The Bridge March 2026

Local News, Events and Information

the Women Who Inspire Us

Hannah Fisher

Niel Gow Festival

The Atholl Cailleachs International Women’s Day

The Atholl Cailleachs return to Birnam Arts on 7 March with a vibrant celebration of women’s creativity through song, words, music and dance.

See page 6

Homegrown fiddle player Hannah Fisher joins this year’s Niel Gow Festival (20–22 March), celebrating Scotland’s rich traditional music heritage here in Dunkeld & Birnam.

See page 3

Elizabeth Kostova

Writer in Residence

Best-selling author Elizabeth Kostova arrives from our sister city Asheville as Dunkeld & Birnam’s first Writer-in-Residence, leading workshops and events this spring.

See page 6

Rosa & Molly

Save the Planet Club

Young climate champions Rosa and Molly have raised over £270 for local and environmental causes — and they’re just ge﬙ing started.

See page 9

She’s Here!

Meet Our Asheville Visitor

Best-selling author Elizabeth Kostova — known for The Historian, The Swan Thieves and The Shadow Land — is spending March and April in Dunkeld & Birnam as Asheville’s first Writer-in-Residence.

Our town is one of Asheville, North Carolina’s seven Sister Cities, and Elizabeth’s visit celebrates this special link. A long-time supporter of the Sister Cities programme — and a regular at Asheville Burns Suppers supporting local projects — she has been inspired by all that happens here.

During her residency, themed “A River of Words,” Elizabeth will host writing workshops at Dunkeld Community Archive, visit the Royal School for World Book Day, join Climate Café conversations, walk the Corbenic Poetry Path, meet local writers and appear at Birnam Arts.

Join her at the Welcome Gathering on 6 March and for An Evening with Elizabeth Kostova on 18 April. See inside for full details and booking information.

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 £7.69 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

Celebrating the Women Who Shape Our Community

March brings International Women’s Day — an opportunity to pause and recognise the extraordinary contribution women make to our community. Often quietly. Often collectively. And very often without fuss.

As I write this, I’m also acknowledging a correction. In last month’s editorial, I referred to ‘a group of men’ coming together to mend a local path. Quite rightly, it was pointed out to me that this overlooked the women who were also out there in the same atrocious weather, lifting, digging and restoring alongside their male counterparts.

I apologise for that oversight — particularly as those of you who know my lesser-known hobbies will realise that you are quite likely to find me cheerfully cleaning drains and culverts as an antidote to a non-practical day job. (It is also a sad but true fact that I occasionally fantasise about owning one of those Dyno-Rod orange jumpsuits!)

The more important truth is this: across Dunkeld and Birnam, women are woven through every aspect of community life.

They are leading concerts and festivals. They are running charities and climate groups. They are volunteering in archives and libraries.

They are growing food, organising fairs, raising funds and supporting neighbours.

They are mentoring young people, safeguarding heritage, and imagining new futures.

And increasingly, they are visible in roles that once felt closed to them. We now have women firefighters serving our community (well done Jane!) — something that would not have been commonplace a generation ago.

This month’s edition celebrates women in music, literature, environmental action and public service. From internationally acclaimed writers to young girls raising funds to “save the planet”; from performers on stage to volunteers behind the scenes — the contribution is wide, deep and ongoing.

International Women’s Day is not about elevating one group above another. It is about recognising that when we fully acknowledge the contribution of women, our picture of community becomes more accurate, more inclusive and more truthful.

So here’s to the women who dig paths, fight fires, write books, sing songs, raise funds, nurture ideas — and, alongside and in partnership with our equally amazing men, hold our community together.

Thanks to everyone.

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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 will be on Thursday 26th March, 7.30pm at the Guide Hall. (if you’re not yet on our email list, let us know, see below) Dualling of Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing: Thanks to those who came to our 29th January meeting to discuss responses received so far to objections made to Transport Scotland during the statutory consultation period which ended in July. Thanks to those of you who have copied yours to me (all welcome!) and if you have not yet received any response at all please let me know.

From the comments on TS responses so far, no -one is inclined to withdraw objections at this stage and there are a number of folk who are still seeking further information or clarifications from them. The Community Council has responded to TS and asked for a meeting, which every objector is entitled to do. For the moment, please note the following from the TS cover letter to each response they sent: “As you may be aware, it is possible for an objector to withdraw an objection or parts of an objection as matters become resolved, and such a withdrawal does not prejudice or otherwise adversely affect the position of the objector with regard to the unresolved parts of their objection. This is common practice. We would request that you provide Transport Scotland with written confirmation in respect of those aspects, all or any, of the objection which you now consider resolved.”

If you need clarification or wish to comment on any aspect of the TS reply to you, write to A9dualling@jacobs.com

The TS present timetable, subject to completion of statutory processes (which may include a Public Local Enquiry) is: procurement expected to commence Summer 2028, contract award expected Spring 2029, dualling expected to be operational by end of 2033 Dualling of Tay Crossing to Ballinluig:

Thanks to the residents from the Dowally area who attended to discuss progress of the dualling preparatory work which started in November. Concerns have been expressed about risks of increased water runoff/landslip as a result of the significant tree clearing done on the slopes on the right side of the present A9 going north between Tay Crossing and Dowally, and about water management risks at the Wills construction compound site on the right going north between Guay and Kindallachan. There has of course been a great deal of upset about the loss of the iconic 160 year old beech tree at Kindallachan.

Completion of the dualling of this stretch is expected to be end 2028 and despite reminders to Wills and TS at the time of writing this we still await information about a contractor drop-in event for Dunkeld and Birnam

Angela Newlands, Wills Community Liaison Manager can be contacted at: AngelaNewlands@willsbros.com 01698 479230 or enquiries. A9TC2B@willsbros.com 0800 011 4255. The details of the dualling design for Tay Crossing to Ballinluig are at: www.transport.gov.scot/projects/a9-dualling-perth-to-inverness/a9-tay-crossing-to-ballinluig/project-details/ Junctions Action Group

Dave Roberts of JAG gave an update on their work and in particular their meeting with TS and BEAR last August about safety improvements at the Dunkeld/ Trochry Rd junctions. For detail see separate JAG reports in Bridge. 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: www.dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk/

Arts News

Concerts & Events • Café • Shop • Gallery • Beatrix Potter

Station Road, Birnam PH8 0DS 01350 727 674

Tickets and details: www.birnamarts.com

Exhibition: Fragile: Moths, Life Systems & Us

Continues until Sun 3rd May daily: Free

Presenting the findings of artist Jan Hendry’s project investigating moth species across Scotland.

Norrie Mciver

Friday 5th March: 20.00-22.00 £18*

Sun 8th March: 20.00-22.00 £18*

The award-winning voice from the Isle of Lewis and former frontman of Skippinish, performs a powerful blend of Gaelic tradition and contemporary folk.

