Celebrating a Su er of Young Voices Voices, Music & Imagination
Children from local nurseries enjoyed a memorable visit to Dunkeld Fire Station — climbing aboard the fire engine and
Fire Station Visit
River of Words
Young people helped welcome international writer Elizabeth Kostova during her Perthshire residency, sharing poems and creative work inspired by the River Tay. See page 3
Birnam Library launches this year’s “Read to the Beat!” Summer Reading Challenge encouraging children to discover books, stories and music over the holidays. See page 15
Dunkeld & Birnam Traditional Youth Music Group prepare for their end-of-term summer concert celebrating a year of music-making and new skills. See page 3
Birnam Oak sign Refurbishment. See p9
The community orchard has provided thousands of apples and other fruit for the community over the years. See p8
Meet the Team
EDITOR Sally Robertson
Please e-mail your article to Sally at: editor@dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk or post to: The Bridge Dunkeld & Birnam Community Co-Working Space Lagmhor, Dunkeld PH8 0AD
ADVERTISING MANAGER Kirsty Gowans
Please e-mail your advertising to Kirsty at: adverts@dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk Advertising rates from £8.07 per month. Contact Kirsty for details. Tel: 07967 117149
The Bridge, edited by volunteers for the people of Dunkeld, Birnam and the surrounding villages since 1974. Thank you for all your support.
Dunkeld & Birnam, The Bridge
The Bridge Newsletter is produced and distributed by Dunkeld and Birnam News CICa Community Interest Company Registered in Scotland SC813544
Editorial
There’s something rather special about the end of the school year in our community, with the final few weeks filled with “bumpy up” days, school sports and dreams of long summer days ahead. As this month’s cover stories remind us, Dunkeld and Birnam continues to be a wonderful place to grow up.
Children heading off excitedly to visit the fire station, proudly climbing aboard the engine and trying on helmets; young musicians preparing nervously for summer concerts after months of practice; children discovering books and collecting stickers through the Summer Reading Challenge at Birnam Library; and young writers sharing poems inspired by the River Tay — all these moments become part of the memory-bank of growing up here.
Reading these stories took me back to my own children’s local adventures. I can still remember a visit to the fire station many years ago and the enormous impression made by a bright yellow firefighter’s helmet. Somewhere in a box under the bed are almost certainly the photographs to prove it.
The library Summer Reading Challenge also brought back memories of determined sticker collecting and the excitement of being handed a new sticker after returning a book — often following a lengthy game of “hunt the thimble” to discover where the book had last been abandoned: under the bed, behind the sofa or out on the trampoline.
Music, however, was perhaps less successful in our household. Despite the best efforts of the school, neither the cello nor the guitar lasted much beyond a few lessons. Which makes me admire even more the perseverance of the young musicians
Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group
Working constructively to get the best community outcomes from the A9 dualling proposals
The next A9 Community Group meeting and our AGM will be on Monday 8th June at the Guide Hall, 7.30pm . All welcome!
Dualling of Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing:
As we reported in the May “Bridge” Transport Scotland (TS) have notified that given the number and nature of outstanding objections to the Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing scheme, they have requested a Public Local Inquiry (PLI) to consider objections received and not withdrawn. At the time of writing this we are waiting to hear from the Inquiry Reporter about an initial meeting (to which all who have made objection submissions will be invited) at which the process of the PLI will be described and a timetable proposed.
TS also advised that it is continuing to work “ to properly consider all matters raised by objectors and to resolve these where possible”. So, although they have referred the case to DPEA, they should be continuing to engage with any objectors who are expecting replies or who have further questions or comments for them.
If you need clarification or wish to comment on any aspect of the TS reply to you, write to A9dualling@jacobs.com
Thanks again to those of you who have copied your submission/objection correspondence with TS to me - all welcome!
We have also received a request from TS for a small group meeting with them to discuss the A9 Community Group’s objection submission for Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing. This is likely to take place in June. Dualling of Tay Crossing to Ballinluig: Wills Bros the construction contractors have still not agreed to have a contractor drop-in event for Dunkeld and Birnam and we are pursuing the matter with them and TS.
Angela Newlands, Wills Community Liaison Manager can be contacted at AngelaNewlands@willsbros.com 01698 479230 or enquiries.A9TC2B@willsbros.com 0800 011 4255.
As always you can contact us at email: dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail. com , also to have your details added (or removed from) our mailing list; or just phone me!
Alasdair Wylie Coordinator 07927 175121 awylie2002@yahoo.co.uk
For our reports on “The Bridge” website: https://www.dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk/
performing this month. Perhaps if they’d had Karys and Gill enthusiastically encouraging them — and been part of the amazing 60-strong music group — they might have kept it up.
Mind you, it’s never too late. My younger sister recently took up the fiddle and, during a holiday on the shores of Loch Hourn, decided to practise outdoors. One unfortunate horse absolutely refused to walk past her and the rider had to politely ask if she wouldn’t mind stopping because she was frightening it!
As another school year draws to a close, perhaps what shines through most strongly is the number of people in this community quietly giving their time to encourage young people — teachers, volunteers, librarians, musicians, firefighters, parents and organisers. They help create the kind of childhood many of us look back on with enormous affection. The long summer break now beckons for local children and young people — and thank goodness for the huge range of activities happening across our community to help fill the weeks ahead. Let’s hope the good weather continues. But whatever the weather brings, there will always be a warm, welcoming and dry space waiting in Birnam Library … and perhaps even time for a little extra fiddle practice.
A9 Community Group AGM
Monday 8th June at the Guide Hall 7.30pm
Dunkeld and Birnam & District Community Development Trust
Reminder: Housing feasibility study - Community event on Wed 3 June
We’ve begun a conversation about the feasibility of a small, community-led housing development on land in the southern end of Birnam (Birnam Park/carrot field) in response to previous community consultations which showed strong support for affordable housing. We held an initial community event at the end of April. The presentation slides can be seen on our website www. dbdtrust.org
We’re continuing the conversation with a second event on Wednesday 3 June at the Birnam Arts centre - drop in anytime between 4.30-8.30pm.
View display materials and chat with the team working on the study, and representatives from the Trust. A short, optional presentation will run at 5pm and again at 7pm to set the context and outline findings and ideas so far. We’re keen to hear what you think about emerging ideas for affordable homes and other possible community uses on the site currently being assessed. If you can’t attend, please get in touch with any feedback via the contact form on our website. Dunkeld, Birnam and District Community Development Trust is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), Scottish Charity number: SC052156. The Trust was formed in 2022 as a means of taking forward the initiatives highlighted in the Community Action Plan. Mel Nicoll, Development Officer
My usual days of work are Tues-Thurs Mobile: 07864 232116 https://www.dbdtrust.org/
Sal Robertson
Arts News
Dunkeld & Birnam Traditional Youth Music Group
It’s coming up to our annual end-of-term summer concert in the John Kinnaird Hall at Birnam Arts, on Monday, 22 June. Each of our class groups and bands will be performing some of the music they have learned this year. Doors will open at 6pm with the concert running 6:30 to 8pm. The concert is free to attend, with the option of making a donation on the door by cash or card if you would like to contribute. Come along and listen to our young musicians show off their new skills and hear our bands perform some of the favourite tunes.
This month we have our bands and some solo entries taking part in the Aberfeldy Mòd on Saturday 13 June at Breadalbane Academy. There are lots of fabulous competitions running throughout the day as well as a Saturday night ceilidh for anyone who would like to come for a listen and a dance.
Once the performances are past, we’ll take our usual break for the summer holidays and look forward to welcoming new members in August.
If you would like to learn to play, guitar, whistle, fiddle, or accordion, we offer free tuition with a focus on learning traditional Scottish music.
A Postcard from Asheville
Classes are in small groups lasting half an hour, led by our experienced and professional trad musicians. They’re completely free and we provide instruments, without cost, for our members to take home and use as their own. Classes are suitable for P5 - S6. P4 age group can sign up now.
If you’d like to join one of our bands and can already play at least a little, they are suitable for most instruments. We welcome accordion, string, wind and brass players, guitarists, pianists, percussionists and more to come along and join in with our musical adventures.
All classes and bands run on Mondays during term time based at Birnam Arts.
½ hour group lessons – 4 to 6pm
Junior trad band (P5-S2) - 6:30 to 7:30pm
Senior trad band (S3-S6) - 7:30 to 8:30pm
We rely entirely on funding and donations to keep our group accessible to all and, as always, our thanks go to SSE Renewables, National Lottery, Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust, Basil Death Trust, Scops Arts Trust, The Lang Foundation, Hugh Fraser Foundation and Enchanted Forest for their funding, and all of the local residents and groups who have generously donated support, money and instruments.
Email dbtradgroup@gmail.com or call 07958 324 766 for more info. facebook.com/dbtradgroup instagram.com/dbtradgroup
Dear Dunkeld & Birnam,
Greetings from your Sister City in the U.S.--and my hometown--Asheville, North Carolina! Last Friday, I said a reluctant goodbye to Scotland and a joyful hello to my own village.
