The funding we received from the Berry Burn Community Fund has strengthened and expanded Creative Play with Frozen Charlotte in the Forres area. It allowed us to cement our group, employ a second artist and involve a volunteer. Birth to 3 years is the most developmentally significant time in a child’s life. Our group provides the environment and activities for parents to feel inspired and supported and for children’s right to participate meaningfully in arts and culture to be met and nourished.

Our vision is for Grantown Remakery to become a sustainable model of climate-positive operations, a catalyst for a net-zero Grantown and an example of the Circular Community in our locality. Our plan’s primary goals are:

•         Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our operations by 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2045.

•         Enhance community resilience by empowering individuals with skills, knowledge, and tools to lead lower-carbon lives.

•         Promote a culture of repair, reuse, and circular economy as climate solutions.

•         Operate in partnership with other local organisations and businesses to achieve the above goals.

Grantown Remakery would like to thank the Berry Burn Community Fund for their support. This enabled us to purchase the shop as part of a package with other funders and to install an Air Source Heating System to the new shop creating a warm, comfortable and sustainable environment for our staff, volunteers and trainees and to work towards meeting our Carbon Reduction objectives.

The revenue support we received from Berry Burn Community Fund has meant that we can continue to hold events and welcome people to Edinkillie Hall.

The Bobby Cruickshank Hickory Experience (BCHE) is a historical golf experience at Grantown on Spey Golf Club located 300 yards from the birthplace of one of Scotland’s greatest , but until recently, almost forgotten golfer, Bobby Cruickshank. A multimedia presentation tells the story of “Wee Bobby,” a local lad who became a war hero, a leading PGA Tour player, and an influential figure in golf history. Visitors connect directly to the past by trying his actual Auchterlonie putter, handling original letters including one from Harold Vanderbilt and playing nine holes with vintage hickory clubs on the original James Braid layout, providing a tangible link to golf as it was played in the early 20th century.

Fiona’s Wholefoods & Refills CIC is a community-led zero-waste shop and café in Grantown-on-Spey. With support from the Berry Burn Community Fund, we are expanding our café equipment as part of a wider redesign to improve accessibility, efficiency and sustainability. The project strengthens our café’s role as a welcoming community hub, supports local employment and training opportunities, and helps generate income to sustain inclusive events and environmental action. Our work puts people and planet before profit, creating long-term benefits for the local community.

The grant provided by the Berry Burn Community Fund has secured long-term viability of the infrastructure on our school sports pitch. As a key community and school asset, this will ensure opportunities continue to exist for all stakeholders in seeking an active, healthy and connected lifestyle. We would like to thank the Berry Burn Community Fund for their provision in this project and supporting our young people.

Rothes Way Association are so grateful for the continued support and encouragement shown to us by the Berry Burn Community Fund (BBCF). We have applied twice to the fund and have been successful both times. However, each time we applied, there was a delay in the path construction and each time the BBCF supported us and allowed us extra time in which to complete each phase of the project.

We are a community-led project and although it appears a simple task to construct a three-mile, multi-use path, the reality was something much harder but without doubt very satisfying, knowing that we have finally achieved completion of the path, linking Rothes to Craigellachie, thus accessing the Speyside Way.

Grantown Open Studios introduced “OpenGround” in 2026 – a new programme of artist-led workshops,
talks, music events and community participation activities designed to make the weekend more
interactive and accessible. Supported by the Berry Burn Community Fund, OpenGround reached 723
participants through free public events, artist mentoring and engagement activities.

Feedback from visitors, artists and venues was overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the programme as a “game changer” for the event and for the wider town. The project also helped develop emerging artists,
increase footfall to community venues and strengthen Grantown’s growing reputation as a vibrant
creative destination.

Strathfest 26 was a great success with 140 entrants, 25% more than in 2025. Non-competitive classes helped make the festival truly inclusive, with opportunities for students at all levels from Badenoch, Strathspey, Moray and Inverness to play various instruments, sing or recite. The standard in every class was high; all the competitors enjoyed taking part. The Boat Hall Showcase Concert was an opportunity for trophy winners to perform for the public, who enjoyed listening to a range of pieces; and to celebrate the success of the overall Festival winners, Lucy Secker and Tom Roche-Nishimori, who were awarded the Grantown East Horn.

With support from the Berry Burn Community Fund, the project has helped secure the future of St Laurence as a valued community asset in Forres. Funding has contributed to its purchase, preventing its loss and enabling plans to bring it into active use. The building will provide a flexible venue for music, arts, weddings and community events, supporting local groups, businesses and wider community wellbeing.