Price (£) Price Sale House Average 80,000
60,000
Argyll and Bute Scotland
Source: Registers of Scotland, 2015; NB: Quarterly figures are displayed on the graph
There are also similarities in the pattern of housing sales between Argyll and Bute and nationally, which more than halved after the recession as financial lending slowed significantly – Figure 4.8.
Figure 4.8: House sales (£5,000+) in Scotland and Argyll and Bute, 2003 – 2015
800 45,000
700 40,000 35,000 600
30,000 Scotland Argyll Bute & Argyll 500 - - 25,000 400 20,000 300 15,000 200 10,000
100 5,000 Sales House Total Total Housing Sales Sales Housing Total 0 0
Argyll and Bute Scotland
Source: Registers of Scotland, 2015; NB: Quarterly figures are displayed on the graph
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Table 4.2 provides data on households broken down by the key settlements across the region and shows that the largest settlements are Helensburgh, Dunoon and Oban, accounting for just under one-third of all dwellings.
Table 4.2: Number of houses in key settlements
% of % of Argyll Argyll and Bute and Bute Dwellings Total Dwellings Total
Dunoon 4,302 9.3% Campbeltown 2,656 5.8% Rothesay 2,866 6.2% Inveraray 290 0.6% Sandbank 550 1.2% Tarbert 681 1.5% Helensburgh 6,714 14.6% Bowmore 409 0.9% Cardross 937 2.0% Ardrishaig 673 1.5% Garelochhead 643 1.4% Oban 4,091 8.9% Lochgilphead 1,183 2.6% Tobermory 571 1.2% Source: Census 2011 4.3 Education and Health
4.3.1 Schools
There are just over 10,500 school pupils in Argyll and Bute. The vast majority attend schools run by the local authority, while 4% attend private schools. There is only one registered private school, offering both primary and secondary education, Lomond School in Helensburgh. Its current combined roll is approximately 500.
No school in the area operates above 81% of their total roll capacity, and most are considerably lower, with a combined average capacity for primary and secondary schools of 57% - this is unsurprising given the large geographic size and low population density of the region.
Table 4.3 and 4.4 presents school roll data for secondary and primary schools in the region. We have looked at school roll data over the period 2005 to 2013 to show the notable decline in school pupils. The overall decrease in the secondary school roll over the period is -13%, which represents around 750 secondary school aged children. The decline has not been uniform, with Bute and Cowal losing one fifth (22%) of its school roll, compared with Helensburgh and Lomond which lost only - 3%.
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In 2013, the average school capacity ranged from 61% to 81% across the sub- regions, and there is current capacity to accommodate a further 2,300 pupils within the region’s secondary schools.
Table 4.3 Secondary School Roll and Capacity by Area
% full Change % Area Schools Capacity (2013) 2005 2010 2013 2005 - 13 Change Bute and Cowal 2 1,887 61% 1,491 1,336 1,160 -331 -22% Helensburgh and Lomond 1 1,686 81% 1,405 1,401 1,360 -45 -3% Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay 4 2,189 58% 1,496 1,380 1,267 -229 -15% Oban, Lorn and the Isles 3 1,521 78% 1,343 1,345 1,192 -151 -11% Total 10 7,283 68% 5,735 5,462 4,979 -756 -13% Excluding independent schools. Source: Scottish Government, 2014
The primary school roll across Argyll and Bute declined by 15% between 2005 and 2013, a reduction of just over 1,000 pupils. The average school roll is around half of the total capacity – lower in Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands, and higher in Helensburgh and Lomond.
Table 4.4 Primary School Roll and Capacity by Area
% full Change % Area Schools Capacity (2013) 2005 2010 2013 2005 - 13 Change
Bute and Cowal 14 2,647 47% 1,576 1,271 1,241 -335 -21% Helensburgh and Lomond 11 3,056 55% 1,924 1,755 1,676 -248 -13% Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay 26* 2,900 44% 1,566 1,338 1,274 -292 -19% Oban, Lorn and the Isles 25 2,608 52% 1,489 1,285 1,348 -141 -9% Total 76 11,252 49% 6,555 5,649 5,539 -1,016 -15% *27 schools in 2005. Excluding independent schools. Source: Scottish Government, 2014
At present a further 5,700 primary school pupils could be accommodated within Argyll and Bute’s primary schools.
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If we consider the population decline in children over a similar period (Table 2.2, 2001 to 2011) the population of young people has decreased by 17% which is reflect in the school roll and capacity data.
4.3.2 Nurseries
Argyll and Bute has a population of just under 4,000 children who are below primary school age.
According to the latest available figures (2012), around 1,200 are in their ‘ante pre- school’ (typically aged 3) or ‘pre-school’ (typically aged 4) year, with an additional 400 on deferred entry to primary school. Table 4.5 details the number of nurseries and capacity across Argyll and Bute.
Table 4.5 Nurseries by Sub-Region, 2012
Provider
Area Nurseries* Local Authority Voluntary Private Capacity**
Bute and Cowal 15 9 6 0 285 Helensburgh and Lomond 14 5 2 7 461 Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay 19 17 0 2 362 Oban, Lorn and the Isles 23 18 3 2 419 Total 71 49 11 11 1,527 Source: Argyll and Bute Council website *Where nurseries operate a separate Gaelic unit, this has been merged (2) **This figure indicates max. capacity at any given time. Some nurseries operate two sessions daily and can thus cater to (up to) twice as many children.
Based on the data, there is capacity within the nurseries if we consider only the ‘ante pre-school’ group (1,200 children and 1,527 nursery places). It should be noted however, that these figures region-wide and there may be sub-regional capacity issues that these figures overlook.
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4.3.3 Further Education
There are three institutions (across numerous campuses) that provide Further Education across Argyll and Bute, including:
Argyll College is an academic partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands (Argyll College, UHI). It provides courses over a wide range of subjects and delivers these at local centres – in Campbeltown, Mull, Coll, Dunoon, Islay, Lochgilphead, Oban, Rothesay, Tiree, Helensburgh, Ardfern (Kintyre) and Cairndow – allowing for both full and part-time study ranging from short evening classes to honours degrees;
Scottish Association for Maritime Science (SAMS) is a partner of UHI – it is a leading maritime research institute, based north of Oban. Two honours degree programmes are offered through SAMS, as well as postgraduate study and short courses; and
Ballet West, Taynuilt is a small ballet school set in a country house, offering full-time, residential tuition as well as summer school and outreach classes with HND and BA (Hons) courses available. Students are eligible for finance from the usual education funding bodies.
Table 4.6 shows both full-time and part-time courses available across the Argyll College campuses.
