Welcome to the website for the Glenurquhart Rural Community Association (GURCA) – Glenurquhart’s Development Trust. GURCA is a registered Scottish Charity (SC020223) and is constituted as a Two-Tier SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation).
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This is a legal form unique to Scottish charities and it allows GURCA to enter into contracts, employ staff, incur debts and own property. It also provides a high degree of protection against liability. We are governed by our constitution.
The Glenurquhart Rural Community Association (GURCA) covers the area represented by the Glen Urquhart Community Council boundary as shown below.
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GURCA is a membership organisation, led by a Board of elected Trustees. We have over 350 members. To become a member please download and fill in our membership form. This will mean you can come along to our meetings and get our update newsletters.
About GURCA
Our Team
GURCA's team consists of our full-time Community Development Officer and a volunteer Board of Trustees.
Community Development
Officer
Committee Trustee
Committee Trustee
Chair
Board of Trustees
Committee Trustee
Susan Irvine
Committee Trustee
Secretary
Board of Trustees
Committee Trustee
Committee Trustee
Treasurer
Board of Trustees
Committee Trustee
Co-Opted Committee Trustees
Councillor David Fraser (Independent)
Councillor Chris Ballance (Green)
Dominic Thierry (rep. Glen Urquhart Community Council)
Community Asset
Ownership
GURCA owns, runs and maintains several community assets.
Blairbeg Park
The playing field & pavilion is owned by GURCA. In 2021, GURCA entered into a 99 year lease with Glen Urquhart Shinty Club for the park and pavilion. Shinty Matches and training sessions take place on the field. The shinty club is responsible for the maintenance of Blairbeg Park and the pavilion.
The annual Glenurquhart Highland Gathering and Games take place on the field every August. The field is used as the safe viewing area for the annual bonfire and fireworks display. The field can be made available for suitable events. For further information about how to book use of the field please contact info.gusc@gmail.com or call Laura’s mobile 07803941975 | Garry’s mobile 07711902438
Village Green
GURCA owns and maintains the main village green. The green can be used for occasional events (such as the Market on the Green and Highland dancing displays) but due to its location close to shops and residential properties, the types of event that can take place here are limited. Please contact us for further information.
Glen Urquhart Village Hall (Blairbeg Hall)
The hall is very well used, by clubs, societies and individuals, for a variety of meetings, sporting and leisure activities. For further information visit our Village Hall Page.
Loch Ness Hub
GURCA purchased the building in the village car park from Highland Council through a Community Asset transfer in 2021. This is now called the Loch Ness Hub. GURCA leases this building to the Community Benefit Company, Loch Ness hub who operate it as a tourism and transport hub and also manage the public toilets. GURCA is the anchor shareholder in the Loch Ness Hub company. Loch Ness Hub pays rent to GURCA and additional excess profits from Loch Ness Hub come back to GURCA for community projects.
John Cobb Memorial
Located to the south of Drumandrochit on the A82, this memorial was erected by the Community and is now maintained by GURCA.
Blairbeg Community Woodlands
The woods around the Glenurquhart Public Hall and the Bradley Martin Garden in front of the Hall were taken into community ownership in August 2023 supported by funding from the Scottish Land Fund.
The woods are looked after by the Community Woodlands Association and disc golf is available in the beech wood area.
We intend to landscape the Garden and make this outdoor space available for Hall events.
Phone Boxes
GURCA owns the phone box in Milton and the one in West Lewiston. These are looked after by volunteers and used as book swap hubs.
GURCA Meetings & Documents
Meetings are scheduled to start at 19:00 and are held at Glen Urquhart Public Hall, Blairbeg, Drumnadrochit.
All are welcome at GURCA open meetings. Additional consultation sessions may also be held over the next year.
Meeting Type | Time | Day | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
Open Meeting | 19:00 | Monday | 08/04/2024 |
Annual General Meeting | 19:00 | Monday | 10/06/2024 |
Open Meeting | 19:00 | Monday | 09/09/2024 |