We’re now in the consultation stage of our Community Asset Transfer, and this is your last chance to have your say before the survey closes this Sunday.
Every single response makes a real difference. The more people who take part, the stronger our case for securing the land our Centre sits on, and protecting it for the future of our community.
You can get involved by:
– Completing the online survey here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/drylaw – Filling in a paper copy at the Centre It only takes a few minutes, but your input helps us hugely.
Please take part and share this post to help us reach as many people as possible before Sunday!
SHARE YOUR VIEWS ON DRYLAW COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP PLANS
DNC are in the process of trying to buy the land that we sit on – we currently own the building, but not the land.
We would love to hear your views about this.
If you could spare ten minutes to complete our survey we would be most grateful.
This can be accessed at bit.ly/Drylaw
We are hosting two drop in events over the next week: one TONIGHT – Thursday 12th February from 6pm – 8pm and one on Monday lunchtime (16th February) between 10:30 – 1:00.
Please come along and view the space and give us your views.
We really would appreciate it.
Drinks and snack will be provided at both drop ins.
DRYLAW NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE PLANS COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP
Our community has an incredible opportunity right now: the chance to own the Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre and the land around it, and shape it into something truly special for everyone who lives here.
But to make it happen, we need as many local people as possible to fill in the community survey. Your ideas, your hopes, and your experiences matter.
The more responses we get, the stronger our case becomes – and the more likely it is that we, as a community, take ownership of the space and its future.
Imagine what this could mean …
A place where families can spend time together
Safe, welcoming spaces for children and young people
New activities, events, and facilities shaped by you and your neighbours.
A centre and grounds designed around the real needs of local people.
This is about more than a building. It’s about building a better future for Drylaw; a future shaped by the people who live here, who care about the place, and who want to see it thrive.
We have HUGE news to share!Scottish Land Fund have announced that they will fund 100% of the price for Action Porty to buy the former police station building from Police Scotland via a Community Asset Transfer.
We at Action Porty are absolutely thrilled!!! (Actually, that’s an understatement. We were dancing on the tables when we heard the news!)
When Action Porty bought Bellfield on behalf of the community, Scottish Land Fund (SLF) awarded us 90% of the purchase price.
It’s partly our strong track record that led to this amazing result, but its mostly the incredible work, which has been happening behind the scenes, by a group of very dedicated volunteers: Frazer McNaughton, Mark Boggis, Justin Kenrick and Kieran Gaffney, with Kieran and the team at Konishi Gaffney architects and local structural engineer James Lewis, Hive Structural Ltd, providing pro bono services.
Background – what has led us to here?
Aug 2024: Police Scotland announced plans to sell the building. (Operational police officers haven’t been stationed there since 2016).
Oct 2024: 97% of Community Council survey respondents supported community ownership.
Nov 2024: Community consultation event overwhelmingly endorsed Action Porty’s proposal.
Jan 2025: Action Porty submitted the Community Asset Transfer request.
Jul-Sept 2025: Police Scotland agreed to request and price and Scottish Ministers gave their approval.
Dec 2025: with SLF deciding to fund the purchase, we are in reach of the finishing line!
The actual finishing line will be March 2026 when the sale completes.
To meet the funding conditions and complete the sale we need to get the necessary planning permissions and building warrants in place. There’s lots to do!
Watch this space – we’ll share more news as we get it.
What’s next for this iconic public building which has served the community for almost 150 years?
Diversifying landownership and strengthening community ownership and control is not just a fair approach; it is the key to putting Scotland’s future in the hands of its people and ensuring a more equitable and sustainable future.
That is why our first policy priority ahead of the 2026 election is to ask for 10% of Scotland to be community owned by the end of the Parliament delivered by a clear plan to significantly increase community landownership and reduce the concentration of private landownership in Scotland – including a Land Reform Bill with a meaningful Public Interest Test on all landownership and targeted taxation to deliver land reform outcomes.
Community landownership has repeatedly shown its value, giving people the ability to shape their local economies, create housing and jobs, restore nature and generate clean energy. But to unlock this potential at scale, it is essential that Scotland addresses its concentrated pattern of landownership and ensures a revitalised democracy rooted in communities themselves.