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Table 4.6: Argyll College -Available Courses/Subjects
Campus FT Courses PT Courses
Sport and Fitness, NPA Equine, Digital Skills Award, Business, Construction, Garden Design, Genealogy, Book Health and Social Care, Keeping, Modern Languages, Sign Campbeltown Beauty, Agriculture, Rural Language, ECDL, Coaching Skills, Skills Self-defence, Digital Photography, First Aid, Food Hygiene, Equido Childcare, Social Services Art, Photography, Modern and Healthcare, Admin, Languages, Food Hygiene, Dunoon Hairdressing, Computing, Psychology, Counselling, Equine, Hospitality, Tourism, Horticulture Horticulture, Rural Skills Sport and Fitness, Higher English, Literature, Equido, Childcare, Admin, Modern Languages, Make-up Computing, Hospitality, Islay Tourism, Fitness, Horticulture, Agriculture, Construction Management Childcare, Youth Work, Art, Ceramics, Cookery, Hairdressing, Admin, Photography, Intro to Computing, Hospitality, Counselling/Psychology Lochgilphead Tourism, Construction, Carpentry, Bricklaying, Fitness, Rural Skills, Equido Construction Varies Varies - dependent on demand Renewables Centre, Lochgilphead Sport and Fitness, Literature, English, Maths, Business, Health and Social Psychology, Cookery, Gardening, Care, Childcare, Admin, Guitar, Equido, Make-up, Computing, Hospitality, Languages, Admin, Computing Oban Tourism, Sound Production, Horticulture, Equido, Cookery, PGDE Primary Education Childcare, Social Service Modern Languages, Computing, and Healthcare, Admin, Construction Crafts Rothesay Hospitality, Construction, Tourism, Fitness, Rural Skills, Equido Tiree Admin and IT Varies - dependent on demand Coll Varies Varies - dependent on demand Tobermory Varies Varies - dependent on demand Craignish (Ardfern) Varies Varies - dependent on demand Cairndow Varies Varies - dependent on demand Helensburgh Varies Varies - dependent on demand Fionnphort Varies Varies - dependent on demand
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4.3.4 Health Provision
Argyll and Bute Community Health Partnership11 is one of the four operational areas of NHS Highland. It runs one rural general hospital in Oban with a full range of services.
Additionally, there are eight community hospital facilities – located in Lochgilphead, Campbeltown, Bowmore, Craignure, Dunoon, Rothesay and Helensburgh and a general community hospital at Lochgilphead with separate mental health hospital12.
Figure 4.9 shows the distribution of GP practices and hospitals in the area.
Figure 4.9: Distribution of NHS Highland medical facilities in Argyll and Bute
Source: NHS Highland
A Minor Injuries and Accident and Emergency service is available 24 hours a day at eight hospitals: Campbeltown, Islay, Lochgilphead, Mull, Oban, Rothesay and Dunoon. As there are no inpatient facilities at Helensburgh hospital, residents of this area are served by the Vale of Leven Hospital in Alexandria, operated by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
11 Dissolved on 31st March 2015. Now Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership. 12 NHS Highland, Your guide to local health services in Argyll & Bute Community Health Partnership, 2014
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Tables 4.7 and 4.8 show the number of GPs and dentists across Argyll and Bute. Although the number of GPs and dentists in Helensburgh and Lomond appears low in comparison to other areas, its proximity to major towns and cities allows its population to access services outside of Argyll and Bute.
Table 4.7 Number of GPs and GP Practices in Argyll and Bute
GPs GP Practices Population per GP
Bute and Cowal 24 8 878 Helensburgh and Lomond 20 5 1,309
Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands 34 10 605 Oban, Lorn and the Isles 31 10 653 Total 109 33 808 Source: NHS Highland
This gives a GP per 10,000 population ratio of 1.2, the average across Scotland is around 8 per 10,000 population - the density is usually lower in rural areas where the population is more dispersed.
Table 4.8 Number of Dentists and Dental Practices in Argyll and Bute
Dentists Dental Practices Population per Dentist
Helensburgh and Lomond 12 5 2,181 Bute and Cowal 21 7 1,003 Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the 1,083 Islands 19 7 Oban, Lorn and the Isles 15 7 1,349 Total 67 26 1,314 Source: NHS Highland
4.3.5 Health Indicators
Argyll and Bute compares favourably with Scotland on most health indicators, with a slightly higher life expectancy and a much lower rate of hospital admissions for chronic illnesses13.
13 NHS ScotPho, Health & Wellbeing Profiles 2014 (Argyll and Bute)
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One notable exception is the rate of hospital admissions for road traffic accidents, at 80 per 100,000 population, compared to a national average of 60.
A slightly higher proportion of adults smoke in Argyll and Bute than in Scotland as a whole – 25% to 23%. There is also a higher rate of alcohol-related hospital discharges, at 870 per 100,000 population, compared to the Scottish figure of 749. Despite this, the rate of alcohol-related deaths is lower. The rate of drug-related hospital discharges is also much lower in Argyll and Bute, at 55 per 100,000 population, compared to the Scottish average of 118.
4.4 Business Property
4.4.1 Key Business Areas
We have identified ten industrial estates and business parks across Argyll and Bute, but none within the Helensburgh and Lomond area (Table 4.9). These are distinct or formally recognised and marketed business locations, but in reality constitute only a small proportion of the total commercial floorspace, the majority of which is located in town centre offices/retail properties and standalone industrial/workshop units.
Table 4.9: Business Parks and Industrial Estates
Area Location Bute and Cowal Bute Business Park, Rothesay Kames Industrial Estate, Tighnabruaich Sandbank Industrial Estate, Dunoon Helensburgh and Lomond None Mid Argyll Kilmory Industrial Estate, Lochgilphead Hazelburn Business Park, Campbeltown Snipefield Industrial Estate, Campbeltown Tarbert Industrial Estate Lorn and the Isles Lochavullin Industrial Estate, Oban (incl. Millpark) Glenshellach Industrial Estate, Oban Dunstaffnage Business Park, Dunbeg Source: various websites including Argyll and Bute Council and Scottish Assessors Office
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In addition to these locations, the Lorn Arc TIF investment proposal will create new infrastructure that will facilitate further commercial development, including establishing two new business locations at:
Oban Airport Business Park – industrial/freight/haulage/hangarage; and
Barcaldine Industrial Estate – general business and industry, possibly renewables/offshore facility for operation and maintenance.
4.4.2 Local Plan Allocation and Policies
The Argyll and Bute Local Plan was adopted in August 2009 and has recently been replaced by the new Local Development Plan in 2015. The Local Plan outlines land use allocation and policies to guide future development proposals for business, residential, leisure, community, greenspace, etc.
Table 4.10 presents the site allocations for business and industry use across each of the four sub-regions, totalling 71.7 ha.
Table 4.10: Business and Industry Allocations, 2009 LDP
Area Location Use Class Size (Hectares) Union Street, Rothesay 4,5,6 0.5 ha Bute and Cowal Upper Sandbank 4,5,6 8.34 ha High Road, Sandbank 4,5,6 6.00 ha Inveraray – North 4,5,6 1.37 ha Inveraray – South 4,5,6 0.60 ha Helensburgh Inveraray – East 4,5,6 0.79 ha and Lomond Bowmore, Islay 4,5,6 1.89 ha Bridgend, Islay 4,5,6 8.13 ha Port Ellen, Islay 4,5,6 0.64 ha Kilmory Ph 3, Lochgilphead 5,6 3.34 ha Mid Argyll, Achanbreck, Lochgilphead 5,6 4.29 ha Kintyre and Glasgow Road, Tarbert 4,5,6 6.59 ha the Islands Campbeltown Road, Tarbert 4,6 0.44 ha Snipefield, Campbeltown 4,5,6 2.47 ha Dunstaffnage, Dunbeg 4 1.73 ha Halfway, Dunbeg 4 5.6 ha Oban, Lorn and the Isles Glengallon Road, Oban (5 sites) 4,5,6 8.5 ha total (from Oban Auction Mart 5,6 3.720.6 – ha 3.79 Ha) Lochdon – Torosay, Mull 4,5,6 6.8 ha Total 71.7 ha Source: Argyll and Bute Council, Planning Department
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The Main Issues Report supporting preparation of the new Local Development Plan identifies five strategic industrial business locations, as outlined in Table 4.11.
