Pippa, our Chief Executive, is on leave this week so I’m filling in with this week’s update.
Earlier this week I was reflecting on the fact that we are into July already, more than halfway through 2025. Our schools have closed for the summer holidays and I know that many of you who work in other parts of the Council will also be looking forward to a well-earned break. As I look out of the window here at Kilmory it’s what some of us would call a typical Argyll summer day – wet and windy!
Whatever the weather, whatever the time of the year, the work of the Council goes on and I sometimes think that we can forget how much the organisation of which we are all part contributes towards the lives of everyone who lives in Argyll and Bute. From working to give our children and young people the best possible start in life, to supporting our most elderly and vulnerable residents (and everyone in between!) we touch the lives of so many people, even if it isn’t always obvious, or apparent and that is for me one of the best things about working for the Council. I know you feel the same.
We had two Royal visits to Argyll this week. On Wednesday HRH The Princess Royal was in Mid Argyll where, amongst other things, she officially re-opened Kilmartin Museum which, for those of you who may not be aware, is a wonderful facility providing real links to Argyll’s ancient past – I have had it said that Kilmartin is in some ways “the Scottish Stonehenge” and am sometimes surprised at how much of a well-kept secret it is.
On Thursday HM The King was in Campbeltown and the support provided by the Council in a whole range of different ways were major contributors to the success of the visit. Some of you may have seen national news coverage of the event, I think it certainly helped to promote Campbeltown and Kintyre. For me this event in particular also highlighted the real depth of community spirit that exists in our communities and it was genuinely an inspiration to see the wide range of businesses and community efforts which were showcased. Well done to everyone who was involved in any way!
Keep up the good work and, if you can, take the opportunity to have some fun as you do it. It really does make a difference.
Douglas Hendry
Executive Director