Workshop: Understanding Moths Creative Workshop

Sat 7th March: 10.30am-12.30pm £35/£40*

With artist Jan Hendry

The Atholl Cailleachs

Sat 7th March: 19.30-21.30 £14*

A celebration for International Women’s Day through song, words, music and dance

Tunna: Album Launch

Fri 13th March: 20.00-22.00 £12*

Dynamic, four-piece instrumental ensemble blending original compositions and reimagined Scottish fiddle tunes.

Warm Spaces: Free Film: Strictly Ballroom

Tues 17th March 2pm Lunch 1pm

Warm Spaces Free Film and a complimentary light lunch at 1pm for the first 15 people to arrive is back… no booking required!

A Giant On The Bridge: Kt Producing

Thurs 19th March: 7.30pm-10pm £17*

Award-winning A Giant on the Bridge is a powerful fusion of songwriting, Scottish hip-hop and immersive storytelling. Ages 14+/Content Warning

The Niel Gow Festival

Fri 20th-Sat 22nd March: Various times £20/£5 per performance*

The Niel Gow Festival is an annual celebration of Scotland’s rich traditional music heritage, held in the picturesque villages of Dunkeld and Birnam –the home of legendary fiddler Niel Gow (1727–1807).

Birnam Arts will be featuring well-known and up and coming fiddle musicians in a series of concerts, and a recital at Little Dunkeld Kirk.

Malin Lewis

Fri 27th March 20.00-22.00 £16*

Award winning/multi-instrumentalist Malin Lewis deep dives into a hypnotic envisioned world of ancient Scottish folk music on fiddle and a newly invented, self-made bagpipe.

See website for workshops and more: Birnamarts.com / 01350 727674 * Denotes Booking Fee

Birnam Arts Open 7 Days:

Café: 10.00-16.00 | Shop: 10.30-15.30

Booking Fees apply to all events. Birnamarts.com / 01350 727674

Niel Gow Festival

The 21st Niel Gow Festival will take place across Dunkeld & Birnam between 20th and 22nd March 2026. The festival of traditional Scottish music includes concerts, workshops, sessions, stalls and more. Niel Gow (1727 - 1807) lived in the area his whole life and is one of the founders of Scottish fiddle music. The festival is a celebration of both him and traditional music which has come since his time. From enjoying some exceptional music in one of the five concerts, to participating in workshops (instrumental, folk song, dancing and children’s workshops) or pub music sessions, there is truly something for everyone. In recent years the festival has expanded its offering to include various workshops for children and adults, as well as hosting an impressive collection of instrument makers and luthiers as part of a selection of stalls based upstairs in the Birnam Arts over the weekend. The Dunkeld Archives (located on the Cross in Dunkeld) will also be hosting a special exhibition in conjunction with the festival weekend.

The full programme is available on the festival website (nielgowfestival.co.uk), concert tickets can be booked from Birnam Arts (www.birnamarts.com) and workshop tickets are booked via the festival website. Last year many concerts sold out so please book in advance.

Included in this year’s line up we have Laura Wilkie, Gordon Gunn, Graham Mackenzie, Pete Clark and homegrown fiddle player Hannah Fisher as well as some exceptional groups of young musicians.

Have a look at our programme or festival website for more information.

Dunkeld & Birnam Traditional Youth Music Group

DB Trad Group junior and senior bands will be making an epic appearance at this year’s Niel Gow Festival, joining Pete Clark and Muriel Johnstone at The Little Kirk, Dunkeld, 9:45am Saturday 21st March - this concert comes highly recommended! Keep a check on our socials for more upcoming concerts and activities, you’ll find us on facebook and Instagram…

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.

If you would like to learn to play, or take up a second instrument, we run classes for whistle, guitar, fiddle and accordion with a focus on learning traditional Scottish music.

Classes are in small groups lasting half an hour, lead 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. Suitable for P5 - S6.

All classes and bands run on Mondays during term time based at Birnam Arts.

½ hour group lessons - 4-6pm

Junior trad band (P5-S2) - 6:30-7:30pm

Senior trad band (S3-S6) - 7:30-8:30pm

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

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Arts News

Atholl Cailleachs

A celebration for International Women’s Day through song, words, music and dance. Returning for their third annual concert, with an outstanding selection of our local professional female performers. Expect an experience of collaboration across a variety of creative disciplines, and a show not to be missed. Cailleachs are women of knowledge and skill within a community – and we are bubbling over with an abundance of talent in ours.

Presented by Fiona Ritchie MBE, with special guest performances by Scots singer/ songwriter Beth Malcolm and visiting poet Elizabeth Kostova from Asheville, North Carolina. This year’s Cailleachs are; Beth Malcolm – Scots singer/songwriter; Elizabeth Kostova, writer; Colleen Nicoll, soprano; Michelle Rodley, singer/songwriter; Jane Archer, writer; Lyndsey Douglas, dancer; Gill Hunter, pianist; Morag Anderson, poet; Emma Black, piper; Charlotte Caird, saxophonist; Lindsey Gibb, storyteller; Kelly McIntyre, photographer/videographer; Karys Watt, fiddle.

Beth Malcolm, Scots Singer of the Year 2022 and 2024, is renowned for her innovative song-writing, piano playing and singer of stories. Having performed around Scotland from a young age, Beth’s successful second album ‘FOLKMOSIS’ has seen tours through Scotland, the UK and further afield in Europe and the USA. We are honoured to welcome Beth to the Cailleach stage as our guest artist 2026.

Elizabeth Kostova is a New York Times best-selling author from Dunkeld & Birnam’s twinned community/sister city Ashville. She has three novels The Historian, The Swan Thieves, and The Shadow Land. Her fourth novel, Mystery Play, will be published this year. Elizabeth teaches and lectures internationally and will be Dunkeld & Birnam’s first Writer in Residency, bringing her wide experience into our local community during her time visiting - we are delighted to welcome Elizabeth as our honorary Cailleach.

7:30pm Saturday 7th March 2026 at Birnam Arts. Tickets £14 + booking fee. Available at birnamarts.com Artists’ proceeds will be donated to Linda’s Ladies and Perthshire Women’s Aid as this year’s chosen charities facebook.com/athollcailleachs instagram.com/athollcailleachs

Just Singin’

Community Choir, Birnam

If you like singing, you might enjoy singing with others in our zero pressure, fun Community Choir.

As the name suggests, you just turn up and sing, and hopefully leave feeling boosted with a big smile on your face!

We meet in the upstairs room at Birnam Arts from 7.30 to 9.30 on Wednesday evenings. We currently have about thirty members, fairly evenly split between high, middle and low voices. During March, we are lucky to have Emma Neck as our tutor which guarantees fun warm ups and a great mix of song styles. We always manage to fit in a break for tea, coffee and biscuits and the chance to chat and make new friends.

If you would like to come along for an evening just to try it out, please do - you will be made very welcome without any obligation whatever. There are further details on our website (http://www.justsingin.co.uk). Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or would like more information.

Hope to see you on any Wednesday!

