Men's Shed Dalry

01/09/2026

🪑 From Old Oak to a One-of-a-Kind Button Stool

There’s something rather special about taking old, unwanted materials and giving them a completely new lease of life - and this little button stool is a perfect example. 🔨🪵

Created from scratch by our very own John Unwin, this stool has certainly had a journey before arriving at its new home!

The legs are made from white oak reclaimed from old flooring, planed and worked down to size before being joined and pinned using 12mm oak dowels. John has even designed and built his own wooden jigs to help accurately position and hold the legs while constructing the stool - a great bit of ingenuity in the workshop.

One of the things that really sets John’s work apart is the way he joins the timber. Rather than relying on visible metal screws and fixings, John uses traditional wooden dowels and quality wood glue to hold the joints together. This not only makes for a strong and durable piece of furniture, but gives the finished stool a much more refined, traditional and high-quality appearance, with the joinery becoming part of the craftsmanship rather than having screws on show.

The circular seat started life as an old beech chair seat, which was cut down and carefully shaped, with slots routed into it to create the distinctive button-stool design.

Then there’s the seat covering - made from reclaimed Italian leather rescued from an old sofa. ♻️

To finish it off, John used an old-school finish, with a grey primer followed by a blue top coat, giving the stool that lovely traditional appearance. A final bit of waxing brings it all together.

And as you can imagine, there’s quite a bit involved in making one of these - marking out, routing, planing, sawing, drilling, sanding, painting and waxing. All done with plenty of patience and attention to detail.

The best part is seeing something made in the Shed find a new home.

The gentleman pictured on the left of one of our photos is Robert (Rob) Ferguson, owner of the wonderful Dalgarven Mill Museum just outside Kilwinning, Ayrshire, and Rob was delighted to receive one of John’s button stools. 😊

It’s another great example of what can happen when skill, imagination and reclaimed materials come together.

Well done John — another fantastic piece of craftsmanship from the Men’s Shed Dalry workshop. 👏🔨♻️

And if you’ve never visited Dalgarven Mill, it’s well worth a visit. You can find out more about the museum, its collections, exhibitions and the beautiful riverside setting here:

 https://www.dalgarvenmill.org.uk

29/08/2026

A great example of what the Men’s Shed movement is all about. 💙

It’s not just about the projects we work on or the skills we share - it’s about friendship, connection and sometimes even reconnecting with old friends after many years.

Brilliant story, Gus, and who knows where the Men’s Shed journey will take us next! 🩵💙

When Men’s Sheds reconnect old friends 🩵💙
By Gus McLafferty, Men's Shed Dalry

There’s absolutely no doubt that Scotland’s Men’s Sheds are key to eliminating loneliness and bringing men together in their local communities to enhance their feeling of worth.

It’s a wonderful thing to appreciate that your association with your local Shed has massively increased the number of true friends you have on your doorstep.

That opportunity is massively enhanced when you network with neighbouring Sheds through a previously unconsidered initiative which extends your reach across your county (through regional Shed networking events).

Think about it. I’m right. Aren’t I?

I have many dear friends who I would never have known, if it were not for my interaction with them through the excellent interfacing opportunities that my SMSA Development Officers have made available to me.

Joe Young and Ian Murdoch from Clyde Coast & Cumbraes Men's Shed; Owen Neil from Troon Men's Shed; Scott Jamieson from the Three Towns Community Shed; Roger Clarke and Leo Compton from Garnock Valley Men's Shed might have crossed my path in the passing, but all are now some of my closest friends, and my life is much richer for that.

However, the SMSA Gathering in Perth added a new perspective to that.

In the 1990s, when I lived in Glasgow, I served a lengthy tenure as Chairman of the West of Scotland Cycling Association, where I worked with a highly respected colleague Kenny Macdonald from Johnstone.

When I moved down to Ayrshire, he and I lost touch, and I often wondered what had become of my old pal.

Fast forward 25 years, and I’m standing having a coffee at Perth & Kinross Civic Hall at the SMSA Gathering, and I get a tap on my shoulder. As I turn round, I’m met with a familiar smile, and although grey hair exists where once there was blonde, I immediately recognise the voice and the smile. The ID badge says “Ken MacDonald - North Uist Mens Shed” (as if I ever needed confirmation).

The Men’s Shed movement brought together two old colleagues who had lost touch, and through a common quest to interface with each of our remote communities, a gap of a quarter of century had been plugged.

And we vowed to keep in touch, AND THAT WILL DEFINITELY HAPPEN. 270 miles is a distance that would surely keep former acquaintances at a distance long enough to make interaction difficult, but not when they have a common goal.

Kenny and I look forward to resurrecting an old friendship, and who knows, maybe some weird twinning initiative between the Dalry and North Uist Sheds. Stranger things have happened.

