Latest News
Check our latest news
Dal an Duie Play Area
Survey results and invitation to get involved
Thank you to everyone who took part in our survey about a possible community play area at Dal an Duie.
We received 36 responses. Of these, 35 people supported the idea of a play area, while one person was unsure. Your feedback provides a valuable starting point for exploring what the community would like to see at Dal an Duie.
The GCDA Board has approved the survey report and agreed to take the project forward to the feasibility stage.
This means we will now explore what may be possible, including potential designs, costs, permissions, funding opportunities, and how any facility could be managed and maintained. It does not mean that a play area will definitely be built.
What people told us?
Respondents felt that a play area could be enjoyed by children of different ages, alongside families, local residents and visitors.
The most popular suggestions included:
Swings, slides and climbing equipment
Sensory and natural play features, such as logs, stones and rocks
Seating for parents, carers and other adults
Shelters, dens or cubby houses
Outdoor exercise equipment for adults
There was a strong preference for a facility that is safe, accessible and suitable for a range of ages. People also highlighted the importance of natural materials, manageable maintenance requirements, and a design that fits sensitively into the surrounding landscape.
Most respondents favoured a medium-sized play area with a small number of key features. Some supported a larger facility, while others preferred something smaller and simpler. These options will be considered as the project develops.
Why a play area could matter?
A community play area could:
Give local children and families a safe, welcoming and engaging place to play outdoors
Support health, wellbeing and physical activity through child-led outdoor play
Strengthen Dal an Duie’s role as a shared space for recreation and community gathering
Add to Glenbarr’s appeal for visitors in a way that respects its rural setting
What happens next?
Over the coming months, GCDA will explore possible designs, likely costs, planning and other permissions, funding opportunities, and long-term maintenance requirements.
We will also speak with organisations experienced in developing community play areas and seek further views from local people.
The aim is to develop an initial concept for consideration by the community and the GCDA Board.
Any future decision to build a play area would depend on the feasibility work, community feedback, available funding and Board approval.
Help shape the project
Working Group – Register Your Interest
Please complete this form if you would like to be involved in the Glenbarr Play Area Working Group. The group will help GCDA explore options for the play area, including location, design, accessibility, costs, fundraising, planning requirements, safety and consultation with local families and the wider community.
You do not need specialist knowledge or previous committee experience. Completing this form does not commit you to a formal role; it simply helps us understand who would like to become involved in helping shape the project. Involvement can be flexible.
If you Prefer a paper copy, these will be available at Craigholm, and completed forms can be returned to Craigholm or emailed to hello@glenbarr.org.uk
Your details
Name: ____________________________________________________
Address or postcode: ______________________________________
Email: ___________________________________________________
Telephone: _______________________________________________
Preferred contact method:
☐ Email ☐ Telephone ☐ Other
: ___________________________
About your interest
Why would you like to be involved in the Play Area Working Group?
Do you have any relevant experience, skills or interests you would like to share? (e.g., parenting/carer experience, play, education, fundraising, design, landscaping, accessibility, community consultation, project management or volunteering)
What times/days are usually easiest for you to attend meetings?
Are there any access, communication or support needs that would help you take part?
☐ Consent: I agree that Glenbarr Community Development Association may use the contact details above to contact me about the Play Area Working Group and related consultation activity.
Dear members
We have found in the past that in the winter months there are low numbers for the Brew and Blether. It has also been noted that some people find this is a much appreciated social outlet so we are loathe to just stop after October. The next one is on Wednesday 7th October.
We are looking for ways to involve more villagers in a social get together/Brew and Blether. Would people be interested in an evening event or a change of day and/or time?
It could of course be incorporated with any activity that is discussed at the meeting on the 17th in the cafe.
Happy to have feedback and to work with any new social committee.
🌟 OUR SHARED CELEBRATION: Dal an Duie Field is OPEN for Us All 🌟
What a beautiful day we shared. Around 60 of us came together in the sunshine on Saturday, 29 August, to celebrate the official opening of Dal an Duie Field in Glenbarr - a brand new community space for every single one of us to enjoy together.
🎉 A Community Effort
This outdoor community space started taking shape in early 2023 and was bought for the community in January 2024. The GCDA Programme Manager has led the development since 2025, guiding the project with support from local volunteers - and there are plenty more exciting improvements planned together for the years ahead.
👏 Thank You to the Whole Team
Huge thanks to landscape architect Matt Benians and Gordon Baillie Contracting for working alongside us. Their skill, good humour and dedication helped us create a high quality space that belongs to every resident and that we can all be proud of.
🌳 What is Next for Us?
While our field is now open, a few works are still underway as we build our future:
The woodland area remains closed for safety while tree works continue - soon it will link up with our future woodland paths.
Please avoid parking on the grassed bays while they become established.
