New social housing near Dumfries, revamped swimming facilities in Argyll and a community owned pub in East Ayrshire are amongst a range of community projects today (WED 28 MARCH) sharing in £1.4 million from the Scottish Land Fund.

Across the country nine groups, run by local passionate people, are being empowered to own those land and buildings that matter most to them.

Mid Argyll Community Enterprise owns the Mid Argyll Community Pool (MACPool) in Lochgilphead. Today the group receives £315,788 to buy the land on which the pool is built, as well as two buildings beside it. Plans for the future include upgrading the existing swimming facilities, opening a new community café with children’s soft play area and providing rental space for therapies and sports classes.

Chairperson, Kim Ritchie, Mid Argyll Community Enterprises, said: “This award from Scottish Land Fund is the first crucial step in our exciting plans to develop and expand the facilities at MacPool, enabling us to deliver more and better services to the community of MidArgyll. The Board and Staff of MacPool are very grateful to the Scottish Land Fund for this great opportunity.”