11/08/2026

💙🔨 YOUR ONLINE SHOPPING CAN HELP MEN’S SHED DALRY! 🔨💙

Here’s a little way you can support our Shed without spending a penny extra! 🙌

Men’s Shed Dalry is registered with easyfundraising, which means when you shop online with thousands of participating retailers, they give a small donation to the Shed — you pay exactly the same price as you normally would. 🛒💻

And it really works! 👇

🎉 Our supporters recently raised £29.31 for the Shed in just one Donation Day!

Imagine what we could raise if more of our followers joined in. ❤️

Men’s Shed Dalry was set up to bring people together, providing a friendly place where people can meet, socialise, learn new skills and enjoy being part of their community. At the heart of what we do is promoting good mental and physical health and wellbeing through friendship, activity, creativity and simply having a place where people feel welcome.

The money raised through easyfundraising helps us continue that work — supporting our projects, helping local schools and community organisations, repairing and recycling, and keeping our Shed active and accessible to the community.

👉 It’s FREE to sign up and costs you NOTHING extra.

Join easyfundraising and support Men’s Shed Dalry here: 👇

https://join.easyfundraising.org.uk/mens-shed-dalry/ABCDEF/dds/U5SijpKB/DPAS1/facebook/29.31?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=page-share-box&utm_campaign=dd-aug-26

🙏 If you’re already signed up, thank you! And if you’re not, please consider joining — every little donation helps us continue doing what we do.

💙 Shop online. Pay the same. Help bring people together. Help your local Men’s Shed. 🔨❤️

09/08/2026

🧘‍♂️ POSTURE PERFECT IS BACK! 🧘‍♀️

A quick reminder that Posture Perfect is recommencing this Tuesday at The Coach House, Dalry, running from 6:45pm – 8:15pm.

Several of the guys from Men’s Shed Dalry have been attending the sessions and have been really enjoying them. They’ve been reporting back that the classes have been beneficial to both their physical wellbeing and overall health, which is great to hear! 👍

Posture Perfect isn’t just another fitness class. It focuses on gentle, low-impact exercises, movement, flexibility, balance, breathing and releasing tension — all designed to help you feel more comfortable and at ease in your own body.

So, if you’ve been thinking about giving it a try, why not come along this Tuesday? You don’t need to be super-fit or flexible — just come along and give it a go.

📍 The Coach House, Dalry
📅 Every Tuesday
⏰ 6:45pm – 8:15pm
💷 £10 per session

And if our Shed guys are anything to go by, you might just feel the benefits! 😊

07/08/2026

🌸 A Little Bench, A Big Transformation 🌸

There’s something especially rewarding about bringing an old, forgotten item back to life – and this children’s bench is a perfect example.

When it was kindly donated to Men’s Shed Dalry, it had certainly seen better days. Rather than letting it go to waste, our members saw the potential to create something truly special for two very special little girls, Ada and Maeve.

The original cast-iron bench ends were carefully cleaned and repainted by Tony and Francis, who also helped with the final assembly. The hardwood slats came from an old table that had been donated to the Shed, proving once again that with a little imagination, quality materials can be given a whole new purpose instead of ending up in landfill.

The beautiful artwork on the back was hand-painted by Andy Beagrie, adding a wonderful personal touch. Look closely and you’ll spot the pink elephant and rhino – complete with pink toenails – created especially for two very special girls. The finished woodwork and artwork were protected with several coats of spray varnish to help keep the bench looking its best for years to come.

Seeing Ada and Maeve enjoying their bench makes every hour spent restoring it worthwhile. Their smiles say far more than we ever could.

Projects like this are what Men’s Shed Dalry is all about: recycling, upcycling, sharing skills, reducing waste, and creating something that will bring joy to others. Every donated item has the potential for a new story, and this little bench is a lovely reminder that with a bit of care and craftsmanship, old things can become treasured again.

Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this project possible. We hope Ada and Maeve enjoy many happy years sitting, playing and making memories on their very own special bench. 🌸🩷

03/08/2026

Recycle, repair, and repurpose… it’s what we love to do at The Men’s Shed Dalry.

When we were offered an old wooden shed, many people would probably have seen nothing more than a pile of timber fit for the Guy Fawkes bonfire. Thankfully, our own visionary Marti saw something very different. With plenty of planning, determination and a fair amount of sweat, the team carefully dismantled the old structure, strengthened it with a completely new internal frame, and rebuilt it into a sturdy, weatherproof shed at The Coachhouse in Dalry. It’s another great example of how, with a little imagination and a lot of hard work, something destined for landfill can be given a whole new lease of life.

Projects like this simply wouldn’t happen without the incredible support of local businesses and organisations that believe in what we do, and we’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make it possible.

First and foremost, we’d like to thank our good friend Eliodor and the fantastic team at Careys. As the principal contractor on the Clean Cow Project at DSM, they have been tremendous supporters of The Men’s Shed Dalry, regularly providing materials that have found a second life in many of our community projects. For this build, they arrived with a truckload of roof timbers and sheets that have given the shed a durable new roof. Their continued generosity and belief in what we do has made a real difference to the shed and the wider community.

