What is needed?????

[Buzz Lightyear]

I have read a few posts on here.

Everyone is debating/arguing/putting points across.

What does campbeltown need to make it go forward, make it sustainable & most importantly how do we do it?

[EMDEE]

Would it be a good idea to ban any mention of the Irish ferry from this thread?

[Sweltered]

I have read a few posts on here.

Everyone is debating/arguing/putting points across.

What does campbeltown need to make it go forward, make it sustainable & most importantly how do we do it?

Don't hold your breath for any suggestions, there'll be some fancy double talk and skirting of the subject and you will be none the wiser after a week of asking!

[EMDEE]

At the risk of opening up a discussion that has already been gone over in detail elsewhere, in an area like Kintyre, the tourism industry must come into the picture when "what is needed"? is the question.

I can appreciate what Sweltered has said elsewhere about the current facilities for visitors, and the situation as it stands at the moment is that a large increase in tourist numbers could not be satisfied with what is available in Kintyre. That is not in dispute.

I am convinced that Kintyre had a busier tourism industry in the 1960s and 70s, and the demise of the Clyde Steamers had an impact on this. Maybe there were more day trippers then. I believe there were a lot more trailer caravans around then.

Kintyre has much to offer to visitors, who have varied wants and needs. The assets that Kintyre has in the way of attracting visitors need to be promoted vigorously, for the simple reason that Kintyre is at the end of the road, and we have major tourism honeypots to the north.

The problem is obviously how to encourage investment in facilities for the tourism industry in the present circumstances where a good return is not guaranteed.

The Kintyre Way is a good start, and hopefully it will have a knock-on effect by giving the area a higher profile.

The promotion of high quality local produce should be closely tied to the tourism industry.

Again, because of the transport situation, it would be cost effective if local produce was processed locally instead of trying to attract industries that have to import raw materials, placing them at a disadvantage before they even start. Surely some employment could be created this way. Campbeltown Cheddar is an example of a high quality product that is able to compete nationally on quality.

What about a local abattoir and the promotion and sale of products with the “Kintyre” label emphasizing quality. Other areas have created niche markets for their products.

A range of Kintyre produce could be marketed in this way.

I do think that local people or businesses should be given assistance to set up or expand their businesses with a view to employing staff rather than expecting bigger companies to set up a unit in Kintyre. For obvious reasons, a branch of a major company in an isolated area like Kintyre will be a prime target when it comes to belt tightening.

(Just some suggestions)

[Sweltered]

At the risk of opening up a discussion that has already been gone over in detail elsewhere, in an area like Kintyre, the tourism industry must come into the picture when "what is needed"? is the question.

I can appreciate what Sweltered has said elsewhere about the current facilities for visitors, and the situation as it stands at the moment is that a large increase in tourist numbers could not be satisfied with what is available in Kintyre. That is not in dispute.

I am convinced that Kintyre had a busier tourism industry in the 1960s and 70s, and the demise of the Clyde Steamers had an impact on this. Maybe there were more day trippers then. I believe there were a lot more trailer caravans around then.

Kintyre has much to offer to visitors, who have varied wants and needs. The assets that Kintyre has in the way of attracting visitors need to be promoted vigorously, for the simple reason that Kintyre is at the end of the road, and we have major tourism honeypots to the north.

The problem is obviously how to encourage investment in facilities for the tourism industry in the present circumstances where a good return is not guaranteed.

The Kintyre Way is a good start, and hopefully it will have a knock-on effect by giving the area a higher profile.

The promotion of high quality local produce should be closely tied to the tourism industry.

Again, because of the transport situation, it would be cost effective if local produce was processed locally instead of trying to attract industries that have to import raw materials, placing them at a disadvantage before they even start. Surely some employment could be created this way. Campbeltown Cheddar is an example of a high quality product that is able to compete nationally on quality.

What about a local abattoir and the promotion and sale of products with the “Kintyre” label emphasizing quality. Other areas have created niche markets for their products.

A range of Kintyre produce could be marketed in this way.

I do think that local people or businesses should be given assistance to set up or expand their businesses a view to employing staff rather than expecting bigger companies to set up a unit in Kintyre. For obvious reasons, a branch of a major company in an isolated area like Kintyre will be a prime target when it comes to belt tightening.

(Just some suggestions)

NOW YOU HAVE SOME SUGGESTIONS! I GUESS YOU WERE JUST TRYING TO PISS ME OFF WHEN I ASKED

[Malky]

What about a local abattoir

A mobile abattoir to serve Argyll and the Islands was being looked at last year. I believe the management report was released earlier this year.