I want to thank all of you for your wonderful welcome in Perthshire and your participation in my residency. Sometimes words fail even a writer: I can hardly tell you how much it meant to me to be taken into your homes, organizations, institutions, town streets and woodland paths for nearly two months. I’m grateful to the many generous community members who hosted me, took me to sites along the Tay, shared their memories of and thoughts about the river, and participated in the residency programs. Thank you all. I’m deeply grateful to the residency partners—Birnam Book Festival, Friends of Asheville, Dunkeld Community Archive, Climate Café, and Birnam Arts, and to the residency sponsors—Asheville Sister Cities, Griffin and Calliachar Community Fund and Perth & Kinross Council Civic Services. Very special thanks to Fiona Ritchie for initiating and organizing the residency with me, to Scott and Nikki Herbertson for hosting me in Birnam over the most of two months, to Maxine Moy for Edinburgh hosting, and to the Birnam Oak Café for a great welcome gathering.
I also want to add a special thanks to the Birnam Library and Mags Quigley for helping with our Thursday evening group readings—and even giving me a library card, which I’m sure I’ll continue to carry in my wallet. The Birnam Library is 143 years old, and what a treasure you have in it—I hope it’ll garner all the community support it so deserves. Finally, I want to thank the young poets of the Royal School of Dunkeld who read at our final gathering; you were all fabulous!
If any of you come to the U.S., please consider a visit to Asheville, where you’ll receive North Carolina hospitality in grateful exchange. A happy spring to you all!
Elizabeth Kostova
Dunkeld Cathedral Art Exhibition
Our Preview Evening this year will be held on Friday 24th July in the Duchess Anne from 6–8pm.
The Exhibition opens at 10am on Saturday 25th July and continues until Saturday 29th August at 4pm. It will be open daily 10am–4pm and 12–4pm on Sundays.
With around 100 artists taking part, there will be paintings, wood-turned items, fused glass and cards. Work can also be seen on our website: www.dunkeldartexhibition.com
Any enquiries to: dunkekdart@aol.com
Just Singin’
Community Singing Group
We are a friendly local singing group, open to all. We offer a mix of different tutors and genres of music; learning tunes and simple harmonies by ear in a fun, supportive environment. If you get joy from singing, why not come along and join us for an evening to see what we are about, with no obligation whatsoever! We meet on Wednesday evenings at Birnam Arts at 7.30pm. Further details are on our website (justsingin.co.uk).
We are heading toward the end of our current 8-week block, with our last sessions on Wednesday 3rd and 10th June. We are fortunate to have Hannah Rarity leading us with her beautiful voice and sense of joy. We resume on Wednesday 19 August after our summer break, with the ever-popular Amy Lord kicking off the new term. Do pop along and join us if you can. A warm welcome is guaranteed.
Emergency Defibrillators
Defibrillator
The Birnam Arts Centre
North Car Park Toilets Dunkeld
Brodies Sawmill Inver
The Community Telephone Box, Butterstone
The Community Telephone Box, Willowbank,Birnam
Amulree Village Hall
Caputh Village Hall
Dalguise Village Hall
BASC office Trochry
Auchnacloich Farm, Amulree
Dunkeld and Birnam Golf Club
Office Wall, Erigmore Holiday Park
Davidson’s Chemist Dunkeld Inver Caravan Park
Sports and Recreation Hub
All these defibrillators are located externally and give 24 access
Contact shoetrees@btinternet.com
Words from Dunkeld Royal Grammar School students, and art by Shiona McArthur and Maria Navarro Pimentel.
Three Churches in the Community
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
Roderick Campbell Guion OCDS
How different everything now seems from the depths of winter. Even in troubled political times, spring seems to be full of hope. The birdsong from the woodland behind our house recalls the joy of music, an expanding hobby that fills up my spare time. During my younger days metronomes and grade exams gradually extinguished my interest in the violin. A few years ago, I came to discover a very different instrument: the fiddle. With Niel Gow having established a great music tradition here, Dunkeld provides opportunities and encouragement for fiddlers of every age and ability. Music is a difficult concept to explain. Painting and sculpture are visible output. Poetry and literature in their printed format remain available for our reflection. Music, by contrast, is relational. An individual note only exists at a given moment in time. It has no intrinsic meaning unless it’s related to other notes to form harmonies and tunes and thus become music. In this sense, live music is an art form that only exists at the time when we hear it.
In parallel, to speak of experiencing the divine is equally something that evades the grammar of linear time. It’s like a photograph of a beautiful sunset. When frozen in time, it’s not the same as the experience itself. In 16th-century Spain, John of the Cross was confined, and beaten, for nine months in a small windowless cell. Faced with a situation that appeared to be beyond hope, he decided he had no option but to surrender. Paradoxically, this brought him to experience a deep understanding of union with the divine. The famous poetry he later wrote would be his best attempt at articulating the quality of this experience. Though it gained him a literary reputation alongside his great contemporary Miguel de Cervantes, John would always insist that what he had experienced was beyond anything that could be captured by words.
Music and religion are vehicles of transcendence, where both have been working together since the earliest days. The Bible records that the psalms were originally sung, a tradition that evolved into Gregorian chant. Later came the Oratorios of Bach and Handel. More recently we have the rich environment of African American Spirituals.
Perhaps a long way from the traditional music sessions that happen at The Taybank on Thursday nights, yet here, without a sheet of written music to be seen, music bursts forth and creates its own spontaneous pathway. Music has a unique ability to draw people together. Something we must keep in mind as our world journeys through divisive times.
Prayers for Help & Healing
On the first Sunday of the month there is a short service held jointly between the Parish Church and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at 6.30. This follows the pattern of the service of healing in Iona Abbey and lasts about 45 minutes.
It is a very gentle, quiet time of worship and prayer for specific things people may mention if they want to, or you can simply join in the service and have your own time of prayer.
The next one will be on Sunday 7 June, in St. Mary’s and in Little Dunkeld on Sunday 5 July. All welcome from any church or none.
Songs & Silence
Once again there will be a series of summer evening services called ‘Songs & Silence’ – time for prayer and meditation. Using music in the Taize style (quiet and meditative), words and silence these services give an opportunity to enjoy a different type of worship in the peace of the Cathedral.
They all start at 6.30pm and last about 45 minutes. Come and enjoy the peace and quiet of prayer and reflection in the lovely setting of the Cathedral.
The dates for this summer are:
June 21st.
July 19th.
August 9th., 23rd & 30th, September 13th & 20th
Church of Scotland Services
June 7th 11am Communion Service in the Cathedral
6.30pm Prayers for Help & Healing in St. Mary’s Birnam.
June 14th 11am Morning Service in the Cathedral.
June 21st 11am Morning Service in the Cathedral. 2.15 Communion service at Amulree 6:30 Songs & Silence in the Cathedral.
June 28th 11am Morning Service in the Cathedral.
July 5th 11am Morning Service in the Cathedral.
6.30pm Prayers for Help & Healing in Little Dunkeld Kirk
July 12th 11am Morning Service in the Cathedral.
Tea and coffee are served after the morning service each week in the Chanonry.
Fellowship Group
‘Exploring faith and life together’
Two Fellowship Groups meet, fortnightly, one on a Tuesday evening and the other on Wednesday mornings, both in the Chanonry.
The Tuesday group has taken a new direction with ‘Coffee & Questions.’ Everyone has questions about life, belief or ethical issues which bother them – whether it be assisted dying or world peace or….? You are invited to come along and add your questions to the mix. One is drawn out each night to provoke discussion on that theme. So, if there is an issue about faith or life you would like to discuss with others then come along.
No special knowledge is required, just a willingness to be stretched and challenged. Upcoming meetings of the Tuesday group are the 2 and 23 June at 7pm.
The Wednesday group will meet next on 3 and 17 June, and 1 July gathering at 10:15am and starting just after the Men’s Breakfast. All Welcome.
Both meet in the Chanonry but if you would like to join by Zoom let Fraser know and that can be set up.
The Meeting Place
The Meeting Place, our regular coffee morning is in the Duchess Anne in Dunkeld on Friday mornings from 10am to 12noon. Come and join us for lovely home baking and friendly company. All welcome.
THE 3 CHURCHES CHARITY SHOP
Thank you, again, to all who supported the fundraising activities for Christian Aid. The second-hand book sale went well over two weekends in May. Thankfully the weather was good, which makes all the difference! The money from two of the Friday Meeting Places was also given to Christian Aid and there have been envelopes in local churches for people to make donations. (It is not too late to do that and if you would like an envelope they can be picked up from the pews in the Cathedral anytime and can be handed in on a Sunday morning or into the Manse.)
Every year the campaign materials tell the story of people supported by particular projects. This year we heard of two women, Friddah and Belinda, who live in Nairobi. The housing conditions in their area are amongst the worst anywhere but Christian Aid’s partner Beacon of Hope, has trained people like them in urban farming. Using systems like cone gardens and hydroponic, vertical gardening they are able to grow fresh fruit and vegetables for their families and sell the excess produce at market which frees up money for education and health care.
Many thanks to all who support Christian Aid and change lives for the better.
We are an independent local charity raising money for our 3 local churches. All money raised is divided by three equally and presented to each Church. New Volunteers always welcome – just pop in and let us know if you are interested in joining our friendly team. SC043359
Three Churches in the Community
Kirk Session
The next regular meeting of the Kirk Session is on June 16th at 7.30pm downstairs in the Duchess Anne.
