Latest News
Halloween 2024
It rained like it can only rain at Carbeth. But it did not dampen spirits on this celebration of Halloween at Carbeth. All braved the weather to have a brilliant time wandering Carbeths forests in search of ghouls and ghosts. A big thank you to hutters on the 'ghost route' who decorated their huts and took part in 'trick or treat'. With a spooky film and disco to end the evening there were plenty of laughs and frights in equal measure.
A big thank you to the 'Halloween Night Volunteers', Gillian and Ysortit, Charlotte and Tiger for making this all happen. You can view the event at this link. HALLOWEEN AT CARBETH
Fete In The Field 2024
This was our first venture into the new field. Volunteers worked hard to prepare both the field and the many events that took place. Space hoppers, archery, crafts, wellie whanging and much more were enthusiastically taken up by the attendees.
The weather was kind and the day turned out to be a spectacular event.
A big thank you to the 'Fete In The Field Volunteers'. You can view the event at this link. FETE IN THE FIELD
Photographs by
Jackie McCosh.
Gerry Loose 1948 - 2024
Poet, artist, activist, editor, writer, campaigner, dramatist, thinker, broadcaster, script writer and hutter. His poems can be found inscribed on stone in botanic gardens, hospitals, schools and other public places. Sharp and uncompromising, Gerry was a skilled communicator. At Carbeth he and Morven were key negotiators during the buyout. Carbeth holds a unique place in Scotland’s social history. Founded on fellowship, ideals of equality, solidarity and socialist principles, These appealed to Gerry’s refined senses and deeper ideals. Carbeth became the first community buy out in Scotland of non-residential, central belt land. His many awards include a Creative Scotland Award, a Robert Louis Stevenson Fellowship, a Society of Authors Award, a Kone Foundation Award and a Cholmondeley Award. Gerry will be deeply and sadly missed by all.
Some quotes from hutters..
‘I read of Gerry's sudden departure- was shocked and saddened.’
‘My last contact was him signing copies of his book The Unfinished Hut which we then gave to our (adult) children to welcome them to Carbeth - he wrote personal messages to each.’
’Gerry was a lovely man and gifted poet and thinker.’
’I worked with Gerry when he was part of Survivors' Poetry Scotland.’
‘Am saddened and really hope I can get to his funeral.’
‘This is the worst news please pass on my condolences.’
‘This is very sad news. Please share details of the funeral when you can.’
‘I'm so shocked and sad to hear the news about Gerry's death.’
‘He was such a kind man and so instrumental in our struggle for the land buyout.’
Open Country BBC Hutting Programme
A podcast about hutting, in which Carbeth features, will be on air just after the 6am news on Sat 4th Nov 2023 and available on BBC Sounds for one year after the first broadcast: Link below.
Carbeth Gala Day 2023
Rain, sunshine, rain, rain...Gala day was not in the least dampened by the inclement weather. Rain and electricity not a good mix, the musicians moved into the community hut (sound system to the exterior under cover and the sheltered stage transformed into a refuge for the party goers. The buffet provided by volunteers was superb. The weavers wove on undaunted in their sheltered area, smiles all around reflected that everybody was having a good time. For a slide show of photographs taken during a dry spell click this link. Carbeth Gala 2023
November 2022
It was a wonderful way to celebrate books and reading during Scotland's Book Week. Guests, poet Gerry Loose and writer Sue Reid Sexton, were invited to Carbeth to share their stories and experiences. Gerry had come to read from his journal 'the unfinished hut’, a term we are all too familiar with! His reading by candlelight, was interspersed with hutters sharing their own stories and their endless list of hut ‘jobs still to be done,’ encounters with wildlife and discussion around what the future looks like for Carbeth.
Sue, still a hutter, has a hut elsewhere. It was fascinating to hear more about her research and the facts surrounding her books set in World War II. Of special interest, the Clydebank Blitz when so many evacuated and homeless found refuge at Carbeth. Sue took us through the history of these fictional books and fascinatingly the character Lenny, seeing Carbeth through his eyes of a nine year old child.
September 2022
The ‘Doors Open Days’ at Carbeth were well attended. The total number of visitors was around 45 and it was great to see hutters joining the visitors during the tours. A highlight of the event was the visit by Alex McLean and daughter Betty pictured above. At 93 years of age Alex kept us all entertained with his Carbeth stories and photographs Alex had his hut in the 50’s. “It was a wee while ago” he commented “but the place sticks with you.”
