Walks, picnics and high tea at some stunning locations around Dunoon and Kirn....

Over the next few weeks Dunoon Community Development Trust will be popping up in places around the town to share information about our work and invite you to share your views on the Local Place Plan draft 1.   

Dunoon Community Development Trust has been busy over the past few years establishing this new organisation, and developing action that responds directly to local challenges identified through our very focused place-based research. The Trust has successfully developed a suite of projects including: What's On Dunoon; Dunoon on the Move; Grow Food, Grow Dunoon; and it is now leading Dunoon Film Festival. The Trust is also supporting a working group of local volunteers to explore the regeneration of Dunoon Pier and is in the process of producing the first Local Place Plan for Dunoon and Kirn.  

An important part of our role is to connect with the people who live in our community to keep you informed about the progress of our work and the opportunities we are creating for local people. So, we thought a wee tour of the town would help create opportunities for some interesting conversations. 

Our first Tour of the Town event took place at Valrose Car Park on 8th August. We are planning to pop up at another three events over the next few weeks, so if you would like to meet the Dunoon Community Develpoment Trust team, here are some dates and time for your diary. 

Kirn Gardens pre-gala picnic

Wednesday 27th August, 11am to 2pm 

As part of our Tour of the Town, Dunoon Community Development Trust is hosting a pre-Kirn Gala Picnic at Kirn Gardens and shops. 

• You have the option of taking a walk from Dunoon to Kirn with Dunoon on the Move, our walking and cycling project based in the Castle Gatehouse. Find more info about the walk here> 

• Free buns and pasties for walk participants from Blacks Bakery 

• Bring a picnic and your friends and family and join us for lunch in Kirn Gardens (or in Kirn Church if the weather is unkind) 

• Browse the fantastic local shops and meet the shop keepers. 

• Take a look at the Dunoon and Kirn Local Place Plan. 

• Learn more about What’s On Dunoon, your community owned events directory. 

• Kirn Gala takes place at the Grammar School from 6pm the same day. More information here> 

Kirn Gala at Dunoon Grammar School 

Wednesday 27th August, 6pm 

Dunoon Community Development Trust will have a table at this event, so come along and say hello to the team. Find out more about Volunteering for Wellbeing from Barbara Henderson, our Volunteer Coordinator, and share your views on Draft 1 of the Dunoon & Kirn Local Place Plan with Hannah Clinch, who is working on this project. 

Afternoon Tea on Dunoon Pier 

Saturday 6th September, 12noon to 3pm

Dunoon Pier is a stunning  but underutilized cultural asset at the heart of our town. Supported by Dunoon Community Development Trust,  Save the Dunoon Pier working group is co-hosting this afternoon tea on the pier. 

• Enjoy home baking and a cup of tea with Coorie Cooks 

• Learn about the Dunoon on the Move Bike Library and opportunities to walk, wheel and cycle around the local area. 

• Find out more about Save Dunoon Pier working group. 

• Learn about What’s On Dunoon. 

• Share your views on the Dunoon & Kirn Local Place Plan. 

Dunoon Pier Heritage and Future 

Saturday 6th September, 4pm to 6pm 

Dunoon Community Development Trust has successfully accessed funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund, on behalf of the Save the Dunoon Pier working group, to carry out two high level studies on the heritage and environmental challenges, and the economic impact potential involved in restoring the Grade A listed Dunoon Pier.  

• Join us to hear about the history of the pier, the purpose to these studies and the opportunities and challenges involved in developing heritage assets. 

• Local historian, Margaret Hubbard, will talk about the history of Dunoon Pier using archive material from Castle House Museum. 

• Other speakers will include Architectural Technologist and chair of Dunoon Community Development Trust, Tom Warren, and Ali McLay, lead volunteer on the Save Dunoon Pier  working group. 

More speakers to be confirmed.

Book now to guarantee your place >