Community pub developed from old school in Perth and Kinross opens
Formerly known as The Hub, the community-owned bar and restaurant will welcome the Kinloch Rannoch community in for a sneak peak on Saturday afternoon before officially opening to the wider public from 10am on Sunday.
Back in September 2022, Rannoch Community Trust was granted planning permission to develop an £830,000 community hub in a former outdoors centre and school.
READ MORE: SNP MSP Fergus Ewing to stand as independent at next Scottish Parliament election
The consent was branded a 'major milestone' as the trust then sought to secure the remainder of the funding needed to complete the project at the Victorian building on Allt Mor Place.
Originally built as the village school in 1840, it closed when a new school was opened in Kinloch Rannoch in 1965. In the 1980s it was transformed into a residential outdoors centre until Perth and Kinross Council deemed it 'surplus to requirement' and closed it in 2019.
In July 2020, Perth and Kinross councillors voted to sell the former outdoors centre for £75,000 to Rannoch Community Trust to transform it into a multi-purpose facility for the community. A year later – in July 2021 – ownership of the building and grounds was legally transferred from Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) to Rannoch Community Trust.
(Image: The CornerStone)
Planning permission for the trust to develop it into a community-owned bar/restaurant was granted in September 2022, under delegated powers.
The CornerStone features a social enterprise café/bar, manager's accommodation, office space, a meeting room, an outdoor seating area, new footbridge and a playpark.
It will be run by a mixture of both paid and volunteer staff.
The building was designed by Perth-based Studio East Architects to be 'as energy efficient as possible'.
A spokesperson for The CornerStone said: 'Initially, we will be serving drinks only, until we hook a great chef onboard, so until then you can enjoy local beers on tap and so much more, we can't wait to host you in the heart of our village.'
(Image: The CornerStone)
There is also a meeting room with WiFi.
The spokesperson added: 'Our flexible workspaces catering to groups or individuals is also now available to book: Work — The Cornerstone
'Our new website offers lots of information you might be interested in, so please feel free to take a look around there, or pop in to say hello, we'll be proud to give you a warm welcome.'
Highland Perthshire ward councillor John Duff is delighted and said it looks 'fabulous'.
The Conservative councillor said: 'I am delighted that the aspirations of the community have been achieved and that it will soon have this excellent venue for locals and visitors to come together, relax and socialise.
'The conversion of the former outdoor centre looks fabulous and I applaud the continued efforts of the community to deliver this exceptional facility providing food, drink, meeting and work space. I look forward to visiting the CornerStone myself in the near future.'
Rannoch Community Trust was awarded £134,660 from the Scottish Government's Scottish Land Fund Award to cover the purchase of the building, legal expenses and essential repairs.
It also received £250,000 from the UK Government's Community Ownership Fund and £308,000 from the Scottish Government's Place Based Investment Programme, which is aimed at supporting community-led regeneration.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Mob boss Mark Richardson 'biding his time' in gang war to 'hit back big'
The underworld feud reignited when private hire firm Capital Cars was targeted by thugs at around 3am on Sunday. Mob boss Mark Richardson has warned any retaliation for a series of gangland attacks on his criminal empire 'have not been ordered by him' as he is 'biding his time'. The underworld feud reignited when private hire firm Capital Cars was targeted by thugs at around 3am on Sunday. The firm went up in flames during the early hours before two men were subsequently charged in connection with the attack. The home of Stephen Rose, who owns the firm, was also attacked a few hours earlier, at 12.10am. It's claimed police were called when thugs armed with machetes arrived at the property. The feared group behind the attacks, Tamo Junto, claimed responsibility and issued a stark 'we're not going away' warning. A source told how the group, who have laid siege to Richardson's empire in recent months, are continuing to target anyone associated with the caged mob boss. However, Mr Rose has told the Record rumours about Richardson having any involvement in his company are unfounded. A second source, who previously revealed Richardson is remaining 'tight-lipped' regarding any retribution attacks, has since told Edinburgh Live how the 38-year-old is 'biding his time' and will deal with his enemies 'properly'. They said: "Richardson has apparently said any retaliation from his side is nothing to do with him and hasn't been ordered by him. He is biding his time and will do it properly, which is actually a dangerous move. "Richardson is smart though and has been one of the smartest players in all of this. He can sit and watch what is unfolding in front of him but will pounce at the right moment. Other people getting involved in this war are just children in men's bodies." Richardson took matters into his own hands during a long-standing feud with former gangster-turned boxing promoter Robert Kelbie in 2016. The pair came to blows before a funeral service in Portobello. At the time it was claimed Richardson and Kelbie exchanged words before a violent brawl broke out in front of shocked mourners. The kingpin was previously jailed for eight years in 2018 for his role in a major crime gang and was given another sentence of 18 months for leading police on a high speed chase through Glasgow before he was caught. Richardson is currently behind bars at HMP Low Moss. On Tuesday, we told how Richardson's younger brother Dale was reportedly attacked by thugs after spending the night at an Oasis gig in the capital. A video released by Tamo Junto (TMJ) referenced the attack as they wrote: "Did Dale enjoy Oasis?" followed by a laughing emoji. Richardson's underworld empire has experienced a wave of attacks since March as current and former associates have been targeted by the group, under the orders of Dubai-based Ross McGill, who was ripped off with fake notes in a drug deal. Carnage then spread across the capital and the west of the country as armed thugs attacked associates of Richardson and the Daniel crime clan with machetes and firebombed properties and businesses. Two homes were also damaged in the capital after being shot at my masked assailants. So far Police Scotland have made a total of 57 arrests as they continue to come down hard on those involved in serious and organised crime.
