Council officials have discussed plans for ‘Supporting Our Pollinators’ in Argyll and Bute - but some concerns have been expressed. The authority is set to undergo a pilot project to encourage “a more wildlife-friendly environment” in the area, allowing grassland areas to host wildflowers and other plants. A list of 24 sites across Argyll and Bute to take part in the initial project was published in a report – it includes:

Planning applications in Kilcreggan and Rhu are among those to be validated by Argyll and Bute Council this week. The full list of applications in the Helensburgh and Lomond area is below - for details of an individual application, go to the council's website and use the reference number. Reference number: 25/02108/NMA Community council: Cove and Kilcreggan Proposal: Non material amendment to Plannong Application (24/00824/PP Erection of dwellinghouse and formation of vehicular access) proposed dwelling has been moved and finish floor level amended raised by 1m…

Reducing speed limits to 20mph across Argyll and Bute has taken longer because consultation is needed, a senior councillor has said. Speed limits have already been cut from 30 to 20mph in neighbouring areas such as Highland, as well as on some stretches of the A82 and A83 trunk roads in Arrochar and Tarbet. Last month a Cove and Kilcreggan community councillor criticised delays in reducing the speed limits, saying officials were…

A reminder has been issued that there will be no trains at all from Helensburgh for more than a week after Christmas Eve. A new railway bridge is being installed at Bowling, meaning there will be no services between Dalmuir and Helensburgh Central, or between Glasgow Queen Street and Crianlarich. Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail Scotland, said: “Christmas and New Year give us a unique opportunity to deliver major improvements while fewer people are travelling.

Council officials have defended the continuing practice in Argyll and Bute of advertising temporary traffic orders in local newspapers. Councillors from the administration and opposition agreed that an alternative method should be found if possible, highlighting the cost of placing an advertisement. But a council official said it was down to the Scottish Government to make changes to allow that to happen.

The charity volunteers aiming to reopen Helensburgh Pier say they hope to conclude negotiations on its ownership in the new year. Members of the Helensburgh Pier Company Limited have wished everyone a peaceful Christmas and say they are working hard behind the scenes to progress their campaign. Chairman Bill Purdon said: “We want to thank the community for their support and assure them that negotiations for a 25-year lease with the pier’s owners, Argyll and Bute Council, are progressing and we hope can be concluded early in the new year”.

Staff at the Faslane naval base joined together today to commemorate the wartime sinking of HMS Neptune. The memorial service was held in the naval base church and was led by Rev Mark Allsopp, who gave an account of the tragic sinking. The story of the only survivor was read by Base Warrant Officer Keith McKewan. “This morning, the personnel of HMS Neptune paused in reflection to honour the memory of their forebears who served onboard HMS Neptune, which, almost 84 years ago to the day, was sunk at the height of the Second World War,” he said.

A free workshop showing ways to brighten up garden and house plants is being held in Helensburgh next month. Cove Park, the arts centre on the Rosneath Peninsula, and award-winning Helensburgh-based jewellery designer Caitlin Hegney will show people of all ages how to create brass plant tags and decorative pieces. Using simple hand tools, people taking part will hammer and emboss brass to make a unique design to take home.

The Oakbank Community Inn in Sandbank is getting set to open its doors this weekend - for the first time in almost three years. One of Scotland’s newest community-owned pub ventures, the venue dates back to the 1860s and has played a key role in the history of the village. It was bought by the community of Sandbank earlier this year thanks to a substantial grant from the Scottish Land Fund.

Plans for a Helensburgh takeaway to be converted into additional hotel accommodation have been approved by council officials at the second time of asking. Management at The County Hotel lodged the plans for the Curry Club, on Old Luss Road, in 2023, but they were refused in July of the next year due to concerns about road safety. Argyll and Bute Council has now given the go-ahead to a revised application, with roads officials now expressing no objection, subject to conditions.

The funeral of Dr Jean Cook, a tireless worker for the communities of Rhu and Shandon, will be held on Friday. A former senior lecturer in mathematics at Glasgow Caledonian University, Jean died last week after a short illness. The beloved wife of the late Brian, and mother of Andrew, she was an unwavering advocate for the area and had been the secretary of Rhu and Shandon Community Council for many years.

A planning applications for a run-of-river hydroelectric scheme near the Rest and Be Thankful was among those to be validated by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority last week. The full list of applications is below - for details of an individual application, go to the national park's website and use the reference number. Reference number: 2025/0287/NOT Community council: Kilmaronock…

Nearly 50 under-fives joined parents, friends, leaders and Father Christmas to celebrate the end of another successful year for the small Helensburgh charity Fun First. The guest of honour had taken some time off from his busy North Pole preparations to make sure every child had a chance to meet him for photographs and receive the gift of a picture book.