Exciting plans are underway for a magical new Beatrix Potter Garden Trail! Funded by the Scottish Government and created with Brilliant Trails, the project will bring Potter’s characters to life with new wooden sculptures, interpretation panels, and interactive elements in the beloved garden. The free trail will include an optional activity book for children, enhancing a cherished local asset for families and visitors. We welcome community input as we develop the designs. To learn more, ask questions, or offer support, please contact Julia Harriman at julia@birnamarts.com

She’s Here! Meet Our Asheville Visitor

Our visitor is none other than Elizabeth Kostova, best-selling author of The Historian, The Swan Thieves, and The Shadow Land. Elizabeth, of Asheville, North Carolina, is a big supporter of her home town’s international Sister Cities programme. We are one of Asheville’s seven ‘sisters’, and this is what has inspired Elizabeth to spend March and April here, becoming Asheville’s first Writer-inResidence.

Elizabeth attends Burns Suppers in Asheville where funds are raised and donated annually to projects in Dunkeld and Birnam, and she has been impressed by all we get up to. As a result, Elizabeth is hosting writing workshops at Dunkeld Community Archive, joining Climate Café meetings, visiting the Royal School of Dunkeld for World Book Day, walking the Corbenic Poetry Path (join her!), meeting local writers, hosting events at Birnam Arts, and more. For details on Elizabeth’s writing workshops and to book your space, check online at: historicdunkeld.org.uk, call 01350 727786, or email manager@historicdunkeld.org.uk. Birnam Book Festival and Dunkeld Community Archive Facebook pages will post details on all events. The theme of the residency is “A River of Words” and there’s lots going on. Please mark these dates in your calendar for starters:

Friday, 6th March 6-8:00pm, Birnam Oak Cafe

Welcome Gathering

Join us to help give Elizabeth a warm welcome, and find out what she’ll be getting up to in March and April. Information on events and writing workshops will be provided this evening, and you can sign up on the spot. Everybody welcome, refreshments on offer.

Saturday 18th April 7-9:00pm, Birnam Arts

An Evening with Elizabeth Kostova

Hear new writing from special guests. Delve into Elizabeth’s imagination and travel with her to locations in Bulgaria and the lesser known corners of Eastern Europe that have inspired her storytelling. Also, Elizabeth offers a preview of her atmospheric new novel Mystery Play, to be published later this year.

This event is a fundraiser for the Birnam Book Festival. Tickets available from Birnam Arts - pay what you can.

Look out for news on more events including:

Victorian Reading Thursdays with Elizabeth Kostova (details at Birnam Library).

Special Climate Café sessions (details from Climate Café Dunkeld & Birnam).

Kostova is a clearheaded, elegant writer with a sneaky gi for incorporating the history and culture of a place into the nooks and crannies of a book.

- The New York Times

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 date for the AGM of Dunkeld and Birnam Sports and Lesiure Hub has been set for Wednesday 25th March 2026 at 7pm in the Clubhouse.

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

Breadalbane & District Riding for the Disabled (SCO47991)

As this goes to the printers we are still weighed down by everlasting grey skies and constant rain so it is somewhat of a relief to think forward to the longer days and the start of riding in April. Before that there has been quite a bit of activity with a Trustees meeting at the beginning of February and a Social and Indoor Training session at the end of last month.

Most unfortunately we have not been allocated a week at the Thrift Shop this year. This is a major blow to the group as it has been for many years our main source of raising income to keep us going. All funds raised go to pay for the loan of the ponies we use, the rent of the yard, insurance, riding hats and other equipment for the riders with ever increasing costs. We are not clear at this time how we shall manage to raise the funds needed but we hope to have maximized on having the Thrift Shop for one day (1st March). We would welcome any fund raising suggestions.

Our next date is March 16th at Knockdarroch Farm for a training session with ponies prior to the start of term. A good refresher course for those already part of the group and an excellent way of seeing how we operate for any potential new volunteers. We are always looking for new volunteers as people come and go according to their circumstances but the general consensus is that RDA is a hugely worthwhile organisation to be involved with and the riding sessions are great fun for all taking part. If you are interested please do get in touch by contacting Helen at our email address breadalbanerda@gmail.com

Dalguise Meditation Group

Do you have to be already fit to join a gym? Of course not. And you don’t have to be already calm, focussed and full of lovingkindness to begin to meditate. Quite the reverse, in fact, because those 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. These take place on the first and third Tuesdays of every month, from 10.30 to 12.30 in Dalguise Village Hall. So in March , meetings are on Tuesday 3rd and 17th. We enjoy sitting and walking meditations, discussions and refreshments. There are no charges, no formalities, and we have no religious affiliations – what we do is decided among our members. But always the intention is to develop awareness, clarity and concern for others.

If you aren’t able to attend in person, you might nevertheless be interested in going on our mailing list. Members receive thoughtprovoking 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

Perth Road, Birnam Dunkeld, PH80BH 01350 729 336 manager@birnamoakcafe.co.uk

All our dishes are 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, creamy porridge, home-made pancakes & filled rolls...every morning until 12 and all day on a Sunday!

• Lunch: Home-made soups & quiche, baked potatoes, club sandwiches, toasties, wraps, sandwiches, mixed cheese & meat boards, veggie boards & kids funky lunchboxes.

•We are now licensed for on-sales & off-sales, so from March, we will have a fantastic collection of wines from our trusted supplier ‘Wine Importers’ who we worked with back in the Scottish Deli days.

• Cakes/traybakes, cheesecakes, apple pie, crumble, selection of scones & sweet pastries.

•Deli counter filled with a world of cheeses, meats, antipasti, savoury pastries & pies.

• Gift shop with lovely cashmere & lambswool accessories, a great range of tasteful Scottish souvenirs as well as retail bags of Glenlyon coffee, Rotmell farm eggs, Perrello gordal olives

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

Feast Catering

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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

Nature and Climate

Paths and Nature Action Group

Save The Planet Club

Rosa and Molly,2 girls,who were VERY interested in saving the planet,came up with the idea of the Save The Planet Club. They spent most of there time together making posters and books on saving the planet,most of which have never been put up.

They were excited when their first opportunity came last October to raise funds for planet friendly charities.

At the local market at Blackhaugh Farm pumpkin day they raised around £100 for charities by selling homemade baking, soaps, lip balm and eco activities. Then as part of a local ceilidh in December, Molly and Rosa also raised a similar amount of money by holding a raffle stall. We have chosen to split the money equally between Birnam Library and The Butterfly Conservation Trust (East Scotland Branch) with both charities get £135.15p each.

Repair Cafe Bin it? No Way!!

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 cafe

Monday 2nd March

3.00pm to 6.00pm

In the Community Room next to the Library

Our lovely volunteers work for free. 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 repair skills if you want to learn to fix things. Come and see what we do.

Contact for queries dbrepaircafe@gmail.com

Repair Cafe Workshops

Saturday 7th March at the Guide Hall 10.30 to 12.30. Handtool Maintenance session – sharpening, oiling, de-rusting and also Stewart has offered to look at any extension leads you think could do with a check. Wednesday 18th March at the Guide Hall 6.30pm to 8.30pm

Wear, Care and Repair your clothes. Come and get advice and help to get your clothes back to their best. Jane Bremner will also be there to show you how to learn how to Stretch woollens. Do you have any woollens that are a bit small ? Then bring them along and she’ll show you what you can do.

