Kildrummy, Lumsden & Towie Community Action Plan June 2013 Introduction Community Action Plan The Past Community Action Plan The rural communities of Kildrummy, The focus of this community action The Past church building positioned close by. Towie and Lumsden are part of the plan, and the issues identified in it, Lumsden is the most recently Towie, in the late 19th century, had scenic area of Upper Donside in the are broader than those that may be established of the three communities, two churches and a post office and Marr Area of Aberdeenshire, bordering supported with the community benefit being founded around 1825 by Harry a school with an average attendance on the Cairngorms National Park to fund. The benefits of preparing a Leith Lumsden of Auchindoir on what of 84, serving a population of around the west, with the River Don winding community action plan are: was then a barren moor. By 1840 the 800. Biannual fairs were held at the its way through. The three parishes population was 243 and by 1881 had Glenkindie Arms Inn. The church is one extend over an area of more than 66 • to enable people to say what they reached 519. This contrasts with the of a group of buildings, including until square miles and are sparely populated want for their communities - now recently, the ruin of Towie Castle, built Lumsden Main Street. population of the whole parish of Kildrummy Kirk. with the biggest centre being Lumsden and in the future Auchindoir and Kearn for that period in the early seventeenth century, the village with a population of 344 (2009 • to encourage people to think of over 1,500. The 2009 population of only trace of which is a cairn on the estimate). The larger centres that these about what they value and want to the village (344) reflects a decline to spot and a plaque on the churchyard communities relate to for services and protect levels seen before 1861. The current wall. The current population of Towie retail are Alford, seven miles to the east • to publicise and seek support for population of the whole parish is parish is around 300. and Huntly, ten miles to the north, and local groups and projects estimated to be around 600. further afield to Inverurie, Westhill and • to evidence community needs to In earlier times this area was central Aberdeen. The economy of the area is generate support from agencies and Kildrummmy and Towie are now to the history and politics of Scotland. predominantly land based, orientated funding bodies referred to as small hamlets, although Kildrummy Castle, built in the 13th around the estates, although tourism is • to prepare a plan for short, they were previously much more century, was a seat of the kings of also of importance with the area having medium and long-term needs and populous, especially in the 19th Scotland, and in 1306 was besieged and Kildrummy Castle, a fine example aspirations century. The population census of 1911 captured by Edward I of England. Early of a 13th century castle and other • to provide a focus and a framework identified that the two parishes, in the in the 14th century it passed to the attractions. Some residents commute to encourage people to work whole of the county of Aberdeen, with Lords Erskine, Earls of Mar; served then out with the area for work. together to contribute to the the greatest decrease in population as the administrative capital of both development of their communities - over the preceding decade were Mar and Garioch districts; but suffered The rationale for considering the TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN! Towie and Kildrummy (22.6% and decline and much damage during three communities together for the 20.7% respectively) at a time when the Cromwell’s wars in the 17th century. purpose of a community action plan is overall numbers in the county were A hatching-place of the rebellion of twofold. Firstly; a key motivating factor rising. Again, between 1921 and1931 1715, it was forfeited by John, Earl of for preparing an action plan was the Kildrummy recorded the greatest Mar in the following year, and from construction of the Kildrummy wind decrease in the county with a further 1731 belonged to the Gordons of River Don. Kildrummy Castle. farm and the prospect of community reduction of 20.4%. Kildrummy School Wardhouse. It is now managed by benefit funding from the developer in 1881 had an average attendance of Historic Scotland and is a significant which will be distributed to all three 98 children and served a population tourist destination. of these communities. The wind farm in the parish of 656. Kildrummy at developer financially supported the that time also had a bank, an inn, two creation of the action plan on the churches and a post office at Mossat. basis that it would help to inform the The school closed in 2003. The current subsequent distribution of the fund. population of Kildrummy parish is Secondly; although the communities around 170. Towie Church was built are distinct, they do share a range of in 1803, using