What we do
Events, projects and work areas
The BLS Community Trust takes an active role in a variety of projects within our broader community. Any event, project or areas of work that we support must align with our Trust Constitution and in the broadest terms must benefit the community in line with the principles of sustainable development for current and future generations.
Primarily, the Trust has three key purposes, which are:
Preserve, restore and improve the environment through the provision, and sustainable maintenance and development of public spaces and amenities, as part of the protection and sustainable development of Scotland's natural and cultural heritage.
To provide facilities, events and activities to improve recreation and leisure opportunities for the Community and general public, increasing social interaction and promoting awareness of local cultural and natural assets.
Advance and promote sustainable community development through working with partner organisations to develop and deliver Community Place Plans for the BLS Community Trust area, and to implement community projects and improvements identified within the plan.
Current Projects
Please click on a link below to learn more about the current events, projects and work areas in which the Trust is involved.
Strathyre Spring Festival
Welcome to our new Strathyre Spring Festival. BLS Community Trust are working closely with members of the former Balvaig Music Group who hosted the Strathyre Music Festival since 2013, to establish a new annual event on the BLS area calendar. This will be a celebration of local music, food, drink, arts and crafts.
We recently secured funding to employ an Events Manager to help us plan and deliver the Festival. To find out more click on this link.
Gartnafuaran Woodland
The BLS Community Trust were approached in 2020 by a small group of Balquhidder residents who are keen to purchase and develop a small area of woodland near Gartnafuaran Forest, Balquhidder, for the benefit of the community, namely for recreation and environmental education.
We are supporting them by undertaking a community consultation to get permission to commission a Feasibility Study to explore the site. To find out more click on this link.
Broch Field Community Purchase
BLS Community Trust are currently working towards a Community Asset Transfer of the Broch Field in Strathyre.
Following a Feasibility Study and community consultation we have submitted an application to purchase the site, and we are now awaiting approval.
For more information and access to relevant documents please click here.
Strathyre Village Hall
Strathyre Village Hall came under the management of BLS Community Trust after the dissolution of the Strathyre Village Association.
We are very proud of our wee hall, and is regularly used for a variety of uses including Ladies Lunches, Crafternoon, Christmas and Hogmanay Parties, coffee mornings, and art and craft events.
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic the Hall as been closed since March 2020. However, this has given us the opportunity to undertake much needed renovation works.
The renovation works are ongoing and the hall will be closed for the foreseeable future. This is very disappointing for all of us, but once they are completed we will have a fab wee hall.
Click on this link to find out more about the renovation works.
Regular Events and Activities
These are events and activities that happen regularly and are either hosted or supported by the BLS Community Trust. These events and activities take a huge amount of time and work to pull off, and pretty much everyone is a volunteer. We would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved over the years - your time, effort and enthusiasm is not taken for granted and is massively appreciated - THANK YOU!
Please note that all these events and activities are currently postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. We hope they will back and running soon.
Strathyre Music Festival
Strathyre Music Festival is a popular annual event and has been going since 2011. To find out more click here.
Fireworks Night
Held at the Broch Field, Strathyre Fireworks began in 2017 and has proved extremely popular, with people attending from Callander to Killin. It's a great night out for all the family!
Christmas Market
The first Christmas Market was held at the Broch Field in 2018, and proved to be a busy, popular event. Unfortunately, due to bad weather our 2019 event had to be cancelled. Nevertheless, once the pandemic is past we plan to come back bigger and better!
Ladies Lunch
Running for two years in Strathyre Village Hall, the Ladies Lunch has been very popular, with many lovely ladies attending from across the BLS area.
Strathyre Christmas Party
This popular annual event for everyone has been running for decades, with great entertainment, party games, fabulous buffets (thank you to everyone), and ending with a super ceilidh. What better way than to bring in the Festive Season?
Strathyre Hogmanay Party
Every year the Hogmanay Committee host the fabulous Strathyre Hogmanay Party at the Village Hall. Food, drink, music, and dancing with lovely people - a great way to see the New Year in!
MacMillan Coffee Mornings
Our annual coffee mornings to raise money for cancer sufferers and their families are rightly popular. Thank you to everyone who bakes and contributes to this essential and important event.
Crafternoon
Crafternoon is a monthly activity in Strathyre Village Hall hosted by enthusiastic (and very good) crafters. Fancy a chat, a cuppa and to make something lovely? Then this is the place to be. Click here to find out more.
Previous Projects, Events and Activities
Find out here about our old achievements, including projects, events and activities.