A new Land Reform Bill is a crucial mechanism to do that. Within this Bill, there needs to be a meaningful public interest test on large-scale landownership – a concept proposed by the Scottish Land Commission over the past five years, and which the Scottish Government had previously committed to with 72% of respondents strongly supporting the proposed measure within their consultation on this matter.
Combined with targeted taxation and a clear national plan to expand community ownership, these measures can shift the archaic status quo.
Reaching 10% community ownership is ambitious; but it is achievable, necessary and the clear next step to build a Scotland where land is owned and managed for the public good.
Balerno Village Trust has been awarded £239,005 to acquire a former police station which the group plans to transform into a vibrant community hub that is accessible for all ages and stages of life.
The hub will provide smaller community spaces for hire, after school care, and support for youth activities.
The grant is one of 10 totaling £1,453,569 announced today by the Scottish Land Fund.
The Scottish Land Fund reopened to applications in April 2021. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, both of which have extensive experience of helping communities to acquire and develop their assets for over a decade.
Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary, Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, said: “Vibrant community spaces are the lifeblood of our towns and villages- places where people can meet, access services, and simply enjoy being together.
“The latest awards from the Scottish Land Fund will deliver exactly that; welcoming, reliable facilities offering childcare, recreation and wider opportunities for local people. I warmly congratulate each successful project and look forward to seeing the benefits they will bring to their communities in the years ahead.”
Cara Gillespie, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said: “The focus of this round of SLF funding has been on providing groups with the funds to secure spaces where they can come together as communities in both rural and urban locations, forging social ties and helping to meet local needs.”
Sandra Holmes, head of community assets at HIE, said:“The successful projects announced today across Scotland are all great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities.
“Glenelg and Arnisdale Development Trust, for example, will acquire the village shop and store building in the village thanks to an award of £92,239.
“This will secure a vital local service, support economic activity, and maintain a much-valued gathering place for residents and visitors alike.
“All these projects will help retain population, attract visitors and create jobs. Ownership will give community groups greater control over important assets that will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come. We wish all the successful groups the very best in their new ventures.”
Emma Galloway, Balerno Village Trust,said: “We are delighted to receive funding from the Scottish Land Fund that will enable the Trust to purchase Balerno Police Station.
“Occupying a prominent place in the heart of our village, it is a really important and valuable asset to our community.
“We are looking forward to renovating it and creating a vibrant community hub with childcare facilities that will make Balerno an even better place to live, work or visit”
Other groups receiving funding are:
Alloa Community Shed
Award £185,800
Alloa Community Shed will purchase Marshill House in Alloa town centre to provide a space for people to learn and connect, to improve wellbeing and reduce social isolation. The space will offer lessons in DIY and act as a community hub for local people.
Avich & Kilchrenan Community Heritables
Award £45,040
Avich & Kilchrenan Community Heritables will purchase two churches at Dalavich and Kilchrenan, to operate as complimentary community spaces. The two hubs will cater for a variety of existing and new community activity and will also form part of a proposed Christian and clan heritage trail.
Barthol Chapel Community Hub
Award £100,465
Barthol Chapel Community Hub will acquire Barthol Chapel Parish Church in Barthol Chapel, Aberdeenshire. The group will develop the building into a flexible multi-use community hub.
The hub will provide venue hire for community groups, sports activities and life events. In addition, there will be a community café, and the group will host exhibitions and concerts in the space.
Friends of Fearn Abbey
Award £93,600
Friends of Fearn Abbey (FoFA) wish to acquire Fearn Abbey. They intend to reopen it as a space for social gatherings, performance, historical interest, reflection and life events.
Glenelg and Arnisdale Development Trust
Award £92,239
Glenelg and Arnsidale Development Trust (GADT) will acquire a shop with a store building (used for stock) on the main street of Glenelg, Kyle, retaining it for the benefit of the community.
Glenuig Community Inn Ltd
Award £352,800
Glenuig Community Inn Limited will purchase the Glenuig Inn and associated buildings in Glenuig, Lochaber, Highland. GCI have been leasing the inn since March 2025 and will continue to run the inn and develop the site to better meet the needs of the local community.
