You see them now where’er you go,
Frae Station Road to Bridge Street,
Parked vehicles: cars an' trucks an' vans,
Enough to make a saint weep.
They’re packed in tight around The Cross:
A campervan, Range Rover.
Poor Atholl Street is just a mess,
Car parks are spilling over.
When the Co-op delivery comes,
We pray there’ll be no busses,
They all get stuck, you try to cross,
The air turns blue wi’ curses.
The bridge! The bridge! What’s to be done?
For Telford’s braw creation,
It wasnae built tae carry,
Every vehicle in the nation!
We need solutions, need them soon,
To keep us safe frae harm,
Wing mirrors clip oor lugs and worse,
It’s time to sound the alarm!
Our pretendy plastic traffic cop,
Does more to solve the problem,
Than anyone at PKC,
Scot Gov, or Transport Scotland.
Let’s start a shuttle service,
That's electrical and eco,
Tae tour the toon, so we can boast:
“Here, cars make way for people!”
Make parking in the car parks free,
An on-street charge more fair,
Prohibit parking by The Cross,
For those that dinnae live there.
Pedestrians please don't give up,
It’s time to find our voices,
To reclaim all our bonnie streets,
Make better, safer choices.
~ by Sonsie MacSmeddum
(More rumgumption frae Sonsie can be found in the May 2021 edition of the Bridge.)
Coronavirus Emergency - Our Community Responds
Special editions of the Bridge have been published, featuring contact and support information. New - find out what services our essential local businesses are able to offer on our Online High Street
Lament for the Traffic
Featured Stories
A9 Dualling Updates
Go to downloads
The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Thursday 25th August, 7.30pm at Birnam Arts/ Zoom... Read more
Dunkeld & Birnam Unplugged 26th September – 2nd October
Due to make a return this year, the Dunkeld and Birnam Unplugged festival came out of an idea at Climate... Read more
Birnam Highland Games 27th August 2022
As we start to move on from covid and our thoughts turn to a more normal summer, the committee have... Read more
The Launch of our Community Trishaw – “The Duchess”
Our community Trishaw - “The Duchess” was officially launched on Friday 13th May. The ribbon was cut by Dorothy Reader... Read more
Dunkeld Cathedral Art Exhibition
Registration has now closed and with around 100 artists we are looking forward to our 4 week Exhibition from 4th... Read more
Horticultural Society Annual Show
Sponsored by David Lindsay Self Storage, to be held at The Birnam Institute on Saturday 20th August 2022
Regular Columns
Editorial
22-06-2022 Regular Columns
After two very difficult years it’s wonderful to see return of the annual Horticultural Show on 20th August and the... Read more
Notes from a Councillor
22-06-2022 Regular Columns
The local elections are a distant memory already and this is the first opportunity that I have had to thank... Read more
Thought for the Month
22-06-2022 Regular Columns
There is an old Jewish proverb with a few variants, that goes something like this – ‘if you want to... Read more
Editorial
26-05-2022 Regular Columns
All the excitement surrounding the Queen’s Platinum jubilee has set the hamsters in my brain sprinting around the old memory... Read more
Thought for the Month
26-05-2022 Regular Columns
A Few Thoughts On Silence
The rather strange letters OCDS after my name below refer (in Latin) to my being... Read more
Notes from a Councillor
26-05-2022 Regular Columns
The Scottish Council Elections at the beginning of May was the culmination of a few months of hard work and... Read more
Editorial
28-04-2022 Regular Columns
It’s exciting to be welcoming the return of a ‘live’ version of the Birnam Book Festival from 20th – 22nd... Read more
Local Council Election, Thursday 5th May
28-04-2022 Regular Columns
As it is an election month, as is the tradition, The Bridge will not carry a councillors column this month... Read more
Thought for the Month
28-04-2022 Regular Columns
Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in... Read more
Editorial
24-03-2022 Regular Columns
Regular readers of this column will know about my husband’s bewilderment at my inability to tell a swift from a... Read more
Notes from a Councillor
24-03-2022 Regular Columns
Unfortunately the topic that overshadows everything that is happening locally is the terrible Russian invasion of Ukraine and the shocking... Read more
Thought for the Month
24-03-2022 Regular Columns
When the invasion of Ukraine started, I started watching some programmes on Russia Today before it was removed from Sky.
