Glen Urquhart Community Council



Glen Urquhart Community Council 

Minutes of meeting held on 

Monday 22nd April 2024 at 7pm 

Craigmonie Centre, Drumnadrochit




Please note: Minutes will be updated when officially approved at the next meeting.







1. Present: Dianne Fraser (Chair), Bill Smart, Dominic Thierry, Stuart Ross, Iain Riddle and Val Cooper. 

Also present: Councillors David Fraser and Chris Balance, and 9 members of the public.  

Apologies: David Ferguson and Fiona Urquhart.

Conflicts of Interest 

No conflicts of interest in relation to planning applications declared. 

2. Minutes of the last meeting 
The minute of the meeting held on 25th March 2024 was approved as an accurate record (Iain Riddle / Dianne Fraser).  

3. Matters arising from minutes 

Bunloit Quiet Road – Ongoing Action – Bill

Balnain Playpark Works – Ongoing Action – David Ferguson

Highlife Highland Community Gym – Dianne advised that she had contact Kevin Thomson from Highlife Highland.  He was of the understanding that the gym had never been managed by Highlife and that the current staffing levels in the Centre would not be adequate to re-open the facility nor the funding in place to invest in new equipment.  Bobo Morrison confirmed that Highlife Highland had taken over the running of amenities from Highland Council, and that the equipment in the gym belongs to Community Schools Highland.  Historically there has always been problems with manning the gym, and for a period inductions were carried out by qualified members of the community.  It was agreed that Dianne would continue to see if progress could be made. Action – Dianne Susan Clark advised that the new facility proposed by the Shinty Club, Football Club and GURCA would include a fitness suite.

4. Treasurer’s Report

David Ferguson provided the following update in advance of the meeting:

Our bank account holds funds for Glen Urquhart Community Council only.  At our last meeting in January, the total balance in our account was £8,870.27.  In the last month, there has been some activity in our account:

Paid GURCA £16.00 for rent of Blairbeg Hall

New balance = £8,870.27 - £16.00 = £8,854.27

However, £7,211.77 remains “ring fenced” for Glen Urquhart Place Planning, so actual funds held by Community Council = £8,854.27 - £7,211.77 = £1,642.50

5. Roads / Drainage

David Fraser advised that he, Bill and Chris would be meeting with Transport Scotland and this would include discussion of ongoing issues, including drainage at Drumnadrochit and Lochend.  The Kilmichael resurfacing works had now been completed however the replacement kerb stones had not been fitted properly.  Action – David Fraser

A82 Footpaths, Transport Scotland - There was discussion of safety issues and speed restrictions to Temple Pier and Urquhart Castle.  Fran, who works for Historic Scotland at Urquhart Castle had been in discussions with them about preventative measures which could be put in place, some of which had already been actioned, including a new safer view point from within the parking area.  It was noted that a letter of concern from Historic Scotland to the GUCC would be useful as a record of the issues and support for the changes which are being discussed.  

Water Main Renewal at Balnain – Bill advised that Gavin Steel, Scottish Water, and a representative from Morrison Construction hoped to provide a drop in session in Balnain Hall prior to the GUCC meeting on 27th May.

Pitkerrald Road – It was noted that the soakaway at the bottom of Pitkerrald Road is choked, and some of the gulleys have also collapsed.  David Fraser advised that he would report these issues.  Action – David Fraser

6. Planning 

Active Applications 

24/00924/FUL – Erection of house (amended design to 23/01227/FUL) Milton of Buntait – noted.

24/00173/FUL – Siting of shepherds hut short term letting unit, Grotaig – noted.

24/00545/FUL – Erection of house, (retrospective) formation of parking area, access and siting of caravan, The Cabin, Allanmore Farm – noted.

Springfield – Based on previous discussions and information received, Dianne had prepared a draft document from GUCC and the community, for submission to the Reporter in response to the Springfield appeal to their amended planning application which had not been approved by Highland Council.  Further discussions took place, the points of which were noted and the document would be updated, circulated to GUCC members for final approval and then submitted.  Action – Dianne

Current street names in use on the Springfield site include Craigmonie, Creagnay and Achmony.  

Compass Development – It was noted that the area being developed beside the chip shop was Highland Housing Alliance units.  A site meeting is scheduled to discuss options for moving the compound to allow for the next stage of development.  It is anticipated that Highland Housing Alliance occupancy will be ready in May, and the next private phase will be ready in June.  Discussions will also take place with regards to the permanent placing of the (currently temporary) path between the shop and the Care Centre.

7. Local Place Plan Update

Iain provided an overview of the purpose and process for development of a Local Place Plan and advised that a Steering Group, led by GUCC was running this project on behalf of the community.  A consultant, funded by Soirbheas, has been appointed and the group are in the eary stages of working with the consultant.  The final document, which will be in a very visual format, requires to be submitted to Highland Council by September, prior to this there will be a housing needs survey and various community consultation events taking place.  

Highland Council Place Standard Tool Survey – Members of the community are encouraged to engage with this Highland Place Standard | Highland Place Planning (engagehighland.co.uk).  

8. Consultations 

Old Shop Site – Susan Clark advised that an event is planned for 2 May, and further information will be circulated via social media.

9. AOCB 

Why Not Scotland Screening – Rewilding information film, it was agreed to arrange a community screening in the Craigmonie Centre.  Action – Dianne

Etape – Sunday 28th April - Road closures signage in place.  

Community Broadband – It was noted that some investigatory speed measuring works had taken place in Drumnadrochit.  It was agreed however that increasing the broadband speed in the village is not necessary, and that it is more important to work on a solution to increase the currently very poor speeds in outlying areas.  Dianne advised that she would continue to work on this.  Action - Dianne

Great Glen Way – David Fraser advised that discussions have taken place to look at solutions for taking walkers off the Bunloit Road, this has included some work with landowners and these conversations have not yet concluded, thereafter a proposal will be taken to GUCC for community input.  No funding is available at present, however if a suitable alternative route and money becomes available then work could go ahead.  

10. Details of Next Meeting
The next meeting was scheduled for Monday 27th May 2024, 7pm in Balnain Hall.  Dianne thanked everyone for their attendance and noted appreciation to members of the community who come along to GUCC meetings to share their voice on local issues.

There was no further business and the meeting closed at 8.30pm.   

Meeting dates for 2024

all meetings commence at 7pm

Monday 24th June AGM Blairbeg Hall  

July    no meeting 

Monday 26th August  Craigmonie Centre 

Monday 23rd September Balnain Hall 

Monday 28th October Blairbeg Hall 

Monday 25th November Craigmonie Centre 

December   no meeting