Men’s Breakfast
Every second Wednesday a group of men meets in the Chanonry to start the day with a cooked breakfast together, discuss events, both local and international, and enjoy each other’s company. Upcoming dates are 3 and 17 June. There is no need to book; just turn up and enjoy and all are welcome. All the money raised from the breakfast go to Mary’s Meals.
Youth Group
A group for P.7 and Secondary age meets during term time in the Duchess Anne on Thursday evenings.
Each night we start at 7pm. and finish at 8.30pm. More information from Fraser Penny.
Messy Events
Messy Music meets after school on Tuesdays in Little Dunkeld Kirk – more details from Hazel Murch (music@dunkeldcathedral.org).
Friends of Dunkeld Cathedral
The Friends of Dunkeld Cathedral has been reconstituted recently to help with fundraising
Weekly Services
Church of Scotland: Dunkeld Cathedral at 11am. Every Sunday from Easter Sunday to Remembrance Sunday.
Little Dunkeld Kirk at 11am. Every Sunday from the Sunday following Remembrance Sunday to Palm Sunday.
Scottish Episcopal Church: St Mary’s Birnam at 10am. Every Sunday. Roman Catholic: St Columba’s, Mass 4pm. Every Saturday
Monthly and Occasional
Services
Church of Scotland, Amulree
Third Sunday of the Month 2.15pm
Contact Details:
Church of Scotland:
Congregational Office Bearers:
Minister: Rev. R. Fraser Penny,B.A. B.D., Cathedral Manse, Dunkeld, PH8 0AW
Tel: 01350 727249
e-mail: r.fraserpenny@gmail.com
Session Clerk: Alison Gillies
The Chanonry, Cathedral Street, Dunkeld PH8 0AW Tel: 07736 423198
e-mail: sessionclerk@dunkeldcathedral.org
for the work required on the Cathedral. The Friends AGM will be held in the Cathedral on Wednesday 10 June at 6.30pm. After a short business meeting Magnus Linklater will give a talk on the place of Dunkeld and the Cathedral in the history of Scotland.
Alan Marshall, the Conservation Architect in charge of the restoration work at the Cathedral, will also be present to give a brief overview of the work proposed.
Afterwards, over drinks and nibbles, there will be time to speak to members of the Friends and learn more about the plans.
The AGM is open to all and gives an opportunity to learn about the work needed to keep this building in use for future generations. It is the most significant building in the area and one which has stood at the centre of the community for centuries. Please come along on the 10th and find out more about what is going on and how you can help.
Booking Halls
Anyone who would like to book either the Duchess Anne or the Chanonry for meetings and events should contact Jill McCrory on chanonrydunkeld@gmail.com
Lifting the weight of debt in Highland Perthshire
Feeling weighed down by debt? CAP Highland Perthshire can help you. CAP (Christians Against Poverty) offers free, confidential appointments in your own home, providing practical solutions to your debt. Accredited by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), our services are available to everyone. We make no judgement on clients; we simply help you find a workable debt solution, and we offer to walk with you on your journey to being debt free.
Highland Perthshire Debt Centre Manager is Helen Kirkwood from Pitlochry. To take the first steps out of debt, call the free CAP UK debt helpline number on 0800 328 0006. Alternatively, check out CAP’s website for more information: www.capuk.org
Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert.com, highly recommends CAP as a top, free debt service. He says that, while many organisations can help you deal with debt, “If you can’t even cope with thinking about your debts, as opposed to needing someone to help you to know what to do with them, I’d go to Christians Against Poverty”. Check him out on Youtube: https://capuk.org/connect/more/video/241517924
Church Services and Contacts:
Treasurer: Mrs Louise Luke
The Chanonry, Cathedral Street, Dunkeld Tel: 07773 604372
e-mail: treasurer@dunkeldcathedral.org
Covenant Officer: Mrs. Ann Bryce
Tomnagrew House, Dunkeld PH80BX Tel: 01350 723228 e-mail: annbryce228@gmail.com
Organist & Choir Leader: Mrs Hazel Murch Tel: 07867 642954
e-mail: music@dunkeldcathedral.org
Parish Office: Mrs Jill McCrory
The Chanonry, 07808 703641 email: chanonrydunkeld@gmail.com www.dunkeldcathedral.org
St Mary’s Episcopal Church, Birnam
Sunday Quiet Prayer from 9:15am in the Chapel for 30 minutes.
Sunday Service of Holy Communion with hymns and sermon at 10am for an hour, followed by refreshments.
The church is open for visitors and private prayer every day from Easter to September
The monthly Servite worship Service is at 2pm on the last Saturday of each month, led ecumenically by folk from our 3 Churches in Dunkeld and Birnam
All Together Music Sessions (Dementia friendly): 2pm on the first Thursday of the month (except July, August)
The Rector: Rev. Tina Minett Stevens Tel: 01350 727755 Email: rector@stmarysbirnam.org.uk www.stmarysbirnam.org.uk
Treasurer: Charles Cox (contact via below) Vestry Secretary: Adrian Freer Tel: 01821 650536 Email: adrianfreer@btinetnet.com
Roman Catholic Churches Mass Times
St Columba’s Catholic Church: Birnam (PH8 0BJ)
Saturday Mass 4pm
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church: Aberfeldy (PH15 2AL)
Sunday Mass 9:30am
St Bride’s Catholic Church: Pitlochry (PH16 5AL)
Sunday Mass 11:30am
For any further information please contact: The Parish Priest: Canon Steven Mulholland stbridespitlochry@dunkelddiocese.org.uk
AIMS:
Sports, Health and Wellbeing
1: To transform the lives of people in the villages and surrounding areas through sport and leisure.
2: To promote the various sports and leisure activities in the Dunkeld & Birnam area.
3: To support the building and maintenance of sports facilities including a sports hall.
All sports and leisure clubs are invited to join ‘The Sports Hub.’ Membership is free.
Please send details of your club’s activities and events to editor@dunkeldandbirnmamnews.co.uk for inclusion in the hub page of ‘The Bridge.’
Dunkeld and Birnam Sports and Leisure Hub
Including:
Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), Tennis and Bowling
The Sports Hub (formerly the Rec Club) has overall responsibility for the clubhouse, tennis courts and bowling green and the Covered MUGA. We are a membership organisation and although people can pay per play, we are very keen to encourage locals to join as members at the very reasonable annual fee- you can decide to join just the MUGA or any combination of the clubs. The membership year runs from April but people can join any time during the year.
Visit https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ DunkeldandBirnamSportsandLeisureHub/ Membership/Join
or Contact dbsportsleisurehub@gmail.com at any time for further information.
Booking for the tennis courts and MUGA can be done online at: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ DunkeldandBirnamSportsandLeisureHub
Food Share
We welcome donations of in-date food to the food share tables, but recently we received a bag of tins which were out of date, and which we unfortunately had to discard. While everyone takes the food at their own risk, we are not supposed to leave out-of- date food, so we must request that all donations are still within useby date and that packaging is unopened.
To volunteer to help with FoodShare please contact Jan Silburn, email: j.silburn @btinternet.com.
Food Share
If you need help with food contact the confidential links- 01350 700018 or email PH8foodbank@ gmail.com
Donations for the foodbank are collected at the Co-op.
Dalguise Meditation Group
Do you have to be fit to join a gym? Of course not. And you don’t have to be calm, focussed and full of lovingkindness to begin to meditate. Quite the reverse, in fact: Calm, focus, and compassion are some of the qualities that a meditation practice can help you to develop. Whether you are completely new to meditation or have an established practice, you are welcome to come to our meetings. We meet on the first and third Tuesdays of every month, from 10.30 to 12.30 in Dalguise Village Hall. June, meetings are on Tuesdays the 2nd and 16th. We enjoy sitting and walking meditations, discussions and refreshments. There are no charges, no formalities, and no religious affiliations.
If you aren’t able to attend in person, you might be interested in joining our mailing list. Members receive thought-provoking and helpful compilations about meditation and mindful living, in the weeks between live meetings. If you would like to know more about our meetings or about meditation in general, please do contact faithanstey@gmail.com
Breadalbane & District Riding for the Disabled (SCO47991)
We were all delighted to have started the new term on a dry sunny morning and welcomed back our returning riders along with three new pupils. Two of the newcomers had never ridden before but quickly mounted up after their initial induction. The ponies always seem to know what is required of them and they certainly looked after all the riders who settled into their saddles and enjoyed the challenges of ‘bending poles’ and ‘hunt the bean bags.’ Using games and tasks whilst riding helps the children to forget their nerves and find their natural balance and rhythm in the saddle.
The more experienced riders have started to work on rising trot, which can be difficult for anyone to master, at first, but is an important skill. All the riders love a bit of speed. Trotting is very popular and provides a thorough workout for the leaders and volunteers who run alongside.
New volunteers are needed to ensure the longterm survival of the group. Knowledge of ponies or riding is not essential, just a willingness to learn. Do get in touch by contacting Helen at breadalbanerda@gmail.com
AGM of Dunkeld and Birnam District Leisure Group
The postponed AGM of the Leisure Group (Sports Hall Project) will be held at the Co-Working Space on Tuesday 16th June at 730pm. All welcome!
