More Than a Post Office

Our Visions

To keep the heart of Killin beating in a new Community Hub, by bringing together services and maintaining vital facilities, currently under threat.                                                                                                                                    

(Picture of MacGregor's in their current location, showing some of the services they provide)

Community

Killin is a remote, rural community on the edge of everywhere (so it seems!).

-   We are within Stirling Council area, but on the border of Perth & Kinross and just within the Loch Lomond &  Trossachs National Park boundary.

-   Our nearest city (Stirling) is an hour's drive, nearest town (Callander) is half an hour away. 

-   We have a limited bus service.

-   2011 census records show Killin as having a population of 972 residents living in 441 households

-   Tourism is vital to Killin all year round, but especially in summer months. Much of the employment in Killin is directly proportional to the level of tourists

(Picture - Killin Main Street with Tarmachan Ridge in the background)

Major threats:

- Post Office is not sustainable in current location

- Paper shop owners wish to sell up and retire 

- bus service is reduced every year

- the statutory services remit and presence in Killin is dwindling bit by bit

The Post Office provides many essential services, not least banking facilities, used by many local businesses. If we were to lose our Post Office our nearest one is 15 miles away, only accessible by car. 

The Paper Shop sells papers, magazines and stationery, but also fishing permits and tackle. It also acts as the ticket office for many local events and holds the community diary.

The bus service only goes south to Callander and Stirling. No service on Sundays and no way of travelling East or West to other conurbations.

The Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB) runs an outreach service weekly, hosted by the Post Office. People who used to have access to info and advice, personal and practical support and a full range of health and social services are now much more isolated in the village and need a 1-stop-shop Hub point where they can get the help they need, or advice on how to get this help.

Killin and Ardeonaig Trust (KAT) was established in 2007, with an aim that includes acquiring and managing assets, improving the environment, supporting education, leisure facilities, local business development and maintaining structures of historical significance for the benefit of the community. 

KAT has a max 12 directors and anyone resident in the Killin postcode area is entitled to be a member.

KAT are purchasing the Paper Shop and will lease it to MacGregor's Community Hub, who run the Post Office.

MacGregor's will continue to run the Post Office, Paper Shop, sell fishing permits, maintain the community diary  and provide space and support for the Community Hub, which will also host the CAB.

Funding The Project

KAT have raised the funds for the shop purchase from the Scottish Community Land Fund and from Stirling Council. KAT still need to raise the money to pay the Paper Shop owners for the value of their business and good will.

We have raised some money through local fundraising. The Loch Tay Open Water Swimming Group raised £1206.00 through a relay swim of the length of Loch Tay for this project. 

(Picture -  Loch Tay Open Water Swimmers at Kenmore after a 25km relay swim)

We are looking to raise £30,000

Here's a look at our lovely village

(Picture - Loch Tay from Sron a'Clachain Killin)

 (Picture - The Falls of Dochart, Killin)