2025 BENEFICIARIES

Reserves from previous years have meant that Buchanan Community Hydro Society (BCHS) – a community benefit company (bencom) – has been able to support a range of initiatives proposed by nine community groups.

BCHS was commissioned in July 2022 with financial surpluses earmarked to support projects within the Stirlingshire parish of Buchanan – from Rowardennan in the north and taking in Balmaha, Milton of Buchanan, Buchanan Smithy and Buchanan Castle Estate to the south.

This third year of operation has brought the total awards made by the society’s community benefit fund to over £75,000.

The 2025 beneficiaries include Drymen Community Development Trust which received £1,031 for restoration work on the villages’s war memorial. Thanking BCHS for the award Hilary Soanes says: "Drymen War Memorial is a very respectable 103 years old but if it is to survive another 103 years, it’s in need of repair and conservation.

“We were advised by The War Memorials Trust to obtain a conservation report and the grant enabled us to commission a specialist workshop to conduct a survey. With that now in hand, we are in a much better position to approach other funders to complete the work. The hard work of fundraising now begins.”

Buchanan Church Heritage Trust was been awarded just over £7,000 to progress its endeavors to buy the Milton of Buchanan church building following Church of Scotland's decision to close the church.

Representing the group, Ian Neale says: “The trust needed funding for condition and valuation surveys to inform our bid to purchase the church from the Church of Scotland.  The steering group is grateful for the grant from the hydro to cover this cost.“

Buchanan Memorial Hall received two awards totalling £7,740 for additional flooring and implementation of an online system for taking bookings.

“‘The hall flooring has been down for many years and is in a very poor state of repair.  Thanks to the funding we’re able to renew the flooring throughout the entire building,” says committee member Sharon Masefield. “This will absolutely transform the space for existing hall groups and hopefully will encourage new groups to book this lovely building for their events and activities’”

East Loch Lomond Community Trust (ELLCT) submitted two successful applications totalling £584.

“Previous years’ Christmas tree and lights switch on events have been such a success that we felt we should repeat it this year,” says ELLCT secretary Margaret McDonald. “That’s been made possible thanks to this award from BCHS.”

The ELLCT’s award also includes help towards hosting and maintenance of its website.

A series of well-being initiatives and exercise classes in the area attracted an award of just over £1,400.

Local resident Julie Brown who is organising the initiatives says: “I am delighted that the community exercise classes are continuing with another year of generous funding - we have exciting new classes lined up plus some favourites from last year returning again including yoga and pilates.

“We've had lots of local people through the door including those trying exercise classes for the first time in a long time and enjoying themselves and feeling good – it's a welcoming environment of local people enjoying classes run by local instructors in our local hall all made possible by local funding.“

Drymen, Croftamie & Buchanan Gala Day received £1,243 from the society. Speaking on behalf of the gala day group, Louise Macfarlane says: “The generous donation from Buchanan Community Hydro Society allowed us to provide a fun packed, affordable family day out. Thanks to the fund we were able to bring three communities together for a day of fun and games leading into a evening of music and dance.”

Completing this year’s funding were awards to Buchanan Castle Roads & Infrastucture Group (£5,000 towards road repairs on the estate); Drymen Primary School PTA (£800 towards football pitch care); and 26th Drymen Scout Group (£800 towards camping equipment).

Award applications for next year’s fund will be open in Spring 2026 – specific information will be posted on BCHS' website and social media nearer the time.