Three Churches in the Community
Summer Music Festival 2026
We are delighted to announce that the Dunkeld Cathedral Summer Music Festival is confirmed to run from May to August this year with concerts:
• Every Wednesday lunchtime from 12pm to 1pm throughout the festival, until 26 August.
• Additional Sunday afternoon concerts from 3pm to 4pm throughout July and August, beginning Sunday 5 July with our finale concert on Sunday 30 August.
The 2026 Festival is now full and the latest concert schedule is shown below.
Note there are some extra concerts in June. We look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible to enjoy music in the wonderful acoustic of Dunkeld Cathedral.
June
3 Dunkeld and District Strathspey & Reel Society
10 Kevin Ayesh piano
13 Hannah Leggatt-McPhee soprano & Jack Wood piano
17 Pete Clark & Muriel Johnstone fiddle & piano duo
19 Plaidsong : Nicky Small and Syd House – Songs from Scotland’s History & Landscape
24 Teresa Barros Pereira Romão harp
27 Voces Thules @ 15:00. A vocal and instrumental ensemble from Iceland: Eggert Pálsson, Einar Jóhannesson, Eiríkur Hreinn Helgason, Eyjólfur Eyjólfsson & Sigurður Halldórsson.
28 Organ Recital by David Hamilton @ 15:00 Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
For future listings see our website www.dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk
Sit- in & Take-away
Hours: Mon to Sat 9:30am – 4pm Sun: 10am to 4pm
Birnam Oak Café, nestled in the heart of Birnam, the gateway to the Highlands. A short walk from Dunkeld & Birnam station, and with the Beatrix Potter Garden, the Birnam Oak Tree and the beautiful River Tay only a few minutes away by foot. All our dishes and prepared fresh to order. We’re a small, friendly team who really care about what we do, . Pop in to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, the tunes, the coffee, the food & the craic!
• Breakfast: Traditional & Workers breakfasts, filled croissants, Dunkeld smoked salmon with Rotmell regenerative farmed eggs, creamy porridge, home-made pancakes, breakfast rolls…every morning until 12
• Lunch: Home-made soups & quiche, baked potatoes, club sandwiches, toasties, wraps, paninis, sandwiches, summer salads, mixed cheese & meat boards, veggie boards & kids’ funky lunchboxes.
• Coffee: We only serve Glen Lyon Coffee to ensure you experience the best in coffee making & tasting. Tea: Loose-leaf tea served in tea-pots & with our beautiful mix of donated Bone China. Real tea, real teacups!!
• Treats: Delicious selection of cakes/traybakes, cheesecake, apple pie, crumble, scones & pastries…we like to change it up all the time and always try to cater for various dietary requirements
• Wine: Fantastic collection of wine from around the globe for both off -sales and on-sales….come & enjoy a glass of wine/cheese/nibbles with friends in The Nest, our relaxing sofa & comfy chair zone.
• Antipasti: Deli counter filled with a lovely choice of cheeses, meats, olives, sundried tomatoes, artichokes.
• Gifts: A lovely selection of pocket-sized gifts, cards and accessories.
• Evening Tapas is back! From the 1st week in June all through summer on Thur, Fri, Sat every week initially Phone to book: 01350 729336, or email: manager@birnamoakcafe.co.uk or message us on: Facebook/Instagram
Contact us to discuss your catering requirements. Ashleigh makes all the amazing food, bursting with flavour. Jane does what Ashleigh tells her to do….it works really well ! email: hello@feast-catering.com
Three Churches Charity Shop
High Street Dunkeld
April, change of seasons, lots of lovely Spring/Summer clothing and shoes will be appearing on our rails, as well as a variety of bric a brac as usual in the shop
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am - 4pm If you are interested in volunteering, please enquire in the shop for more info. Find us on Facebook at 3 Churches Charity Shop
DunkeldCo-WorkingSpace
FRIDAYS: 8:30AM-5:30PM
BookOnlineOrContactBren www.atlas-osteopathy.com
osteopathyatlas@gmail.com
07871275572
£65forinitialappointment
Nature and Climate
Gardening & Growing Club – Join Us!
Love plants? Whether you’re a windowsill potterer or a plot-taming pro, our Gardening & Growing Club is for you!
We’re a friendly bunch who enjoy learning, sharing tips, and meeting fellow garden enthusiasts. Our year is packed with inspiring talks, garden visits, social events, and our big annual show in August. First meeting FREE – come along and give it a try! Annual membership: Just £25 for a year of greenfingered.
Everyone’s welcome! Drop by, meet like-minded folks, and grow something wonderful with us. For more info dbggclub@gmail.com
START OF THE NEW GARDENING AND GROWING YEAR
10th June Sally Lorimore of Willowhill to give a talk on the Hellebores at Willowhill Gardens
15th July 2026 Murthly Walled Garden
22nd August 2026 The Annual Show, Birnam Arts: Schedule available in July/August Bridge
16th September 2026 Falkland Palace Gardens
14th October 2026 Talk on Cacti and Succlents
18th November 2026 Wreath making at the Guide Hall
Evergreen Gardening Group
We are hosting tabletop/accessible “gardening” sessions in the Servite Community Lounge (Willowbank, Little Dunkeld)
Our next session is Thursday 11 June 10:30 to 12.
We are an informal group that has begun meeting once a month at the community lounge at Servite (Willowbank), “gardening” indoors and, weather permitting, on the terrace outside where we have a waist-height planter where you can work from a chair if you need to. So far this year we’ve had tabletop activities centered on herbs and roses. In May, we managed to dodge the showers and revamp the planter with some summer bedding, while an indoor team sowed seeds of annuals to be brought on for later planting and sharing with the community.
We welcome all members of the community – you don’t need to live at Servite to come along. If you normally need someone to help you with mobility or other health issues, please come together as we can’t provide this level of support. There’s no charge for attending, and tea/coffee are provided. Booking isn’t essential but it’s helpful to have an idea of who’s coming, as well as any particular interests or things we should be aware of that will help us with session planning. There’s also the possibility of the session having to be cancelled at short notice and we would like to be able to contact you to save a wasted journey.
You can call, text or email me – Mel Nicoll (volunteer co-ordinator for the group) on 07876 118625 or mel@cavecrag.com Look forward to seeing you!
8
Part of the growing Climate Café® movement that began in this village over ten years ago, the Climate Café® Dunkeld & Birnam offers a welcoming space to share ideas, news, concerns, practical actions and find out more about local initiatives to tackle the climate emergency – all over a friendly cuppa. The café connects our community with the wider network of Climate Café® spaces springing up across Scotland and beyond, making it easy to learn, connect, and take action together.
Join the chat and action in the Coworking Space in Little Dunkeld, the first Thursday of every month from 7pm to 9pm. There’s no formal agenda, chat is led by those who come along, it is a place to share information, keep up with events, get support with your ideas and find inspiration. Find out more at www.climate.cafe or follow the conversation online #ClimateCafe #DrinkChatAct
Paths & Nature Action Group
We made up for a quiet start to spring in late April and May. Several additional swift nest boxes went out. The first bird to return here was on 9 May, and went straight to its nest box. It’s been lining it with feathers caught on the wing. A few years ago, “Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels” halted the spread of grey squirrels in our area. We remain on the red-grey frontline, and to have launched a local initiative to deal with the occasional greys penetrating from the south. The greys may have heard the news, as they’ve been scarcely seen since! Down by the river, we fitted more mesh guards to protect native trees from beaver gnawing; and helped our PKC Greenspace Ranger re-align a short section of path that was damaged when a large beech tree was blown down. The section has been fenced, and you are hereby warned to avoid the infirm ground behind it.
Having felt good about the demise of the ostrich fern and Italian arum near The Oak, more has popped up there and at two new locations. The most likely origin being gardens or dumped garden waste. We started on the fast-spreading stands of few-flowered leek (like wild garlic but
News from the Community Orchard
The community orchard has been cared for by volunteers since 2008, providing thousands of apples and other fruit for the community over the years. We’ve got about 27 varieties of apple (along with pears, cherries, plums, and soft fruit) which for a community orchard is pretty impressive. RHS Wisley has 700 but this is nothing compared to the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale in Kent which has one of the largest fruit collections in the world, and around 3,500 named apple, pear, plum, cherry, vine and cob nut cultivars. Our trees include many older and heritage varieties which you can’t buy in the shops.
The community orchard is a popular route to the river, for a wander amongst the trees and for a picnic lunch at one of the tables. If you’d like to meet some of the team and find out more about volunteering, please let us know – we’ll be there on Thursday, 11 June at 6pm and on Friday 26 June
with narrower leaves); and on white butterbur (small version of monk’s rhubarb) down the Bankfoot Road. As Himalayan balsam-pulling season approaches, we need a few more people to adopt patches and keep them clear. If you could help, please get in touch, no experience needed. If there’s a section of path you would like to see improved, please get in touch as we put together our plans for the rest of the year.
stewartpritchard@aol.com
at 2pm, along with flasks of tea and coffee –and cake! If you can’t manage these times, please let us know and we’ll find another date.