Table 4.11: Strategic Industrial Business Locations
Site Description
Dunstaffnage Marine Marine science related development located in a high quality Science Park environment with established connections to world renowned academic and research institutions and similar businesses. Estimated to have the potential to provide up to 400 high quality jobs. Faslane – Maritime The Faslane MoD base currently employs upwards of 6,700 Change Project military and civilian personnel which is scheduled to grow to over 9,500 by 2019. Working increasingly with the private sector, the base expansion has the potential to generate significant employment opportunities in hi tech fields related to the defence and nuclear maintenance industries. Machrihanish Green Green Energy/Renewables Hub. Identified as a key Technologies Hub development site by the Scottish Government for the rapidly evolving off-shore renewable energy industry, this site is ideally placed as a manufacturing, research and service centre for all types of existing and future green technologies. Sandbank Industrial Sandbank is a large scale industrial and business estate with the Estate potential to deliver in the region of 800 jobs within a high quality environment. Situated near the Main Town of Dunoon with good access to the strategic road, rail and ferry routes. Kilmory Industrial Kilmory is a large scale industrial and business estate with the Estate potential to be significantly expanded. Situated near to the town of Lochgilphead which occupies a central location with good access to strategic road routes. Source: Argyll and Bute Council, Main Issues Report for Local Development Plan, 2011
The Main Issues Report also identifies a number of (higher level) strategic and local regeneration opportunities. The strategic opportunities are based around the main towns and key settlements within the CHORD Programme (Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay and Dunoon waterfront towns).
The local opportunities are focused around the smaller settlements and rural areas, presenting opportunities for regeneration with a focus on sites where there is existing infrastructure, community facilities and other supporting resources.
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Table 4.12: Strategic and Local Regeneration Opportunities
Strategic Local Helensburgh – Town Centre and Garelochhead Village Centre Waterfront Helensburgh Reservoirs Campbeltown – Town Centre, Blackwood Colgrain Waterfront and Harbour Kilmahew / Cardross Rothesay – Town Centre and Rosneath Village Centre Waterfront Tobermory Baliscate Dunoon – Town Centre and Waterfront Crossapol / Airport Machrihanish Scarinish Peterhead Oban Bay Port Ellen Waterfront Ardyne – Tourism / Housing / Renewables Ardfern Village Centre Lochgilphead Hospital Land Lochgilphead Kilmory Home Farm Lochavullin – Oban Helensburgh – Town Centre East Tarbert Harbour / Waterfront Carradale Harbour / Waterfront Ardrishaig Town Centre / Waterfront Source: Argyll and Bute Council, Main Issues Report for Local Development Plan, 2011
4.4.3 Available Commercial Property
A review of the Co-Star SPN database identifies that there are 50 commercial properties available for sale and/or lease in Argyll and Bute (as of January 2015), as
presented in Table 4.13.
Table 4.13: Available Commercial Property, January 2015
Area Location Retail Industrial Office Speciality Total
Bute 4 1 1 6
Bute and Dunoon 4 3 1 1 9 Cowal Rothesay 1 1 Tighnabruaich 1 1 2 Helensburgh Helensburgh 8 2 2 1 13 and Lomond Mid Argyll, Campbeltown 2 1 3 Kintyre and the Islands Lochgilphead 1 1 Mull 1 1 Oban, Lorn Oban 11 1 1 13 and the Isles Tiree 1 1 Total 32 8 7 3 50 Source: CoStar SPN
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Looking in more detail at the available commercial property, there is a large variation in the size, quality and rental costs/sale prices. In general, the more remote the location the lower the price, but it is also influenced by the type and quality of property and its location within the town.
The analysis is also constrained by the small number of properties where we have been able to obtain rental costs. Of the three main commercial property types, the following ranges have been identified:
office properties – of the seven offices:
o four provided rental costs, ranging from £4.30 per sq. ft. in Tiree to £13.23 per sq. ft. in Helensburgh
o one provided sale costs at £62 per sq. ft.;
industrial properties – of the eight industrial units
o seven provides rental costs, ranging from £1.30 per sq. ft. in Campbeltown to £4.71 per sq. ft. in Bute, with an average of £3.50 per sq. ft. (excluding the new Class 4 light industrial unit at Dunstaffnage in Oban which is marketed for rent at £13 per sq. ft.)
o two provided sale costs at an average of £33 per sq. ft.; and
retail properties – of the 32 retail units
o seven provided rental costs, ranging from £8.21 per sq. ft. in Rothesay to £22.65 per sq. ft. in Oban, with an average of £16 per sq. ft.
o five provided sale costs, ranging from £17 per sq. ft. in Rothesay to £135 per sq. ft. in Mull, with an average of £65 per sq. ft.
4.4.4 Planning Applications and Decisions
A large volume of planning applications are made to Argyll and Bute Council on an annual basis – the majority of these are for small and/or non-contentious proposals that are decided by Planning Officers under delegated authority.
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A small number of applications are decided at the Council’s Planning, Protective Services, and Licensing Committee (PPSL) – these are typically larger and more contentious applications where the Council has an interest or the proposal is a departure from the Local Plan.
Information on planning applications and decisions are available via the Argyll and Bute Council website. A review of the PPSL decisions between September 2013 and December 2014 identifies 13 notable planning application decisions:
14/02559/MPLAN – Masterplan for Potential Development Area 5/60, Land south east of Dalmally Hotel, Dalmally – Masterplan Approved (Nov 2014);
13/02860/MPLAN – Inveraray Project Masterplan in relation to designation MAST 1/5 (Feb 2013) – Masterplan Approved (Sept 2014);
14/01256/MPLAN – Masterplan in relation to designation MAST 1/8 (Feb 2013), Argyll and Bute Hospital, Blarbuie Road, Lochgilphead – Masterplan Approved (Sept 2014);
14/01602/PP – Demolition of existing building and erection of a maritime visitors facility and associated works including provision of new public realm works, Oban – Permission Granted (Aug 2014);
14/00676/MFF – Formation of finfish fish farm near Isle of Shuna comprising the siting of fourteen 100 metre circumference cages, associated feed barge and ancillary equipment – Permission Granted (Aug 2014);
13/02649/PP – Erection of bonded warehouse (Class 6), associated access and installation of septic tank, Land North of Avonvogie Abattoir, Bowmore Islay – Approved subject to change to conditions 7/8, to be discharged by Head of Planning with local ward members (May 2014);
14/00222/MPLAN – Masterplan proposals for mixed use tourism / housing / business development, Craobh Haven – Masterplan Approved (Apr 2014);
13/02862/PP – Erection of 18 affordable dwellings, formation of new vehicular access and associated Masterplan for PDA 10/15, land south east of Imerivale Cottage Port Ellen, Isle Of Islay – Masterplan Approved and Planning Permission Granted (Feb 2014);
13/02527/PP – Alterations and extension, Dunoon Burgh Hall, 195 Argyll Street, Dunoon – Planning Permission Granted (Jan 2014);
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13/02047/PPP – Site for erection of 16 dwelling houses, land west of Nurses House, Kilchrenan, Taynuilt – Planning Permission Granted (Dec 2013);
13/01379/MFF – Formation of fin fish farm, 10 No. 80m circumference cages plus installation of feed barge – temporary consent for (Etive 6) Loch Etive – Continued for Pre-Determination Local Hearing (Nov 2013);
13/002252/PP – Temporary change of use for formation of open air market including the erection of stalls and attractions, Colquhoun Sq. Helensburgh, Helensburgh Winter Festival Committee – Granted (Nov 2013); and
12/02150/PP – Proposed windfarm comprising 11 No. wind turbines (100 metres to blade tip), temporary and permanent anemometer masts, substation building, access tracks, construction compounds and ancillary development – Land East Of Loch Freasdail And North Of Loch Cruinn, Whitehouse, by Tarbert – Planning Permission Refused (Sept 2013).
