News

Our #proudtocare campaign is still going strong in a bid to highlight the difference that carers make to peoples' lives and promote the opportunities that a career in the care sector can provide.

The Winter Gardens Discovery Centre in Rothesay has reopened following over £500,000 worth of renovation works. Significant external repair work was carried out at the Category A-Listed building, including replacement of roof coverings, overhaul of windows and installation of new light fittings. Additionally, metal panels and fixtures were replaced and the exterior of the building freshly decorated.

The second Argyll Gaelic Gathering took place at Corran Halls in Oban on Saturday (March 2). More than 60 delegates enjoyed a packed full day, with a call to increase the pace of Gaelic language development delivered by keynote speaker John Swinney MSP, the Deputy First Minister. The theme was picked up by policy and practice experts who included Shona MacLennan for Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Dr Gillian Munro for Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.

A group of pupils from Dunoon Grammar have scooped the top prize in a national competition for the third year running. The business and computing pupils beat off stiff competition from across Scotland when they won the Apps for Good Scotland event again, with a further two teams from Dunoon Grammar also sharing third prize.

A talented team of pupils from Hermitage Academy have made it through to the UK finals of the Tomorrow’s Engineers EEP Robotics Challenge.   The youngsters beat off stiff competition in the West of Scotland heat last month and will now go head to head with other teams from across the country at The Big Bang Fair in Birmingham on 15 March.  

This week is Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2019. As a council we are proud to run the 'Growing Our Own' scheme – introducing youngsters to a professional working environment. Since 2014, Argyll and Bute Council has employed over 50 modern apprentices. These are some of our current modern apprentices who are working throughout various departments within the council:

The Leader of Argyll and Bute Council has welcomed today’s announcement that Argyll and Bute is to benefit from an allocation of £1,242,000 from the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Fund.   The Town Centre Fund is aimed at driving forward economic growth and helping town centres to become more diverse and sustainable.  

Pupils at Barcaldine Primary School are polite, enthusiastic and friendly children who demonstrate creativity and independence in their learning.   These were the words of inspectors from Education Scotland following a recent visit to the school.   In a glowing HMI report, pupils at Barcaldine are described as being kind and supportive to one another, and are rightly very proud of their school and their many achievements.  

It was the end of an era at Kilmory last week when members of the WW1 Commemorative Steering Group gathered for their last ever meeting.   The group was established five years ago to actively engage with people of all ages, and support an ambitious programme of commemorative events.  

An S3 pupil from Tobermory High School has become the first student in Argyll and Bute to achieve an industry recognised qualification that’s aimed specifically at teaching staff.   Jakub Marzec is one of a number of pupils at the school using Google’s G Suite to develop their digital skills, but the youngster has done so well that he’s gone on to gain Level 1 Google Certified Educator status in process.