Editorial
22-02-2022 Regular Columns
As I’m reading over the March copy, I’m reminded how the Niel Gow festival in 2020 was one of the... Read more
Notes from a Councillor
22-02-2022 Regular Columns
I just don’t know where the time goes! We are already well into February and hurtling towards summer at a... Read more
A Lenten Reflection on Hope
22-02-2022 Regular Columns
Once again, we are entering the season of Lent, the forty-days that lead up to Easter, a time that was... Read more
Community News Items
Dunkeld Community Archive
We would like to thank everyone who was involved in entertaining or attending our Jubilee Event on the 4th and 5th Ju... Read more
Christians Against Poverty - Six Steps T…
School holidays come around a lot quicker when you aren’t the one in school. Every time you blink, there seems to be ... Read more
Booking Halls
Anyone who would like to book either the Duchess Anne or the Chanonry for meetings and events should contact Jill McC... Read more
Men's Breakfast
The Men’s Breakfast is also on a summer break and start back again on August 31st.
If you would like more detail... Read more
Fellowship Group
Regular meetings have stopped for the summer but there will be a meeting on Tuesday July 26th. at 7pm. In the Chanonr... Read more
Three Churches Charity Shop
High Street Dunkeld
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10-4
Donations welcome during opening hours.
Ca... Read more
The Meeting Place
The Meeting Place is in the Duchess Anne on Friday mornings from 10 – 12noon. All welcome.
Read moreDunkeld Cathedral - Online Services
Online worship continues and can be accessed on our YouTube channel ‘Dunkeld Cathedral online.’
A huge thank yo... Read more
Reader in Training
Keith Redwood from Blairgowrie was with us for six months last year as he considered a calling to serve the church as... Read more
Songs & Silence
After an enforced gap (because of Covid) we are once again running a summer series of services called ‘Songs & Si... Read more
Looking After Yourself And Your Business…
Summer is a busy time for rural businesses, with increased footfall, markets and events, school holidays and more. Ma... Read more
News From Craigvinean Surgery
Our Doctors Surgery will be open as normal with telephone consultations with the GP in the first instance.
To he... Read more
The Future of Caputh Village Hall is Ros…
A festival taking place 17th – 19th June has been held to celebrate the reopening of Caputh Village Hall.
Molly... Read more
Jubilee Party
Much enjoyment was had at jubilee parties including this one in Trochry.
Photos by Adrian Blundell.
Providing More Benches In Dunkeld And Bi…
Following on from our research in 2020 and talking with older people, Gien a Haund has been working with Perth and Ki... Read more
Dunkeld and Birnam Climate Cafe - Food S…
In collaboration with the local Coop shop and other local food retailers, Climate Cafe are going to set up a Food Sha... Read more
West Stormont Woodland Group Update …
Working with local people to bring Taymount Wood and Five Mile Wood into Community Ownership. Click read more for lat... Read more
Community Council News and Minutes
This page contains minutes and other items of interest from the Dunkeld & Birnam Community Council, from January ... Read more
Dunkeld & Birnam Community Fire Stat…
Retained Firefighters in Dunkeld & Birnam operate ‘oncall’ and respond to emergency calls via a pager from their ... Read more
Birnam Library
Opening hours:
Thursday: 5pm – 7pm
Friday: 12pm – 5pm
Saturday: 9.30am – 12pm
Birnam Librar... Read more
Amulree Hall
Amulree Hall will be open and serving delicious soup and cakes on 25th June 10am-2pm, part of our fund raising effort... Read more
Thursday Youth Club
A group meets in the Duchess Anne on every Thursday between 7 and 8.30. and people from P6, P7 and S1 (or the equival... Read more
Christian Aid
Thanks to everyone who supported and helped with the second hand book sale at the Duchess Anne.
The money from ... Read more
Long Service Certificates
At the service on May 8th. three of our elders were presented with Long Service Certificates signed by the Moderator ... Read more
Dunkeld and Birnam Community Co-working
The Dunkeld and Birnam Co-Working Space reflects the true sense of community that is so important to our beautiful sm... Read more
Community Council Matters
If you would like to contact the Community Council you can do so by emailing: dbcc.correspondence@gmail.com
You ... Read more
Dunkeld and Birnam in Bloom
Liz, our treasurer would like to thank those members of the community who regularly give donations. These are very mu... Read more
Highland Perthshire Welcomes Ukraine
Firstly a huge thank you to those of you who have been in touch either offering to sponsor refugees or to volunteer. ... Read more
June at Loch of the Lowes
June 2022 is very special for Loch of the Lowes! This month marks the 50th Anniversary of the opening of our first vi... Read more
PH8 Coronavirus Group & Community Gr…
Since March 2020 (in those days before people had ever heard of lock downs and were not experts on Community Transmis... Read more
PH8 Community Action Plan
There is lots to update you on from the PH8 Community Action Plan!