The group will continue to operate the pub, restaurant and accommodation to create an inclusive community space with events for the community.
Polmont Community Hub
Award £82,001
Polmont Community Hub SCIO (PCH) will purchase Polmont Community Hub and the surrounding greenspace. The group currently operate the space, and acquisition will allow for continued use by local community groups, a playgroup, and a venue for events.
Rousay, Egilsay & Wyre Development Trust
Award £198,658
Rousay, Egilsay & Wyre Development Trust will purchase three parcels of land close to the shoreland on Rousay, Orkney, close to the islands’ only pier.
This will enable the group to create a multi-phased project to deliver facilities for the community, promote tourism, visitor accommodation and a community-led island marina.
Spark
Award £63,961
Spark will acquire the former library premises of Beatlie School Campus, Livingston. The group will continue to deliver a service supporting socially isolated people in Craigshill and South Howden.
In addition, they will create a collaborative third-sector hub where organisations share resources and support joint initiatives.
Views are being sought on how to improve legal rights intended to help community groups take ownership of local land and assets.
Discussions with those who have engaged with the Rights to Buy have been taking place since last year to develop the proposals published for consultation today (Monday).
Since 2003, 268 applications for Rights to Buy have been received from community groups seeking to acquire their own assets, with two-thirds of these (175) approved by Scottish Ministers.
Rural Affairs and Land Reform Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “The first Community Right to Buy was introduced more than 20 years ago in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.
“Those rights have since been extended to cover rural, urban and crofting communities, pre-emptive and compulsory rights, neglected land and assets, and land to support the sustainable development of communities.
“Our discussions with stakeholders have shown that the Rights to Buy process can be complicated and demanding. These insights have helped us set out proposed improvements that we are now seeking views on.
“I would encourage anyone with an interest to take part in this consultation over the next 12 weeks to help Scotland remain a world leader in driving community ownership and investment in our land and assets.”
Chair of the Scottish Land Commission, Michael Russell, said: “Community Rights to Buy give people a real chance to take an active role in the future of their local places.
“This consultation is an important step to ensure these rights remain clear, practical and effective in helping communities take ownership of land and buildings that matter to them.
“We are pleased to be chairing a reference group to support the Scottish Government’s review, and we encourage everyone with an interest to share their views through this consultation.”
Dates: Saturday 29th March – Saturday 30th April 2025
Location: Bellfield, Portobello, Edinburgh
Target Raise: £200k (successful share issue will unlock £450k capital grand from Community Ownership, if we are unsuccessful we lose the £450k).
Porty’s trailblazing take on keeping community spaces thriving
Can we raise 200k from the community in a month?
Action Porty are launching a community share offer to raise funds to double the space in the celebration hall (the old church building) in Bellfield community centre
Action Porty currently turn away 50% of bookings due to lack of space, and the new refurbishment will create a warmer, more efficient and more accessible building.
Action Porty were the first Urban organisation to have used the community ‘right to buy’ legislation to have bought the building in 2017.
Councils, churches and police buildings are being sold off all round the country, Action Porty are showing a way that communities can get organised to own and run their own community spaces.
Community members and organisations who buy shares will have a say in what happens with the building in the future.
The building is used for youth theatre, ceilidhs, belly dancing, yoga, weddings, birthdays, Quaker meeting and much more!
“When you build more roads, you get more traffic. When you create more community spaces, you get more community” (Justin Kenrick, chair of Action Porty)
“I had my mother’s funeral here; I’ve spent pivotal moments of my life inthis building – happy or sad, joyous or full of anguish, this building has housed all those emotions” (Shauna)
Following years of uncertainty and possible demolition, the asset transfer between the City of Edinburgh Council and the management team and board of trustees of Duncan Place has recently completed. This firmly places the much-loved community hub in the ownership of the Duncan Place charity for the people of Leith for generations to come.
Duncan Place Community Hub was originally built in 1920 as Leith Academy Technical College & Gymnasium, it transitioned to a community centre in the 70s and has been home to the local artist group, Academy Arts since 1978.
