Facts & Figures

Comrie is a highly motivated community with at least 56 local organisations active in the village. Comrie is the name given by the Scots invaders of the 7th century and is derived from the Gaelic Conruith meaning ‘flowing together’ as our village sits where the three rivers of the Earn, Ruchill and Leadnock meet. In the 21st century it is a place where ancient rivers are meeting new ideas through our new Development Trust.

Company Limited by guarantee with Charitable Status

£49,669 (April 2010 – March 2011)

Own the Cultybraggan Army Training Camp and 90 acres of land

Roots & Links

In May 2005 the Comrie Development Group was formed following an exceptional presentation in the village by the Westray Development Trust from Orkney. Those attending were inspired by what can be achieved by a local community to secure the long-term health and vitality of their area. Over the next year the Comrie Development Group worked with local people and groups to explore the potential of a Development Trust for Comrie. In October 2005 a major community meeting was held and it was agree to establish a Development Trust for the village. The aim of the Development Trust is to promote the sustainable development of the village for the benefit of local people, groups and businesses.

There are 12 elected seats and three co-opted seats on the Board.  One of the co-opted seats is reserved for a member of the Community Council.  Membership of the Trust is now 720 (including 120 Associate Members) making it one of the best represented Trusts in Scotland.  The Trust holds regular Community Open Meetings, Open Days and one off events and consultations.  There are currently 13 Working Groups that lead projects identified and prioritised by the community.

The Trust emphasises the importance of working in partnership with the 56 local groups while developing new ideas and projects.  A Community Council representative sits on the Trust’s Board and the Trust has close links with numerous local businesses and organisations as well as other communities addressing similar issues.

CDT has strong links to Perth & Kinross Council, Scottish Enterprise, Historic Scotland, Scottish Government as well as a range of funders and financial institutions including The Tudor Trust, Gannochy Trust, Big Lottery, LEADER and Triodos Bank, to name but a few..

Activities

Over the last five years plans to turn Cultybraggan Camp into a physical hub for the community have progressed.  The Trust also has an office in the village where members of the community can drop-in and ask questions, receive information and advice about all Trust projects.

Through active involvement on the board and through our working groups

Buying and developing Cultybraggan Camp has dominated the first five years of the Trust’s existence.  However, the Trust has also advanced a range of projects that have been crucial to building the success of the Trust.  These include the Carbon Challenge, Youth Drama Group, the establishment of a Community Cinema Club, on-going development of a skateboarding / bike park, renewable energy projects, waste and transport related activities, music events, creation of a Community Orchard and plans for a Community Woodland, Open Days at Cultybraggan Camp, Oral History Group (published Camp 21 booklet), plans for a heritage centre and recreation and sporting facilities and local economic projects to support local businesses.

In September 2007, the CDT purchased Cultybraggan Army Training Camp, encompassing 90 acres of land from the Ministry of Defence, for the benefit of the community.  This historic and major community buyout of land was undertaken through the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.  CDT has developed a Business Plan to develop Cultuybraggan for optimum community use and to become self-financing by 2014.

The community turnout for the ballot under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 was 72% with 97% of those in favour of purchasing Cultybraggan.  This is the most conclusive ballot in Scotland to date.  Funding for the £350,000 purchase prices was obtained from the Tudor Trust / Triodos Bank, with The Big Lottery fund via HIE and Scottish Enterprise supporting business planning.

Purchased 90 acres of land for community benefit.  Attracted over £1.7m of investment.  Built strong partnerships with charities, banks, Government and local groups.  Have an amazing network of volunteers advancing projects from youth drama to renewable energy.  Been awarded over three years’ funding to be one of the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund exemplar communities.

What Next

Financial sustainability.

To numerous to mention but mainly – “Hold your nerve!”

We are a community determined to take care of our village and rise to the economic, social and environmental challenges of 21st century living.  Our plans and aspirations include continuing the development of Cultybraggan for a range of community uses including – increased local food production, renewable energy, heritage centre, sports and recreation, work / office space for local businesses, commercial development, quality land management and habitat protection, events venue, developing off-road access between the village and the Camp and a whole host of other projects geared to increase the resilience of the village.  We also plan to continue our carbon reduction work through a series of specific behaviour change related projects.

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