4.5 Transport Review
Figure 4.10, below, shows major transport routes in Argyll and Bute, including ferries, railways, airports and roads.
4.5.1 Roads
Argyll and Bute Council is responsible for 1,429 miles of roads in the region, 40% of which are located on the islands. The region has a total of 1,617 miles of road – around 200 miles are under private / community maintenance.
Trunk Roads
Major trunk roads in the authority area are managed by BEAR Scotland on behalf of Transport Scotland, including:
A83: splits from the A82 at Tarbet, close to Loch Lomond/West Dunbartonshire, running to Campbeltown at the foot of the Kintyre peninsula, via Inveraray and Lochgilphead. 5,500 vehicles a day during summer, 3,000+ during winter;
A82: runs from Glasgow to Inverness via Fort William, passing through the eastern edge of Argyll and Bute, joins with the A85 at Crianlarich;
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A85: traverses the central Highlands from east to west, from Oban to Perth, the fastest route from Oban to the Central Belt, connecting with the A82;
A816: connects Oban with Lochgilphead; and
A828: runs up the west coast, connecting Oban with Glencoe, where it joins the A82.
Figure 4.10 Transport Routes in Argyll and Bute
Source: Argyll and Bute Council
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Recent Road Works
A83: the full length of the A83 became the responsibility of Transport Scotland in August 2014, with the section south of Kennacraig previously managed by Argyll and Bute Council. The ‘Rest and Be Thankful’ section of the road, north of Tarbert, is prone to landslips, meaning that closures are not an irregular occurrence. £3.7m has been spent upgrading an alternative route, the Old Military Road, which works as a relief road in the event of the A83 being closed, and came into use in spring 2013;
A82/A85: a new £5m by-pass at Crianlarich, linking the A82 and A85, was opened in late 2014, reducing congestion where the two roads meet; and
A82: work is now completed on a £9m project to widen a narrow section of the A82 adjacent to Loch Lomond to two lanes, having previously operated with one lane and traffic lights, causing delays on this key route.
Driving Times
Tables 4.14 and 4.15 below display the estimated driving time between key locations in Argyll and Bute and a number of Scottish cities.
Table 4.14 Driving Time from Key Locations to Scottish Cities
Glasgow Edinburgh Aberdeen Inverness
Helensburgh 43 min 1 hr 38 min 3 hr 48 min 3 hr 35 min Lochgilphead 1 hr 57 min 2 hr 53 min 4 hr 29 min 3 hr 49 min Campbeltown 3 hr 4 min 4 hr 0 min 5 hr 36 min 4 hr 57 min Oban 2 hr 10 min 2 hr 43 min 4 hr 8 min 2 hr 50 min Dunoon 1 hr 7 min* 2 hr 3 min* 4 hr 13 min* 4 hr 19 min Inveraray 1 hr 23 min 2 hr 19 min 3 hr 55 min 3 hr 16 min Source: AA Routeplanner. * denotes car ferry journey from Gourock to Dunoon, taking 20 mins
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Table 4.15 Driving Time between Key Locations
Helensburgh Lochgilphead Campbeltown Oban Dunoon
Helensburgh - - - - - Lochgilphead 1 hr 32 min - - - - Campbeltown 2 hr 39 min 1 hr 8 min - - - Oban 1 hr 44 min 1 hr 14 min 2 hr 21 min - - Dunoon 1 hr 22 min* 1 hr 42 min 2 hr 50 min 2 hrs - Inveraray 0 hr 59 min 0 hr 33 min 1 hr 41 min 51 min 1 hr 9 min Source: AA Routeplanner. * denotes car ferry journey from Gourock to Dunoon, taking 20 mins
4.5.2 Ferries
With more inhabited islands than any other local authority in the UK, sea lochs which intersect the region and a long coastline, ferries form an essential part of Argyll and Bute’s transport infrastructure.
Most services are operated by Caledonian MacBrayne (Cal Mac), wholly owned by the Scottish Government, although Argyll and Bute Council supports or directly runs some ferries, while there are two privately run routes. In instances where ferries are not run by Cal Mac, this is specified:
Claonaig/Tarbert (Kintyre) to Lochranza (Arran) – 30 minute service from Lochranza to Claonaig runs throughout the day from April until October. During the winter months, one return service operates to Tarbert, taking 85 minutes each way. This service carried 43,000 passengers in 2013;
Ardrossan (North Ayrshire) to Campbeltown – between April and September, 2 hour 40 minute sailing from Ardrossan to Campbeltown on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Return sailings are on Friday, Saturday (via Brodick, taking an extra hour) and Sunday;
Campbeltown to Ballycastle (NI) – RIB14 passenger ferry service operated by Kintyre Express (West Coast Motors), 1 hour 30 minute journey, with one return sailing on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday during April, May and September, and daily during June, July and August. Considerably more expensive than other ferry services listed here, at £60 return;
14 Rigid Inflatable Boat
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Tayinloan (Kintyre) to Gigha – 20 minute crossing operates through the day, with slightly fewer sailings and early finishing in winter and some services by request only. Carried 58,361 passengers in 2013;
Kennacraig (Kintyre) to Port Ellen or Port Askaig (Islay) – during winter, four return sailings Monday to Saturday, split between each destination port, with one return sailing to each on Sundays. Between April and October, there is an additional sailing day. Both routes take just over 2 hours, with combined 181,000 passengers in 2013. Two ferries operate on this route;
Kennacraig to Port Askaig to Colonsay to Oban – one return sailing each on Wednesdays and Saturdays, April to October. One Saturday sailing during the winter connects Port Askaig and Colonsay. Full journey takes 7.5 hours, carried 19,000 passengers in 2013;
Oban to Colonsay – 2 hour 20 mins sailing, with one sailing a day during summer and four a week during winter, carried 15,700 passengers in 2013;
Tarbert (Kintyre) to Portavadie (Cowal) – 25 minute sailing operates all day and all year, with up to 12 return journeys. 62,000 passengers in 2013;
Colintraive (Cowal) to Rhubodach (Bute) – five minute sailing operating approx. every 30 minutes, every day. 222,000 passengers in 2013;
Wemyss Bay (Inverclyde) to Rothesay (Bute) – 35 minute sailing, connecting with regular trains to Glasgow Central. Two ferries allow this service to operate hourly, seven days a week. 677,000 passengers in 2013;
Port Askaig to Feolin (Jura) – five minute journey between Islay and Jura, operated on behalf of Argyll and Bute Council. Up to 19 return sailings a day during summer, and 16 during winter, although some later sailings must be requested in advance. Reduced service on Sundays with seven in summer and six in winter;
Craighouse (Jura) to Tayvallich (Knapdale) – passenger ferry running from April to September, on behalf of Isle of Jura Development Trust. Two return ferries a day, except for Wednesday when there are no sailings, and Sunday which has one. Allows direct access to Jura from the mainland, without going via Islay. Takes under one hour;
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Gourock (Inverclyde) to Dunoon (Cowal) – operated by Argyll Ferries, which shares a parent company with Caledonian MacBrayne. Two passenger vessels run every 30 minutes, with a sailing time of around 25 minutes. Operates from 6.15am until 11pm, with later sailings until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. 360,000 passengers in year 2010/11. A vehicle ferry is also operated by Western Ferries, a private operator, with up to four sailings an hour between 6am and 10pm, taking 20 minutes;
Oban to Craignure (Mull) – 45 minute sailing with between four and seven return sailings a day all year. 553,000 passengers in 2013;
Fishnish (Mull) to Lochaline (Morvern, Highland) – 18 minute sailing between Mull and the remote Morvern mainland peninsula. Sailings approximately every hour, but less frequent in winter, particularly on Sundays. 109,000 passengers in 2013;