Working groups have started to plan ac... Read more
Climate Café Dunkeld and Birnam
The next Climate Cafe this Thursday will be held online on zoom due to current COVID guidance but when we can meet sa... Read more
PH8 Community Coordinator Freelance Role
We have now moved to the next phase where the Steering Group will transition into a formal, constituted body which is... Read more
Junctions Action Group Update
Local people continue to be concerned about the lack of any further improvements planned for the Birnam, Dunkeld, Her... Read more
Connect ... Linking Asheville, North Car…
Dunkeld and Birnam were delighted to welcome Jessica Coffield, the new President of Asheville Sister Cities, on a vis... Read more
Corbenic Camphill Make Sale!
From April 2nd the Corbenic Shop will be hosting a table of handmade local crafts to sell in aid of the DEC Ukraine A... Read more
WW1 Padre’s Notebook Leads To Unknown So…
In 2019 we investigated a small notebook, written by Rev. Wilfred Callin, from our Scottish Horse collection. This no... Read more
Santa Day 2022
The date is set for Dunkeld and Birnam Santa Day, Saturday 10th December 2022.
We have set up a Just Giving pag... Read more
Earth Hour
To mark Earth Hour the Cathedral floodlights will be switched off at 8.30pm. on March 26th. It is a moment when we ca... Read more
The 17th Niel Gow Festival
The 17th Niel Gow Festival will take place over the weekend of March 18th–20th.
It is now over a year since the ... Read more
Dunkeld and Birnam Community Council (DB…
Aims
To establish clear, easy to use, channels of communication in relation to members of the public, other agen... Read more
Letter to the editor
Dear Editor,
I read with interest in your November issue Mr David MacDougall’s more-than-justified plea to resto... Read more
Lament for the Traffic
You see them now where’er you go,
Frae Station Road to Bridge Street,
Parked vehicles: cars an' trucks an' ... Read more
Birnam Hill By Jane Archer
In the winter the sun doesn’t come over Birnam hill, just when you most need it;
but the people still swim in t... Read more
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor,
As a country boy born and bred in Birnam, 85 years ago I am writing to you regarding the sad case o... Read more
Bible Society
An ecumenical Fellowship meets fortnightly on Tuesdays. The dates in November are the 9th. & the 23rd. This sessi... Read more
Prevent Further Dog Thefts - be proactiv…
You may be aware that there have been a number of dog thefts in the area. One of these terrible and heart breaking th... Read more
Current Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance …
It is anticipated that Scotland will move to level zero on July 19. If there are no concerns around rising hospitalis... Read more
Find out more about.. The COP26 Coalitio…
The COP 26 Coalition is a civil society coalition made of groups and individuals from a range of constituencies in Sc... Read more
Balsam Pulling
It’s official - It’s all about climate change and ecosystem conservation. Check out the Nature Scot website https://w... Read more
A Vision for the 2020s - Your Community …
There’s a strong sense the world will be much changed when Covid restrictions finally recede. “Getting back to normal... Read more
Battle of Dunkeld Marked
The 330th anniversary of the Battle of Dunkeld was marked by two local residents last month.
Morag McMartin laid... Read more
Community Action Plan
Over recent years, many communities across Scotland have decided to develop a Community Action Plan which refle... Read more
Arts News
It’s Going To Be Braw!
Blairgowrie and Rattray arts showcase celebrates Scotland’s Year of Stories
Artists and creatives in Blairgowrie and Rattray will share... Read more
The Arts Society – Vibrant Local Branch
The Arts Society – a Society for everyone. Possibly the best, the most enjoyable and varied arts lectures available, the... Read more
Birks Cinema – A Year On
As community initiatives go, the resurrection of The Birks Cinema is an inspirational story. Situated proudly on the corner of... Read more
Dunkeld & Birnam Art & Crafts Fair
Due to unforeseen circumstances the Dunkeld & Birnam Art & Crafts Fair will not now take place in June but... Read more
Titles by Talented Locals - The Birnam Reader
Visit The Birnam Reader in Station Road, Birnam to view/purchase copies of the books or request a special signing.
Opening... Read more
Join Just Singin’ in Fun Evenings of Song
Now that the days are starting to draw out and there’s a hint of springtime on the horizon, why not... Read more
Do You Have A Broonie Living Near You?
