Local charity, the Carman Family Foundation, have been the owners of Holmehill since mid 2018. Bill & Celia Carman live in Dunblane - see their webpage.

They have decided to make grants available to projects in Dunblane which improve public areas for wildlife. At this stage, they are seeking expressions of interest.

The Charity's press release says:-

The Carman Family Foundation has the main aim of improving the environment in public areas. Our first (and ongoing) project is Holmehill. While the Holmehill project develops we would like to support projects that further our overarching aim. In particular, we would like to give some focus to improving those areas so wildlife (insects, birds, amphibians, mammals) will follow.

There are areas of Dunblane that could become more “wild” and improve their value to wildlife. It would also reduce the maintenance required. Apparently small changes can make a difference. For example:

• Grassy areas can be turned into “meadows”, so improving them immeasurably (in our view) and reducing maintenance (they only need a strim once a year).
• A few trees here and there can make a big difference to the environmental value of a patch of land.
• There aren’t enough ponds in Dunblane.

We realise ownership of land can be an issue, but even Council-owned areas are often available for improvement if the Council is not required to support the improvement financially. There are verges along roads, small pockets of woodland – in fact many areas can be improved if one thinks broadly enough. Applications can be made by charities, community groups and others. Any grant applications need to show how the work will provide public benefit.

We prefer the work is done by volunteers, so reducing the cost overall. All other justified costs, including hire of machinery, would be covered.

However, we are unsure about the level of interest in such a scheme and we also need to work out how to manage the scheme from a legal perspective. Hence this is an initial request for expressions of interest. If you think your project fulfills these aims, please send us a paragraph outlining what you want to do, where it is, what the benefits would be and how much you think it might cost – by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

During the Your Stirling: You Decide process, the proposals below were successfully voted for by local people. You can also see updates on these and other proposals on the council website.

Outdoor Gym in Dunblane (DBA19)

To create an outdoor gym, preferably in a central location e.g. Laighhills, Drying Green or Braemar Park. 
The Delivery Group can now reveal the final Outdoor Gym. The outdoor gym will consist of 12 pieces of hydraulic and resistance exercise equipment (see below) some of which is accessible and user friendly for people with disabilities. Laighills was selected as the park for installing the equipment as Braemar is not Council owned and Newton could not be used due to fl ooding. The successful proposal is now being actioned and will be fully installed by the end of June 2020

Create a Safe Walking Route in Dunblane (DBA2)

Resurface footpaths in Dunblane so that they can be used by people with impaired mobility.
A number of paths were suggested by the community and the Delivery Group can now reveal the path upgrades that are going ahead are The Haining, Perth Road / Beech Road path and the Perth Road / Four Ways Roundabout path. The successful proposal is now being actioned and will be fully installed by the end of June 2020.

Accessible Toilets (DBA1)

Initial meeting - 12 September 2019
Discussions took place with delivery group on types of accessible toilets and the possible locations including issues relating to them such as loss of existing toilets.

Meeting - 26 September 2019
More discussion took place on the public understanding of accessible toilets and the group had further discussions on locations.

Meeting - 31 October 2019
Discussions took place on the three locations being considered. Architects have been commissioned to carry out site surveys and report back on feasibility and accessibility. Feedback will be available late January when a meeting will be organised.