Tobermory (Mull) to Kilchoan (Ardnamurchan, Highland) – 35 minute sailing with three or four a day during the winter, and seven in summer. On Sundays, there are five sailings from May to August, but none the rest of the year. 35,700 passengers in 2013;
Fionnphort (Mull) to Iona – frequent ten minute sailings throughout the day until 6.15 pm, all year round. Only three sailings on Sundays from November to April. Carried 224,000 passengers in 2013;
Oban to Lismore – four sailings Monday to Saturday, all year round, taking 55 minutes. On Sundays there are two sailings. Additional Saturday evening sailing available by request during summer. 20,000 passengers in 2013;
Lismore to Port Appin – small passenger ferry operated by Argyll and Bute Council, taking 10 minutes runs throughout the day. Some early/late sailings will only run if requested in advance;
Gallanach (near Oban) to Kerrera – runs daily 8am to 6pm, taking just a few minutes to cross to the island. Every half hour during summer, and slightly less frequent during winter. Operated by Kerrera Ferry Ltd, a private company;
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Oban to Coll/Tiree/Castlebay (Barra) – during winter there is a return sailing, calling at both Tiree and Coll, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, taking 2 hours 40 mins to reach Coll and a further hour before it docks at Tiree. During the summer there is return journey to both islands each day, with the Thursday sailing continuing to Barra. 52,400 passengers in 2013 on the Coll/Tiree route, with 9,900 on sailings also to Barra;
Oban to Lochboisdale (South Uist, Outer Hebrides) and Castlebay (Barra, Outer Hebrides) – From November to April there are five return sailings a week between Oban, Barra and South Uist, while in summer sailings operate daily. 58,000 passengers in 2013;
Seil to Easdale – short crossing to Easdale Island from Seil, operated by Argyll and Bute Council. Frequent services throughout the day, taking a few minutes to cross;
Seil to Luing – five minute crossing from the Isle of Seil to Luing Island, operated by Argyll and Bute Council. Runs throughout the day, but only on Sundays during the summer months; and
Kilcreggan to Gourock – passenger ferry connecting Kilcreggan, south of Gairlochhead, with Gourock in Inverclyde. Operated by Argyll and Bute Council. Frequent sailings between 6.45am and 6pm.
4.5.3 Airports
There are six airports within Argyll and Bute: three within Mid-Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands, and three within Oban, Lorn and the Isles. Locations and the services are15:
Campbeltown: located at Machrihanish, three miles west of Campbeltown provides two return flights to Glasgow Airport Monday to Friday, operated by FlyBe/Loganair and taking 40 minutes. Served 9,000 passengers in 2013;
Islay: situated half-way between Bowmore and Port Ellen, two of the main villages on the island. Scheduled flights are operated by FlyBe/Loganair – two return flights to Glasgow during the week and one at the weekend; and Hebridean Air Services (HAS) – operate two flights to Oban on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with one stopping over on Colonsay (Winter timetable 2014/15). Served 26,000 passengers in 2013;
15 Source: HAS & FlyBe websites
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Colonsay: HAS provide two 25 min flights to Oban every Tuesday and Thursday, as well as one flight to Islay on these mornings. There are also ‘scholar flights’ on Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons during term time, allowing school pupils to travel for attendance at Oban High School;
Coll: HAS operate two return flights to Oban on Mondays and Wednesdays, taking 30 minutes. Additionally, the morning flight makes a stop-over on Tiree. There are also term time flights on Saturdays and Sundays to Oban;
Tiree: HAS operates two 30 minute return flights on Mondays and Wednesdays, with the afternoon flight making a stopover in Coll. Additionally, FlyBe/Loganair operate a daily return flight to Glasgow, Monday to Saturday. Served 8000 passengers in 2013; and
Oban (Connel): Oban Airport is situated five miles north-east of the town, near the village of North Connel. HAS operates scheduled flights to Coll/ Tiree and Islay/Colonsay, as detailed above. Serves around 3,000 passengers a year.
All of the airports in Argyll and Bute are public assets, with Argyll and Bute Council running the Oban, Coll and Colonsay airports, and the Scottish Government owned Highlands and Islands Airports Limited running Tiree, Campbeltown and Islay.
4.5.4 Railways
There are two railway lines operating across Argyll and Bute16:
North Clyde Line: with the North Clyde Line terminating at Helensburgh Central, the town has a regular train service during all hours of Scotrail operation. The route links the town to much of central Scotland, passing through Glasgow Queen Street and culminating at Edinburgh Waverley, with one to two services per hour. Around 826,000 entries and exits were made through Helensburgh Central in the 2013/14 financial year; and
16 Source: Scotrail and Office of Rail Regulation websites
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West Highland Line: on weekdays, six Scotrail trains operate return services between Glasgow Queen Street and Oban, taking just over three hours. Five services operate on Saturdays and two on Sunday. The number of services on weekdays was doubled in May 2014, from three to six, operating year round. Around 130,000 entries and exits were made through Oban station in the 2013/14 financial year, up 7,000 on the previous year. Data since the number of services was increased is not yet available from the Office of Rail Regulation, but has likely seen a considerable rise.
4.5.5 Buses
Long Haul Services
Scottish Citylink/West Coast Motors operate three main routes through Argyll:
976: Oban to Glasgow via Inveraray, Tarbet and Dumbarton. Six services a day in each direction, taking just under 3 hours;
926: Campbeltown to Glasgow via Kennacraig, Tarbert, Ardrishaig, Lochgilphead, Inveraray and Dumbarton. Six services leave Glasgow daily, although one terminates at Ardrishaig. Five leave Campbeltown, with a 4 hour 15 minute journey to Glasgow; and
918: Oban to Fort William via Ballachulish. Connects with a coach from Fort William to Inverness. Three services a day in each direction. Oban to Fort William takes 1 hour 30 minutes and Fort William to Inverness, 2 hours.
Local Services
The primary provider of local bus services in Argyll and Bute is Campbeltown based West Coast Motors, operating routes across the region. Individual bus networks cover Cowal, Bute, Oban, Mull, Campbeltown, Kintyre, Tarbert and Mid-Argyll.
4.5.6 Parking
Parking is generally only an issue in towns with commercial centres in Argyll and Bute, or other locations that have specific attractions or ferry terminals. Argyll and Bute Council’s Parking Policy Framework identifies the following main centres: Campbeltown, Tarbert, Lochgilphead, Oban, Inveraray, Rothesay, Dunoon and Helensburgh.
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4.6 Tourism, Leisure and Culture
4.6.1 Visitor Attractions and Accommodation
Argyll and Bute is a popular destination for visitors, with around 15% of its workforce employed in tourism-related activities. There is a wide range of tourist attractions in the area, with many focused on its archaeological, historical and natural heritage. In 2009, there were 570,000 visits recorded at 35 attractions across the region, giving some indication of the number of visitors each year to Argyll and Bute.
The STEAM Draft Trend Report (2009-2013) for Argyll and Bute shows that the tourism generated the following in 2013:
visitor days: 4.7 million;
visitor numbers: 2.2 million;
direct expenditure: £267 million;
economic impact: £379 million;
direct employment: 6,953; and
total employment: 8,870.
