Welcome

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

Here is a link to What's On in October

COVID-19 - Relaxation of many the restrictions from 9 August

Scottish Government Update - more details here

During the winter a Visitor Management Plan has been developed with stakeholder input. See here

For the latest information see Facebook

To book a COVID-19 test call 111 or book on-line at

https://nhsh.scot/2LEhHmZ

Guide to Welfare Support

Self-Employed Income Support

DACIC would like to say a big 'Thank You' to Lesley Strang for taking us from building snagging list to full occupation of the Dornoch Hub. Lesley leaves today (26 October) to concentrate on running her events company. We welcome Paula White as Hub Development Manager, who joins us from Lairg Learning Centre where she was finance manager. We also say thanks and farewell to Catherine Moodie who has helped us secure £1.6m since joining us in January 2019. Catherine is taking up the position of Development Manager at Go Golspie.

Dornoch Hub - all areas now open - bookings being taken for meetings, events & activities - contact Paula White. Also check out the job opportunities at the Hub.

The Visitor Centre is now open 10-2 daily

The Community Room is taking shape

We are in the porcess of setting up a programme of community events, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund - including Youth Club, After School Coding Club, Cookery workshops, and dementia friendly art & carft workshops.

Silverback Gym opened at the Hub on Saturay 1st May 2021. The old garages have been converted into a gym - which has been on the community wish list for over 10 years!

For more information please message Silverback's Facebook page. Membership, classes and day passes are available.

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.

The Scottish Land Fund (SLF) and the North Highland Curling Trust provided the finance to commission a Feasibilty and Business Plan from Ironside Farrar and our application to SLF for funding to purchase the site has been successful and the legal teams are 'on the case'. We are now working on phase 1 a car & coach park - to which we have added day time motorhome parking to address the influx last year.

We have been supported in this by the Dornoch Common Good Fund award of £39,760, together with £28,052 from the Town Centre Fund, £80,000 Highland Coastal Communities and a conditional award of £245,450 from the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund subject to securing the balance of the overall funding package by 31 May.

Phase 2 for a MUGA and winter skating rink is part of the planning application but subject to further funding bids that our Community Development Manager, Catherine Moodie, will be working on. The planning application was submitted at the end of September 20 and granted on 31 March 21.

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.