SCD monthly update – September 2025

What’s Been Going On?

From updates on the Community Housing Project to the latest report from our Moy Ranger, along with a host of exciting upcoming events — there’s lots going on. Read on to discover more!

PROJECT UPDATES

Highland Business Awards Winners

We’re thrilled to share some fantastic news! Strathdearn Community Developments, on behalf of the community, won the RESILIENCE AWARD at the Highland Business Awards on Friday 26^th September!

This honour reflects the incredible dedication of our community, the tireless efforts of volunteer board members past and present, and the committed teams at SCD and WRT who work every day to build and sustain vital services.

A heartfelt thank you to all our community bodies, residents, and funders — your support makes everything we do possible. This award belongs to all of you.

Community Affordable Housing Update

Construction Progress – September

Off-Site Works

The traffic management system has now been permanently removed — welcome news for everyone! We’d like to sincerely thank the community for their patience and understanding during this phase.

On-Site Progress

September brought strong progress on-site, with key milestones achieved:
• All windows and doors are now installed with the front doors arriving shortly
• Roof tiles are in place and ready for fixing
• Electrical works and internal wall partitions are underway

Housing Applications & Allocation Policy

If you’d like to express interest in the housing (please note this is not a waiting list), email the project team at: projects@strathdearn.org

Locals discount at Tastes of Tomatin Shop

We are delighted to offer all IV13 residents a 10% discount card for the shop – make sure to pick one up if you haven’t already!

Hazelbank Woods Update

There’s been lots going on in Hazelbank Woods lately!

New entrance signage is coming along nicely — these should help make the space more welcoming and informative.

We’ve recently met with other community woodland groups through the Community Woodland Association to share experiences, gather ideas, and gain valuable knowledge to help shape the future of Hazelbank Woods.

And looking ahead, a new deer fence will be going in at the start of October to help protect the woodland and support long-term conservation efforts.

Countryside Ranger Visit to Kids Club

We’ve been working closely with Countryside Ranger John from Highlife Highland to organise engaging sessions during the after-school club – a great way to help young people connect with nature.

📅 Next visit: Wednesday 1st October, 3.30pm – 5pm

Outdoor Learning Area

Strathdearn Nursery & Primary School children regularly enjoy outdoor learning and nature exploration through Forest School – “Where the Wild Things Are.”

Outdoor Education takes place every Tuesday from 10am – 3pm.

🐾 Dog Owners – Please Help Us Keep This Area Safe:

• Keep dogs on a lead when approaching or passing through this area.
• Please pick up after your dog, as this is a space where children play and learn.

Let’s work together to keep Hazelbank Woodland a clean, safe, and welcoming space for everyone.

Thank you for your support! 💚

Moy Community Woodland Initiative

The Moy community has identified a small woodland area of approximately four hectares, currently owned by Forestry and Land Scotland. Locally referred to as the “old (old) A9,” this site is being considered for community-led stewardship with a focus on education and conservation.

To pursue control of the site, the following options are under consideration:

• A Management Agreement
• A Long-Term Lease
• Purchase through the Community Asset Transfer process

The Moy Sub-Committee is currently evaluating these options and will engage with the SCD Board in due course to determine the most appropriate next steps.

Moy Ranger Service

The Ranger (Emma) continues to patrol Loch Moy, and has reported the following for the month of August:

‘August has been a successful month at Moy, with no major issues.

At the beginning of the month, a large group camped overnight at the What3Words location. Upon speaking with them, I noted a raised firepit and a significant amount of litter around their tents. We discussed responsible outdoor access and the principles of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. The group agreed to tidy their site, remove toileting waste, and ensure they left no trace. On my follow-up visit the following Monday, they had done a reasonably good job.

Storm Floris passed through with minimal impact to the woods. A few trees were blown down across the old A9 path, which I cleared to the side to maintain access. The fallen wood has been left to support biodiversity.

Wildlife sightings this month have been particularly rewarding. A pair of young cormorants have been observed on Eilean nan Clach. While typically coastal, a continental European subspecies is increasingly found at inland sites. Additionally, after a quiet start to the season, a pair of ospreys have been seen regularly. The female has been spotted on a nest on the island, with the male making occasional appearances. Although it’s too late for breeding this year, it’s encouraging to see the nest being used.

During my patrols, I’ve also had the pleasure of seeing a kingfisher and a red squirrel swimming across the outflow near Tullochclurry—an unexpected and delightful sight.’

Childcare Needs Survey – Thank You for Your Feedback

A big thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our recent childcare survey.
Your input is invaluable and will help us better understand the needs of families in Strathdearn.