🎈 Fun for Everyone
The official opening was led by Jeanne Macalister, the oldest resident in Glenbarr. Jeanne cut the ribbon and invited the children onto the field - followed by a community barbecue and games for all families.
🙌 Our Community Spirit Shines
Lorraine Macphail shared heartfelt thanks for all who made the day possible:
The many volunteers who prepared the field for us
Glenbarr Stores for our food and drink
Fellow residents who supplied baking and organised games
Kenny Craig for capturing the memories
📣 Looking Ahead Together
Our play area survey was carried out to help us shape proposals for our potential play area - results will be shared with everyone soon. Our long term vision is a safe, welcoming space where all families can meet, enjoy nature and take part in our activities.
🌲 Exciting Opportunities for Us
The anticipated appointment of a Woodland Ranger will open up even more chances for us to learn, volunteer and manage our woodland together.
Thank you to every single person who supported this project and joined our celebration. Here is to many happy gatherings at Dal an Duie Field. 🎊
#glenbarr #ourcommunity #dalanduiefield #GCDA #ouropening
🌿 Dal an Duie Nearing Completion 🌿
The transformation at Dal an Duie continues, and we're delighted to share that the project is now entering its final stages.
Despite some challenging weather and the unexpected need to replace a collapsed drain, excellent progress has been made over recent weeks. The new community car park is now well advanced, with the focus turning towards the finishing touches that will help the space sit naturally within its surroundings and serve the community for years to come.
This progress is a reflection of the hard work of appointed contractors Gordon Baillie Contracting Ltd and our architects MBLA Design Ltd, who have worked closely together to help bring the project from concept to reality.
Recent works have included landscaping, path improvements, repairs to and the building of new traditional dry stone field walls, and preparations for new seating, cycle stands and other site furniture. Wildflower seeding and habitat improvements are also underway, helping the site blend into the surrounding landscape while supporting local biodiversity.
Importantly, the project is already beginning to deliver on its wider aims. New paths are improving movement around the site and strengthening links between the car park, field and Dal an Duie Woodlands, helping create a more accessible and welcoming space for residents and visitors alike.
Most of the remaining works are expected to be completed over the coming weeks, with only a small number of final elements, including fencing, signage and future tree planting, still to follow. Works to improve woodland accessibility will be following in the near future to connect to Dal an Duie's paths.
What was once an underused field is rapidly becoming a space that improves access to Glenbarr's natural assets while creating new opportunities for recreation, community use and enjoyment of the local landscape.
Thank you to everyone for your patience and support while the works have been underway. It's exciting to see the vision becoming reality, and we look forward to sharing the finished result with the community very soon.
🌿 𝗗𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝘂𝗶𝗲: 𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙚 𝙏𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮, 𝘾𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙏𝙤𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙬 🌿
If you've passed Dal an Duie recently, you'll have seen the significant progress being made on the new community car park. With the permeable surfacing now largely installed and final works underway, we're getting closer to opening a valuable new community asset for residents and visitors alike.
𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴.
Planning permission has now been secured and works have started for the next phase, allowing the wider Dal an Duie vision to continue moving forward. Over time, the area will evolve into a richer community space, with new woodland planting, accessible paths, habitat creation, event space, seating areas, riverside access improvements, and a direct connection into the Community Woodlands.
The planned path network, started this work by contractors Gordon Baillie Contracting Ltd will link the car park, field and woodlands together, creating a more welcoming and practical way to access the wider Dal an Duie landscape. The aim is not simply to create infrastructure, but to provide a space where people can walk, explore, relax, learn and connect with nature.
The project has always been about more than a car park. It is about improving access to the area's natural assets while creating opportunities for community use, biodiversity enhancement and future activities for residents and visitors alike.
It's encouraging to see the long-term vision beginning to emerge on the ground, and we look forward to sharing further updates as the project continues to develop.
🌿 Dal an Duie Begins to Take Shape
Work at Dal an Duie is continuing to move forward at a great pace, with contractor @Gordon Baillie Contracting Ltd now progressing the project into the next key construction stages.
Over the past couple of weeks, the site has been transformed from an open field into a clearly defined and functioning construction site, with excavation, drainage infrastructure, kerbing, and base preparation all now well underway. In recent days, installation of the permeable Bodpave surfacing system has also begun in parts of the site - a major milestone in the build.
We also want to highlight the beautiful new dry stone walling now taking shape at the entrance. This work is being carried out by local residents, whose craftsmanship is already adding real character to the space. We’re incredibly fortunate to have local skill and care helping shape such an important community project.
🚗 Traffic Management Reminder
Temporary traffic management remains in place on the Barr Glen road between Killegruer Farm and Glenbarr Abbey while works continue. The road remains fully passable under a Give and Take arrangement, but we ask all road users to continue taking care in the area.
A huge thank you again to the community, and anyone else impacted, for your patience and support while these works progress.