The tour returned to the community hut, finishing the experience with tea, coffee buns and friendly chat.The Board would like to thank all who volunteered to make the event memorable for our guests.
August 2022
In stunning weather the 2022 Carbeth Gala took place. Crafts, childrens activities, stalls and music set the scene for a highly enjoyable day. You can view it all in detail and listen to some of the music at this link ... Carbeth Gala 2022
May 2022
Edinburgh University Architect post graduate students toured Carbeth. Their visit started at the Community hut where they were introduced to a brief history of the community. The weather was excellent and the students and tutors were highly complimentary on everything they saw and heard about our history and ethos. We were thanked for our warm welcome and there many enquiries on how a hut could be acquired. "A refreshing, honest and inspiring tour", were the words used by the group leader Rachel to describe their experience.
November 2021
For around three weeks 'The Conservation Volunteers' were repairing the John Muir Way throughout the estate. They are a voluntary organisation who bring people together, improve and care for green spaces. Their aims include improving physical and mental health and wellbeing, by being outdoors, active and connected with others. They work across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland in their role of supporting local community groups. Their work around Carbeth has been excellent and we are extremely grateful for their expertise and work quality.
August 2021
The Big Hut Party was a great success. Thanks to all who contributed and came along on the day. A big thanks to Lesley for playing and organising the bands, Sarah, Christine, Ali, Neil, Tommy and Jim for the food and drink, Christine and Kate for organising the children’s activities, Gary, Maz, Alan, Lavinia, Marco, Robert, Helen, Livi all the helpers and all the guests who turned out to make it an incredible day
You can see it all again in our slide show at this link BIG HUT PARTY DAY .
February 2021
Gerry Loose who
, with his partner Morven, guided Carbeth through our buyout, has just published a wonderful booklet about hutting. "The unfinished hut" is a beautiful collection of thoughts from a hut. It defines hutting. "The hut door is half open. It's a brand new stable door I've almost finished. There's nothing as permanent as a temporary job, but I'm happy to pause.... Things happen slowly at the hut, which is why I'm here, mostly. To be slow. This door I've been planning for some years."
It's available from The Unfinished Hut | PlaySpace Publications.
January 2020
A group of 12 pupils and 2 teachers from Clydebank High School visited Carbeth. They are part of a Outdoor Learning project being piloted on the estate. The weather was not the best with high winds and driven rain, but the children loved it. This was the first time many had been in a 'wild forest'. Our community have a 100 year tradition of 'reaching out' and we see these visits as continuing this worthy cause. The project will last 1 year and up to 140 children
Sat 26th of October 2019
Carbeth’s' Pumpkin Hunt ' was attended well. Over 100 children and adults attended for an evening of frights and fun. Ysortit set things up. Refreshments, hot dogs and soup were on constant supply. Actors placed at strategic points ensured that the forest tour was event filled. From the community hut the walk took us through a dark forest to meet the ghost of a highwayman, a sinister clown and a witch.
Many as expected were suitably dressed for the occasion as can be seen in our slide show. Hutters also contributed by decorating their huts and surrounds with sinister things in keeping with the occasion. You can see it all at this link. - PUMPKIN HUNT 2019
Sat 14th and Sun 15th of Sept. 2019
Carbeth’s 'Doors Open Day' went well. On Saturday 15 visitors turned up and on Sunday 10 visitors. The feedback and responses were good. Some pleasing emails were received by the company from our guests. We also had a small group of hutters join us. The highlights of the tour were invites by hutters to view the insides of their huts. A big thanks to hutters for this. The visitors also enjoyed a tour of the Carbeth Company new-build, which impressed. Ali Ferguson and her partner Neil were on standby with a constant supply of tea, coffee and biscuits and it turned into a mini social event, at one point songs being sung in Gaelic and humorous ‘tales of the hill’ being exchanged.
Sat 27th Oct. 2018
Carbeth had its first pumpkin hunt in 2018. Organised by the Ysortit youth support group, the hunt took us through Carbeth's forests where plenty of scary items filled decorated trees, nooks and crannies. The atmosphere was added to by a team of actors plaing various creepy individuals...including the ghost of a highwayman and a 'mistressr of events' dressed as a circus vampire. The turnout was excellent, and folk of all ages from the community took part. We look forward to more terror events similar to this in the future. You can view a short film of the event by clicking this link.
