News

“We have to be ambitious for Argyll and Bute. We have to consider all opportunities to grow our economy.” These were the words of the Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, Councillor Robin Currie, in advance of a Council meeting which will consider bidding for city status for Oban.

Pupils and staff at Dunoon Grammar are celebrating the news that the school has become Scotland’s first ever Digital Schoolhouse. As a Digital Schoolhouse (DSH), Dunoon Grammar, together with Nintendo UK, will use play-based learning to engage the next generation of learners and teachers with the computing science curriculum. The Digital Schoolhouse initiative is delivered by the UK games industry’s trade body Ukie and is backed by the creative digital industries and government. Sponsors include digital heavyweights including PlayStation®, SEGA, Ubisoft and Outright Games.

Schools, voluntary organisations, charities and businesses from across Argyll and Bute will come together next month to host Argyll and Bute Council's first ever Education Climate Summit. The event will take place via an online platform on Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 October – a week before COP 26 – and will see a range of key speakers joining forces to raise awareness about a variety of climate change issues.

A free lime mortar course is taking place at Hermitage Park Helensburgh from 28 September to 1 October. The course, delivered by the Scottish Lime Centre Trust, is open to anyone with an interest in traditional skills, building conservation or maintaining their property.   Lime mortar is more sympathetic to older buildings than cement based mortar. It is breathable and flexible with a lower carbon footprint than modern cement mortars.  

A new gift card is coming soon, designed to help ongoing Covid recovery for businesses and encourage local spending. Recipients of the Argyll and Bute (loves local) gift card will be able to enjoy a range of fantastic local products, services and experiences on offer from across the area. They include:

Argyll and Bute really is a great place to live, learn and work - maybe that’s why almost 25% of the current teaching staff at Dunoon Grammar are former pupils who left the area to train and seek employment, only to find themselves returning to their hometown to take up positions at the school.

A new Hardship Fund is available for businesses who continue to face challenges from the impact of Covid. Applications open today, 9 September 2021 with grants awarded on a first come, first served basis. The closing date for application is 15 September 2021. Apply online at /discretionary-hardship-fund-businesses Applicants need to demonstrate the following criteria: ·         The business will suffer hardship if no support is awarded

Argyll and Bute has some of the most stunning countryside in the world, from forests to mountains, lochs and islands.   The perfect opportunity to enjoy everything the area has to offer is now available. The Council is looking for a buyer for the former Bridge of Orchy Primary School and Schoolhouse.   The old schoolhouse is located in a beautiful location, making it an ideal base for a residential or commercial development.  

Moving towards having one or more statutory authority controlling the entirety of Oban Bay took another step forward yesterday (2 September). Improving the long term functioning of the harbour is behind the drive to move to a harbour authority arrangement. A number of options are available for doing this.

Issued by icecream architecture Back in May of 2021, the public were asked to take part in a survey to help a team of designers identify a new and improved walking, cycling and wheeling route from Helensburgh to Garelochhead. The team has now collated the responses and used these to inform the initial design proposals. Now the public can visit helensburgh-garelochhead.info to find out more; view the designs; and submit comments and questions.