All workshops are free AND include a cuppa but donations are welcome too.

For further details and to book a workshop email dbrepaircafe@gmail.com

Tabletop “gardening” session

Servite Community Lounge: Thursday 12 March 10.30-12.00

Evergreen Gardening Group (gardening for all) is planning to meet again in the Servite Community Lounge on Thursday 12 March from 1030-1200 for more “tabletop” gardening/gardening-related activity. All members of the community are welcome – you don’t need to live at Servite to come along.

We are looking to do more things for the planet, and we’re thinking of arranging a litter pick.

So if you’ve got any ideas or if you were looking to help us with The Save The Planet Club, please say!

The current plan is for this session to be all about herbs, starting with a talk (history, uses, growing etc), a chance to plant herb seeds or divide existing plants, and a herb-related craft or activity. It’s possible this might change in response to demand but if we do choose a different topic the format will be largely the same! There’s no charge for attending and tea, coffee and biscuits are provided.

Booking isn’t essential but it helps a lot with planning if you can let us know if you think you will be coming. Please contact Mel Nicoll 07876 118625 mel@cavecrag.com

Wanted – new

recruits

to the team! News from the Community Orchard

Our wonderful community orchard of over 150 apple, pear, plum and cherry trees and soft fruit including blackcurrants and gooseberries is on land to your left just before you cross the bridge into Dunkeld. A group of volunteers have been looking after the orchard since 2008, during which time the fruit has been distributed free to members of the community at harvest time. The orchard is a popular spot to walk through on your way down to the river and the trees and surrounding habitat support a wealth of biodiversity.

We have just had our annual planning meeting, looking at what we need to do and would like to do in the community orchard this year. Top of the list is getting our winter pruning finished but we find ourselves a bit stretched this year due to retirals, ill health and injury. We’d love to hear from you if you could join the team and help us look after the trees. We have a couple of rows of trees looking to be “adopted”, perhaps with a friend, group of friends or as a family. Each row needs winter pruning early in the New Year (by the end of March) whilst over the rest of the year it’s as simple as just keeping an eye on your trees’ health and, if you want, getting involved with our main community event, Big Apple Day, in September (Saturday 26 September 2026). Please don’t be shy of coming forward – you don’t need to have any past experience of caring for apple trees or pruning and training can be provided. Please get in touch if you can help. Email us dunkeldbirnamorchard@gmail.com Find us and follow us on social media.

It rained (a lot) on our last path task - and it doesn’t feel like it’s stopped since. Water in abundance can seriously damage paths and, when they dry out a bit, we will likely find several sections requiring attention. The Haughend/ Brae Street to Loch of the Lowes path is already back on the list.

In the coming months we plan to complete the beaver tree guarding on the Riverside, remove more snowberry from around The Oak and build and put up bird nest boxes. If you’d like to join in, for a few hours or longer, please get in touch. stewartpritchard@aol.com

The Field

For those of you who may not be familiar with the Field, we are a Community growing project which has been cultivating three acres at the head of Brae Street Dunkeld for the last 13 years.

Our charitable aims are to provide locally organically grown seasonal fruit and vegetables to the communities of Dunkeld and Birnam and we have done this successfully by providing regular volunteers with produce according to their needs, stocking a stall at the gate or a weekly market stall in Dunkeld or Birnam in the summer months. We also donate surplus produce to Foodshare. By these means we manage to offer seasonal vegetables for nine or ten months of the year.

On volunteer days which are Thursday and Saturday mornings, we are fortunate to regularly attract between 12 and 20 folk as there is a lot of work to be done throughout the year preparing ground, sowing seeds ,planting out ,weeding, composting and harvesting.

We have demonstrated that it is perfectly feasible to feed ourselves and many others in the community from a relatively small area of land hitherto only felt suitable for grazing. From the outset we were determined not to degrade the soil in any way and have accordingly increased the carbon and nutrients in the soil by continually adding dung, compost, some no dig beds and, wherever land is ploughed (by wonderful vintage tractors), we use green manure in our crop rotation . By these means we have maintained its productivity and also the health of our plants. We encourage biodiversity (apart from rodents and ungulates!) and have very well grown hedges and margins, birdboxes to encourage nesting birds and we have recently introduced Bee hives to help with pollination and produce honey!. Last but not least we have popular coffee breaks, often with baking containing our produce and always with stimulating and humorous conversation.

If you are interested in any of the topics or activities above, we would be delighted to see you on a Thursday or Saturday morning from 10 am onwards any week of the year but especially over the next three months when we will be very busy. More pictures,information and videos are available from our website: www.dunkeldfield.co.uk

The Orraman

UPVC

Flat

General

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.

Three Churches in the Community

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

Roderick Campbell Guion OCDS

One of the things I have noticed writing these short notes at three monthly intervals is that they tend to echo the changing seasons which along with the liturgical calendar provide a rhythm for our lives. In our Scottish climate changes of season also tend to coincide with changes of weather. In previous articles on this page I have often moaned about how much I dislike winter, but this winter I can surely be forgiven because since the New Year the weather has been simply awful. First there was the snow which on the three hundred yard steep access to our house immediately became transformed into lethal ice making it impossible to get a car out and equally so for deliveries to get in. You don’t realise how much deliveries are taken for granted until you don’t get any for a week! However, with the snow finally melted, we have since experienced twenty eight days day of continuous wind and rain.

I recently read somewhere that we might think of rain as being ‘God’s Background Noise’. This struck me as an interesting idea which invites us to view rain as a component of our lives rather than merely as an inconvenient interruption. Living in Scotland rain is of course very much part of the fabric of our lives, a constant topic of conversation – even if mostly in complaint. We might however also note here an underlying spiritual truth from the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus reminds us that God ‘makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and the unjust.’ This refers to something essential for our survival that we can too easily take for granted. Faced with frequent rain we feel quite free to just complain about it - that is until we are threatened by drought as was the case in the East of Scotland last summer. This risk of scarcity needs to be kept in mind reminding us that rain is an essential gift and on those very wettest of days we should recall that without it our crops will not grow and our reservoirs would be empty. As Jesus reminds us above God sends rain on the just and the unjust alike, being thus neither a reward nor a rebuke but a necessity. As such it provides an underlying pattern within our lives that in many ways echoes what Christianity calls grace. Grace however carries with it a responsibility where Jesus reminds us that ‘a new commandment I give you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.’ It is the spiritual gift that St Paul will elsewhere define for us as charity.

By the time this is published we will have entered Lent. It is a time for reflection and I have been thinking about the challenges the Western world is facing as the international relationships that we have relied on for over eighty years are suddenly being called into question. So in relation to the above I have been asking myself what might happen to this impasse if we were to follow Jesus’ commandment and deal with our neighbours as we ourselves would wish to be treated? Too much to hope for perhaps? But we must recall that it is to hope that St Paul also calls us. Although at the time of writing I am unable to report a change in the weather there have been some changes in our local churches. Fr Emmanuel has been called to another parish and we are fortunate to have Canon Steven Mulholland to take his place. Meanwhile the Revd Tina Minett Stevens has just become the priest for St Mary’s Episcopal Church and so on behalf of the Catholic community at St Columba may I also extend a warm welcome to her.

