Banchory Community Council

02/06/2026

Please take care everyone - heavy flooding across parts of Banchory this evening

28/05/2026

The Marr Area Committee Budget Grants for 2026/27 are now open for applications.

Grants of up to £1,000 are available to constituted community groups for projects which enhance local communities in the Marr area and contribute to place-making, where there is an evidence-based need.

Projects should support the Marr Community Plan priorities:
- Empowered and confident communities
- Economically vibrant communities
- Healthy, safe and thriving communities
- Connected communities
- Natural heritage and environment

Match funding of at least 50% is required.

For further information and to apply visit

Grants of up to £1,000 are available to constituted community groups for projects which benefit local communities in the Marr area.

26/05/2026

Please be advised that there will be a road closure restriction in place on the U49k, Banchory commencing on 04/08 for 1 day. The restriction is in place to allow for safe access for pole installation works to be carried out on behalf of Openreach.

26/05/2026

***Scotland Forests survey, deadline 5th June***
This is a message from the Forest Policy Group, a volunteer-led independent think tank dedicated to making Scotland’s forestry more diverse, community-focused, and ecologically resilient.

They want to ensure that local voices are heard in national policy discussions and have launched a short survey to gather views on how forestry is experienced and valued across the country.

You do not need to be a forestry specialist to take part. Whether you live near a woodland, volunteer in local green spaces, or simply care about the Scottish environment, your views are essential.

They are looking for honest feedback on:
- Local connections to forestry.
- The benefits and challenges of forestry in your area.
- Community involvement in land-use decision-making.
- Priorities for public funding and the environment.

The survey is entirely anonymous and takes only 5 to 7 minutes to complete. You can access it here:

➡️ Link to Survey: https://forms.gle/QRtq65TCXVW7bzxD7

The survey will close at 11.59pm on Friday 5th June 2026.

The findings from this research will be used to advocate for better, more democratic forestry policies that benefit people, nature, and local economies.

The Forest Policy Group (https://www.forestpolicygroup.org/) is gathering views from people and communities across Scotland to better understand how forestry is experienced, perceived and valued. Whether you live near woodland, work in the sector, volunteer locally, visit forests for recreation, or....

26/05/2026

Please be advised that there will be a road closure restriction in place on the U49k, Banchory commencing on 18/08 for 1 day. The restriction is in place to allow for safe access for pole replacement works to be carried out on behalf of Openreach.

26/05/2026

***Survey on behalf of Aberdeenshire’s Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs)***

Aberdeenshire’s Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) are a team of 6 young people representing young people aged 12-25 in Aberdeenshire. MSYPs are volunteers and are non-partisan in their roles.

As a group and individually as MSYPs they have been working on highlighting local issues and furthering projects that address these issues.

In June, they have their national gathering of MSYPs (known as a Scottish Youth Parliament sitting). Sittings involve a wide range of activities but perhaps the most important one is the motions sessions. To represent the young people of Aberdeenshire during these sessions, they have created a survey (and other engagement resources) to allow us to collate their views and vote accordingly.

Respondents must be young people aged 12-25 in Aberdeenshire or youth groups with members aged 12-25 (Guides, church groups, general clubs that young people attend etc.)

Examples of successful motions: Mairi Millar Aberdeenshire MSYP for Angus North and Mearns who is currently actively engaging with schools on her PADs campaign to ensure period provision under the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021 is being delivered in an accessible and dignified way. This campaign started as a motion in the Scottish Youth Parliament passed in our October 2024 sitting (passing with 98% support).

Our other Aberdeenshire MSYPs, such as Beth MacKay MSYP, have also previously successfully passed motions through the Scottish Youth Parliament.

Other previous successful campaigns by the Scottish Youth Parliament include the campaign for the Under 22s bus pass. This demonstrates how Scottish Youth Parliament campaigns and the work of MSYPs can bring about real change both nationally and locally.

Please see attached link and poster. If young people have trouble accessing the survey, please direct them to our lead support worker Roisin Daly - [email protected]

26/05/2026

***North East Crime Alert: June 2026***

In this edition of North East Crime Alert:

- How one community in the North East have united to beat doorstep crime.
- We explain how the conflict across the world has resulted in an increase in GPS thefts in the UK.
- Why fitting a tracker to your campervan or motorhome is important.
- The real-life story of one victim’s nightmare experience with rogue traders.
- Cannabis cultivations and advice for landlords and lettings agents.
- Rising fuel costs and speculation about fuel shortages are leading to increased thefts across Scotland. We look at how to increase the security of your fuel storage.

As well as a regular round-up of crime in the North East.

