Kilmaronock
For the full Action Plan click here.
Location
Population
The population has remained between 700 and 750 people since 1971. The age structure has changed over the years with 23% of people over 60 in 2001. The percentage of young teenagers (10 - 15 yrs) is lower than Scotland as a whole. However, there is anecdotal evidence indicating that the number of families in the area with young children is increasing.Housing
Kilmaronock has a higher than average proportion of owner occupied housing, and a correspondingly lower than average proportion of social rented housing. In the 1980s there were 52 local Authority houses in Gartocharn, now there are less than 10 socially rented houses. With very few houses built over the last 10 years, the area is characterised by high prices and scarce supply.Roads and Transport
The A811 main road between Balloch and Stirling crosses the parish and runs through the middle of Gartocharn village. This is a very busy road with over 8,000 vehicles per day using the road, and this has a major impact on the village. There is a bus service to Balloch that linkswith national rail network. Travel to the main urban centre of Glasgow by car is less than an hour, however by public transport this journey takes longer.Local Economy and Employment
Many people commute to work outside the area and there is a limited number of well paid, full time jobs available locally.Around 80 people are employed in tourism and hospitality, but most coming in from surrounding areas.
There are around 100 people working in the agricultural sector, with just under half being resident owners.
A range of small businesses operate in the area. Plumbers, joiners, a builders business along with a car repair garage. There is also a horse riding school and several businesses operated 'from home'.
Retail and Services
There is a village shop, post office and petrol station. A local farm runs a market every Friday morning where they sell a variety of fruit and vegetables and other farm produce, which attracts visitors from all around the area.There is a Garden Centre and Bird of Prey Centre outside the village at Ballagan. Also at Ballagan, the former coach garage is now an animal feeds supplier and country store.
There is one hotel in the area, The Hungry Monk, in the
village of
Gartocharn. There is a Private Members Club, Ross Priory, which can be hired for
functions and which provides Bed & Breakfast accommodation. Unfortunately neither of these establishments really caters for local
needs - and the lack of a"village pub" is bemoaned by many!
Community Organisations and Facilities
Kilmaronock has
an active Community Trust and a Village Hall Committee as well as a
number of other groups including sporting clubs and societies.
Kilmaronock Millennium
Hall is a great asset for the community, and also is widely used
by groups and organisations in the surround area. Our Community
Newsletter, The Dumpling Times, and the village website provide local
information.
Education
Gartocharn
Village
primary school has a roll of just under 90 pupils. At present 49 of
these are placing requests from outside the school catchment area. Taking placing requests allows the school to remain viable.
Leisure and Recreation
Gartocharn has
sports playing fields and a play park for children, however drainage
needs to be improved to make them usable all year round. Walks include
the Aber path from Gartocharn to the shores of
Loch Lomond and the path up Duncryne Hill (known locally as the Dumpling).
Heritage
Kilmaronock is
rich in heritage with several listed sites including a site of a
pre-reformation chapel, dedicated to St. Kessog of Luss, at Aber, the
remains of
Kilmaronock
Castle, a 15th or 16th century tower house and
Kilmaronock
Parish
Church on the site of an earlier 14th century church.
Kilmaronock
Heritage Group was established seven years ago, and is very active in
gathering and displaying heritage material about the parish of
Kilmaronock.