Holy Week

On the Thursday of Holy Week (2nd. April) there is a Communion Service in the Cathedral at 7pm. to remember the events of the night Jesus was betrayed and handed over to be crucified.

On Good Friday the Parish church and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church hold a join service. This year it is in St. Mary’s at 7pm.

Prayers for Help & Healing

There is a change to the usual pattern this month. Because Easter falls on the 1st. Sunday of the month it has been decided to bring the Prayers for Help & Healing service forward a week to March 29th.

This is held jointly between the Parish Church and St.Mary’s Episcopal Church at 6.30. This follows the pattern of the weekly 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

Church of Scotland Services

Mar 1st 11.00am Communion service in Little Dunkeld

6.30pm Prayers for Help & Healing in Little Dunkeld.

Mar 8th 11.00am Communion service in Little Dunkeld

Mar 15th 11.00am Morning Service in Little Dunkeld

2.15pm Service at Amulree

Mar 22nd 11.00am Morning Service in Little Dunkeld

Mar 29th - Palm Sunday

(and therefore the last Sunday in Little Dunkeld until November) 11.00am Morning Service in Little Dunkeld

6.30pm Prayers for Help & Healing in St. Mary’s

(Please note this is a week earlier than usual.)

During Holy Week

Apr 2nd 7.00pm Maundy Thursday Communion service in the Cathedral.

Apr 3rd 7.00pm Joint Good Friday Service in St Mary’s Birnam

Apr 5th - Easter Sunday

9.00am Communion service in the Cathedral

10.30am Easter Egg Hunt in the Cathedral grounds

11.00am Morning Service in the Cathedral

Every Sunday there is chance to meet together over tea and coffee after the service.

service and have your own time of prayer.

The next one will be in Little Dunkeld on the 1st.. of March and then in St. Mary’s on the 29th.

Kirk Session

The next regular meeting of the Kirk Session is on March 10th. at 7.30pm. in the Duchess Anne.

Fellowship Group

‘Exploring faith and life together’

Two Fellowship Groups meet, fortnightly, one on a Tuesday evening at 7pm and the other on Wednesday mornings at 10.30am, 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 will be drawn out each night to provoke discussion on that theme. So, if there is an issue

THE 3 CHURCHES CHARITY SHOP

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 meeting sf the Tuesday group are the 10th. & 24th March at 7pm.

The Wednesday group will meet next on the 11th. & 25th. March, gathering at 10.15 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.

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 February 4th. & 18th. and March 4th. There is no need to book; just turn up and enjoy and all are welcome.

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

Reader in Training

Graham Leese, has had a career in Medicine, most recently as Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology in Dundee. He and his wife Ruth (also a doctor) recently moved to this area. From October-November Graham was placed in Dunkeld as part of his training to be a Reader in the Church of Scotland and here, he offers some thoughts on his own journey of faith which has led to the Readership.

A recent survey showed that more than 50% of Scots have no religious belief at all. The church struggles to keep up to date and relevant in an ever rapidly changing world. This is tragic as the Bible has an amazing blueprint for life which is as relevant as ever it was. Earlier in life as an atheist, humanist and proponent of Richard Dawkins, I read the New Testament to find the flaws, only to change my opinion!!! I still have the ‘Selfish Gene’ on my shelf though!

However, there is hope. Numbers attending church across the UK have increased annually over the last four years. There is also evidence of an expanding ‘invisible church’, which refers to those who develop a faith in Christ but don’t attend a church.

I felt I wanted to try and help those who work to increase awareness and reflection on this amazing blueprint. The message can be simple, and it is best to focus on what Jesus recommended, which is easily read in four, or even one, short book (one of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) and expanded elsewhere.

The Church is increasingly working within teams, and there are so many roles that are useful to this end, but I have chosen to train as a “Reader”. Readership in the Church of Scotland takes two years to do, although I am doing it part time and taking longer. It may be my lazy streak! It involves academic training and practical placements, amongst other things, and I did a placement in the Dunkeld group of churches up until the end of last year. If anyone is interested in readership or other roles, I am happy to talk it through. Graham Leese

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

Treasurer: Mrs Louise Luke

The Chanonry, Cathedral Street, Dunkeld Tel: 07773 604372

e-mail: treasurer@dunkeldcathedral.org

Youth Group

A group for all P.7s and upwards 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.

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

Church Services and Contacts:

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 Service 10am - Communion with hymns, music and sermon, followed by refreshments. 3rd Sunday ALL AGE.

Once a month on third Friday there is a short prayer service in church at 6pm followed by a shared sandwich supper. During summer months (Apr-Sept) the church is open daily for visitors.

The monthly Servite worship service is at 2pm on the last Saturday of each month, led ecumenically by folk from the three churches in Dunkeld and Birnam

The Rector: Rev. Tina Minett Stevens email: tina@minettstevens.co.uk

Treasurer: Charles Cox

Vestry Secretary: Adrian Freer

Tel: 01821 650536

email: adrianfreer@btinternet.com

Tel: 01350 727755 (www.stmarysbirnam.org.uk)

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

Reach Your Community –Support Your Community

Advertising in The Bridge connects you directly with loyal, community-minded readers who love to support local businesses.

Your advert appears in both print and online editions – helping you get seen

Every penny you spend helps sustain a volunteer-run publication that has been at the heart of the Dunkeld and Birnam community for over 50 years!

WHERE YOUR AD GOES

Dark Green Delivered directly to homes and businesses in Dunkeld and Birnam - every month.

Light Green Available via shops, cafés and pick-up points in nearby areas – for even wider reach. (including Bankfoot; Murthly and Logierait)

Murthly

Village Hall Hire

From £10 per hour

Events hall and kitchen facilities for Birthday parties, Indoor sports, Dances, Gatherings, Quiz Nights and more.

Contact: murthlyvillagehall@outlook.com

Tel: 01738 710408

Raise

pennybaird5@icloud.com Little Dunkeld • 07342 979393 Zerobalancinguk.org

Three Churches

Charity Shop

High Street Dunkeld

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am - 4pm If you are interested in volunteering, please enquire in the shop for more info.

Clothing and shoe sale continues for one week, 3rd - 8th September. Last chance to grab a bargain.

PLANT NURSERY KINDALLACHAN West Countlich Farm,

WRAP ® Wellbeing Training

Dog Chaperone for Weddings Ad Hoc / One Off Dog Walks for One Household at a time Day or up to 1 Night Dog

Three Churches in the Community

Christmas Appeal

As reported in the last edition of the Bridge, the Christmas Appeal in the Church of Scotland congregation was to raise money for a lorry at the Mwandi Mission in Zambia. Our missionary partners, Keith and Ida Waddell are back in Scotland just now and were able to visit the congregation on December 7th. to speak about their work. Having their own lorry will make a huge difference in terms of convenience and cost in getting materials for the hospital there.