Figure 4.11 shows the sectoral distribution of the impacts and that the accommodation sector is the largest in terms of economic impacts and employment, generating over £105 million in sales and with employment of over 4,200.
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Figure 4.11: Sectoral Distribution of Tourism Impacts (%)
50
40
30
20
10
0
Economic Impact Employment Impact
Source: STEAM Report for Argyll and Bute
The 2011 Scottish Visitor Survey reveals a number of characteristics about visitors to Argyll and Bute and Figure 4.12 shows the percentage of respondents who engaged in a range of activities during their visit.
Figure 4.12: Most popular activities – Argyll and Bute, 2011
Sightseeing
Trying local food
Short walk/ stroll
Visited a beach
Long walk, hike or ramble
Shopping
Visited a historic house
Centre based walking
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Source: Scotland Visitor Survey, 2011
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Unfortunately it is not possible to break down these data any further to the sub- regional level. However, Visit Scotland does record footfall at each of their visitor information centres across Scotland, allowing for comparison in each locality. The figures for Argyll and Bute are shown below – Figure 4.13.
Oban receives more tourists using the visitor centres each year than other areas of Argyll and Bute, most likely due to its transport links and role as ‘gateway to the isles’, with a high number of visitors passing through on their way to islands such as Mull.
Figure 4.13: Annual footfall at Visit Scotland Information Centres, 2013
Oban
Rothesay
Craignure, Mull
Inveraray
Tarbert, Loch Fyne
Campbeltown
Dunoon
Tarbet, Loch Lomond
0 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000 140,000 160,000
2013 2014
Source: Visit Scotland Marketing Opportunities
The ONS releases data on the top 50 destinations in the UK each year. Oban was last included on 2010, when 80,000 visitors stayed a total of 255,000 nights over the course of the year, spending £16 million17.
17 ONS, Travel Trends report, 2010
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Table 4.16: Museums and Visitor Attractions in Argyll and Bute
Area Attractions
Bute and Bute Museum, Rothesay Castle, Mount Stuart House – Rothesay, Quadmania – Cowal Cowal, Younger Botanic Garden – Cowal, Castle House Museum – Dunoon, Ardkinglas Gardens – Cowal, Carrick Castle – Cowal Helensburgh Hill House – Helensburgh, Linn Botanic Gardens, Submarine Museum and Lomond (proposed), Culture and Heritage Trail (proposed) Mid Argyll, Campbeltown Museum, Kilmartin House Museum of Ancient Culture, Kintyre and Auchindrain Trust Highland Farm Township, Inveraray Jail, Inveraray Castle, the Islands Machrihanish Seabird and Wildlife Observatory, RSPB Loch Gruinart Reserve – Islay, Museum of Islay Life, Islay Natural History Centre, Skipness Castle, Kilmartin Glen, Carnasserie Castle, Crarae Gardens – Inveraray, Islay Distilleries Oban, Lorn An Iodhlann – Tiree Historical Centre, Oban War and Peace Museum, Easdale and the Isles Island Folk Museum, Dunstaffnage Castle, Ocean Explorer Centre – Oban, Oban Sealife Centre, Mull Museum, Tobermory Marine Exhibition, Duart Castle – Mull, Cruachan Power Station, Isle of Staffa (boat trips), Oban Distillery
4.6.2 Leisure and Cultural Facilities
Libraries
Argyll and Bute Council operate nine libraries, with four mobile services – library vans based in Islay, Mull, Helensburgh and Lochgilphead – providing services to the surrounding area. Five of the islands also have a lending service, operated through a named contact or council facility on each island.
Table 4.17: Libraries in Argyll and Bute
Area Location
Bute and Cowal Rothesay, Dunoon Helensburgh and Helensburgh, Cardross, Rosneath, East Argyll Mobile Library Lomond Mid Argyll, Kintyre Campbeltown, Islay Mobile Library, Lochgilphead, Tarbert, and the Islands West Argyll Mobile Library, island service on Colonsay Oban, Lorn and Oban, Mull Mobile Library, island service on Tiree, Coll, Iona the Isles and Lismore
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Cinemas, Theatres and Town Halls
There are four conventional cinemas in Argyll and Bute. Further, the Screen Machine – a fold-out cinema which travels on the back of a lorry – regularly visits a number of locations in the area including Islay, Gigha, Tarbert, Tighnabruaich, Colonsay, Tarbet, Cairndow, Lochgilphead, Tiree, Coll and Dalmally.
Table 4.18: Cinemas in Argyll and Bute
Facility The Picture House, Community run although currently closed for refurbishment. Campbeltown Received £1.1 million Heritage Lottery funding in December 2014. Temporary programme of events in alternative venue. Isle of Bute Run by Visit Scotland, showing new releases and classic films. Discovery Centre Cinema, Rothesay Dunoon Studio Shows new films daily, run by West Coast Cinemas. Cinema Oban Phoenix Community run cinema showing new releases. Cinema
Many of the villages and towns across mainland Argyll and Bute and the islands have community halls, most of which are run on a voluntary basis – Figure 4.14.
These play an important role in community life and host a wide array of events, sports and social clubs and meetings each week.
The larger facilities run by Argyll and Bute council are listed in Table 4.19.
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Figure 4.14: Community and Village Halls in Argyll and Bute
Source: Argyll and Bute Council / Google Maps
Also of note is Comar on Mull, a charitable trust which incorporates the An Tobar and Druimfin venues, forming the only multi-disciplinary arts centre in the area. A private ballet school, Ballet West, is also located in Taynuilt with a regular programme of performances.
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Table 4.19: Local Authority Town Halls in Argyll and Bute
Location Description
Corran Halls, Oban 650 capacity main hall, 115 seater smaller theatre, meeting rooms Queens Hall, Dunoon 800 capacity main hall (seated), various meeting rooms Victoria Hall, Campbeltown 500 capacity (seated) Campbeltown Town Hall, 300 capacity main hall Campbeltown Victoria Halls, Helensburgh 300 capacity (seated), various other rooms Rothesay Pavilion, Bute 800 capacity main hall (seated), various meeting rooms
Leisure Centres
There are seven public swimming pools in the area, four of which are run by Argyll and Bute Council. Some hotels also have swimming pools, situated in Inveraray and Oban, while two privately run leisure centres are located in Cowal.
Table 4.20: Leisure Centres in Argyll and Bute
Facility Sector Facilities
Atlantic Leisure, Oban Voluntary 25m pool, sports hall, 5 tennis courts, dance studio, 40 space gym, café Rothesay Leisure Centre, Local Authority 25m pool, gym, sauna Bute Aqualibrium, Campbeltown Local Authority 25m pool, gym, sauna, all-weather pitch Riverside Swim and Health Local Authority 25m pool, teaching pool, gym, café Centre, Dunoon Mid Argyll Sports Centre, Local Authority all-weather pitches, dance studio, gym, Lochgilphead sports hall Mid Argyll Community Pool, Voluntary 20m pool Lochgilphead MacTaggart Leisure Centre, Voluntary 25m pool, gym, sauna, activity room Islay Helensburgh Swimming Pool, Local Authority 25m pool, teaching pool, gym, sauna, Helensburgh Hunters Quay Holiday Private 2 x 25m pools, sauna, gym, bar. Open to Village, near Dunoon public Drimsynie Estate Holiday Private 25m pool, gym, sauna, coffee shop. Village, Lochgoilhead Open to public
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4.6.3 Events
Argyll and Bute attracts a large number of visitors to special events, many of which are held on an annual basis. Dunoon hosts the biggest Highland Games in the world, the Cowal Highland Gathering, with 23,000 visitors attending the annual three day event:
Highland Games: Rosneath, Helensburgh, Lorne (Oban), Mull, Inveraray, Southend (Campbeltown), Taynuilt, Bute, Argyllshire Gathering (Oban), Cowal;
Tiree Wave Classic: UK’s premier windsurfing competition, each October;
Islay Malt and Music Festival: every May;
Loch Fyne Viking Festival: Tarbert, June;
Scottish Series: Scotland’s largest annual sailing event, based in Tarbert, attracting 200 yachts and 1200 crew over a weekend in May;
West Highland Yachting Week: across Argyll and Bute, August;
Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival: annual event in Oban, May;
Tunnock’s Mull Rally: car rally event each October; and
Loch Fyne Food Fair: Cairndow, May.
