Banff, Macduff and district Community Planning

01/06/2026

SURVEY - FUNDING SUPPORT NEEDS
The Banff and Buchan Local Community Planning Group is keen to understand the experiences, challenges, and support needs of community, voluntary and third sector groups when it comes to identifying and applying for funding opportunities. Survey responses will help target support, advice and guidance where it is most needed. The survey has 10 quick click questions and takes between 5-10 minutes to complete.

If you operate within the Banff and Buchan Area, we are very keen to hear from you. From Portsoy to Cairnbulg and Inverallochy, from Aberchirder to King Edward and Memsie, we’d be very grateful to hear about your funding experiences and support needs.

Access the survey here -

28/05/2026

Here is an exciting opportunity for young people in our area. 'Waves of Change' is the theme for the Commonwealth Youth Photography Competition. Scan the QR code for full details or follow this link:
https://www.royalcwsociety.org/environment/cypc
You will find lots of ideas. The inspiration from the Moray Firth and our own Banffshire Coast gives plenty of opportunities for amazing photography!
Royal Commonwealth Society

28/05/2026

🔔 The Deveron Community Sports Centre will now open at 6.30am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 🏋️

Rise & Shine!

New for you, we are opening the gym earlier on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday, starting Monday 1st June!

This is an app only exclusive and bookings must be made in advance of the session.

Not sure how to book? Pop in to Deveron Community & Sports Centre and we will help you get the app, get signed in and booked!

27/05/2026

Have your voice heard! 💬
What are your priorities for the local area?
The Local Community Planning Group wants to hear from you! Come along to The Vinery @ Banff on Wednesday 3rd June, 12–2pm for lunch and a relaxed workshop.
We’ll be discussing local food choices, food growing, and food access as part of the new Place Plan for Banff, Macduff and the surrounding area.
Soup & sandwiches available from 12–12:30pm.
Everyone is warmly welcome — whether you’ve been involved before or are coming for the first time. This is your chance to help shape the future of our community!
See you there? 🌱🥪

27/05/2026

The Scottish Government’s Just Transition Participatory Budgeting (PB) Fund is now open again for its fifth year. The closing date for applications is 12noon on Monday 31 August 2026.

With £1 million available once again across Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen and Moray, the Fund is designed to support community groups and third sector organisations in their journey to net zero. Groups can apply for up to £50k in capital funding for a broad range of activities such as (but not limited to) installing solar panels and battery storage to introducing electric vehicles, improving energy efficiency in community buildings and protecting local environments.

In Aberdeenshire the Fund is delivered by Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action (TSI) and NESCAN Hub.

All details in the link below 👇

https://www.jtpbfund.scot/

22/05/2026

✨A Banff-based craft space is beginning to produce silver objects again, drawing on the town’s historic connection to silversmithing.

Smiddy Banff, established in 2018 to support jewellery and silversmithing in North-East Scotland, is launching a new piece of jewellery inspired directly by the local coastline. The Banff Pebble Pendant is cast from pebbles found along the shore, using traditional sand casting techniques.

Each piece is made individually by hand, resulting in subtle variations in form and surface. The first 100 pendants will be marked with a small ‘C’, the Roman numeral for 100, alongside Smiddy’s anvil mark, referencing historic silver marking traditions.

The launch marks a shift for Smiddy Banff, which has until now focused on teaching and community workshops.

“This is the beginning of us making again in Banff,” says Drew Markou, General Manager of Smiddy Banff. “There’s a long history of silver being produced here, and this is a small but important step towards reconnecting with that.”

Alongside the jewellery launch, Smiddy Banff is also introducing a new hands-on experience, where visitors can create their own pebble pendant in silver using the same casting process.

The first pieces are available to pre-order now, with production taking place at Smiddy in Banff.

For more information, images, or interview requests, please contact:
drew@vanillainkcic.co.uk

www.vanillainkthesmiddy.co.uk

https://www.vanillainkthesmiddy.co.uk/classes/p/banff-pebble-pendant

22/05/2026

🚨 Have your say on the proposed move of the vaccination clinic at Macduff to Chalmers Hospital in Banff survey closes 3rd June 👇

Proposed move of the Macduff Vaccination Clinic!

The Vaccination Clinic in Macduff opened in 2021 to help deliver COVID‑19 vaccinations quickly and safely. It was always expected to be a temporary arrangement.

Since 2021, the clinic has grown. It now provides a wider range of vaccinations, and we see an opportunity to offer more local health services in the future.
Why are we proposing this move?

The building at Macduff is not in a suitable condition to deliver healthcare services long-term and would require substantial capital investment, but we do not have funding available for these works especially as there is a suitable alternative available at Chalmers Community Hospital.

Moving the Clinic to Chalmers Hospital would mean services such as Vaccinations and Community Treatment and Care (CTAC) are delivered from a central location, which could streamline delivery and improve patient experience.

We want to hear your views

We are asking for your feedback because this change could affect local residents and people who use the service. Your views will help us understand how the proposed move might impact people and will be considered before any final decision is made.

A short survey is available in the link in the comments ⬇⬇⬇ and should take around 5 minutes to complete. The closing date for the survey is 3rd June 2026.

NHS Grampian Aberdeenshire Council

20/05/2026

The Proposed sale of Common Good Land Statutory Consultation with the Local Community under Part 8 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 for Disposal of Common Good Land – Proposed sale of land at Former Banff Community Centre and Area of Land at Lower

19/05/2026

🔔 Coastal Communities Challenge Fund Now Open 🔔

The Coastal Communities Challenge Fund (CCCF) offers grants between £10,000 and £49,999 to support and develop coastal communities.

19/05/2026

🚨Rural Communities Challenge Fund now open 🚨

The Aberdeenshire Local Action Group's Rural Communities Challenge Fund (RCCF) delivers funding from the Scottish Government's Rural Community Led Local Development (RCLLD) programme.