McLaren Communities Futures (MCF) – the title refers to McLaren High School in Callander, which serves much of the rural Stirling Council area – will “enable disparate small communities to speak with a united voice.”

Supporters across this catchment believe the combined organisation will significantly help to address community issues that are common across the region. High on the list of issues are inadequate transport links, building resilience, housing problems and depopulation.

The new collective of ten partners represents a huge area which equates to 70% of Stirling Council’s land mass. With over 600 square miles under the multi-community umbrella, the MCF collective is believed to be the biggest geographical forum of its type in Scotland.

Euan Palmer, community project and woodland officer with Strathfillan Community Development Trust, said: “Like many rural areas, rural Stirling has many problems and challenges. Public transport is totally inadequate. There are multiple issues with services throughout our communities. 

“It’s a common sense plan that communities with similar problems,  that are close to each other, have more influence and strength when they work as one voice.”

Since a first meeting only 16 months ago, MCF has brought the ten groups together.

“It’s been a major achievement by all the groups,” added Euan. “In many ways, we are a community at the edge in rural Stirling. It’s a huge geographic area. Establishing connections with the other groups involved in the project has been a massive part of progress made so far.

“Through MCF we have a much deeper level of mutual understanding and support. There has been minimal funding but the will of the people across the catchment has made it all happen.”

Chiara Fingland from MCF explains that the project came about because each community wanted to amplify their voices by coming together.

“We wanted to build relationships across communities,” Chiara said. “We wanted to have a mutual aid system and look at the various strengths in the different communities and share that knowledge and expertise. There is such a huge amount we can learn from each other.”

Chiara says that “positive and passionate and energetic” people from across this catchment who have made sure the project happened.

With only “a tiny budget” MCF managed to do a couple of indicative surveys and consultations with people in the ten areas. They came up with five priorities for local people.

The Five Priorities for McLaren Communities Futures

1. Strong Communities - including priorities of support for young people and elderly
2. Getting Around - local transport solutions to boost connectivity
3. Energy Efficiency - De-carbonised heating to reduce household bills while helping the environment
4. Restoring nature  - with biodiversity projects 
5. New skills and jobs - including green skills. 

Thornhill resident, Gary Richardson, said: “If you ask individuals what their single priority is, they will all have their own favourite topic that is most important to them. Transport and interconnectivity is the main one for me. But all our priorities are important. 

“At the outset, we have to work within a minimal budget so we have a plan for a Skills and Knowledge database which is achievable in this early stage and will build early resilience.” 

The collective is applying for a significant multiyear funding grant and expect to hear very soon if they will get it, but with a determination to continue irrespective of their funding situation. They believe much can be achieved through regular correspondence and collaboration, making use of the pool of talent and skills already existing within the communities which make up the collective.

Chiara Fingland says that they have already found that the collective is “a really positive way to interact with other organisations in the area, whether that be local Third Sector organisations, or Stirling Council or the National Park. And we bring granular, local knowledge to the table.  

“For example, Stirling Council recently started operating two new bus services. We can help provide feedback for example around bus stops locations or timetabling of the services. The forum brings that local knowledge to the local authorities and make sure the right information is in the local plans and the institutional authorities.”

Gary Richardson added: “Other bodies do seem very interested in what we are doing at MCF and they are chomping at the bit to help. That is very encouraging. Stirling Council for example has made it very clear that they want to strengthen ties with us. We’re looking at establishing a charter to help the different organisations work together.”

Freddy Bowen-Bate, operations manager at Callander Community Development Trust, said: “We realise that the community groups have so much knowledge and expertise and passion, so it made sense to link up and be proactive, looking out for each other and helping each other. 

“If anyone in the area is thinking of starting up a community fridge or a tool library or starting a bike-share, or whatever it might be, you will have easy access to any local expertise. The people power we have is great.

“There was a huge amount of enthusiasm. Now, every time we meet up, we come away so inspired and having learnt so much.”

With ten organisations coming together in 16 months, MCF is at an emerging stage. The group said it is delighted to have representation from all the communities in the catchment. As MCF continues to evolve they are open to working cooperatively with others to grow a wider strengthened rural voice.