A big week....

...for the community in South Cowal who are being asked to vote on the community purchase of Castle Toward.

Castle Toward is well known in the area but also much more widely given the strong reputation it had as a centre for music and the arts for young people as well as for the outdoor education work that took place there. But in recent years it has deteriorated badly and Argyll & Bute Council has had it on the market for some time. It was under offer from an international holiday company but that fell through. (Something I mentioned in this blip about the Castle's original founder) . But it is an ill wind that blows no good and the community has stepped forward again, after their first attempt was rejected in favour of the company that is not now coming to Cowal.

So now , with the Council's support it has to be said, there is a community purchase process underway governed by the appropriate legislation. Part of that requires a ballot of the community to approve the purchase and today's open day at the Castle started that ballot process off in a very original way , with a mobile polling booth about to tour the area.

I continue to be bowled over by the enthusiasm and vision of the group that are driving this forward. They have a host of good plans for the future and they have significant backing from a range of bodies including Highlands & Islands Enterprise.

Much now depends on the attitude of the present owners of the castle, Argyll & Bute Council, with regard to the purchase price. I am pledged to do everything I can to help and it was a pleasure to see the first local residents casting their votes in the castle today, including a lady who told me that she had worked there for 23 years and used to bring tea into the Head Mistress in the very room where now she was exercising her democratic right to be part of the ownership and decision making about the place.

You can see more about the proposed community purchase here and you can even make a donation !