Next steps:

• The team will compile and present the findings to the SCD Board
• Once reviewed, the results will be shared with the community

The insights you’ve shared will play a key role in shaping the 2027 Community Action Plan (CAP) and helping assess the feasibility and support needed for a potential sustainable childcare service for working families.

Youth, Health & Wellbeing

Soup Returns to The Snug!

We’re delighted to welcome back soup and rolls at The Snug from Friday 3rd October at The Strathdearn Hub — freshly homemade by Tastes of Tomatin Café.

Alongside this, you’ll find our usual offerings of tea, coffee, biscuits, fresh fruit, and the day’s newspapers.

Come along for a cuppa, a bite to eat, and a friendly catch-up with friends and neighbours in a relaxed space.

🕙 Open every Tuesday & Friday, 10am – 3.45pm
📍 The Strathdearn Hub

If you — or someone you know — would like to join us but need help with transport, please get in touch at enquiries@strathdearn.org and we’ll do our best to assist.

Proof of Address for Gym Memberships

The High Life and Bannatyne membership scheme remain one of SCD’s most valued health and wellbeing initiatives

As part of our windfarm funding requirements, we must show that subsidies are benefiting residents within the IV13 postcode.

As highlighted in recent SCD updates, we’ve introduced an annual proof of address check to help keep this scheme running for our community.

If you haven’t confirmed your address within the past year, please provide a recent utility bill (dated within the last 3 months) in one of the following ways:

• Email projects@strathdearn.org a clear photo or scan of the document, or

• Bring the document into the Hub office in person

Your document will only be viewed for verification and will not be stored.

To keep your membership at the subsidised rate, please complete this step before the deadline. Otherwise, your membership will revert to the standard (unsubsidised) rate.

Deadline: 3rd November 2025

P7s Visit to Baby & Toddler Group

A big thank you to Coby, Edie, Hugo and Timothy for coming to Baby and Toddler Group on Thursday 25^th September – the wee ones loved hearing the stories!

Bookbug Sessions

We were delighted to welcome Bookbug to Baby & Toddler Group this month!

Bookbug brings the magic of songs, rhymes, puppets, and stories, and is part of a fantastic Scottish Book Trust programme that encourages story sharing to support children’s language, social skills, and overall development.

📅 Upcoming sessions:

2nd October with Alison (10.30am – 11am)

Regular Activities

High Life Classes at The Strathdearn Hub

Pilates

Pilates with Marina and Morna continues to be a community favourite! ✨
Come along to strengthen your core, improve flexibility, and enjoy a full-body workout – suitable for all ages and abilities.

📅 Every Monday
🕚 11:15am – 12:15pm
📍 The Strathdearn Hub

Otago

Otago with Val is a gentle movement programme designed to help prevent trips and falls. It’s ideal for older adults and anyone returning to exercise. The class focuses on leg-strengthening and balance-retraining exercises that gradually progress in difficulty, and it also includes a walking plan that can be followed at home or in a group setting.

📅 Every Friday

🕚 10am – 10:45am

📍 The Strathdearn Hub

Pricing for High Life classes

✅ First class free for anyone who’d like to give it a try!

Included with a High Life membership:

Family: £19.35/month (discounted from £42.99)
Individual: £13.05/month (discounted from £28.99)

Or pay as you go:

£8.55 per class (standard rate)
£5.15 per class (over 60s)

ℹ️ For details on discounted membership: projects@strathdearn.org
📞 To book: 01479 813 140
💻 Or online: online.highlifehighland.com

High Life Highland Membership – Over 50% Discount for Families and Individuals

We continue our collaboration with High Life Highland as part of the charity’s Wellbeing membership scheme, highlife.

As a Wellbeing member, High Life Highland provides a 10% discount off the standard membership price as they support and contribute to Strathdearn residents’ health and wellness.

Further to this, SCD has committed to fund 50% of the cost of the membership for all residents residing in the postcode area of IV13.

This reduces the price of a family membership to £19.35 per month and £13.05 for an individual membership per month. The High Life Highland membership offers you and your family access to a range of health and fitness opportunities in 25 leisure centres throughout the Highlands. The membership includes the following access/use:

Swimming pools
Leisure waters
Fitness suites
Strength and conditioning areas
Fitness room/Strength and Conditioning area Inductions
Term time swimming lessons for adults and children
Extensive range of group fitness classes for all abilities and interests
Running track
Climbing walls
Saunas, spa pools and steam rooms
Dynamic wellbeing activities and classes in partnership with NHS Highland
Children’s activities
Single court activities – badminton, squash, table tennis etc
Discounts on personal training, private swimming lessons and small group fitness
Early entry to our popular School’s Out Activity programme
7-day advance booking for all our activities and classes

Membership Prices:

Family Membership: £19.35 /month (discounted from £42.99)
Individual Membership: £13.05 /month (discounted from £28.99)

To sign up or for more information, please email projects@strathdearn.org or call 07703 328333.