Download the Police Scotland North East Crime Alert for June here:
https://www.aberdeenshirecommunitysafety.org.uk/download/police/Crime%20Alert%20-%20June%202026.pdf

Also available to download are:

Leaflet on safely searching and booking holidays and travel:https://www.aberdeenshirecommunitysafety.org.uk/download/police/Jan23_Holiday_Leaflet.pdf
The Little Book of Phone Scams:https://www.aberdeenshirecommunitysafety.org.uk/download/police/PSOS%20Little%20Booklet%20of%20Phone%20Scams.pdf
The Little Leaflet of Cyber Advice:https://www.aberdeenshirecommunitysafety.org.uk/download/police/PSOS%20Little%20Leaflet%20of%20Cybercrime.pdf
Bike Security leaflet:https://www.aberdeenshirecommunitysafety.org.uk/download/police/Bike%20security%20leaflet%202023.pdf
Original Message Sent By: North East Crime Reduction Unit Team, Police Scotland.

26/05/2026

***Heart of the High Street Awards - deadline 7th June***
Aberdeenshire Council has launched a new retail awards scheme to shine a light on the people and businesses that go the extra mile to deliver exceptional customer service across Aberdeenshire.

Nominations can be made on Engage Aberdeenshire until 7th June.

https://engage.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/heart-of-the-high-Taylors On The High Street

Welcome to the Heart of the High Street Awards Nomination Form We know how important good customer service is. Help us celebrate the people and businesses that make our town centres warm, welcoming and vibrant in the first ever Aberdeenshire Heart of the High Street

26/05/2026

Aberdeenshire Council has begun its 2026 programme of surface dressing works across the north‑east, as part of ongoing efforts to maintain and extend the life of the region’s road network.

Road users are being advised to take extra care on roads once treatment is carried out, where loose chippings may be present for a short period.

Surface dressing is a proven and cost‑effective maintenance technique used to seal the road surface, improve skid resistance and protect against deterioration caused by water ingress. The process involves applying a layer of bitumen followed by stone chippings, which bond with the existing carriageway surface.

During and immediately after surface dressing, there is a temporary increased risk associated with loose chippings, particularly if vehicles travel at excessive speed.

To ensure full coverage and avoid bare patches, more chippings are applied than are required for the finished surface. Although treated roads are mechanically swept several times following the works, it can take several days for chippings to fully embed into the bitumen.

Slow‑moving traffic helps this process. Driving above the signed speed limit, however, can displace chippings and increase the risk of skidding or damage to vehicles.

Warning signs will be erected in advance of works commencing and will remain in place until the surface has fully cured. Temporary speed restrictions are mandatory and in place for the safety of all road users. While a treated road may appear clear, loose chippings may still be present, and road users are urged to continue following all signage until it has been removed.

Roads surface dressing programme begins Aberdeenshire Council has begun its 2026 programme of surface dressing works across the north‑east, as part of ongoing efforts to maintain and extend the life of the region’s road network. Road users are being advised to take extra care on roads once treat...

26/05/2026

***Application Round Open: Aberdeenshire Rural Communities Challenge Fund 2026-27 deadline 28th June***

The Aberdeenshire Local Action Group’s Rural Communities Challenge Fund 2026-27 has been launched and is now live and open for applications.
The programme delivers funding from the Scottish Government’s Rural Community Led Local Development programme.

Grants are being invited from community groups, charities and cooperatives throughout Aberdeenshire (excluding the Cairngorms area) and can fund specific activities aimed at benefitting rural communities in the region.

Applications will be assessed and approved by the Aberdeenshire Local Action Group (LAG), a cross-sector partnership which represents rural communities throughout Aberdeenshire.

Grants will be targeted towards capital expenditure which can be delivered before 28th February 2027 and supports one or more of the following priorities:
1) An inclusive and connected Aberdeenshire – Enabling better connections within and across rural Aberdeenshire Communities
2) Accountable and Fair Aberdeenshire – Ensuring no one community is left behind or exposed to the devastating effects of inequality and poverty.
3) Sustainability of Places and Planet - Achieving a just transition to net zero through reducing emissions and regenerating the local environment

Grants of between £10,000 and £49,999 will be available for Capital Projects, and Grants of between £5,000 and £49,999 for Revenue Projects. A minimum 10% match funding contribution to projects by applicants is desirable but not essential.

The deadline for submission of applications is 23.59 on 28 June 2026.

Potential applicants can access the application forms and guidance on the following webpage:
https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/business/business-support/funding/rural-communities-challenge-fund/

Applicants are also encouraged to contact the following for more information and support: [email protected]

The Aberdeenshire Local Action Group's Rural Communities Challenge Fund (RCCF) delivers funding from the Scottish Government's Rural Community Led Local Development (RCLLD) programme.