Did you know that later in June and into July apple trees will shed some of their emerging fruit? This June “drop” is quite normal. The trees shed some of their fruit as they can only support a certain number – you can also thin out excess small fruits, but it’s best to wait until the extent of the “drop” is known. Younger trees may lose more than more-established trees due to competition for carbohydrates from the shoots and roots.
To get in touch email dunkeldbirnamorchard@gmail.com or find and follow us on social media.
Nature and Climate
Where people and nature thrive
Dun Coillich is a community owned landscape regeneration and rural skills training project in Glen Goulandie. Highland Perthshire Communities Land Trust owns and manages the land for wildlife and the local community.
Summer events
We have an exciting programme of summer events lined up (see www.duncoillich.org/whats-on/), including the following:
• Summer Moth Morning – On Saturday 27 June local moth recorder and enthusiast Susanna Wellock will lead a restful morning of moth marvelling. 9.30-10.30
• The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – On Saturday 25 July our Forest Manager Willie McGhee will lead a walk to share information about the developing woodland at Dun Coillich. 9.3011.30
Our events are free for HPCLT members, and we ask for a suggested donation of £5 from nonmembers. Booking is essential, please email projectofficer@hpclt.org.
Business partnership scheme
We are delighted to welcome Glen Lyon Coffee Roasters and Taiga Upland as the first business partners of Dùn Coillich and hope to welcome more local partners in future.
Jamie Grant of Glen Lyon Coffee Roasters said: “We are delighted to come on board as official partners. We have long admired the conservation and education work at Dùn Coillich and recently enjoyed helping plant 250 oak saplings to mark the start of the partnership.”
Taiga Upland also has a long-standing relationship with HPCLT, with several trainees progressing into employment with the company after gaining practical experience and skills through Dùn Coillich and partner organisations. Get involved!
There are many ways to get involved with our small charity’s work:
• Membership - costs £20 a year; our members become part of our community. Further details at Support Us 2025.
• Volunteering - every Tuesday we enjoy time outdoors doing something practical.
• Become a trustee - to help steer the work of HPCLT among a friendly group of fellow board members.
• Business partnership s cheme – a way for local businesses to support communities, nature and our work
More information
Visit Dun Coillich website to find out more about where we are and what we do or follow the Dun Coillich Community Land Facebook Group for regular updates.
Dunkeld and Birnam Men’s Shed in Action with Community Project
Birnam Oak sign Refurbishment
The Birnam Oak is a popular tourist attraction. Famously featured in Shakespeare’s MacBeth, the Birnam Oak is the oldest tree in Birnam wood ( >500yrs ) and can be accessed by following a clearly marked pathway along the banks of the river Tay. The original signage was installed in the early 2000s, coincident with the Perthshire Big Tree Country project. The two signs that direct people to the Birnam Oak were showing signs of rot, with the lettering unreadable: A perfect project for the Dunkeld and Birnam Men’s Shed charity. Masterminded and managed by Stewart Pritchard, and funded by Perth and Kinross Countryside
Trust, the iconic Birnam Oak signs, made from Douglas Fir, have been refurbished. They were removed and dried, trimmed of all rot, and relettered with the original messages: ‘not me’ and ‘keep going.’ A coating in hard oil was applied for colour emphasis and a layer of protection. The signs were then re-sited, using posts to keep them off the ground, for better longevity. This project demonstrates how Dunkeld and Birnam Men’s Shed can help with local community projects while enjoying camaraderie and outdoor activity along the way.
The ‘Shed’ is open Tuesdays from 1pm to 5pm. We have several community projects on the go. If you would like to participate, please feel free to stop by to learn new skills, alongside a group of supportive men. The best part is that membership is free! Please call Jackie on 07777 696953 for more info or just drop in: Unit 5 Birnam Industrial estate.
Repair Cafe: Bin it? No Way!! Monday June 1st Last meet-up before the summer break!
Have you still got things stored away waiting to be mended? Jumper with a hole in? Broken ornament? Lamp with a loose wire? Broken or shooglie leg on a stool or small chair? Anything portable - bring them to our next café on Monday June 1st 3pm to 6pm in the Birnam Arts Community Room next to the Library
Our lovely volunteers work for free. The only cost might be for spare parts. Donations also welcome to help with running costs.
Come along and have a tea or a coffee and we’ll see if we can help. We’ll also pass on some vital repair skills if you want to learn to fix things. Come and see what we do.
Future dates are starting again on
Monday 7th September
Monday 5th October
Monday 2nd November
Monday 7th December
Contact for queries dbrepaircafe@gmail.com
Dunkeld and Birnam in Bloom
May was a very busy month. Thank you to everyone who supported us with coffee morning, offered donations, or bought a plant in St Ninians. We raised a fantastic £698.75. Thanks to the volunteers for their hard work and for such a selection of goodies. At our AGM, committee members were voted back in for another year, including Liz Ibbetson (treasurer) Betty Common (secretary) and myself as Chair. We planted up the remaining three planters at Birnam Arts which the Men’s Shed had repaired.
Those driving through Birnam may have noticed the large blue bags of topsoil, 10 tons of it, which we needed for the pollinator border, planted with plants from the Council and some volunteers. The window of good weather made the work easier, and the rain arrived just as we finished planting. We had a full-team morning at Lagmhor on Monday 25 May to cut back heathers and try and control the elephant’s ears.
We meet on Monday mornings at 10am. Groups can be found in St Ninian’s Garden, Dunkeld and Torwood Park, Birnam. Anyone who would like to come and join us, please do. Thank you.
Moira (07931 758 456)
RBS mobile bank visits Dunkeld and Birnam. Thursdays:
Is a Heat Pump Right for Your Home?
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At RW Bell Green Energy, we’ve been installing heat pumps across Scotland with fantastic results. Based in Highland Perthshire since 1947, and with many years of experience, we know what works — and we’ll give you honest, expert advice.
PAINTING & DECORATING
07818
Dunkeld
Birnam Guidehall, Little Dunkeld
Community Noticeboard
Tayside And Strathearn Help For Ukraine
Once again, we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of people in Dunkeld and Birnam. Many of you have left donations at LCM Vans, Ltd, Unit 3 Ruthvenfield Ave, Perth PHI 3WB or at Precious Sparkle, 4-6 Bridge Lane, Perth PH1 5JJ. We are greatly indebted to the volunteers at the 3 churches charity shop in Dunkeld who display our current leaflet showing what our Partners in Ukraine require. The essential items remain the same, namely toiletries, sanitary products from cradle to grave, and food.
*Please note that, at present, adult clothes are NOT required unless they are brand new, which are sent to hospitals. Adult shoes are STILL in demand. The only clothes being sent at present are for the 0–2-year-olds, who also need baby equipment and nappies.
Looking ahead to the summer holidays, we would love to receive any sports equipment, games, and art materials as one of our partners runs summer camps for children and teenagers.
If anyone can provide a collection point in Dunkeld or Birnam, we would love to hear from you at Info@tash4ukraine,org.uk
Thank you and best wishes, Susette Walker, volunteer.
Delivery thanks and call for a volunteer for Birnam route
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helps deliver The Bridge — your support means we reach most of the community. If you know anyone who might be willing to take on a small, monthly local delivery round, please do encourage them to get involved. Even a few extra letterboxes make a real difference. Currently “recruiting” for someone
to cover around 60 houses in central Birnam! It would also be great to hear from people who would be happy to be on a “standby” list so we can contact you if we need help one month due to illness, holidays etc amongst our normal team. Anyone interested can contact Mel, at deliveries@ dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk
Birnam and Dunkeld Film Society
The AGM for the Birnam and Dunkeld Film Society will be held at the Guide Hall opposite the Royal School of Dunkeld at 7pm on Sunday 12 July. All welcome!
Dunkeld and Birnam Fire Station
It’s been a rewarding month for the crew at Dunkeld and Birnam Fire Station, with a focus on community engagement and operational
training. We welcomed children from Puddleduck Nursery and the Royal School of Dunkeld Nursery for a special visit to the station. These visits are a highlight and provide a great opportunity to introduce young people to basic fire safety in a fun and engaging way. The kids learned important fire safety messages, including what to do if they discover a fire and how to stay safe at home. The visits also let them explore the fire engine up close. They climbed aboard and
had a look at the equipment we use. There were plenty of smiles, and a few splashes, for the kids had the supervised chance to practise spraying water from the hose. Thanks to the staff from both nurseries for helping make the visits such a success.
Alongside community work, the crew maintains a high level of operational readiness through regular training every Wednesday evening. This month, we joined a large-scale training exercise at Blair Castle, including crews from Pitlochry, Aberfeldy and Kirkmichael, all working with the Blair Castle estate team and Police Scotland. The realistic scenario required coordination, communication, and incident. Multi-agency training exercises like this strengthen partnerships between emergency services and local organisations, and ensure that responders can work effectively together during complex incidents.
We’re currently looking to recruit new retained firefighters from the local area. If you’re interested in making a difference in your community, get in touch for more information.
DESPERATELY SEEKING PREMISES
Dunkeld and Birnam Men’s Shed are looking for a new Workshop.
Our current accommodation is sadly only temporary, and we are looking for premises to continue carrying out all our splendid work for the good and benefit of the Community and Men’s Mental Health.