4.7 FDI Profile
Argyll and Bute Council’s Economic Development Action Plan (2013-18) has been developed to focus the council’s resources on development activities that have the greatest beneficial impact towards achieving sustainable economic growth.
In line with the plan’s desired outcome to increase the level of inward investment in the area, it states that greater support will be provided to businesses considering relocating to Argyll and Bute, by liaising with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Development International. At present, foreign investment primarily relates to the food and drink industry and energy production, sectors in which many UK- owned companies are also active.
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Argyll and Bute Council is aiming to market the area as an attractive location for screen industry productions.
Table 4.21: Foreign-Owned Companies with Locations in Argyll and Bute
Company Sector Location Diageo Food and Islay: Lagavulin, Caol Ila (£3.5m upgrade in 2011) Drink and Port Ellen Maltings distilleries; Oban Distillery Whyte and Mackay Food and Jura distillery (Emperador Inc.) Drink Suntory Holdings Food and Islay: Laphroaig and Bowmore distilleries Drink Scottish Power Energy Cruachan Power Station, Kintyre windfarm (Iberdrola) production Marine Harvest Food and Fish farms located throughout Argyll Drink Wind Towers Manufacturing/ Campbeltown. Wind turbine plant originally set up (Scotland) Ltd Energy by Danish company but (Scottish-owned) SSE is now the majority shareholder. 130 employees. E-On Energy Windfarms in Kintyre production RWE nPower Energy Windfarms in mid-Argyll and Lorn. Hydro sites at production Loch Awe and near Inveraray.
4.8 Retail Sector
4.8.1 Supermarkets
The primary supermarket operator in the region is Co-operative Food. Some of the larger towns also have other supermarkets – Table 4.22.
Table 4.22: Supermarkets in Argyll and Bute
Location Operator
Campbeltown Co-op, Tesco Metro Helensburgh Waitrose, Tesco Metro, Tesco Express, Co-op Oban Tesco, Lidl, Aldi Rothesay Co-op x 2 Dunoon Morrisons, Co-op Lochgilphead Co-op, Tesco Express Source: various supermarket websites
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As well as those shown in Table 4.22, there are also Co-op supermarkets in Tarbert, Inveraray, Ardrishaig, Bowmore, Port Ellen, Tiree, Tobermory and Rosneath.
4.8.2 Retail Profile of Main Towns
Campbeltown
According to a 2010 report, there are 135 retail units in Campbeltown town centre, of which 20 are vacant. Retail businesses account for 65 units and leisure 13 units18. Plans for a much larger Tesco store than currently exists were approved in 2010, but did not go ahead after the sale of the proposed site fell through.
In recent years, the Campbeltown Townscape Heritage Initiative has sought to improve the public realm in the town centre, funded by large scale public grants.
Helensburgh
In 2011, only nine of the 243 units in Helensburgh town centre were identified as vacant. Additionally, there are 23 units outside of the town centre boundary, one of which was vacant19. Waitrose is a recent addition to the town, opening in October 2013 adjacent to Hermitage Academy, outside of the town centre.
The CHORD programme has seen improvements to the urban realm in the town centre, including shop front, promenade, pavement, drainage and car park upgrades.
Oban
Oban has 239 units in its town centre, 19 of which are vacant. Retail businesses account for 130 units and leisure 46 units20. The Co-op closed their long-standing Oban store in 2014, with the loss of 38 jobs. The building has been purchased by Lidl which intends to demolish and replace it with a new energy efficient supermarket.
Improvements are taking place under the CHORD programme, including public realm works along the waterfront and the pedestrianisation of Stafford Street.
18 EKOS, Campbeltown CHORD Report, 2010 19Colliers, Helensburgh Retail Study, 2011 20 EKOS, Oban CHORD Report, 2010
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Rothesay
There are 112 units in Rothesay town centre, of which 19 are vacant. Retail businesses account for 55 units and leisure 20 units21. Recent improvements have taken place under CHORD to reverse a process of decay within the town centre, including street and shop front upgrade and repair.
Dunoon
There are 151 units in Dunoon town centre, of which 16 are vacant. Retail businesses account for 80 units and leisure 25 units22. Recent improvements have taken place under the CHORD programme, including public realm improvements around the Queens Hall and Pier Head area.
Developers were pushing for another major supermarket to open in Dunoon in 2010- 12 but this appears to have been unsuccessful.
4.9 Utilities Review
4.9.1 Broadband and Mobile Coverage
Broadband Coverage
The council’s Economic Development Action Plan sets a target to achieve superfast broadband to 85% to 90% of Argyll and Bute’s population by 2020 and improved mobile phone signal quality and coverage levels throughout Argyll and Bute. Rural broadband and digital infrastructure projects across the local authority are ongoing.
OFCOM reports that as of 2013, broadband take-up in Argyll and Bute is 67.3%, with no capacity for superfast broadband23.
21 EKOS, Rothesay CHORD Report, 2010 22 EKOS, Dunoon CHORD Report, 2010 23 OFCOM, Fixed Broadband Map 2013, available online
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Mobile coverage
OFCOM reports that 5.6% of premises in Argyll and Bute do not receive a reliable 2G mobile signal from any operator, while 20% do not receive 3G.
There is no 2G mobile signal in 36.5% of the geographical landmass of Argyll and Bute, with 74% of the area unable to receive 3G24.
Figure 4.15: 2G / 3G Mobile Signal - Premises and Geographical Coverage
3G (all operators function)
2G (all operators function)
3G (1+ operator is available)
2G (1+ operator is available)
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% % Coverage
Premises Coverage Geographic Coverage
Source: OFCOM
A £165,000 pilot project, funded by the Scottish Government and supported by local beneficiaries, a landowner and Vodafone, saw Coll become the first Scottish island to receive 4G mobile coverage, in late 2014.
4.9.2 Water and sewage
Argyll and Bute Council has set a target to increase capacity of waste water treatment and water treatment facilities each year25. Water treatment capacity is identified as low at seven sites across the area, with Scottish Water recently upgrading one site, Craignure.
24 OFCOM, Mobile Services Map 2013, available online Note: This is changing further to the H&I BT project 25 Argyll and Bute CPP Single Outcome Agreement 2013-23 Delivery Plan
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All other sites are deemed to have sufficient capacity for identified local developments26.
Of 122 waste water treatment sites in Argyll and Bute operated by Scottish Water, 88 have minimal spare capacity. Five were identified for strategic investment in the 2010-2015 period27.
4.9.3 Electricity
There has been some concern about the capacity of the National Grid to facilitate renewable energy production in Argyll and Bute – particularly community energy projects in rural areas28. In 2012 it was stated that 10MW of community energy projects were being blocked from coming onto the National Grid due to capacity constraints.