A submariner’s attempt to become the youngest person ever to circumnavigate the planet on foot will start tomorrow. Fred Stokes is tackling Earthstrider, a 16,400-mile global run, in aid of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC). Starting from the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, it will span up to two and a half years, crossing Europe, the Middle East, Australasia, North America, South America, Iceland and back into Europe.

Junior sailors and marines were waited on by officers in a naval tradition at Faslane. On the menu was a traditional roast turkey dinner served with all the trimmings, and in keeping with tradition, senior submariners donned their Christmas jumpers and Santa hats to serve the junior rates a three-course festive feast. Naval Base Commander Clyde, Commodore Sharon Malkin ADC, served the starter to the junior rates and was accompanied by Colonel Stuart MacCrimmon, Captain Aiden Flannigan and Captain Elaine Boyd.

MSP Jackie Baillie has thanked the area’s postal workers for their efforts over the festive season. The politician paid her annual visit to Alexandria’s Royal Mail Delivery Office last week, to see for herself the work staff put into ensuring post and parcels reach their intended destinations over the busy Christmas period. She also passed on her best wishes to the team for the festive period ahead.

There are just five days left to comment on plans which could see massive increases in the populations of Helensburgh and Cardross. Plans to zone land for up to 4,800 new homes were revealed last month and Argyll & Bute Council says it will be ‘open for views’ until Friday December 19. The change this proposal could bring would be huge – based on the council’s…

Police say they are facing a challenge in Argyll and Bute after a councillor labelled figures in a report “pretty grim”. But the area’s chief superintendent has given assurance about a perceived mismatch between crimes and incidents in the area. Gary I’Anson also said there were examples of officers helping out colleagues across the area after another councillor questioned him on the stop and search policy.

Councillors have aired mixed views on the possible spend of £1m to deliver a renovation project at Helensburgh’s skating pond. A report revealed the potential cost of a hybrid scheme, felt to offer ecological benefits and a quality site for visitors to the pond at the top of Sinclair Street. A landscape architect involved in the project told councillors and community figures earlier this year that doing nothing was ‘not an option’.

Holy Loch Nature Reserve ecologist Dr Neil Hammatt is used to bizarre items washing up on the shoreline - but even he was taken aback when a large fridge made an appearance during Storm Bram. “This is the season for deliveries of all sorts but it was still a big shock when this particular ‘white good’ drifted ashore at the head of the loch!” he said.

Councillors are being asked to recommend increased funding for Argyll and Bute’s roads – as the authority faces a forecast budget gap of more than £6m. A report has stated that the condition of roads across the area is likely to worsen if investment of less than £10m is made when the authority sets its budget in February. An average of £8m has been allocated to roads in previous years, with an increased figure of £10m having been allocated in the 2025/26 financial year.

Talented young pupils from throughout the area showcased their artistic skills in MSP Jackie Baillie’s Christmas card competition. The annual festive event attracted entries from primary seven pupils at 18 schools throughout Dumbarton, Alexandria, Helensburgh and Lomond. Jessica Killen, a pupil at Helensburgh’s St Joseph’s Primary, secured first place in the competition with her cheerful snowman design. Grace Murdoch of Lennox Primary, Bonhill, won second place, while David Douglas from St Mary’s Primary School, Alexandria and Daniel McLaughlin – a pupil at Dumbarton’s Knoxland Primary – shared third place.

Planning applications in Helensburgh, Rhu and Peaton are among those to be validated by Argyll and Bute Council this week. The full list of applications in the Helensburgh and Lomond area is below - for details of an individual application, go to the council's website and use the reference number. Reference number: 25/01950/PP Community council: Helensburgh Proposal: Installation of 6 replacement windows…

Flu cases in Scotland have risen 24% in the past week, new figures have revealed. Justice Secretary Angela Constance chaired a resilience meeting this afternoon to discuss the rising cases and the subsequent pressure on health services. Afterwards Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “We are seeing an increase in flu cases earlier this year and we know flu hits harder for some people, especially the most vulnerable members of our communities.

The main A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful will be closed again this weekend as heavy rain is forecast. Contractors BEAR Scotland say the single-track Old Military Road diversion will be used as a precaution, though a final decision on the timing of this will not be made until tomorrow morning. This is sad to be due to uncertainty in the weather forecast, but the diversion route may be used as early as mid-afternoon on Saturday and remain in use throughout Sunday.