Pumpkin Hunt
Sat 4th Aug. 2018
Carbeth had its first family fun day. A good crowd appeared for the event that was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Competitions like,' tug of war', 'throw the weillie' and 'hurl the haggis' kept the crowds well entertained for four hours.
The event was organised by the youth support group Ysortit who have recently become established as part of the Carbeth community.We look forward to more events events like this in the future. You can view a slide show of the event by clicking this link. Family Fun Day.
Sat 16th and Sun 17th of Sept. 2017
Carbeth took part in the 2017 Stirlingshire 'Doors Open Day'. The event was well attended on both days. The visitors toured and were given a historical review of the huts and how the Carbeth Hutters Community Company came into being. The reviews left by the visitors were excellent and most seemed surprised by the size of the estate and variety of huts. Visitors are welcome at all times to wander around Carbeth.
Carbeth Gala Day 2017
The sun shone brightly for the 2017 Gala Day and Carbeth's Hutters took advantage of the glorious weather by having a full day of fun and frolics. Tug of war, races and games were enthusiastically attended. The music as usual was exceptional; a reflection of the extraordinary number of talented people in our midst. Soup, tea and cakes helped fuel proceedings, altogether a wonderful and much enjoyed day of community festivities. You can see more at CARBETH GALA DAY 2017
New Land Buy May 2017
In May 2017 the company bought 50 acres of land adjoining the Hutters estate. The area contains the historical Drovers Inn pictured left.The Carbeth Hutters Community Company have plans to develop the land for the good of the greater community with a museum, a memorial woodland, wood school, hutting museum and unique off-grid visitor center.
Canadian Visitor Sept. 2016
Carbeth recently had a visit from a Canadian Hutter, Willie Dougall aged 85. Willie, originally from Clydebank, emigrated to Canada in the early fifties and built his 'cabin' or 'cottage', as huts are known in Canada, shortly thereafter. The Canadian Government, keen to populate the vast expanses of the country were selling lakeside land at 60 cents per linear foot. Willie bought 160 feet and built his cabin from cedar. The site could only be reached by boat, had no power or transport access and the task took two years. The last census of huts in Canada in 1991 recorded 216,000 in Ontario alone. They range in size from single room cabins to 5 star luxury lodges with seaplane moorings.
Carbeth Gala 2016
Despite the foul weather and continuous downpours the 2016 Gala went ahead. Reduced numbers did not dampen the enthusiasm. The bands entertained a highly appreciative audience who responded with rapturous applause and praise. Stalls, soup, and a bouncy castle all added to keep spirits high.
More images can be viewed at CARBETH GALA DAY 2016
Road Resurfacing July 2016
Photographed on day three of our road repair and maintenance week.
A picture of the team, Tony, Alex and Stevie in action and Carbeth's Ranger Gary, toiling hard.
New Zealand Visitors March 2016
Linda and Christopher Constable made the journey all the way from New Zealand to visit her parents home in Carbeth. In 1945 the her parents could not find a place to stay. Carbeth became their first home. A few years later Linda was born nearby. Linda's mother always spoke fondly of her first home and it was a lifelong ambition to visit.. Linda and Christopher (second and third from left) were delighted with the hospitality and welcome they received.
Carbeth Gala Day 8th August 2015
A great time was had by all at the 2015 Carbeth Gala Day. A huge attraction to Carbeth's children was the Bouncy Castle. Live music from a host of entertainers made the day go with a swing. Raffle prizes, stalls, craft demonstrations and food provided by Carbeth volunteers added to make a memorable day for all who attended. More images can be viewed at CARBETH GALA DAY 2015
Sat 6th and Sun 7th of Sept. 2014
Many people grabbed this amazing chance to take a tour of Carbeth Huts and find out about the history of Hutting, hutting life, the evolvement of the huts and their restoration. The tours focused on 'Restored Huts' and 'Huts Old and New'. Both tours involved walking around some of the less well-known areas, speaking to hutters and getting offered at least one cup of tea! Tours lasted one hour, depending on the weather and how chatty everyone was. Visitors are also welcome to wander around the whole of Carbeth Conservation Areas at any time.
Community Award
Scott Donohoe, Morven Gregor & Alan Graham with the Camcorder Guerilla's Community Award which was made to the Company at the end of 2013.
Camcorder Guerrillas is a Glasgow community-based, voluntary collective of professional filmmakers, artists and activists, working together to make and showcase documentaries for those concerned with human rights, welfare and social justice initiatives.