Scotland: National Rural Network
Connecting Rural Scotland - Promoting Rural Growth

Arrochar and Tarbet have been crowned Scottish Calor Village of the Year 2009. As winners of the Scottish award, the community have received a total of £9500 for community investment and will receive a community celebration, hosted by Calor Gas Ltd next month.

The standard of entries was high this year, with Arrochar and Tarbet battling it out against the other regional winners, Isle of Eigg and Forth, for the top spot.

Frank Gunning, President of the Association of Scottish Community Councils and one of the judges said, "The judges had a really tough decision to make as all three communities made good cases for winning. In the end, it was felt that Arrochar and Tarbet had the leading edge over the other two. 

"The regeneration of Arrochar Parish Church is outstanding. Having seen a community come together, fundraise and give up time and skills to create one of the most beautiful churches in Scotland is just brilliant. By creating a village 'hub' through the development of a community hall and showing a vision for the future with redevelopment plans for Arrochar's pier, villagers are making strategic moves towards developing the community for the future.

"The community had a great atmosphere and you could tell everyone involved really cares about the future of this spectacular village. Well done to them, it's a fantastic achievement!" 

Norette Ferns, editor of the Scotland National Rural Network website was also on the judging panel, along with

Organised by Calor Gas Ltd. (Scotland), with support from the Association of Scottish Community Councils, (ASCC) and The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisation's (SCVO) Rural Team, the awards are designed to allow Scotland's rural communities to promote their success and achievements, share best community practice and demonstrate initiatives towards sustainability. Communities were judged on four categories this year; people, business, sustainability and communication.

Look out for photos from each of the communities coming to our Gallery soon.