Many churches in Scotland helped towards this and in Dunkeld we were able to send £4,740. The money given was match funded anonymously and once Gift Aid was included we reached that fantastic total.

The truck will be supplied by a German Christian company which specialises in refurbishing vehicles for this kind of work. The Waddells were presented with a cheque for £26,000 which gives enough to buy the truck and cover ongoing costs. I know Keith and Ida are delighted by the response and many thanks to all who contributed.

Nature and Climate

Dunkeld and Birnam in Bloom

Well what can I say about the last 4 weeks, but they have been wet and not much gardening has been done. The Spring bulbs are still putting on a good show with the snowdrops and aconites in bloom in the Hostel walk. Also the ruby Hellebores with their heads nodding to the snowdrops and daffodils pushing through the ground are looking good in St Ninian’s gardens.

Our fund raising coffee morning, plant and baking stall is on Friday 24th April at 10am in the Duchess Anne, so hopefully your diary is free to come along.

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)

Gardening & Growing

Club – Join Us!

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 £20 for a year of green-fingered. (Just £15 if joining from July onwards!)

Everyone’s welcome! Drop by, meet like-minded folks, and grow something wonderful with us. For more info dbggclub@gmail.com

Rivers Under the Microscope

Scottish Wildlife Trust talk

Monday 16th March

Join Kerry Dodd, from Buglife Scotland to explore how insects are playing a vital role in monitoring and protecting the health of our rivers.

Kerry’s talk – hosted by the Pitlochry and Highland Perthshire branch of the Scottish Wildlife Trust - will focus on the Guardians of Our Rivers: Next Steps project and the Riverfly Survey, a monitoring method that uses insects

such as mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies to detect pollution and changes in river health.

Kerry has deep experience delivering Riverfly survey training as part of her previous role on Guardians of Our Rivers, an ongoing campaign funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Now Senior Conservation Officer at Buglife - a UK-wide conservation charity working to halt the extinction of invertebrates and restore sustainable populations - Kerry will share updates on the project, explain how the survey works and show how we can all get involved.

Date: Monday 16th March 2026

Time: 7.20pm for a 7.30pm start, finishing around 9.00pm

Place: The Tryst, Church of Scotland, Church Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5EB

Suggested donation: £3 non-members / £2 members (cash on the day)

For more information, contact: markandrosie@btinternet.com.

To hear about future events, sign up to the Scottish Wildlife Trust mailing list: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/sign-up-toour-mailing-list/

Forthcoming Events

11th March 2026 AGM. Plus a talk on ‘shade gardening’ by Mel Nicoll.

DRINK, CHAT, ACT

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 - 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

Start of the New Gardening and Growing Year

26th April 2026 Visit to the Japanese Garden, Dollar.

10th May 2026 Visit to rhododendrons at Glendoick House Gardens

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

16th September 2026 Falkland Palace Gardens

14th October2026 Talk on Cacti and Succlents

18th November 2026 Wreath making at the Guide Hall.

Learning and Community History

BIRNAM LIBRARY

BOOKBUG SESSIONS Every Thursday from 10.30am - 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.

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.

REGULAR OPENING HOURS:

Thursday: 5pm - 7pm

Friday: 12pm - 5pm

Saturday: 9.30am - 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 friendsofbirnamlibrary@gmail.com

Friends of Birnam Library: A Community Group committed to a bright and sustainable future for Birnam Library.

A Big Welcome to Kate

12 The Cross, Dunkeld, PH8 0AN. www.historicdunkeld.org.uk manager@historicdunkeld.org.uk 01350 727786

OPENING HOURS

Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm

We have a new staff member, Kate, who will be working with us as a temporary audit assistant. Kate had previously volunteered with us for over a year and has recently finished her history degree. We are looking forward to working with her. A big thank you to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Museums Galleries Scotland and The Gannochy Trust for funding her role.

Test Subjects Needed

Are you curious by nature? Powered by logic? We need your help. We have been granted funding from Museum Galleries Scotland to design and install an escape room within our exhibition; we need willing volunteers to test it out once it has been created. Please get in touch if you are interested in taking part!

Volunteer Opportunities

We have a variety of fantastic volunteer opportunities available; we’re currently undertaking a project to research 12 local shops and houses and are always happy to welcome new researchers / enthusiastic volunteers to assist with this.

We have been given the opportunity to digitise a large collection before it goes to Edinburgh. If you have some spare time and would like to help us, please get in touch. It’s a really easy process.

Clubs and Groups

Monday Memories Come and reminisce with tea, coffee and conversation. Monday 3-4:30pm in the Archive.

Young Archaeologists’ Historical fun for ages 8-16. Every second Thursday 4-5pm. More info and applications are available via our website.

Archaeology and History Club Join us for a variety of talks, workshops and practical skills sessions. Full list of events and membership details are available via our website.

Upcoming Events

13th of March

17th of March

19th of March

In Conversation with… Dr Kate Britton: Late Pleistocene (Ice age) Archaeology and Archaeological Science

Creative writing workshop with Elizabeth Kostova

Creative writing workshop with Elizabeth Kostova

26th of March Skills workshop: Excavation Skills

7th of April

9th of April

Creative writing workshop with Elizabeth Kostova

Creative writing workshop with Elizabeth Kostova

30th of April Skills workshop: Dr Lucy Dean; Basics of Latin and Old Scots

2nd and 3rd of May Sir Arthur Erskine’s Regiment – Highland Soldier Weekend

Keep your eyes peeled for our summer Living History events, more information coming soon! For more details visit www.historicdunkeld.org.uk/whats-on

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

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

Community Noticeboard

Dunkeld and Birnam

Spring Art and Crafts Fair

Takes place Sat 28th and Sun 29th March in the Drill Hall The Cross Dunkeld from 10am to 5pm each day. Lots of unique and interesting crafts. Have you been to one of our Craft fairs and seen something you would love but couldn’t quite justify buying. Well why not come to this fair where our crafters will be offering end of ranges at reduced prices. You may even find the item you wanted. Admission is free

Tayside and Strathearn Help For Ukraine

We would like to thank everyone who has delivered vital items to the various collection points or indeed to Errol Airfield during this particularly cold period. It is only by receiving these heartfelt donations of goods and money that we can continue to send a 40ft articulated lorry to Ukraine every fortnight . When it arrives , we receive photos of families choosing essential items to cook, wear or swallow , like paracetamol or aspirin.

We are now trying to send appealing extras that might lighten their load eg hand cream, Vaseline, Lip salve, Emery boards etc . The Ukrainian Wish list remains unaltered.

Our next idea to help them illuminate their long nights is by making candles.We have plenty of candles to melt down but are advised to use SMALL BAKE BEAN TINS or CORN ON THE COB CANS 320g APPROX and would be very grateful if , after enjoying the contents, you could put them into the collections points.

