Welcome

...to the Dornoch Community Site run by the Dornoch Area Comunity Interest Company.

Note:

Highland Spice land lines down phone 01792 112 615 (as of 6th October 2019)

What's On

For the latest information see Facebook

Dornoch Police Station - Update

We are delighted to report that Police Scotland have accepted our Asset Transfer Request! Our Stage 2 application to the Scottish Land Fund to purchase the building and take our plans to building warrant stage is being considered and the outcome will be known shortly.

We have been awarded £405,903 from the Scottish Land Fund to purchase the Police Station! So it is all systems go. You are invited to a drop in session in the Struie Room of the Social CLub on Wednesday 2nd October 3pm - 7pm. Come and see the plans and give your feedback.

Our new Community Development Manager, Catherine Moodie is working on funding bids for the renovation work. Our plan is to do the renovation in stages, starting with the gym which attracted the most community support. So watch this space!

We have been fortunute to be awarded £50k from Beatrice Windfarm Ltd towards essential repairs & maintenance on the buildings and grounds, and the costs of converting the garages to house a gym. Silverback Gym in Tain will then provide all the equipment and run this long awaited facility.

We have now heard that we have been invited to submit our Stage 2 application to the Scottish Government's Regeneration Capital Grant Fund for the main renovation work. The outcome will be known in November. We will also hear shortly about our application to the Town Centre Fund.

Kerri Stevens joined us on 27 August as Project Manager and will be working with the design team headed by Iain Levens of Levens Studio who have submitted the planning application to bring the project to fruition.

The key findings of the Feasibiliy Study are here

The full feasibility study is here and the Architectural Survey is here

We now have a Business Plan for the four identified uses - of a business hub, studio/workshop/ storage space (for designers, artists and makers), gym and childcare centre for 0-3 year olds. Seven potential tenants have confirmed their interest.

Unfortunately in July, the childcare provider indicated that they are no longer able to proceed. We have since developed alternative plans for the old hostel accommodation, in consultation with the local hotels and Royal Dornoch Golf Club all of whom have a need for affordable staff accommodation during the tourist season. Four rooms will be available for seasonal staff and in the winter we will work with TYKES to offer respite accommodation for young carers and their families.

If you are interested in renting office, creative or storage space please email

Project Curlew

You may have seen an article in the Northern Times outlining DACIC's ambitious plans for a new multi-purpose building in Dornoch, on the vacant site south of the new UHI Student accommodation block and opposite the Medical Centre.

We believe this project could be transformational as it would open up all year round tourism with the building being available to hire for wedding receptions, conferences, music, arts and sports events in the Summer and curling in the Winter. The original plan for a gym has now been incorporated in the Police Station plans above, allowing a community hall to be included in the plans at the suggestion of the Community Association - which if both projects are successful would allow the Social Club to be sold.

Our application to the Scottish Land Fund has been successful and stage 1 development funding has been confirmed for Consultation, Feasibility Study and Business Plan. Ironside Ferrar who delivered the Dornoch Economic Masterplan have been appointed as the consultants for this work.

The grant also allows for the planning requirements for Contaminated Land and Flood Risk Assessments to be carried out.

Many thanks to those who came along to the consultation event on 22nd March.

LATEST NEWS: We have submitted a bid to the Natural & Cultural Heritage Fund based on a simpler design of a steel 'hangar type' shed for the curling rink, with conventional building in front for the community hall and shared facilities (toilets, changing room, kitchen etc). Feasibilty and Business Plan from Ironside Farrar is in draft form. We will submit an SLF 2 application in November once we idenitfy funding for ground investigation work required to check for any contaminated land.

Unfortunately our bid to the Natural & Cultural Heritage Fund was not successful. We have also heard that our Stage 1 application to the Scottish Government's Regeneration Capital Grant Fund was unsuccessful. In combinations this represents £1.8m of funding lost.

We are now investigating an initial option of a car & coach park with public toilets, while the main project is mothballed until / unless other fuding can be identified.

Cashback service

In response to public demand since the closure of the ATM and the Bank of Scotland branch, we are very grateful that Dornoch Stores have introduced a cashback service at its General Store, with no minimum purchase. They are open 8 am - pm daily. The Co-op, Eagle and Harry Gow also offer a cashback service. There are three ATMs inside the Co-op, the Spar Convenience in the Retail Park and the Golf Club. The Post Office offers a full banking service.