Major construction projects are underway to increase transmission capacity between Argyll and the rest of Scotland, following the growth of renewable projects in the area. SSE is constructing a new high voltage, undersea connection between Kintyre and Hunterston in North Ayrshire. By 2017, the line between Inveraray and Taynuilt is also scheduled to be upgraded.
4.10 Environment
4.10.1 Land
The land area of Argyll and Bute covers 6,909km sq. or 690,899 ha.
Argyll and Bute mostly consists of peaty glens, which is suitable for rough grazing and forestry.
There is not a significant level of vacant and derelict land in Argyll and Bute, nor an abundance of high quality agricultural land29. In total, 34 hectares of land are identified as being derelict or urban vacant land, over 39 sites.30
26 Scottish Water, Capacity Tables – Water Treatment Works, 2012 27 Scottish Water, Capacity Tables – Waste Water Treatment Works, 2010 & 2012 28 Long term grid connection delays for community owned renewables in Argyll, available online, 2012 29 Argyll & Bute Council, MIR: Strategic Environmental Assessment, 2011 30 Scottish Government, Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey, 2013; NB: excludes Loch Lomond National Park area
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4.10.2 Pollution
A low level of emissions from transport and industry gives good air quality in the area. Water quality is generally good or high.
Beaches tested by SEPA at Machrihanish (Kintyre) and Ganavan (near Oban) are rated highly and both have Blue Flag awards from Keep Scotland Beautiful.
4.10.3 Forests and Woodlands
Over 30% of the land area of Argyll and Bute is covered by forest or woodland, covering 2,000 sq. km, around 85% of which is non-native woodland. Much of this is managed by the Forestry Commission, which owns approximately half of all forests in Scotland and provides public access with signposted footpaths and trails.
In 2008 it was estimated that forestry directly employs nearly 1,300 FTE roles in the area, while supporting a further 2,250 jobs in tourism and recreation31. This aspect of the environment is therefore highly important for the local economy.
4.10.4 Protected Areas
Argyll and Bute contains nationally significant scenery and environmental assets, supporting valuable populations of flora and fauna.
Consequently, Scottish Natural Heritage has designated numerous protected areas across the region - Table 4.23.
31 Argyll & Bute Council, Woodland and Forestry Strategy, 2011, available online
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Table 4.23: Protected Areas in Argyll and Bute
Type Location
National Nature Reserve Ben Lui, Glasdrum Wood, Glen Nant, Moine Mhor, Staffa, Taynish National Scenic Area Knapdale, Scarba, Lunga and The Garvellachs, Jura, Lynn of Lorn, Loch Na Keal, Kyles of Bute, Ben Nevis and Glen Coe (partially) Special Protection Area Bridgend Flats - Islay, Cnuic agus Cladach Mhuile, Coll, Coll (corncrake), Eilean na Muice Duibhe (Duich Moss), Islay, Glas Eileanan, Glen Etive and Glen Fyne, Gruinart Flats, Kintyre Goose Roosts, Knapdale Lochs, Laggan – Islay, Loch Lomond, North Colonsay and Western Cliffs, Oronsay and South Colonsay, Rannoch Lochs, Rinns of Islay, Sleibhtean agus Cladach Thiriodh (Tiree Wetlands and Coast), The Oa, - Islay, Inner Clyde, Jura, Scarba and the Garvellachs, Tiree (corncrake), Treshnish Isles Nature Conservation Loch Creran, Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura, Loch Sween, Upper Marine Protected Area Loch Fyne and Loch Goil SSSI There are 121 Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Argyll and Bute National Parks Loch Lomond and the Trossachs (partially) Local Nature Reserve Duchess Wood, Holy Loch Source: Scottish Natural Heritage website 4.11 Community Services
The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) ranks small areas, or datazones, against 38 different social and economic indicators, from most deprived to least deprived.
In SIMD 2012, 43.4% of Argyll and Bute’s datazones are in the most 15% access deprived at a national level, down from 56.6% in in the 2009 index. This is calculated by measuring each datazone’s access to basic services such as GP, primary school and Post Office32.
This section details the location of a number of different amenities and services across the local authority area.
Job Centres: the Department for Work and Pensions operate Job Centre Plus offices in Oban, Campbeltown, Rothesay, Dunoon and Helensburgh;
Police: the area is policed by the Argyll and West Dunbartonshire division of Police Scotland. Main police offices are located at Oban, Lochgilphead, Campbeltown, Garelochhead, Rothesay, Helensburgh and Dunoon.
32 Scottish Government, Scottish Index on Multiple Deprivation, 2012
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There are also smaller unstaffed police offices, including Furnace, Tarbert, Mull and Islay;
Crime: in the crime domain of SIMD 2012, 17 (13.9%) of Argyll and Bute’s 122 datazones were among the 15% most deprived datazones in Scotland. The most crime deprived datazone in Argyll and Bute is the intermediate zone of Campbeltown, with a rank of 49 and therefore among the 5% most crime deprived areas in Scotland. Argyll and Bute saw a 7% reduction in reported crime from 2012/13 to 2013/14, when there were 330 reported crimes per 10,000 population, the eighth lowest rate in Scotland. There has been a 46% drop since 2004/5, compared to a Scottish average fall of 38%33.
Courts: Sheriff Courts are located in Oban, Campbeltown and Dunoon; and a Justice of the Peace court in Lochgilphead. The Sheriff Court in Rothesay closed in November 2013;
Council Offices: public service points are available in Rothesay, Dunoon, Helensburgh, Oban, Tobermory, Tiree, Lochgilphead, Bowmore, Colonsay, Jura and Campbeltown. Planning offices can be found in Lochgilphead, Oban, Dunoon and Helensburgh, with satellite offices also in Campbeltown and Rothesay;
Mountain Rescue: teams based in Arrochar and Oban, covering the entirety of the area with a rough east/west split; and
Fire: Argyll and Bute has a particularly high rate (per 100,000 population) of road traffic crash fire service call-outs, at more than double the national average, and flooding, at just under double the national figure. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service stations are located across the region, Table 4.24.
33 Scottish Government, Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2013-14
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Table 4.24: Scottish Fire and Rescue Stations in Argyll and Bute
Area Location
Bute and Cowal Colintraive, Tighnabruaich, Rothesay, Dunoon, Strachur, Lochgoilhead Helensburgh and Arrochar, Helensburgh, Cove, Garelochhead Lomond Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Minard, Inveraray, Tarbert, Carradale, Lochgilphead, Craighouse Islay (Jura), Port Ellen, Bowmore, Port Charlotte, Gigha, Colonsay, Ardfern. Oban, Lorn and the Crianlarich, Dalmally, Bridge of Orchy, Kerrera, Oban, Lismore, Appin, Isles Seil, Luing, Craignure, Kimelford, Tobermory, Salen, Bunessan, Coll, Tiree, Iona Scottish Government, Fire and Rescue Statistics, Scotland, 2013-14
Banks: all of the main towns and settlements across Argyll and Bute are served by at least one bank – Table 4.25.
Table 4.25: Banks in Argyll and Bute, by provider
Bank Location
TSB Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay, Dunoon Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay, Dunoon, Inveraray, RBS Bowmore, Tiree, Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay, Dunoon, Lochgilphead, Bank of Scotland Tarbert, Inveraray, Kilcreggan Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay, Dunoon, Lochgilphead, Clydesdale Bank Tobermory Santander Helensburgh Nationwide Oban
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