STV News
an hour ago
- STV News
Edinburgh Airport's ‘pioneering' solar farm praised by deputy first minister
Scotland's deputy first minister has said an airside solar power project, which can provide more than a quarter of an airport's electricity is a 'fantastic example' of 'real and lasting change'. Kate Forbes was speaking as she officially opened an 11-acre solar farm, which is adjacent to the runway at Edinburgh Airport. Capable of generating approximately 27% of the airport's power needs, bosses said there have been times this year when the airport has operated solely on solar energy between 8.30am and 7pm. The project, which was supported with £2.1m of Scottish Government cash, is said to be the first of its kind in Scotland. PA Media Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes hailed the 'pioneering project' (Andrew Milligan/PA) It was developed as Edinburgh Airport seeks to reduce its own emissions to net zero by 2030, with the airport saying it has already reduced these by 90% from 2019. Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar said: 'Making sure we have a sustainable future is one of our most important goals, and it's important that we innovate and harness technology that can help deliver that for the airport. 'The introduction of the UK's first airfield solar farm is a key part of our Greater Good sustainability strategy, delivering almost 27% of our energy needs and diversifying our energy mix – and we are proud to be an airport that continues to look to innovative solutions to meet our goals.' Mr Dewar said the scheme 'also demonstrates how Government and the private sector can work together to help deliver a more sustainable Scotland alongside, in our case, the benefits of air travel and connectivity to the economy'. ☀️| Solar power shining on Edinburgh Airport. Deputy First Minister @_KateForbes officially opened our airside solar farm this morning. The eleven-acre airside farm is a Scottish first and can provide approximately 27% of the airport's energy needs. — Edinburgh Airport (@EDI_Airport) August 20, 2025 Forbes stressed the Scottish Government is 'committed to working with the private sector to accelerate Scotland's transition to a net zero future'. The deputy first minister said: 'Edinburgh Airport's solar farm is a fantastic example of how Government support, combined with private sector appetite and expertise, can deliver real and lasting change. 'By generating clean energy on site, this pioneering project is not only helping one of the country's most important transport hubs cut emissions but also supporting green jobs, energy resilience and sustainable economic growth. 'I am proud that Scottish Government funding has played a part in making this vision a reality and showing the kind of leadership we need on the journey to net zero.' The airport worked with solar experts AMPYR Solar Europe (ASE) to develop, fund and operate the project, which has been generating power since 2024 Tarun Agrawal, chief executive of ASE, said: 'The commitment shown by Scottish Government has critically provided certainty and confidence, and we look forward to contributing further to Scotland's energy transition.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Ithaca shareholders get big payouts after firm cuts jobs
The growth will support big payouts to investors planned by Aberdeen-based Ithaca, which expects to declare dividends worth $500m for the current year. It could also help Ithaca to fund work on controversial projects West of Shetland that are facing strong opposition from campaigners. Ithaca said work on the project to develop the huge Rosebank field off Shetland with Equinor was progressing on all fronts. Ithaca also underlined its confidence in the potential to bring the Cambo field into production although Shell lost interest in it. READ MORE: Oil giant hails North Sea performance as it plans hefty job cuts The growth in first half profits reflected the benefit of mergers and acquisitions activity completed in recent years by London Stock Exchange-listed Ithaca, which looks to be planning other North Sea expansion moves. In October Ithaca merged its operations with the bulk of the North Sea business developed by Italian giant Eni. Israel's Delek was left with a 51% stake in the enlarged business with Eni on 39%. Ithaca acquired an additional stake in the giant Seagull oil field in March through the $193m takeover of Japex's North Sea business. It took control of the UK's biggest gas field, Cygnus, in May after acquiring a $154m stake from Centrica-owned Spirit Energy. The growth in first half profits followed a 133% increase in production, to an average 123,600 barrels oil equivalent per day, from 53,000 boepd. Ithaca has benefited from the investment it has made in increasing production from the assets acquired from other firms and moves to squeeze costs out of the enlarged business. In March Ithaca announced plans to cut jobs under a restructuring process without specifying how many. READ MORE: As Chevron closes Aberdeen office, what now for North Sea jobs? The deals struck in recent months have helped confirm directors' confidence in a strategy which has seen Ithaca capitalise on moves by other firms to reduce their exposure to the North Sea. Industry leaders have warned that the increase in the tax burden on North Sea firms that resulted from measures in the Labour Government's first Budget in October could prompt firms to slash investment in the area. However, Ithaca's executive chairman Yaniv Friedman declared: 'Strategic progress across our West of Shetland developments and recent acquisitions executing on our UKCS growth strategy, further position us for long-term growth." (Image: Ithaca Energy) In the results announcement Ithaca said it continued to maintain an active but patient pursuit of mergers and acquisition opportunities in the UK North Sea and globally. Ithaca signalled that directors' concerns about tax and regulatory challenges had eased in recent months following a period in which the company faced potentially serious obstacles. The Rosebank project was thrown into doubt after a Scottish court ruled that the UK Government had been wrong to approve it. That was because the assessment process failed to take account of emissions that would be generated by use of the oil and gas concerned. Ithaca noted that the UK Government had introduced a new assessment process in June. It is expected the process will address the Court of Session's concerns. Ithaca also noted it has been an active participant in a UK Government consultation process regarding plans to replace the windfall tax with a system that would respond faster to changes in oil and gas prices. Ithaca expects to learn the outcome in the fourth quarter. READ MORE: Scottish windfarms paid £120m in six months not to generate electricity Favourable changes to the tax regime could make it easier for Ithaca to find a partner that would be prepared to invest in the development of the Cambo field. Ithaca bought Shell's stake in Cambo in 2023. Shell dropped plans for the Cambo development in 2021 citing concerns about the economics of the project. Ithaca upgraded its production guidance for this year to up to 125,000 boepd from up to 119,000 boepd. Ithaca declared a $167m interim dividend worth $0.101 per share.