Is there an unsettled spirit roaming your neighbourhood or perhaps a witch performed their dark arts nearby? Have you ever... Read more
Birnam Arts Events
Birnam Arts has an amazing ongoing programme of one off performances, exhibitions and workshops. Just use the scroll bars to... Read more
Young Roving Reporter
Young Roving Reporter
01-12-2017 Young Roving Reporter
On Tuesday two of our Citizenship Groups, The Eco Explorers and The Outsiders, went to find out about tree felling... Read more
This term the whole school is learning about tourism in Dunkeld & Birnam
23-09-2014 Young Roving Reporter
The classes are learning in different ways to promote tourism where we live. Nursery, P1, P1/2 and P2/3 are looking... Read more
DANGEROUS CORNER
01-11-2013 Young Roving Reporter
Congratulations to Aidan, this month's winner of a crisp £10 note.
On the road opposite... Read more
Skate Park Update
01-07-2013 Young Roving Reporter
Thanks to everyone who has been supporting the idea of having a skate and bike park in Dunkeld & Birnam... Read more
Well Done Callum Ross
01-07-2013 Young Roving Reporter
Hi everyone, Rivendell Care Services, Birnam, where my mum works decided to have a prize raffle for Alzheimer Scotland, as its such a great... Read more
Ski-ing Trip
08-04-2013 Young Roving Reporter
At the Royal School of Dunkeld all the P6s got to go on a ski-ing trip to Glenshee for two... Read more
Rumor Round Up
08-04-2013 Young Roving Reporter
Some of you will have read my article a while back talking about a possible skate park.
I mentioned about getting... Read more
Skate Park?
25-06-2012 Young Roving Reporter
It would be great if a skate park could be built in Dunkeld or Birnam – somewhere we could walk... Read more
Dunkeld and Birnam Brownies PGL Trip
25-06-2012 Young Roving Reporter
Dunkeld and Birnam Brownies went on a exciting trip to pgl in Dalguise and stayed for two... Read more
Sport & Active
Dunkeld and Birnam Tennis Club
22-06-2022 Sport & Active
The Tennis Club is very grateful to have received a Griffin and Calliachar Micro Grant towards our children’s and junior... Read more
MUGA Project
22-06-2022 Sport & Active
The budget for the MUGA is secure and our planning and preparations are well underway. We are hopeful that by... Read more
Dalguise Meditation Group
22-06-2022 Sport & Active
Why not come to a meeting this month and find out what we do? Meetings take place once a fortnight... Read more
Dunkeld and Birnam District Leisure Group
28-01-2022 Sport & Active
(the Sports Hall project)
Agreement with D and B Sports and Leisure Hub
As announced in the last “Bridge” the... Read more
Annual “Robbie” presentation to Royal School of Dunkeld
28-01-2022 Sport & Active
In November we were happy to present the annual cheque for £300 to the house captains and Nicola Williams, Head... Read more
Muckin’ good 2019 Event Programme
29-01-2019 Sport & Active
Muckmedden, Perthshire’s self-styled purveyors of ‘muckin’ good mountain bike events, have announced an exciting line-up for 2019 that includes the... Read more
Ospreys Meet Their Match at the Blairgowrie Festival
25-08-2018 Sport & Active
Veteran rugby team, Dunkeld Ospreys, visited Blairgowrie for their biggest and most enjoyable fixture of the season. This oldies game... Read more
WalkIN’Perthshire
09-05-2018 Sport & Active
If you would like to try Nordic Walking and join our fun friendly Adventure Walks or Workout Walks please contact... Read more
New Basketball Hoop at the Rec Club
09-05-2018 Sport & Active
The new basketball hoop at the Rec Club is getting plenty of use.
The Rec Club are delighted to announce... Read more
Remembering Robbie
27-10-2017 Sport & Active
On Friday 29th September the Royal School of Dunkeld again remembered former pupil Robbie Melvin who died in a tragic... Read more
Dunkeld & Birnam Veteran Football
31-08-2017 Sport & Active
On 18 August, a hearty squad of Dunkeld & Birnam veteran (mostly) footballers headed the short distance for an 11-a-side... Read more
Highland Perthshire Ladies Football Club
01-07-2017 Sport & Active
Highland Perthshire Ladies Football Club welcomes any new players in the area who would like to join us for training... Read more
Welcome to the Sports Hub!
26-05-2016 Sport & Active
Our aims are simple - but great...
1: To transform the lives of people in the villages and surrounding areas through... Read more
Community Council News
Businesses & Organisations
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