Do you have or know of a building that we could use? Please get in touch.
We’re on Facebook.
Or telephone Neil on 07713216839.
OUR VISION
Community Developments
A New Care at Home Initiative in Rural Perthshire
“We help create caring communities where everyone is valued, connected, and supported to live their best life.”
OUR MISSION
“Drawing on local understanding, we provide community-led support that connects people with each other and the help they need to thrive.”
Scotland’s rural communities face a growing care crisis. With an ageing population and rising demand for support, too many people in remote areas are being left without the help they need. In small, rural communities like Dunkeld and Birnam & Rannoch and Tummel which rank among Scotland’s 10% most access-deprived areas – the absence of reliable care at home has meant delayed hospital discharges, growing pressure on families, and people unable to remain in the homes and communities they love.
That is the challenge Heartland Cares has been created to meet. A new community-owned, not-forprofit social enterprise, Heartland Cares has been established to deliver vital care at home, befriending and wellbeing support across both communities. Built on social enterprise principles, every decision we make is guided by one simple belief: what is best for the people we serve. By enabling faster hospital discharge, creating local jobs and keeping people connected to their communities, Heartland Cares aims to strengthen the social fabric of rural Perthshire – for the long term.
Meet Eilidh – Our Local Care Connector for Dunkeld & Birnam
You may well recognise her from being a part of the local care group and facilitating local care through PH8 Caring support for the past few years through self-directed support and befriending services. We are delighted that she has joined Heartland Cares as our Local Care Connector (Dunkeld & Birnam) where she would be facilitating home care for local families.
Eilidh brings over 10 years’ experience in health and social care and is excited to be part of Heartland Cares. She looks forward to seeing you all in the community soon!
Heartland Cares is currently building its team and preparing to launch services across both communities. If you would like to stay informed, volunteer, work with us or simply learn more, we warmly invite you to get in touch: info@heartlandcares.org
Birnam and Dunkeld Junctions Action Group (JAG)
In August 2025, we met with Transport Scotland (TS) and BEAR. They concluded a temporary local roundabout too expensive and challenging to build. Concerned that cost and practical constraints would stall safety improvements at the junctions, we agreed on several action points documented in the meeting minutes:
4. Annual Road Safety Review. The Birnam and Dunkeld Junctions were highlighted in the 2025 Annual Road safety review. TS agreed to send a copy of their report to JAG once it had been presented to the A9 Road Safety Group.
5. TS undertook to report back before the end of the financial year pointing out that there was no budget this financial year for any works on this section.
Additionally, we sent photos of signs we have seen which we would like to see in our area, such as those I saw on the A9 between Perth and Stirling: neon signs stating “traffic ahead turning.”
At the Scottish Parliament discussion on the A9 dualling on January 14th 2026, Fiona Hyslop, then the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, stated that there would be traffic lights and a speed limit in our area. She stated that the Birnam and Dunkeld Junctions had been highlighted in the annual road safety review.
We have yet to receive any report back from Transport Scotland about the actions that they agreed to investigate, or copies of the report or new signage that they are looking at for our area. We have written again to request this information. We have asked candidates to commit to regular progress meetings with Transport Scotland, BEAR, and ourselves to ensure the time-sensitive dual carriageway project moves forward while the new Transport Secretary gets up to speed.
At the Birnam Arts climate hustings, we questioned Scottish Parliament candidates about junction safety, and John Swinney—now First Minister and our MSP—committed to regular progress meetings.
In addition, the following points regarding signs warning motorists that there are pedestrians crossing on the A9 by Inver have been raised with TS:
City Link and Ember buses between Edinburgh and Inverness stop on the A9 lay-by, near Inver village, at a stop called Inver Rose Cottage.
Home Repairs and Improvements
Carpentry : Plumbing : Tiling Glazing and Decorating
SERVING PERTHSHIRE FOR 30 YEARS NO JOB TOO SMALL
Chris Wylie
2 Millhole Road, Spittalfield, Perthshire. PH1 4JR Phone: 01738 710671 / 07925 844491
1. TS/ BEAR will look at the signage in the area and has invited suggestions from the BADJAG group for signs.
2. TS/BEAR and Police Scotland to investigate reducing the speed limit through the area for HGVs and cars on a temporary basis.
3. TS/BEAR will investigate traffic signals at the Dunkeld Junction for the period before the dualling and report back by the end of the financial year.
Dunkeld Mobile Service
Thursdays 9.00am – 10.00am
• Northbound, there’s an accessible path leading to and from the bus stop. No easily accessible path leads to the Southbound stop. This means passengers must walk across the A9. This stop is close to the entrance to The Hermitage, and people are getting lost as they do not know how to access the bus stops.
Time is running out as the planned dual carriageways will soon sandwich us, while local A9 junction accidents and near misses continue at an alarming rate.
We continue pressing for safety improvements. Contact Pam Green and David Bee at pammgreen@ btinternet.com.
Dunkeld North End Car Park, Atholl Street, Dunkeld, PH8 0AR
Services
• Royal Mail & Parcelforce Worldwide
• Cash withdrawls
• Cash Deposits
Alternative Branches:
• Everyday Personal & Business Banking
• Cheque Deposits
• Driving: vehicle tax
Please check opening times and that these branches have the services you require.
Murthly: Mon-Thurs 9am - 13.00, Friday 9am - 13.00 (5.1 miles)
Spittalfield Mobile Service: Thurs 10:15 - 10:45 (5.2 miles)
Bankfoot: Mon, Wed and Fri 9:30 - 11:30 (5.3 miles)
Pitlochry: Mon-Sun 9am - 20.00 (13 miles)
Ballinluig: Mon, Thurs, Fri, 09:00 - 12:00, 13:00 - 17:30 (8.6 miles)
Perth Muirton: 113 Dunkeld Road Perth PH1 5BS Mon-Fri 9am - 17:00, Sat 9am - 13.00 (13 miles)
Learning and Community History
Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries
The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge is themed “Read to the Beat!” and launches on Saturday 27 June 2026 in all Culture Perth & Kinross libraries. This free program encourages children aged 4–11 to read six books over the summer holidays, focusing on music, sound science, and storytelling. Sign up at any Culture Perth & Kinross library, and children can receive a challenge pack, stickers along the way, and a certificate and medal when they complete the challenge.
Watch out for details of events taking place at Birnam Library on the Culture Perth and Kinross website or ask in the library for details. You can also visit the Summer Reading Challenge website to read, share, create and play interactive games.
Bookbug sessions - every Thursday from 10.30am to 11am. Come and join us for a session of songs, stories, and rhymes for under 5s. Prebooking for each session is essential. Please get in touch with the library to book a spot.
Books on Wheels - For individuals who cannot get out and about to visit the library, this includes books in large print and audio formats.
For further information, please get in touch with the library.
Bin Straps - Are you having issues with your grey-lidded bin toppling over in high winds and spilling its contents? Why not collect a bin strap for your grey lidded bin at any Culture Perth & Kinross library? Stock is limited; only one bin strap per grey bin.
Recycling – All Culture Perth & Kinross libraries, including Birnam, accept used stamps and batteries for recycling.
Maximum borrowing limit - Did you know that the maximum number of items you can now borrow on your Culture Perth & Kinross library card at any one time is 12?
E-resources - Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries offer online library services available 24/7 via the library website at www.culturepk. org.uk/libraries or by downloading the library app. Services include browsing the catalogue, online joining, requesting and renewing items. A selection of e-resources is also available, including e-books, e-audiobooks, e-magazines, e-news and e-reference resources, including trove.scot, Theory Test PRO and Ancestry.
12 The Cross, Dunkeld, PH8 0AN.
www.historicdunkeld.org.uk manager@historicdunkeld.org.uk 01350 727786
LIVING HISTORY EVENTS 2026
DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES
Regular opening hours:
Sunday - Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 5pm to 7pm
Friday: 12pm to 5pm
Saturday: 9.30am to 12pm
Birnam Library, Station Road, Birnam, DUNKELD PH8 0DS
Contact: 01738 459709
birnamlibrary@culturepk.org.uk
Library Community Challenge!
Friends of Birnam Library are setting the community a challenge to double the number of active borrowers in our community from 220 – 440 by September 2026 and show to everyone how much we value Birnam Library! It’s free to join the library – just pop along to the library to join or renew your membership if you have lost your card – and you don’t even need to be able to read to join .. you can join as soon as you are born! Please check that your membership is with Birnam Library so your membership counts towards our target!
Did you know .. our library also has jigsaws for borrowing and space for book groups to meet? You can also order books on-line using the Spydus app which is free to download.
If you would like to join the community group contact us at:
OPENING HOURS
Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm
June Sun 28th (WORKSHOP 12 tickets only) - Step into a richly detailed Jacobean-inspired apothecary brought to life by The Historical Herbalists CIC. Refreshments, lunch and materials included.
July Wed 29th July (WORKSHOP 12 tickets only) - Join Emma from Bog Born Crafts for a chance to use the techniques and tools of Neolithic and Bronze Age people to craft replica Beaker-style pottery. Refreshments, lunch and materials included.
