Banff, Macduff and district Community Planning

22/08/2025

Have your say on local drugs and alcohol services

22/08/2025

This is going to be an even more amazing building when complete!

Welcome to Macduff Marine Aquarium's official YouTube Channel Situated on Aberdeenshire’s scenic coast in the traditional fishing town of Macduff, Macduff Marine Aquarium features marine life from the Moray Firth, Scotland’s largest bay, in a variety of exciting and innovative exhibits. Visitors...

22/08/2025

🚨The UK Government is testing the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday, September 7 at 3pm 🚨

Compatible mobile phones and tablets will receive an alert, make a loud siren-like sound and vibrate. You will not need to take any action.

The Emergency Alerts system is used to warn if there’s a danger to life nearby, including extreme weather.

⚠️Those living with domestic abuse who have secondary phones could be at risk⚠️

You can opt out in your phone’s settings to protect your safety:

📲iPhone: Search “Emergency Alerts” in settings ➡ Turn off Severe & Emergency alerts

📲Android: Search “Emergency Alerts” in settings ➡ Turn off Severe & Emergency alerts (and other threat categories if listed)

Find out more at gov.uk/alerts

21/08/2025

Dates for the diary to take a look inside some wonderful buildings in the area!

One for the diary - Doors Open Day takes place 20 and 21 September, with a chance to nose around some of Aberdeenshire's intriguing buildings for free. This year's offer includes a couple of lighthouses, a clocktower, an outdoor pool and an historic radar defence station. Don't forget to make time to visit Aberdeenshire Farming Museum in Mintlaw and Libraries HQ in Oldmeldrum too!
For the full listing, go to https://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/regions/aberdeenshire?activeTab=0&keywords=&area=1231&openWeekends=&page=6

19/08/2025

Aberdeenshire Council’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan outlines the potential affordable housing investment programme over the period 2026-2031 across our region.

The main outcome of the plan is to enable the delivery of high quality, energy efficient affordable housing. Affordable housing can include:

🏠Social housing where homes are provided by your local authority or housing associations
🏠Mid-market housing where homes have rents which are lower than the private rented sector
🏠Affordable home ownership

The delivery of the plan involves partners including ourselves, Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership, housing associations, the Scottish Government, the development industry and land owners.

And your views are vital in shaping and informing the draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan for 2026-2031.

As part of a consultation running until September 10, you can complete a short online survey at https://engage.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/strategic-housing-investment-plan-2026-2031

Paper copies of the survey can be printed for you at any public library within the Aberdeenshire Council area.

18/08/2025

Julieanne from Business Gateway - Aberdeen City & Shire will be in Macduff and Banff this week on Tuesday 19th August and available for a drop-in chat.

Whether you just have an idea, are starting out or have plans to grow your business, come along and connect Business Gateway.

New and existing clients are welcome to pop in for an informal chat and discover what Business Gateway can do for you. There is lots of support available to you now and throughout the life of your business if you go ahead. All Business Gateway support is free of charge.

From 1-1 advisor consultations to a wide range of resources, webinars, workshops and networking opportunities, we provide tailored assistance for businesses at every stage – whether you are a start up or an established company seeking sustainable growth and expansion.

Any questions please get in contact with Julieanne, you can email julieanne.merchant@bgateway.com or phone 01467 530804.

Date: Tuesday 19th August

Locations:
Macduff Library | 0900 - 1200
Banff Library | 1330 - 1600

16/08/2025

📣 Great News! Our "Digital Cafe" is Back! 💻☕

Hi Everyone!
We're excited to announce that our weekly Digital Cafe sessions are back in action!

Whether you're just starting out with computers or looking to improve your digital skills, we’re here to help. From setting up emails and searching for jobs to CV building and more — we've got you covered!

🗓 Every Friday at 10:00am/12noon
🎯 For ages 18–65
💰 Completely FREE
☕ Refreshments provided

No pressure, no jargon — just friendly support in a relaxed space. Come along, bring your questions, and let’s get digital together!

14/08/2025

Due to essential maintenance, most of our online services will be unavailable this weekend from 10.30am on Saturday.

Services which will be impacted include the MyAberdeenshire web dashboard, payment and licensing apps, missed bin reporting, FixMyStreet, waste and recycling centre information along with school closures, admissions and general information.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

13/08/2025

📣 Share Your Stories: The Many Lives of Duff House

This summer, Historic Environment Scotland is gathering stories from the local community about Duff House’s history since World War II.

If you have memories or connections to the house, whether through family, work, or visits, please come along and share them with us.

The next session is on Tuesday, 19th August, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm at Macduff Library. Everyone is welcome to join and meet the HES team.

This project is supported by Live Life Aberdeenshire in partnership with Duff House.

12/08/2025

⚡ Extensive, prolonged lightning is forecast in the north of Scotland for most of Wednesday and Thursday.

⚠ This type of weather affects the network differently to the storm-force winds we faced last week, but it could have impact across most of the country, including in the Highlands and Aberdeenshire which bore the brunt of .

⛈ Lightning often results in only brief outages, as the smart technology built into our network temporarily shuts it down in order to perform rapid safety checks. Often your lights will be back on after a short time. But lightning as severe as what’s forecast this week could cause more serious damage to network equipment.

📞 If your power stays off for a longer period, please get in touch with us free on 105 or via our Power Track app and website.

👷 Right now, we’re getting ready for this severe weather, bringing in additional control room teams, preparing supplies of replacement components, and putting extra engineering teams on standby. We’ll also be getting in touch with our more vulnerable customers with help and support.

🔗 There’s more information at www.ssen.co.uk/storm - and please remember if you come across any damaged equipment, stay well away from it and report it to us on 105.

08/08/2025

CLD Worker - Qualified

Are you a qualified CLD professional ready to make a meaningful impact in local communities? Aberdeenshire Council is recruiting two full-time CLD Workers to lead youth work and community development initiatives across the region.

📍 Locations: Fraserburgh & Huntly
💼 Contract: Permanent & 36.25 hours

In this role, you'll:
• Deliver high-quality youth and community programmes
• Promote lifelong learning and early intervention
• Collaborate with local partners to reduce inequalities

We welcome applications from newly qualified CLD professionals. A driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.

📅 Closing Date: 15 August 2025
🔗 Apply now: https://myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/aberdeenshire-council/jobs/cld-worker-qualified-434637?cType=SocialMedia&sType=ABSFacebook