We were invited to take part in the Rural and Island Place Plan Tool Learning Exchange and Workshop in Dunkeld, organised by Scottish Rural Action and Public Health Scotland. The event brought together community organisations, policymakers, designers and planners to explore how the emerging Rural and Island Place Plan Tool can better support community-led planning and deliver meaningful change across Scotland’s rural and island communities.
We were invited to present as part of the opening panel session, where we shared insights from our work with rural and island communities, including our recent collaboration with the Applecross Community Company to develop proposals for affordable housing and business units in Applecross. Drawing on this and other projects, we reflected on how community-led planning can help unlock long-term, sustainable development when supported by effective partnerships and responsive policy.
Our panel, chaired by Kelly Clapperton, also featured Chiara Fingland of Imagine IF, Jane Metcalfe of Coll Community Council and Carol Graham of St Fillan’s Community Development Trust, each sharing inspiring examples of local leadership and innovation.
Across Scotland, rural and island communities are at the forefront of tackling climate resilience, housing, energy and food security, while sustaining local economies, culture and wellbeing. Throughout the day, discussions explored how Local Place Plans, Community Action Plans and the emerging Rural and Island Place Plan Tool can work together to strengthen community voices and create more effective pathways from local ambition to delivery.
One of the strongest messages from the event was the determination and resourcefulness of rural communities—from community buy-outs and innovative housing models to new approaches to co-production in local services. There was also a clear call to action for the public sector: to take greater confidence in supporting community-led initiatives and ensure that locally prepared Place Plans are translated into planning policy and investment. While National Planning Framework 4 provides an important framework, communities who invest significant time in developing Place Plans need the backing to see their ambitions realised.
The afternoon workshops focused on strengthening connections between communities, planners and decision-makers, while identifying opportunities for future demonstration projects using the Rural and Island Place Plan Tool across rural and island Scotland. It was equally valuable to hear contributions from the second panel, chaired by Etive Currie, with presentations from Audrey Gatt (South Ayrshire Council), Cherie Morgan (Planning Aid Scotland) and Chris Dalglish (South of Scotland Community Housing).
Thank you to Public Health Scotland and Scottish Rural Action for the invitation, and to Sam Whitmore, Artemis Pana and the wider team for bringing together such a thoughtful and collaborative event.
We look forward to continuing these conversations and supporting rural and island communities to turn locally-led Place Plans into lasting projects that deliver housing, economic opportunity and resilient places.