August Fri 21st to Sun 23rd – Jacobite Festival 2026; The 21st is the 337th anniversary of the battle of Dunkeld. Sir Arthur Erskine Regiment camp in Stanley Hill park, guided Dunkeld battlefield tours and an evening talk on the Battle of Killiecrankie.
FOR FULL DETAILS AND BOOKING INFORMATION SCAN HERE
Or, visit our web site www.historicdunkeld.org.uk/whats-on
YOUNG ARCHAEOLOGIST CLUB
Fortnightly on a Thursday, 3.30pm to 5pm in the Archive for children age 8 – 16. Next meeting - Thursday 4th June.
SUPPORT US BY BECOMING A MEMBER + ADULT ARCHAEOLOGY/HISTORY CLUB
By becoming a member of Historic Dunkeld you can help support our developing museum. We also have an annual get-together. You can choose to just be a supporter, or you can sign up for our archaeology and history club (local community only) where you will gain access to all our talks, skills workshops and fieldwork, and get half-price tickets to most of our events. For further details contact manager@historicdunkeld.org.uk
MONDAY MEMORIES CLUB
Monday in the Archive from 3pm to 4.30pm in the Archive. Reminisce over tea/coffee & biscuits. If you need transport please get in touch as we have a taxi available.
Newsletter
To keep up with all our news and what’s on in Historic Dunkeld, sign up for our free monthly newsletter.
Sign up at www.historicdunkeld.org.uk
friendsofbirnamlibrary@gmail.com
Friends of Birnam Library : A Community Group committed to a bright and sustainable future for Birnam Library
Highland Perthshire Plus
Highland Perthshire Plus’s Star Project supports school leavers and adults aged 16+ with additional support needs or disabilities through volunteering, skills development and community activities. Led by Amanda and a dedicated team, the project offers cooking, gardening, woodworking and café sessions, helping participants build confidence, independence and community connections. The programme runs Mondays and Tuesdays, 10am–4pm, for 50 weeks of the year, with flexible attendance and no charge for participation. Transport and support can be arranged where needed. For more information, visits or application forms contact Amanda at projectcoordinator@hpplus.net.
Rivendell provides high quality care and support for you and your elderly relative. Based in Birnam and Dunkeld our homely environment provides a safe and fun community spirit. Our trained staff provide care and support for all your needs 24 hours a day, we are always there.
So, if you are looking for social contact, a safe and supportive environment, support with health or medical needs then contact us. Our mission is to provide a home for life, so come and live life with us.
Please phone 01350 727413 and speak to Gina or email: manager@rivendellcarehome.co.uk.com for more information.
Posts, Rails and slats Ranch Boards, Garden Sleepers -Various sizes Loose Bark and Woodchip
Mon-Fri 8.00am to 5.00pm Sat 10.00am to 11.00am
Lizzy
Colin Gerrie Mobile: 07836 343967 Telephone: 01350 727364 Email: wkgerrie.inver@gmail.com
www.dunkeldfuneraldirectors.co.uk
07946 861520
grahamrobb@grahamrobb.co.uk www.grahamrobb.co.uk
Openinghours: Thursday:5pm–7pm Friday:12pm–5pm Saturday:9.30am–12pm
BirnamLibraryissituatedinthe BirnamArtsCentre, StationRoad,Birnam,PH80DS Tel:01738459709
Birnam Library is run by Culture Perth and Kinrossa charitable trust bringing art, culture, books, learning, creative communities and local history and heritage to people across the whole of Perth and Kinross. https://www.culturepk.org.uk/
Notes from a Councillor
The community would like to thank all our three local councillors for all the work they do on behalf of our community.
Councillor Grant Laing (Independent) 01738 475000 or 07881 500501
Email: GLaing@pkc.gov.uk
Councillor Ian James (Conservative) 01738 475000
Email: IJames@pkc.gov.uk
Councillor Claire McLaren (Scottish Liberal Democrats) 01738 475000
Email: ClaireMcLaren@pkc.gov.uk
Mail for all: Perth & Kinross Council, 2 High Street, Perth PH1 5PHG.
News from our Community Council
The Dunkeld & Birnam Community Council continues to work on a wide range of local issues affecting residents and visitors across the area.
A major focus remains the A9 dualling programme. A Public Local Inquiry has now been confirmed for the Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing
MURD O F RA S ER MS P
Me m ber of the Sco ttish Parl iament for Mid Sco t la nd & Fi fe Reg io n
FOR H EL P & ADVIC E
Det ails of regul ar su rg eries in the l ocal Pres s
You can cont ac t Mur do on 0 17 38 5 53 67 6 or wr i te to him at The Sco tt i sh Pa rl iament, Ed in burgh E H9 9 1SP E ma il : murd o. fra se r. msp@ pa rl ia me nt .sc ot
The cost of this publ
section following unresolved objections to the current plans. The Community Council says it will continue pressing for solutions that improve transport while also protecting local quality of life.
Traffic, parking and road safety also remain high priorities. Recent work has included discussions around better pedestrian signage for the bridge system, stronger parking enforcement during busy periods, additional parking options, and development of a village parking map to help visitors find available spaces more easily. Longer-term
CO UNCILL OR G RANT LAIN G ( Independent ) 01 738 47 50 00 or 07 8 81 5 00 501
E ma il : GLai ng @ pk c.gov.uk
CO UNCILL OR IAN JAME S (C o nser vat ive) 01 7 38 4 750 00
E ma il : IJam es@ pk c.gov. uk
CO UNCILL OR CLAIRE MCLARE N (Scottish Liberal Democrats) 01 73 8 47 5 00 0
E ma il : Cl a ireMcL a re n@ pk c.g ov.uk
traffic calming and strategic parking reviews are also being explored.
The proposed North Logiealmond Wind Farm has been delayed until Summer 2026 while further environmental assessment work is carried out. The Community Council says it will continue to scrutinise the plans carefully once formally submitted.
Meanwhile, a new planning application relating to Deans Park/Newtyle Quarry is due to be considered. Residents are being encouraged to review the application and submit comments directly to Perth & Kinross Council if they wish.
The next meetings of the Community Council are on
Monday 29 June 20276
Monday 31 August 2026
Monday 26 October 2026 (AGM) Monday 30 November 2026
JOHN SWINNEY, MSP for PERTHSHIRE NORTH can be contacted at: 17-19 LESLIE STREET, BLAIRGOWRIE Tel: 01250 876576
SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT, EDINBURGH EH99 1SP Tel: 0131 348 5717
e-mail: john.swinney.msp@parliament.scot
June ‘Stick on the Fridge’
Local Organisations - Contact Details
Listing for local voluntary organisations are free however The Bridge welcomes donations to cover the cost of these listings. Please send donations to Kirsty Gowans adverts@dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk Many thanks. Please contact the editor with amendments/additions.
