Trust Projects

The King's Arms Project

We are actively pursuing the possibility of buying the King's Arms - the last pub in the village as a community hub / pub.

Cultural Activities

Partnerships with The Ayrshire Rural Touring Network, Driftwood Community Cinema and the Girvan Traditional Folk Festival enable us to bring a programme of music, theatrical productions and films to the village.  Our aim was to run one event a month throughout the year but while the country is in the grip of the Coronavirus we have cancelled our programme of events for the foreseeable future.

Play Park and Recreation Ground Development

For a number of years now, a small group of villagers have been working hard to raise funds to improve the facilities in our Recreation Ground for our young people and for visitors. 

The development involves a number of phases:

• Replacement of the goal posts (completed)
• Establishing a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) (work starting April 2019)
• Upgrading the picnic / seating area and installing “sensory panels”
• Installing a Trampoline
• Installing a multi purpose “Circuit” around the perimeter of the Recreation Ground
• Replacing some of the existing play park equipment and installing some new ones

Ballantrae Festival of Food & Drink

Our award-winning festival showcases great Scottish food and drink from Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway and further afield. In 2020, it was, once again, scheduled to take place over two days (13/14 June). However as a result of the Coronavirus we have decided to cancel the 2020 Festival. The dates for next year are 12 & 13 June 2021. Ballantrae aspires to become a food and drink destination.

In 2019, we commissioned an independent study to measure the economic impact of the festival to Ballantrae and the surrounding areas. A summary and the full report can be found here.

Ballantrae Smugglers’ Festival

Ballantrae has a colourful 18th and 19th century history.  We keep this alive through our Smugglers’ Festival.  We took a break in 2019 but were planning to bring the festival back in August 2020. However Coronavirus restrictions may prevent this. In the meantime, you’ll find pictures and videos of previous festivals in the Gallery section of this website.

Supporting Tourism

We stock and maintain information in Ballantrae’s Visitor Information Point in Craigiemains Home and Garden Centre.  Leaflets provide information for locals and visitors on what to see and do on a day out from Ballantrae.  We work closely with public and private sector tourism bodies including Ayrshire and Arran Tourism and VisitScotland (we are one of their Visitor Information Partners).  Craigiemains and the VIP are currently closed because of the Coronavirus.

Publications

We publish Ballantrae News quarterly and we are members of the Stinchar Valley Magazine Editorial Board.  Our volunteers hand deliver both publications within the village and to Smyrton.  We maintain the village diary of events and publish “What’s on in Ballantrae”.

Volunteering Opportunities

We are looking for volunteers to help us with:

The King's Arms Project

We are looking for people with all sorts of experience and skills to help us with the project.

Culture

Decide the music, theatrical productions and films we bring to the village and / or help us by working “front of house”

Play Park Development

Upgrade the Play Park and Recreation Ground - decision making and fund raising

Ballantrae Festival of Food & Drink

By volunteering to help at our Festival of Food & Drink

Supporting Tourism

Ensure our Visitor Information Point at Craigiemains is stocked with leaflets and help us liaise with VisitScotland.

Website and Social Media

Keep the new village website up-to-date

Local walks

Maintain and promote our local paths including the upgrading of Kilphin Glen.

Publications

Gather information and articles for Ballantrae News, Stinchar Valley Magazine and “What’s on in Ballantrae”

Fund Raising

Raise funds for the Trust

If you can spare some time and would like to get involved with any of the Trust’s projects please email Fiona at ballantraetrust@gmail.com or call Andy McAlpine on 07920517700.