Our fundraising begins this year with a Coffee Morning in the Dunning Hall near Tron Sq

Dunkeld Mobile Service

Thursdays 9.00am – 10.00am Dunkeld North End Car Park, Atholl Street, Dunkeld, PH8 0AR

DUNNING PH2 0RJ on Sat 14th March from 1012. Parking is available in Rollo Park, PH2 0RB . We are again flying the flag at Perth Concert Hall when the Ukrainian Opera comes with “Carmen” on 5th March and the Ukrainian SNO on Sat 21st March to play Beethoven, both at 1930 hours . This is the 3rd time we have been allowed to have a stall in the foyer to distribute our leaflets and tell folk about our work for Ukraine.

We are aware that there isn’t a collection point in Birnam or Dunkeld . If someone could volunteer to house donations at their church , community centre , or garage , that would be wonderful . If no one can bring the donations to Errol , please send us a photo to justify our sending the TASH van , which passes your villages en route to Inverness approximately every 3 weeks . Please use this email address to contact us : info@tash4ukraine.org.uk

Three Churches Charity Shop

It is simply amazing to realise that the Three Churches Charity Shop has now been open for 15 years and is going from strength to strength. No matter what the weather is the shop seems to thrive. We survived the Covid years and managed to open afterwards in new, improved premises. This would not have been possible without the constant support of our trustees and volunteers who give willingly of their time and expertise. We are grateful too to our customers many of whom come into the shop weekly. And it is lovely to get to know people within our community whom we would not otherwise meet.

This wet weather may have led us to believe that there would not be many visitors both from home and abroad coming into the shop. However, that has not been the case and needless to say a lot of

• Royal Mail & Parcelforce Worldwide

• Cash withdrawls

• Cash Deposits Services

• Everyday Personal & Business Banking

• Cheque Deposits

• Driving: vehicle tax

Alternative Branches:

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)

our sales have been of the waterproof and warm variety. We have sold a lot of coats, raincoats umbrellas, jumpers, boots and warm trousers. Now we are looking forward to the spring and in March we will be reducing our winter stock to make way for spring and summer items so there are plenty of bargains to be had. Please pop in and see us and find a bargain for yourselves.

With spring bringing our beautiful site to life, why not treat yourself with a visit to Scotland’s Finest Store?

Browse below to see what’s happening in the coming months.

1st March | Mother’s Day Hamper launch 6th March | Award-winning Fish & Chip Shop re-opens 15th March | Mother’s Day at House of Bruar

28th March | Lindt Chocolate sampling

28th March | Opening of ' Tight Lines ' exhibition (ends 5th April)

3rd April | Tunnock’s sampling in the Food hall

4th Apri | Scottish liqueur artisans Buck & Birch sampling

5th April | Isle of Raasay distillery sampling

• Competitive rates of pay

• Flexible or immediate starts available

• A variety of roles available in our prestigious Clothing, Gift & Food Halls, popular Restaurant, busy Warehouses or friendly Offices.

• Non-seasonal, year-round work (short-term contracts available)

• Benefits including shop discounts, generous restaurant discount and loyalty rewards that accrue with time

• Career opportunities and personal development

Community Developments

Food Share

Dear all,

Please join us on 10 March at 7pm in Birnam Arts for the next public meeting on Traffic & Parking in Dunkeld & Birnam.

We’ll provide an update on progress since the first meeting and then work in small groups to refine priorities and agree practical next steps. This is an opportunity to help shape how specific areas and issues are taken forward.

Traffic, parking and road safety affect everyone in our community, and your input will help ensure the next steps reflect local experience and practical realities.

We hope you’ll come along and be part of the next stage of this work.

Dunkeld and Birnam & District Community Development Trust

There have been two important developments in the work of the Trust in the last month. After considerable effort by trustees past and present, funding has been secured for a Feasibility Study in relation to the siting of Affordable Housing in the Dunkeld/Birnam area. More details will be published in due course, but this is a significant

It’s been a quieter month, but we have had some new volunteers recently.

Some teams could still do with an extra pair of hands, so if you could spare about half an hour once a month to collect food from Coop and take it to the Duchess Anne and St Marys Church you’d be welcome to join us. If you’d be willing to be on a reserve list for emergencies that would also be appreciated.

Contact Jan Silburn. Email j.silburn@btinternet.com

Food Bank

There have been a few more requests for help from the food bank recently. It would be great if some more people could leave a few items in the donations basket at the Coop counter. Thank you to St Columba for their regular donations.

Please contact 01350 700018 or email: PH8foodbank@gmail.com for help with food.

BIRNAM ARTS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Thursday 26th March 7pm at Birnam Arts

Everyone in the community is warmly invited to join us for the Birnam Arts Annual General Meeting.

This year’s AGM is an opportunity to:

• Reflect on a year that has brought both challenge and learning

• Review our activities and financial position

• Look ahead to the next chapter for Birnam Arts

• Thank our outgoing trustees, our Founder Patrons and the wider community for your continued support

• Welcome new trustees as they join us for the journey ahead

While the past year has not been without its difficulties, it has also strengthened our resolve and clarified our direction. We are looking ahead with optimism and renewed energy.

Drinks and light refreshments will be available, and the evening will include some live music.

We hope you can join us and be part of the conversation about what comes next.

step forward. Affordable Housing was and is a top priority within the Community Action Plan. At last, we have the beginnings of a way forward. Engagement with the community will be essential in relation to any proposals coming out of the study.

And while it was with great sadness that we said farewell to Beth Taylor, our Development Officer, before Xmas, we are happy to announce that Mel Nicoll has been appoInted as her successor and will shortly take up her appointment.

The Energy Group plans to meet again later this month to consider a specific funding proposal to enable consideration of the Green Energy options at local level and everyone can now see for themselves the benefits brought about through the efforts of the Paths and

Nature Group. We continue to work with the Community Council on the thorny issue of traffic, parking and related issues and look forward to the next Meeting hosted by the CC on Tuesday 10th March at 19.00 hrs in the BA, when we will be in attendance.

Finally, the Artisan Village project has moved forward to pre application stage. We look forward to further progress in the months ahead. The work programme before the Development Trust is now considerable. At present, we have 6 Trustees, but if we are to take these projects forward, we need to involve more people. If you would be willing to become either a Trustee or a volunteer on any of the above groups, please do contact us on dbdcdt@gmail.com.

We need your help.

Notes from a Councillor

You will be reading this article post Council budget meeting in the first few days of March where Council tax level will have been set. Perth & Kinross continues to have experience budget pressures related to Social Care provision. With an aging demographic across Perth & Kinross these pressures will continue to be experienced and impact on Council Lobbying for a higher settlement for Health & Social Care from the Scottish Government has been intense, resulting in little hope of any increase. This aspect of the budget relating to vulnerable adult care is of concern for all involved in the process.