In 2014, the council temporarily closed the building to carry out inspection works into its structural safety, which resulted in permanent closure the following year. The funds were not available for the council to carry out the required works to preserve and restore the building and so it faced potential demolition.
However, various members of the community came together in an attempt to rescue the building for the people of Leith. Duncan Place centre manager, Nicola Lamberton and the five strong board of trustees worked tirelessly over a seven year period to transfer the asset across to the community under the Community Empowerment Bill.
Working closely with the Economic Development team at the council, Duncan Place was able to access various grant funds to deliver the required refurbishment programme for the building.
Between funds awarded from Scottish Government and the Lottery, Duncan Place received in excess of £2.1m to carry out the restoration and refurbishment works to ensure the building was futureproofed for many years to come.
Commenting on the asset transfer, Nicola Lamberton, the manager of the Duncan Place Community Hub charity said: “This is a huge milestone for everyone in the community to know that the future of the hub is secure and it’s owned by the charity for the people of Leith.
“We always recognised the social value that the hub brought to groups and to individuals living in Leith and beyond. This is why we have been so determined over the years to ensure the building was retained in order to continue to support so many amazing organisations and local people.”
Operating as a social enterprise and registered charity, Duncan Place is now home to six organisations that have long term tenancies in place with the community hub using it as their permanent base, these include Duncan Places own space, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, Edinburgh Colleges English for Speakers of Other Languages programme, Kin Collective, Home-Start Edinburgh and AdvoCard.
In addition to these organisations using the hub, there are a further 40 community groups that regularly hire the space to hold their classes and events. Any profit made is used by the Duncan Place charity to offer low cost community activities.
The growing programme of events can be viewed on the charities website: www.duncanplace.org.
Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leithadded: “Scottish Government provided much of the funding required to deliver the refurbishment programme for Duncan Place Community Hub and I’m delighted to see the building transformed and thriving.
“The model adopted by Duncan Place whereby local charities pay an affordable rent and in return receive a secure tenancy in the area is wonderful. To know that the rents raised ensure financial sustainability for the organisation, as well as enabling the hub to provide low cost community activities is something that I am proud to have supported”.
Councillor Mandy Watt, CECs Finance and Resources Convener, said: “This milestone has been years in the making and we’ve enjoyed seeing Duncan Place brought back into use. Now, the council is giving ownership of the building back to the people of Leith.
“It’s brilliant news for the area and a good example of collaboration and partnership working between the public and voluntary sectors. Everyone from local councillors to group members have supported this project moving forward.
“The revitalised Duncan Place building will not only help to reduce inequality by providing much needed affordable space for events, classes and workshops, it will support jobs and support local people, acting as a true community hub.”
Gracemount Mansion Development Trust has been given £167,340 to buy Gracemount Mansion in the south of Edinburgh in order to redevelop and reopen the asset as a community hub.
The grant is amongst 11 totalling £1,833,622 that have been given to communities across the country in the latest round of awards by the Scottish Land Fund.
The Scottish Land Fund reopened to applications in April 2021. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), both of which have extensive experience of helping communities to acquire and develop their assets for over a decade.
Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary, Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, said: “Over one million people across Scotland now live in communities where assets have been acquired with funding from the Scottish Land Fund. This is a remarkable milestone and displays just how large an impact the Fund has had on communities across Scotland.
“Community ownership is an effective way to revitalise local areas and improve the lives of residents . The latest recipients are no exception and I know that their projects will bring countless benefits to their communities.
“I’d like to congratulate the groups involved and I look forward to seeing their projects, and their communities flourish as a result.”
Lindsay Aitken, Chair, Gracemount Mansion Development Trust,said: “We are delighted to have been awarded funding from the Scottish Land Fund. The funds awarded will enable GMDT to purchase Gracemount House and surrounding grounds from the City of Edinburgh Council, as well as a significant contribution towards the essential works required to partially reopen Gracemount Mansion as a community hub in 2025.
“With further funding, the full reopening of Gracemount House will bring back a much needed and desired facility and resource for the community and beyond.
