Minutes of Meeting held by Teams, 2nd June 2026 @ 10:30am
PRESENT: R Colville, M McDonald (Chair & Minutes), M MacKaveney, E McTaggart, Jan Nimmo, Mike Peacock, K Pytasz,
WELCOME: M McDonald welcomed everyone to the meeting.
APOLOGIES: V Nimmo, G Lawson
MINUTES: 7th April – Teams meeting minutes were accepted as read. Technical Meeting minutes from 1st May – Minutes approved as amended.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Today 2nd June the groups available balance stood at £23:787.11 (twenty-three thousand, seven hundred and eighty-seven pounds, eleven pence). However: £14,500.00 is ring-fenced for the stones at Kilchenzie; £6,125.00 is ring-fenced for the restoration works on the Kilkivan stones; £1,550.00 is ring-fenced for tender documentation (already paid £2,650.00 of the £3,650.00 projected costs); & £600.00 ring-fenced for main project works at Killean; leaving £1,012.11 (one thousand, and twelve pounds, eleven pence) unallocated.
It was noted that we will require to fundraise for costs associated with holding the Symposium.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT:
Killean: Jason has been to both K&K to take drone footage and has been asked to submit an invoice so we can get the money from the Antiquarian society. Needs paid into the MKP bank account and not paid directly by the Antiquarians to count towards our shortfall. The grounds inside the Heras fencing have not been strimmed and are already getting overgrown. MMcD to contact Tom Murphy.
Kilchenzie: Drone footage unable to be completed. Still awaiting the new H&S assessment from the Council so the padlock can be removed.
Council HoT’s: Email from David Allen updating us on the cause of the delay with the HoT’s. MMcD to contact Stephen McSporran to see if he would advise us legally once the documents are drawn up.
Symposium: Provisional date is 5th September. MMcD to book a venue. Possibly one of the distilleries. MMcD asked if members could consider accommodating any speakers, as we do not have the funds to pay for hotel bills. MP offered accommodation, MMcD offered accommodation. KP is looking at suitable speakers and is aiming for nationally known experts to widen the awareness raising of the project.
UPDATE FROM K PYTASZ:
KP has been in touch with Stephen Scott, Grants Manager at HES who has assured her that the funding is still there. HES are aware if the delay in getting the HoT’s sorted out. A&BC are still waiting for HES lawyers, Morton Fraser MacRoberts (MFM), to be back in touch. HES & MFM held a meeting on 1st May regarding the matter.
KP is also sorting through a much preparatory work as she is able so an application can be made to NLHF as soon as HES funding is authorised.
UPDATE FROM E McTaggart:
Drumlemble School Report: very positive experience. Some unable to open the report as it was zipped. MMcD to send it with these minutes.* Also, a good template for using with Glenbarr & Rhunahaorine schools.
Publicity: EMcT gave a possible list of potential publicity avenues we may approach to raise the profile of the Project locally (some have already been done). Courier: editor will accept an article every two months especially if accompanied with photos; Local Radio: possible interview interspersed with music.; Talks: local groups like Old Pals, Churches, UA3, Antiquarian Society, Schools etc.; Website & Facebook: Speak to Cameron regarding a Facebook page; Leaflets: keeping the leaflet updated.
AOCB:
A&B Council: Funding Connections Event in Lochgilphead on Fri 26th June, 12 – 4pm, Baptist Church. These events bring together funders and local groups.
JN emailed about local Pilgrim routes, 1 already in Cowal, & the Dalriada Way – from Tarbert Parish Church to Lismore. Needs to be properly thought out, other wise just a paper exercise – but has possibilities for further down the line.
RC noted Glenbarr Community Development Association (GCDA) are holding meeting about their proposed community Hub and asking for input from locals. Online till the 10th June. MMcD will look at it and submit interest from the Project.
KP has asked if Tom Murphy would provide a ‘letter of intent’ to pass over responsibility (not ownership) to KKCPA prior to the HoT’s and in anticipation of HES’s grant. MMcD to email TM.
Date of Next Meeting – Tuesday 7th July 2026 @ 10.30am via Teams.
Date & Time of next In-person Technical Meeting – to be confirmed (hopefully the same week as KP, MMcD meet with TM)
Meeting closed at 11.30am, M McDonald.
*See here for the Report on the Project with Drumlemble School.
