ACT Argyll is our environmental works project with a focus on improving Argyll’s natural and social environment. The project aims to improve our environment while investing in our workforce.

As part of ACT’s 5^th birthday celebrations, we asked the team about where they've worked and what skills they've learned. This was difficult as the team have supported so many great organisations and worked in many locations across Argyll, but they managed to whittle it down!

1. Kilfinan Community Forest

Kilfinan is a community owned forest in Tighnabruaich. The team think it’s an amazing woodland with lots of community spirit. They’ve done a variety of general maintenance jobs in the woodland. Most recently, they worked on a playpark soon to be unveiled at the forest.

Another thing that they like about working at Kilfinan is the great team there! ACT Argyll team supervisor Stuart mentioned that he thought Kilfinan’s aim of providing affordable housing for local people was great.

Working with the team at Kilfinan.

2. Lochgoilhead Community Garden

The team have worked with Dunbritton housing association on a number of jobs, but they thought Lochgoilhead community garden had a great atmosphere and enjoyed working there! They thought the garden was great and a lot of work has been put into it. They said it was great to go back and see the garden being used to grow fruit and vegetables locally. 

3. Clydeview Residential Home, Helensburgh

The team did maintenance on the garden of this residential home in Helensburgh. They cleaned it up, and also made some lovely planters. The team said this was one of their favourites as the people were friendly and it was a lovely garden.

Building planters. Photo kindly provided by Robert, current trainee

4. Argyll's National Nature Reserves

The team have worked at the Nature reserves managed by Scottish Natural Heritage quite a lot over the course of the project. They’ve worked with the team there on a number of jobs, from fixing fencing to building dipping platforms. They said their favourite site had to be Taynish, due to it’s stunning setting and amount of wildlife! However, they did enjoy working on the dipping platform at Moine Mhor NNR (The Great Moss). They always enjoy working with the friendly reserves team.

ACT Argyll fencing at Taynish	Dipping platform at Moine Mhor

5. NVA's Hinterland

The team enjoyed working on Hinterland, an art installation at St Peter’s Seminary in Cardross. Hinterland was a walked route through light installations in the concrete ruin of the old Seminary. They worked on the paths and bridges, and said it was interesting to return to see the exhibit once it was all finished.

Photo credit: Alisdair Smith, NVA

ACT Argyll have been able to help out numerous community groups and organisations, and have gained loads of skills and experience. They are a fantastic team and a real asset for Argyll!