“We must say a huge thanks to the Project team who have progressed the project, GMDT charity Trustees and Members, Friends of the Mansion, the local community, stakeholders, CEC, and of course to the SLF and National Lottery for the funding.”
Cara Gillespie, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said: “Like all the groups that have been successful in this round of funding, Gracemount Mansion Development Trust will use their awards to make purchases that will directly improve the lives of people in their community.
“Targeted funding such as this gets right to the heart of local issues.”
And Sandra Holmes, Head of Community Assets at HIE, said: “The successful projects announced today across Scotland are all great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities.
“Through the purchase of land and properties including a community hall and a former church, groups will be in a position to deliver economic, social and environmental benefits to the community. These latest awards will further strengthen the sense of community and empowerment.”
“All these projects announced today will help retain the population, attract visitors and create jobs. Ownership will give the community groups greater control over important assets that will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come. We wish all the successful groups the very best in their new ventures.”
Other groups receiving funding are:
Wigtown and Bladnoch Community Initiative
Award – £88,474
Wigtown and Bladnoch Community Initiative (WBCI) will acquire a former Church Hall in Wigtown. The acquisition will bring social benefits by providing space for meetings, classes and skill sharing workshops, as well as exercise, entertainment, and health & wellbeing activities. Alongside the social benefits, opportunities for digital access will also enable employment and enterprise skills.
Tighnabruaich District Development Trust
Award – £61,443
Tighnabruaich District Development Trust (TDDT) will purchase 2 retail units in Tighnabruaich, Argyll and Bute. The group will continue to use one of the units as the location for their heritage centre and will rent out the second unit.
Cockenzie House and Garden
Award – £227,400
Cockenzie House and Gardens will acquire the Cockenzie & Port Seton Old Parish Church and Hall, in East Lothian, and will use the asset as a community hub, offering community space for groups to meet, social activities, pop-up hospitality and childcare provision.
Dunvegan Community Trust SCIO
Award – £361,096
Dunvegan Development Trust will acquire a building known locally as the ‘Gaeltec Building’ in Dunvegan, Syke from a private business. The group will develop the asset into an energy efficient, multi-use commercial and community hub that includes office space, a gym and childcare facilities to address a range of community needs in a remote, rural community.
Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre Development Trust
Award – £267,948
Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre Development Trust will purchase the Taversoe Hotel on Rousay, Orkney. The hotel is the only current hospitality venue on all three islands. The group will operate the asset as a hotel, pub,
restaurant and community space. This asset will serve as a year-round gathering place for the community that will assist in combating rural isolation.
Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre Development Trust
Award – £262,188
Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre Development Trust will purchase a Manse in Rousay,Orkney from the Church of Scotland. They group will convert and renovate the asset into up to 3 separate housing units that will be used for affordable rent.
Toryglen Community Hall
Award – £171,272
Toryglen Community Hall (TCH) will acquire the building in Glasgow that they’ve occupied for 35 years. Community ownership will provide security enabling TCH to improve and extend the building thus, continuing to provide activities aimed at a range of groups.
Bailliefields Community Hub SCIO
Award – £27,500
Bailliefields Community Hub will purchase a small area of land adjacent to the boundary of their existing Community Hub. Acquisition will allow the group to extend existing walking/cycling routes and increase local walking access with a focus on active travel.
Raasay Development Trust
Award – £99,961
Raasay Development Trust will acquire an empty 2-bedroom house in Inverarish on the Isle of Raasay. The group will renovate the house to create affordable rented accommodation for the community.
North Yell Development Council
Award – £99,000
North Yell Development Council will acquire the units 3-4 at Sellafirth Business Park, North Yell, Shetland. The group will use the premises to provide a multi-use office, heritage, events and training space which will be used by local agencies, individuals and community groups.
We have HUGE news to share! Scottish Land Fund have announced that they will fund 100% of the price for Action Porty to buy the former police station building from Police Scotland via a Community Asset Transfer.
We at Action Porty are absolutely thrilled!!! (Actually, that’s an understatement. We were dancing on the tables when we heard the news!)
The actual finishing line will be March 2026 when the sale completes.
– we’ll share more news as we get it.