A huge thank you also goes to Reddance Building Supplies, our local family-run builders’ merchant. Since the very beginning, Reddance have been wonderful supporters of the shed, helping us with materials, fixings and expert advice whenever we’ve needed it. For this project they kindly supplied the footings and structural posts that provided the solid foundations for the rebuilt shed.

Finally, we’d like to thank Rubberseal in Kilmarnock, who not only shared their expertise with Marti on installing an EPDM rubber membrane roof, but also supplied the membrane itself at a fantastic discount. EPDM is renowned for its durability and long lifespan, so thanks to their generosity our repurposed shed should remain watertight for many decades to come.

This project is another reminder of what can be achieved when volunteers, local businesses and the community come together. What many would have dismissed as little more than scrap timber has been transformed into a practical shed that will continue to serve The Coachhouse and our Men’s Shed for years to come.

A sincere thank you to everyone who donated materials, offered advice or gave their time to help. Your support allows us to keep recycling, repairing and repurposing while making a positive difference in our community.

02/08/2026

The call went out the other week to the guys to see who had a vehicle that could transport the longer planters that had been built in the woodshed.
Well done Hughie for turning up in something a little different!
Planters were delivered by Hughie and Andy, and we must give a huge thank you to our two recipients Mrs Boyce and Jean Thompson for their very kind donations to the shed for the planters.
It’s what keeps our doors open to the shed and the lights on. ❤️
Back open Monday folks 10am-3pm.
Pop in and see us.

23/07/2026

Another busy week at Men’s Shed Dalry! 🛠️

One day the guys are out cycling 36 miles to Largs and around Millport (Tuesday), and the very next day, the woodshed is in full flow. 🚴‍♂️🪵

Yesterday, the guys opened the doors and trundled out their latest creations. 🪴

Andy B once again has to be commended for the many, many hours he puts in to make these planters happen. His artwork is fantastic, and painting onto wood is no easy task! 🎨🖌️

Andy had assistance from Gus in laser etching the designs onto the wood and Andy also had his usual worker bees, with Ross and Tony turning up to the shed without fail each day to spend hours in helping to build and varnish them. Great teamwork, guys! 🐝👏

We’ll put another post up about these being delivered and our special transport we had to help.

22/07/2026

What does it take for a Men Shed shedder to become a true shedder?
Answer - when they’re called upon to move a shed!
That’s what some of the guys were up to today helping out round at the community gardens.
Well done lads.

Shed is back open tonight from 6-8pm and again Monday and Wednesday 10-3pm. Drop in and say hello.

14/07/2026

Another fantastic summer cycle for the Dalry Men’s Shed cycling group took us into the heart of the Trossachs this week. Starting from the picturesque village of Aberfoyle, we headed off on an anticlockwise circuit of the beautiful Loch Katrine, enjoying one of Scotland’s most spectacular cycling routes.

Aberfoyle has long been known as the “Gateway to the Highlands” and became famous through Sir Walter Scott’s novel Rob Roy. For centuries it has welcomed travellers making their way into the Trossachs, and today it remains a popular destination for walkers, cyclists and visitors wanting to experience some of Scotland’s finest scenery.

Loch Katrine itself is steeped in history. The loch gained worldwide fame after Sir Walter Scott’s poem The Lady of the Lake was published in 1810, attracting Victorian tourists from across Britain. It also plays a vital role in modern Scotland, with its crystal-clear waters supplying much of Glasgow’s drinking water since the 1850s through an ingenious network of aqueducts and reservoirs.

As we cycled around the loch we passed several reminders of this remarkable engineering achievement, including the historic waterworks, pumping stations and carefully constructed sluices that continue to form part of the city’s water supply. We also shared the route with the famous steamship SS Sir Walter Scott, which has been carrying passengers across the loch for well over a century and remains one of Scotland’s best-loved heritage vessels.

One of the highlights of the ride was passing Royal Cottage at Stronachlachar. The attractive stone building was constructed in 1869 specifically for Queen Victoria during one of her visits to Loch Katrine. The Queen often holidayed in the Scottish Highlands, and the cottage served as a waiting room and refreshment stop before she boarded a steamer to continue her journey across the loch. Today it stands as a charming reminder of the royal connections with this beautiful corner of Scotland.

The views throughout the ride were simply breathtaking. Towering above the loch were the rugged mountains of the southern Highlands, including Ben Venue, Ben A’an, and further to the north the impressive bulk of Ben Lomond, their peaks providing a magnificent backdrop as they rose above the forests and shimmering water. Every bend in the road seemed to reveal another postcard-worthy view.

The weather was kind, the company was excellent, and with plenty of laughs, refreshments and photo stops along the way, it was another memorable day out for the Men’s Shed.

Our summer rides continue to prove that they’re about far more than cycling—they’re about friendship, keeping active, exploring Scotland’s incredible history and scenery, and enjoying great company together.

Where will our next adventure take us?