Please Note: All membership addresses must be verified as IV13 (i.e. utility bill date in last 3 months) to benefit from the SCD subsidy.

Bannatyne Health Club membership subsidy

IV13 residents can enjoy over 50% off for Bannatyne Health Club all-inclusive membership!

An all-inclusive membership with Bannatyne provides the opportunity for you to take advantage of their extensive health club facilities including swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi. There are several personalised services, including access to expert personal trainers and complimentary fitness evaluations when you join.

Further discounts include:

• 10% discount in the spa (Spa Days, Products, and Treatments)

• 10% discount in the café

• 10% discount on retail products

• 50% off the first spa treatment

Price: £20 / month (discounted from £46.99 / month + no joining fee)

For more information on all that Bannatyne can offer, visit the website: Bannatyne Health Club Inverness (https://www.bannatyne.co.uk/health-club/inverness)

To sign up or for more information, email projects@strathdearn.org or call 07703 328333.

Please note: All membership addresses will need to be verified as IV13 postcodes (i.e. utility bill dated in last 3 months) to benefit from SCD subsidy.

Baby & Toddler Group (term-time)

Join us every Thursday morning, 9.30am – 11.30am at The Strathdearn Hub. Bring your little ones along for playtime while you enjoy a cuppa and a chat with other local parents and carers!

Kids Club (term-time)

Kids Club is back this term, thanks to continued community support! Coaches Ava, Neil, and Iona from High Life will be returning with their mix of sports, games, and crafts.

We’re also thrilled to confirm that John Orr will become a regular guest each term, sharing his passion for nature and delivering outdoor sessions in Hazelbank Woods.

The club remains free for local families (P1 – P7) and runs every Wednesday, 3.15pm – 6pm, at Strathdearn Primary School.

To book or for more information, email: matthew.allan@highlifehighland.com

Teen Social Club (term-time)

The Teen Social Club is back at The Strathdearn Hub, with a new age-based split to better suit the needs of the group:

11–14 year olds: 6pm – 8pm
15–19 year olds: 8pm – 10pm

Expect all the usual fun with football / basketball in the MUGA, table tennis, badminton, pool, snacks, drinks and more!

Please note: Due to prior Hub bookings, the club will not run on:

3rd October

Community eBikes

Explore the area on one of the community’s eBikes – for free!

Thanks to our partnership with The Strathdearn, SCD is continuing to fund a 2-week free trial for all local residents. Just pop into the Hub and take an eBike out for a spin!

Already used up your free trial days? No problem – locals can still enjoy discounted rates at just £15 per day.

We now have handy route cards available, showcasing some of the best local day trips – perfect for a bit of adventure.

And for families, we have got Kids Ride Shotgun attachments (suitable for ages 2–5), so your little ones can come along for the ride too!

To book:

email: enquiries@strathdearn.org
or complete online form https://thestrathdearn.org/hire-an-e-bike/
or call 01808 511700

Badenoch & Strathspey Community ConneXions

SCD team have collaborated with Badenoch & Strathspey Community ConneXions (BSCX) to help support this important service which extends to the people of Strathdearn. Local volunteers are required for BSCX to be able to accept referrals within our area.

If you think you could spare an hour or two to help your community who may need just a chat or a call to say hello, please contact the BSCX office on 01479 810004 or visit Community Transport | Badenoch And Strathspey Community Connxions | Aviemore (bscx.co.uk)

Strathdearn Community Events – October–December Lineup!

We’re gearing up for an unforgettable season at Strathdearn with a jam-packed timetable of events to take us through autumn and into the festive season.

An Evening with RhythmNReel

Friday 3rd October | 7:30pm Get your dancing shoes on!

Tickets still available.

https://www.eventbrite.com/…/an-evening-with…

IV13 residents: email our events team at events@strathdearn.org to request your discount code

Family Bonfire Night

🔥🎆 Bonfire Night is Almost Here! 🎆🔥

We’re so excited to announce that this year’s bonfire will be held at the field just down from The Strathdearn, thanks to the kind support of Ali Cameron Mackintosh 🙌. You will get access to the field from the main road in the village (don’t worry we will have plenty signage and marshals available to direct you)

After the bonfire, the celebrations continue at The Strathdearn, where we’ll have:

🎶 A DJ spinning tunes

🍔 Hot food to keep you warm

🍻 A licensed bar to toast the night

🎟️ Tickets are FREE, but due to venue capacity, everyone must have a ticket to attend the after-party.

👉 We have limited tickets left, so grab yours now before they’re gone! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1603120228759?aff=oddtdtcreator

Let’s make it a night to remember! 🔥✨