Cultybraggan

To meet increasing demand, we are opening a second site as an activity center, residential and respite facility at the Cultybraggan World War II Prisoner of War Camp development.

The new site will enable us to extend our reach and support even more young people and families in need in West Perthshire.

Updates

Cultybraggan Update | March 2024

Cultybraggan is making wonderful progress and we are so excited to share some recent photos with you 🥳   Beautiful big windows have been installed in the hut and the light now coming in is vast. Hut 47 is looking lovely from the outside too with its paint and red...

Exploring Comrie

One of our Development Workers, Beth, recently explored Comrie (the area around Cultybraggan) and shared these amazing photos with us!  We are so excited to soon open our new site at Cultybraggan! If you like to know more, check out our dedicated Cultybraggan...

Cultybraggan Update – January 2024

Update on Cultybraggan - January 2024 Our hut at #Cultybraggan is evolving fast and it's exciting to see its progress! The electritian has been in and the kitchen is now all in except for the plinth and the breakfast bar – which will go in once the window has been...

Progress Update: Cultybraggan

We are so excited to share with you some progress updates from our Hut at Cultybraggan! Work is progressing smoothly and every week we are closer to opening this facility to Young People. 🎉

Exciting news! We now have the keys for Hut 47 at Cultybraggan.

Watch for updates on progress with its renovations, opportunities for residential experiences, outdoor learning programmes, and much, much more! You can visit the Cultybraggan website to see images and read about the history of the site and what is currently happening...
Hut 47

Existing hut 47 building showing external fabric including corrugated zinc cladding, rendered and painted masonry gable ends, metal or timber windows and timber entrance doors. All external fabric to be refurbished and repainted.

Example 1

Example of self catering hut stripped back to zinc coating ready for re-painting.

Example 1 – Painting

Example of self catering hut cladding showing application of priming coats.

Background

Working in partnership with the Comrie Development Trust (CDT), we are planning the renovation of a large Nissen hut and surrounding ground for Starfish Way activities. We intend to make our hut and associated resources available for use by other groups, locally and further afield, and already have had a great deal of interest in our multipurpose facilities.

The Project

Renovation plans

Our plans to renovate the large, double sized hut include overnight accommodation, and disabled access toilets and shower facilities with specialist equipment for those with physical and additional support needs. The design of our hut includes 6 large rooms. The 2 dormitory rooms will be equipped with beds that can be stored away for the space to be used as an indoor activity area when required. It will also have a fully equipped kitchen/dining room, sleeping quarters for staff and storage for clothing and equipment.

Outdoors

The outdoor area attached to the hut will include a purpose-built fire pit and oven for outdoor cooking, space for growing produce and parking for the minibus and cars. There is also an expansive grassed communal area providing space for outdoor activities and safe camping for those unable to cope with the challenges of the wilderness. Access to nearby lochs and rivers provides opportunities for water sports including paddle boarding, canoeing and open water swimming and the Perthshire hills and moorland for wild camping and expeditions.

A rich history

The area is rich in history with much to explore. We work outdoors in nature and create an open atmosphere for those who prefer alternatives to a classroom learning environment.

We offer a wide range of physical activities, mental health support, volunteering opportunities and employment support. There is something for everyone and participants are involved in the choice and planning of activities throughout their Starfish Way journey.

"I see the Starfish Way like a glowing silver thread of hope for some children who find the world dark and difficult. When I describe the Starfish Way Initiative to visitors, they also are touched by this silver thread of hope. In this world you cannot help everyone nor change everything, but you can do something which will help someone.”

Catherine Drummond-Herdman, Megginch Castle Estate Owner and Active Participant in Megginch Activities

“I just want to let you know Courtney has been so helpful to me during the lockdown. I was working, and during this time Courtney helped by doing my ironing, hoovering, and putting washing on, even hanging it out to dry. She also helped prepare tea if I was running late and her dad was working, there is nothing Courtney won’t do, she loves getting her hands dirty!! She is now back at school but still helps with the daily tasks and has been taking our dogs out every night for a walk on top of her schoolwork! I’m super proud of my daughter and how much of a hard and committed worker she is.”

Courtney’s Mother

“My son has multiple support needs and was a non-attender at school. Even when offered a place at a specialist provision, he quickly gave up. Then Liam started Starfish Way. He worked on a one-to-one basis in a safe environment, at a pace and level he could manage. We watched his confidence grow week on week, in his body language, attitude and happiness. It is the only day he gets himself up and dressed and is waiting at the door to go. It may not sound like much, but to us it is a miracle! The staff encourage and inspire him and have given him, for the first time, belief in himself. He is hoping to join a group, which would have been unthinkable this time last year. Starfish Way and their incredible team are a true blessing to our family and has given Liam – and us – hope for the future!”

Liam’s Mother

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The Perth and Kinross Duke of Edinburgh's Award Association SCIO is a Scottish Charity, SC051572​, regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).