Organisations - General
Phone 01350+
3 Churches Charity Shop 07751 593421 Anne Graham
Alcoholics Anonymous (Helpline) 0800 917 7650
Chapter House Museum 727786 Ruth Brown (in Dunkeld Cathedral, open 7 days) archive@historicdunkeld.org.uk
D&B Paths and Nature Action Group stewartpritchard@aol.com
DBDCDT Dunkeld Birnam District 07864 232116 Community Development Trust www.dbdtrust.org/
Dunkeld & Birnam Community Orchard 727048 Katharine Melville dunkeldbirnamorchard@gmail.com
Dunkeld & Birnam Historical Society 07584 434253 Dave Roberts daveroberts132@btinternet.com
Dunkeld & Birnam in Bloom 07931 758456 Moira Forbes Forbes50@hotmail.co.uk
Dunkeld & Birnam Men’s Shed 07777 696953 Jackie MacLean dbmensshed@outlook.com
Dunkeld Masonic Lodge 724232 Tom Gordon secyonefour@gmail.com
Dunkeld Community Archive 727786 Ruth Brown
(Mon – Fri, 10am – 3pm) archive@historicdunkeld.org.uk
Friends of the Cathedral 728697 John Gray friends@dunkkeldcathedral.org
Gardening and Growing Club (Horti) 07740 982465 Andrea Cox acox325@gmail.com
National Trust for Scotland 07548 757060 Karen Clark kclark@nts.org.uk
Royal British Legion 728811 Kevin Forsyth Kevforsyth@hotmail.com
Repair Café 07788746127 Liz Duguid dbrepaircafe@googlemail.com
RVS 01738 633975 Geoff Bird
(Supporting You At Home and perthsupportingyou@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk Home Library Service)
SWRI 723203 / 07783 618535 Jane Gordon cjsgordon7@gmail.com
SWRI Amulree 723203 Jane Anderson
The Field 07584 434253 Dave Roberts dblandtrust@btinternet.com
The Meeting Place (Fri, DA) 07474 183042 Margaret Scott Tourist Association 723297 Adrian Blundell
Community Learning & Development
PKC CLD Staff 01738 459701 Cat Gordon/Alison May/ Robin Crawford
Enquiries: cld@pkc.gov.uk https://bit.ly/PKCCLD U3A 07714 103309 Sandra Cairncross smcairnx@hotmail.com
Sport
Butterstone Hill & Trail Group 07761 673231 Adrian Davis wildoutdoorscotland@gmail.com
Clan Bowmen (Field Archery) 727911 / 07786 073686 Arthur Robert Hewines bobhewines@hotmail.com
Dunkeld & Birnam Angling Association secretary@dbaa.co.uk Billy Davidson
Dunkeld & Birnam Bowling Club 07977 911068 Gael Shaw Gaelshaw@btinternet.com
Dunkeld & Birnam Golf Club 01350 727524 Rhona Pollok (Visitors Welcome) dunkeldgolf@outlook.com
Dunkeld & Birnam Sports 07970 778525 Sally Robertson
Leisure Hub dbsportsleisurehub@gmail.com
Dunkeld & Birnam Tennis Club 07731 631563 Morna Mitchell mornaamitchell59@gmail.com
Glendelvine/Spittalfield Cricket Club (all ages) 07816 982140 Andrew Ross
Grass Track & Field Group 07736 724113 James Jarvis
Highland Perthshire Clay Shooting Club 07821940252 Ted Carr tedcarr@waitrose.com
Leisure Group (Sports Hall Project) 727361 Alasdair Wylie awylie2002@yahoo.co.uk
Over 35’s Rugby 07738 006738 Iain Gordon iainhg@aol.com
Running Club (8 – 12 year old,) 07761 673231 Adrian Davis (Mondays at 3.30pm) wildoutdoorscotland@gmail.com
Swimming & Alexander Technique 07778 778007 Jan Osband jmosband@gmail.com
Tai Chi 07551 029076 John Connelly dachutaichi@gmail.com
Tayside Orienteers 727048 Bill Melville Bill.b.melville@btinternet.com Yoga 07858 817915 Sue Atkinson atkinsue93@yahoo.co.uk
Music & Arts
BIPS 07872 505516 Melanie Brockway mbroc02@hotmail.com
Birnam Arts 727674 Manager admin@birnamarts.com arts@birnamarts.com
Birnam Arts Ballet (Mon – Thurs, Emma Gray age 4 upwards & adults) ballet@birnamarts.com
Cathedral Tower Bell Ringers 742218 Iona Connor lowesfarm@hotmail.com
Dunkeld and District Strathspey & Reel Society 07740 664052 Theresa MacVarish Clark secretary@dunkeldstrathspeyandreel.org
Film Society 727740 Tom Barnard tom_barnard@btinternet.com
Just Singin’, 7.30pm Weds (BA) 07765 405203 Katie Dalgliesh www.justsingin.co.uk
Traditional Youth Music Group 07958 324 766 Karys and Gill dbtradgroup@gmail.com and Facebook
Annual Events
Art Exhibition dunkeldart@aol.com Margaret Scott
Arts & Crafts Fair (Apr, Aug & Nov) 727968 / 07743 400938 Na’an Meikleour poppyseednaan@yahoo.com
Christian Aid Week 727867 Jim McCafferty
Highland Games (August) 07880 588433 Duncan Sim duncan_sim@hotmail.com
Niel Gow Festival 07766 406313 Liam Manion (weekend closest to 22 March) LManion41@gmail.com
For Children
Baby & Toddler Group 07546 128902 Lesley Singers
Caputh Baby & Toddler Group 07722 183546 Catherine Thomson (Tues, 9.30 – 11.30am)
Nursery at Royal School of Dunkeld 01738 454470 Royal School of Dunkeld Sunday School – Church of Scotland 727249 Fraser Penny
Local Organisations - Continued
For Younger People
Girlguiding Dunkeld (Rainbows, 07770 324173 Trix Stephen Brownies, Guides, Rangers) (District Commissioner)
The Black Watch Army Cadets 07429 113439 2nd Lt Craig Ross 1989ros@armymail.mod.uk
Youth Group (for P7s & 1st years, 727249 Fraser Penny Thurs 7 – 8.30pm)
For Older People
Caledonia HA and Willowbank House 07595 651446 Joanne Lawrie joanne.lawrie@caledoniaha.co.uk
Senior Citizens 727311 Ronalda Pattullo Hall Bookings
Amulree Village Hall 07749 914906 Isabel Brady northamulree@btinternet.com
Birnam Arts 727674 Manager Caputh Hall 07832 235607 Lorna Lyle Chanonry 07808 703641 Jill McCrory chanonrydunkeld@gmail.com
Dalguise Village Hall 07746 392268 Anne Cameron annedunkeld@gmail.com
Duchess Anne 07808 703641 Jill McCrory office@dunkeldcathedral.org
Health Community & Services
Birnam Library (Thu 5 – 7pm, Fri 01738 459709 Margaret Quigley 12 – 5pm, Sat 9.30am – 12 noon) birnamlibrary@culturepk.org.uk
Chemist (Dunkeld) 727210 Davidsons Chemist (on Sunday) 01738 494610 Asda, Dunkeld Rd, Perth
Doctors 727269 Craigvinean Surgery
Dunkeld & Birnam Community Lachlan MacEwan Council admin@dunkeldandbirnamcc.co.uk
Infinity Blu Dental Care(Birnam & Pitlochry) 729198 / 01796 470001
PKC Environmental Services 01738 476476
PKC Roads Dept 01738 475000
Registrar 01738 475121 3/5 High St, Perth perth-registrars@pkc.gov.uk
Tayside Police (non-emergency) 101
Dates for your Diary
BA = Birnam Arts Centre, DA = Duchess Anne Hall, The Cross, Dunkeld
June
1 Repair Cafe 3pm to 6pm. in the Birnam Arts Community Room
1 Monday Memories Club Mondays 3 to 4:30pm at the Archive 12- The Cross, Dunkeld
1 In Bloom meets Mondays 10am St Ninian’s Garden, Dunkeld and Torwood Park, Birnam
2 Meditation 10.30 to 12.30 in Dalguise Village Hall faithanstey@gmail.com
2 Men’s Shed Tuesdays 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Unit 5, Birnam Industrial Estate, Station Road
2 Tuesday Lunch Club Tuesdays 12:30 to 2:30pm at The Duchess Anne
4 GrowBiz Dunkeld Coffee Morning 10am to 12pm at Birnam Arts Cafe
4 Bookbug for under-5s Thursdays from 10.30am at Birnam Library
4 Climate Café Coworking Space in Little Dunkeld 7 to 9pm. https://www.climate.cafe
4 Young Archeologists Club 3.30 to 5pm in the Archive for children age 8 – 16.
4 The Field Work Day Thursdays 10am to 12pm https://www.dunkeldfield.co.uk/
4 Grace Stewart Skinner Auchies Spikkin’ Auchie 8-10pm www.ba.com
4 Youth Group 7 to 8:30pm The Duchess Anne minister@dunkeldcathedral.org
5 The Meeting Place Coffee Morning, Fridays 10 to 12pm The Duchess Anne
6 The Field Work Day Saturdays 10am to 12pm https://www.dunkeldfield.co.uk/
7 Prayers for Help and Healing 6:30 to 7:30pm Little Dunkeld Kirk
8 Community Council Meeting 7 to 9pm Birnam Arts
8 A-9 Community Group AGM Guide Hall 7:30pm
8 Monday Running Group 6:15 to 7:15pm Birnam Highland Games Park
10 Friends of Dunkeld Cathedral AGM at 6.30pm in the Cathedral
10 Garden Talk: Sally Lorimore on the Hellebores at Willowhill Gardens, 7 to 9pm @Birnam Arts
11 Youth Group 7 to 8:30pm The Duchess Anne minister@dunkeldcathedral.org
13 Doss - electronic post-punk duo 7 to 11pm at www.ba.com
14 Drawing to Sound with Orla Stevens workshop 10 to 12:30pm www.ba.com 14 Nordic Viola String Trio 2 to 4pm www.ba.com 16 Leisure Group (Sports Hall Project) AGM CoWorking Space 7:30pm 16 Lunch Club 12:30 to 2:30 The Duchess Anne 18 Young Archeologists Club 3.30pm to 5pm in the Archive for children age 8 – 16.
28 Living History workshop 18th-century Apothecary 10am to 3pm Perth Arms historicdunkeld.org.uk July 2 Climate Café Coworking Space in Little Dunkeld 7-9pm. https://www.climate.cafe 15 Gardeners and Growers Visit Murthly Walled Garden dbggclub@gmail.com 15 Newton Faulkner presents! 8-10pm VIP and workshop ticket options www.ba.com
19-20 Work must be submitted at The Duchess Anne in Dunkeld for Dunkeld Cathedral Art Exhibition
24 Dunkeld Cathedral Art Exhibition Friday Evening Preview from 6-8pm.
25 Dunkeld Cathedral Art Exhibition Opens Daily 10-4 (Sundays 12 – 4) Duchess Anne Dunkeld Free http://www.dunkeldartexhibtion.com August
6 Climate Café Coworking Space in Little Dunkeld 7-9pm. https://www.climate.cafe
7 Repair Cafe 3:00pm to 6:00pm. in the Birnam Arts Community Room
21 Living History Talk: The Battle of Killiecrankie 7:30pm upstairs Perth Arms
22 Reenactment Camp 10-4pm Stanley Hill Park
29 August Dunkeld Cathedral Art Exhibition Ends
For more information on groups that meet weekly and for dates further and for all contact information see www.dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk If you notice an inaccurate entry or that contact information needs updating please contact the editor on editor@dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk Thank you.