The bus shelter cleaning contract has been awarded to Tayside Contracts, which will see all bus shelters throughout Perth & Kinross being cleaned twice a year. The previous contractor was administered by jet cleaning which lifted paint on the metal frame; therefore, Tayside Contacts will operate a manual cleaning process. Although shelter roofs will not be cleaned as this would involve using steps, opening health & safety concerns. Hopefully you will have noticed cleaner shelters as I believe some within Dunkeld, Birnam, Murthly and Stanley area have recently been cleaned under the new contract. Recently a concern was raised about roadside litter, particularly on the A9. I agree, this is unsightly and a pollutant to our environment. Trunk routes management are the responsibility of Transport Scotland. Despite this the Scottish Government have passed responsibility for trunk route roadside litter collection to local Councils without any additional financial resource, a few years ago. A9 litter collection sweep will start in March from the boundary with Stirlingshire, progressing along the route as and when resources allow. Hope this gives more of an understanding. Our teams are working hard

Bailie Claire

News from our Community Council

Traffic & Parking in Dunkeld & Birnam: Turning Priorities into Action

Following our first well-attended community meeting on traffic, parking and road safety back in November we are now moving into the next stage of the process, turning shared concerns into practical, community-led action.

Feedback gathered from residents, businesses and road users highlighted clear priorities. Safety emerged as the overriding concern particularly speeding, unsafe crossings, narrow pavements, heavy vehicle conflicts, and blocked access for emergency vehicles. Parking management, congestion and the impact of tourism were also consistently raised as issues affecting everyday life across Dunkeld & Birnam.

Alongside this wider work, the Community Council has recently responded to specific proposals from Perth & Kinross Council.

There has been strong local support for the proposed clearway on Boat Road, intended to prevent obstructive parking and improve traffic flow and visibility. Residents have

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 publication has been met from parliamentary resources

described significant difficulties during busy periods, particularly in summer, and view the measure as a sensible step to improve safety. At the same time, concerns about effective enforcement and the potential for displaced parking into surrounding streets have been clearly highlighted.

Similarly, proposals for double yellow lines at Bruce Gardens and along the A923 have been recognised by many residents as important safety improvements, especially at junctions where visibility is compromised. However, concerns remain about reduced parking capacity, the possible impact on traffic speeds, and the need for meaningful enforcement. These responses demonstrate something important: the community supports practical safety measures, but wants solutions that are balanced, proportionate and part of a coherent overall approach.

Our next public meeting on Tuesday 10 March, 7pm at Birnam Arts will focus on refining priorities and agreeing practical next steps.

On the night we will:

• Provide an update on recent proposals and community feedback

• Refine and prioritise key issues

• Break into small groups to develop focused action plans for locations such as Cathedral Street and The Cross

Establish working groups to take agreed priorities forward

This is about moving from identifying problems to shaping clear, deliverable solutions.

Traffic, parking and road safety affect residents, businesses, families and visitors alike. Your local knowledge and experience are essential to ensuring that the next steps reflect the needs of the whole community.

Unable to attend? You can email us at admin@ dunkeldandbirnam.co.uk, or leave written feedback in the suggestion box at Birnam Arts.

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

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

March ‘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 the Advertising Manager, John. B. Gray at Highfield, Brae Street, Dunkeld, PH8 0BA. Many thanks. Please contact the editor with amendments/additions.

Organisations - General

Local

For Younger People

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

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 / 07881 531565 Evelyn Menzies Evelynhmenzies@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

Organisations - Continued

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 dbcc.chair@gmail.com

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

BA = Birnam Arts Centre, DA = Duchess Anne Hall, The Cross, Dunkeld

March

Continues until 3rd May Exhibition: Fragile: Moths, Life Systems & Us Artist Jan Hendry’s project investigating moth species across Scotland. FREE Birnam Arts

2 Repair Café 3-6pm The Reading Room, Birnam Arts

5 Norrie Mciver 20.00-22.00 £18* Birnam Arts

6 Writer in Residence Elizabeth Kostova Welcome Gathering 6-8pm Birnam Oak

7 Repair Café Workshop Handtool Maintenance 10:30 – 12:30 Free

7 Workshop: Understanding Moths Creative Workshop 10.30am-12.30pm £35/£40* With artist Jan Hendry

7 The Atholl Cailleachs A celebration for International Women’s Day through song, words, music and dance 19.30-21.30 £14*

8 Norrie Mciver 20.00-22.00 £18* Birnam Arts

10 Traffic and Parking Meeting D&B Community Council Meeting All Welcome 7pm in Birnam Arts

11 Gardeners & Growers AGM dbggclub@gmail.com

12 Tabletop “gardening” session Servite Community Lounge 10:30-1200 Evergreen Gardening Group (gardening for all) All welcome

13 Tunna: Album Launch 20.00-22.00 £12*

13 Archives :Talk with Professor Kate Britton - Late Pleistocene (Ice Age) Archaeology and Archaeological Science. Upstairs at the Perth Arms 7:30pm www.historicdunkeld.org.uk

14 Archives : workshops (outside) Cathy MacIver from AOC Archaeology : Resistivity Geophysical Survey of St Jerome’s Chapel. www.historicdunkeld.org.uk

15 Film Club The Beasts 2hr 17m France 2022 7:30pm Birnam Arts non-members £8/£4

17 Warm Spaces: Free Film: Strictly Ballroom 2pm Lunch 1pm (complimentary light lunch at 1pm for the first 15 people to arrive is back… no booking required!)

18 Messy Music Ages 0-9 4-6pm Little Dunkeld Kirk FREE

18 Repair Café Workshop ‘Wear, Care and Repair your clothes’ 6:30 -8:30pm Guide Hall Little Dunkeld Free

18 Writer in Residence; An Evening with Elizabeth Kostova 7-9pm Birnam Arts - Pay what you can – fundraiser for Birnam Book Festival

19 A Giant On The Bridge: Kt Producing 7.30pm-10pm £17* Ages 14+/Content Warning

20-22 The Niel Gow Festival Fri 20th-Sat 22nd March: Various times £20/£5 per performance*

25 Sports Hub AGM at the Clubhouse 7pm

26 Archives :Skills workshop with Dr Gavin Lindsay –Excavation skills part 1 www.historicdunkeld.org.uk

26 Birnam Arts AGM 7pm Birnam Arts

26 A9 Community Group meeting 7.30pm at the Guide Hall

27 Malin Lewis 20.00-22.00 £16* Birnam Arts

28 Spring Art and Crafts Fair Drill Hall The Cross Dunkeld from 10am to 5pm Admission is free

29 Spring Art and Crafts Fair Drill Hall The Cross Dunkeld from 10am to 5pm Admission is free

30 Dunkeld and Birnam Community Arboretum AGM, Birnam Arts Reading Room 4pm All welcome April

12 Film Club The Marching Bank 1h 43m France 7:30pm Birnam Arts non-members £8/£4

18 Writer in Residence Event Elizabeth Kostova Fundraiser for Birnam Book Festival Tickets BA pay what you can 7-9pm

26 Gardeners and Growers visit to the Japanese Garden, Dollar. dbggclub@gmail.com

24 In Bloom fund raising coffee morning, plant and baking stall 10am Duchess Anne

27 Community Council Meeting 7-9pm venue TBA dunkeldandbirnamcc.co.uk

30 Archives :Skills workshop - Excavation skills part 2 www.historicdunkeld.org.uk May

10 Gardeners and Growers visit to rhododendrons at Glendoick House Gardens dbggclub@gmail.com