stones from an older facilities and services. The aim of this community action plan is to encourage and enable the economic, social and environmental development of Kildrummy, Lumsden and Towie, to support sustainability and help them continue to develop. Kildrummy turbines. Towie Kirk. 2 3 The Present Community Action Plan The Action Planning Process Community Action Plan The Present Community Groups based in The Action Planning Process • Organised a community open day Lumsden has a primary school, a Lumsden, Kildrummy and Towie The communities’ interest in in November 2012 to feedback on village hall, a church, a garage and shop, include; developing a community action plan the information gathered, seek ideas a hairdressers and a pub. Clova and - Lumsden School Parent Council/ was generated as a result of the for community projects and enable Kildrummy Estates are significant local Friends of Lumsden School wind farm developer, BayWa r.e. UK more input (40 attended) landowners. Lumsden is the location - Lumsden Church (formerly RENERCO), identifying • Collated all of the information and of the Scottish Sculpture Workshop - Lumsden Quest (Children’s) Group at a community liaison meeting that prepared an outline of the themes, (SSW), established in 1979 with the aim - Lumsden Parent and Toddlers they were offering community benefit issues and potential areas for action - Lumsden Indoor Bowling Club • Facilitated a stakeholders meeting Lumsden School. of providing high quality facilities for funding for the three areas directly artists to make sculpture, supported by - Lumsden Loons and Quines Bowling affected by the development. Marr Area in February 2013 for local group technical and artistic expertise. SSW - Lumsden Community Association Partnership offered to work with the representatives and others has hosted residencies for visual artists - Lumsden Over Fifties communities to develop their action interested in supporting the action from all over the world but is also - Lumsden Senior Citizens plan, with the leadership and support planning process in order to an important resource for the local - Kildrummy Church of the Donside Community Council, develop further the outline actions community and runs community based - Kildrummy WRI who also agreed to chair the Steering and promote involvement in their arts projects involving the school and - Glenkindie Bridge Club Group. implementation (37 attended) other residents. - Kildrummy Gun Club • Developed the draft action plan, The Steering Group first met in July - Towie Hall Committee circulated it to all those who Open Day Poster. Towie has a primary and a nursery - Towie Toddler Group 2012. It was facilitated by Marr Area had expressed interest, gathered school plus the church and a village hall. - Towie Indoor Bowling Partnership and comprised members comments, and finalised the draft. Kildrummy has an inn with rooms and - Towie Outdoor Bowling of Donside Community Council and • Presented the draft plan to the a restaurant, and the Kildrummy Castle - Towie Senior Citizens other volunteers from the community, Donside Community Council Hotel. It also has an old kirk in the - Towie School Parent Council including both primary school parent on 11th June 2013 where it was ownership of the Scottish Redundant - Towie Pipe Band councils. It was open to anyone approved. A formal launch event is Churches Trust and managed by a local - Towie Church prepared to contribute to the process. to be arranged. group. Mossat has an antique shop, The Scottish Sculpture Workshop garden centre, tea rooms and a fishery. However, there are some major hosted meetings and provided other Glenkindie has a pub and a garage, with challenges. From having a relatively support. Aberdeenshire Council’s a shop and Post Office. The estimated heavily populated land based economy Community Learning and Development population of all three parishes in the nineteenth century, the changes staff provided support for youth Stakeholders meeting. combined is now 1070. to agriculture and estate management engagement. Glenkindie Garage and Shop. over the last century have significantly Results from the survey, carried out as reduced the size and changed the The Steering Group’s role was to part of the community action planning character of these communities. This encourage and enable the involvement process, show that local people value has lead to some significant impacts: of local people to ensure that their greatly the beautiful countryside, peace • Local services have contracted to needs and aspirations would be and quiet and friendliness of the area the extent that people are more reflected in the action plan. To do this in which they live. The communities dependent on facilities out with the the Steering Group: also greatly value the safety and local immediate area • Designed a questionnaire and schools and think that it’s a great place • Other industries and local delivered it to all households in the to bring up children.