Dunoon and Kirn Local Place Plan D1

This large grassed area opposite Kirn Primary school and surrounded by housing, is also located in one of Dunoon’s areas of deprivation. 

Take a walk down Clyde street, enjoy the stunning views, pop to the shop, take time at the beach and then walk back up the hill.

Dunoon’s Victorian high street, Argyll Street, is the main shopping street in Dunoon. It is located within Dunoon’s conservation area and is the place local people converge for seasonal celebrations, for shopping and it is the first place most visitors will wander along when arriving in the town.  

This site, located behind Alexander Street and currently covered by trees, shrubs and some knotweed, is an area designated for housing development within Argyll and Bute Council's Local Development Plan. The site has recently been purchased by Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA), with a view to developing a mix of affordable and social housing. 

Dunoon has a brilliant selection of charity shops that contribute to the development of a more circular economy at a local level. However, a trip to Bogleha Recycling centre highlights the many missed opportunities for more items to be diverted from landfill and reused locally. There are some fantastic examples across Scotland of reuse centres co-located at amenity sites as a result of partnerships between local authorities and the third sector. These operations create green jobs and training opportunities alongside the provision of affordable goods for their community. The current amenities site at Bogleha’ does not have space to allow for expansion. 

Castle Hill and the surrounding green space is an historic landscape containing many monuments and architectural features that collectively tell the story of Dunoon from the building of the original Castle  right through to the American Years. 

Consider developing this site for high quality, energy efficient, affordable housing.

Dunoon Burgh Hall is a cultural venue and arts facility managed by a local trust and charity. The historic Grade B listed building located on Argyll Street reopened in 2017 following extensive refurbishment. The building includes a cafe, gallery, workshop area and main hall. These spaces combined provide a unique venue for creative, cultural and community events. The Burgh Hall has created opportunities for local creative practitioners, whilst raising the profile of the town through a programme of internationally acclaimed exhibitions and events. 

Managed by Argyll and Bute Council, Dunoon Cemetery sits on the edge of the town centre close to family housing and the town’s more industrial zone (Hamilton Street). The cemetery is culturally significant and includes war graves and the graves of some of Dunoon’s most significant characters. The peaceful location is also a valuable green space that is currently underutilised for recreation purposes. 

Wander safely through the historic Dunoon Cemetery to school and home.

The current Ferry Terminal waiting room and public toilets are housed in temporary portacabin structures. This means that people arriving and departing Dunoon don’t have the best experience of this vital public transport connection. 

Dunoon Foodbank is a small local charity providing food, meals and services, including pre-loved school uniform distribution, to some of Dunoon and Kirn’s most vulnerable people. The space is also being utilised for a youth club one night a week, a project established through Planet Youth that directly responds to local needs. 

According to Historic Scotland, Dunoon Pier is ‘the best surviving example of a timber ferry pier in Scotland.’  Owned by Argyll and Bute Council, this Grade A listed structure is a nationally important building. However, climate change and the ongoing costs of repairs mean this building is at risk.  

Dunoon Stadium and the surrounding land, sports pitches and skate park occupy a large section of land in the heart of the town. This area is also overlooked by Dunoon Hospital, Kirn Primary school and one of Dunoon’s two housing  areas that scores highest on the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). Despite the pressing need for recreation space to support activities that improve the health and wellbeing of local people, particularly young people and adults with health challenges, Dunoon stadium is largely underused by the community. Although the stadium is a staffed facility, the way it is operated and managed means that the stadium remains closed to the public unless it has been booked by an organised group. The booking process is not straightforward and can seem challenging for community and school groups. 

Take a walk, cycle or run along the sea front to Kirn, pop into the shops, enjoy the beach.

Consider developing this site for high quality, energy efficient, affordable housing.  

Park up at Glenmorag Car Park, enjoy a play and stroll along West Bay, browse the shops on Hillfoot Street, head down to Argyll Street and then back to the car.

With support from Dunoon Community Development Trust, the volunteer-led Grow Food Grow Dunoon project has transformed an underused green space and established a food growing site in the grounds of the council owned and run dementia care home at Struan Lodge.  

With almost 100% shop occupancy rates and an interesting mix of specialist food and drink, charity shops and creative businesses - and featuring the historic facade of Dunoon Primary School - Hillfoot Street is a great place to visit and browse. However, ad-hoc parking arrangements, dangerous crossing points, bins blocking pavements and uneven pavement surfaces are all factors that conspire to prevent people walking along the street to shop. 

Kirn gardens is a welcome green space leading down to beautiful shingle beach. Historically the gardens contained a public toilet, and the beach hosted a local cafe (Reggies) that attracted visitors to the area for swimming and bathing. 

Enjoy the Rose Garden, take a stroll past St Munns and over the bridge of Dunoon's original hydroponic hotel. If you are feeling steady on your feet take a detour to explore the historic Milton Burn or cut back via the Argyll Street surgery.