Ok, a google search reveals that it was HIE that commissioned the report and here it is for anyone who is interested. It's quite comprehensive

http://www.hie.co.uk/HIE-agriculture-2006-07/W-Highlands-Islands-mobile-slaughter-Init.pdf

Malky

[EMDEE]

Malky

Thanks for the link. Have had a quick look over it. Interesting to see that it seems to back up the idea of local processing and marketing as being beneficial to communities

I did hear a while back that a mobile abbattoir was being looked at, but was not aware of this report.

Do we know if there is any progress towards acting on the results of this report?

Presumably HIE are interested in doing something when they commissioned it.

[Surfbored]

If you are from here ...east, west ...home is where the heart is ...all that stuff.

But often on here, I've seen people from Kintyre totally fail to grasp what "outsiders" see.

Basically the unanimous opinion is "there is nothing to do but drink" ..... and yes, most of these people aren't patrons of surfing, hillwalking or any of the other outdoor activities we have on tap. They are simply ordinary people that turn up and don't mind SPENDING a pound or two to be entertained.

You can all gang up on me if you like, you can get all defensive about this dear place if you wish, but none of it means a damn thing, because the "tourists" and more importantly their tourist greenbacks are what Kintyre is lusting after. The customer is always right btw.

[EMDEE]

Surfbored:

I can identify with your sentiments here, but the way forward for tourism in Kintyre is not an "alcoholiday". I can acceopt that the customer is always right is a good maxim, and although they may say "there is nothing to do here but drink”, is this what you are saying they are looking for, or are you saying that they are not being offered an acceptable alternative? If they are looking for a “good time” and the nightlife, that’s OK.

Without making any judgments on the motivation that people may have for holidaying in Kintyre, I think that those who are looking for a more edifying experience could find it here. Different types of tourist can be accommodated; one’s money is as good as the other. I have given this link on another thread, and would urge anyone interested in the tourism industry to take a look at it:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications ... 03145848/0

(Personally, I don’t mind an alcoholiday.)

[WC1]

What we really need, as well as building up the tourist infrastructure, is to have the A83 upgraded to Trunk Road status south of Kennacraig.

[petewick]

I have read a few posts on here.

Everyone is debating/arguing/putting points across.

What does campbeltown need to make it go forward, make it sustainable & most importantly how do we do it?

Mer jobs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[ionnsaigh]

Farm the wind catch the fish
build the hoose serve the dish
till the land reap the crop
new shipyerd a hospital tae
a cooncil hoose in cooncil scheme
a motorway fae Glesga green
deep sea tours a castle or two
the mer the joabs the less on the buroo
full time fireman lifeboat crew
social service there for you
schools tae last a thousand years
new hovercraft twice a day glesga tae toon tae toon tae glesga
leave at eight arrive at nine hame in time fur tea
we glesga folk would love tae visit
we awe dont go tae Spain
some of us hiv yet tae see the magnificence of Atlantic shore
a perfect wee toon in a perfect big place
fae a perfect big toon in a perfect wee place

[ionnsaigh]

http:// www.theherald.co.uk/72690.shtml

[EMDEE]

Referring back to Ionnsaigh's link to the Herald article, here are a couple of links to relevant documents that might stimulate this discussion:

http://www.cosla.gov.uk/attachments/exe ... item3b.doc

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/busin ... ission.pdf

[TYM]

It occurs to me that when looking for solutions to Campbeltown's many problems we should take a good look at ourselves before looking for help from outside agencies.

A few months ago a regular contributor to this forum asked for help in recommending a digital camera as he was looking for a new one. Suggestions were quickly forthcoming and along with make/models etc came directions as to where such cameras could be purchased. Invariably they were all interet based sites. Not one person suggested our local photographer. Okay he may not carry a huge stock and maybe it might cost £20 more but we have to decide whether we want a town with a varied selection of attractive looking small shops or one littered with empty, run-down boarded up properties. Sadly, human nature being what it is, I would suggest that personal self-interest will inevitably come first and it will become more and more likely that we will see more shop closures and job losses.

Perhaps we should follow the examples of Wigtown, Kirkcudbright or Castle Douglas and become a "theme town". So what do we focus on? What are our natural assets? Whisky - too far away from the other distilling areas. Golf - too many other major courses in more accessible areas. Outdoor life - The Kintyre Way is a laudable attempt to attract walkers to the area but I doubt if it will generate significant numbers to make an appcreciable difference.

What about music then? We all know about the abundance of musical talent we have locally and we all see the effect The Music Festival has on the town in August. Should we not make more use of this talent? How about having workshop weekends when people can come and try their hand at learning/playing fiddle/bagpipes/brass etc? Can we stage more mini-festivals showcasing the the best of local talent on a more requent basis?

We have to make the most of our uniqueness but first and foremost we have to help ourselves before we can expect others to help us.