Councillors vote to sell Pitlochry Town Hall to community for £1

Councillors have this week voted to sell Pitlochry Town Hall to the community for £1.

At a meeting of the Pitlochry Common Good Fund Committee on Monday, October 26, councillors agreed to the community asset transfer request from the Pitlochry Town Hall charity.

The charity’s chairman Duncan Tannahill described the move as a “hugely significant milestone” in its journey towards securing the 126-year-old building’s future.

In July 2025, the newly formed Pitlochry Town Hall charity took over the running of the West Moulin Road venue as part of an agreement with Perth and Kinross Council. It was previously run by Live Active Leisure.

The aim was to see the public building open more – for visitors and locals alike – particularly following the loss of the Pitlochry Tourist Information Centre, which closed in 2024.

On Monday, councillors were asked to agree to the transfer the ownership of the Pitlochry Common Good Asset.

The two-storey town hall officially opened in April 1900 on a site gifted by Captain Archibald Edward Butter of Faskally.

The Lesser Hall at Pitlochry Town Hall Pitlochry Town Hall

The construction was funded by public subscription and gifts, including 150 guineas from Mr Sandeman of Fonab.

At Monday’s meeting, local Independent councillor, Provost Xander McDade thanked trustees and the community for their work over the past 15 months as they took over the management of the hall on a day-to-day basis “as a soft launch, as it were, to full ownership”.

The Highland Perthshire ward councillor added: “I think that’s been quite significant. I live only a few streets away and can see the activity when I drive home and there are signs outside telling us what is going on inside the town hall today.

“That’s a marked difference from when it was being run by Live Active Leisure when it was mostly closed up. I think that’s a really positive thing for the community.”

He commended the improvements made to the hall and the “significant community support” and “the real appetite to see more done with the town hall”.

Provost McDade moved to support the community asset transfer request and asked for a further condition that the council have the right to be the first to acquire the building should it be due to be sold, as a safeguard for the “really important community asset”.

Highland Perthshire Conservative councillor John Duff seconded the motion and stressed that he too hoped the the pre-emption clause would not be required.

Cllr Duff added: “Should things not work out in the future – and again we hope very much that will not be the case – but should that happen then the building can be returned to the community for future use.”

Highland Perthshire ward SNP councillor Mike Williamson agreed to the sale of the property but without the pre-emption clause. His proposal was seconded by fellow SNP councillor Stewart Donaldson.

However SNP council leader Eric Drysdale voted to support the inclusion of the pre-emption clause and it was approved by three votes to two.

Following the landmark decision, the Pitlochry Town Hall charity’s chairman Duncan Tannahill said: “This is a hugely significant milestone in our journey to secure the future of Pitlochry Town Hall for the long-term benefit of the community.

“The level of public support has been tremendous and clearly demonstrates how important this building is to the people of Pitlochry.”

As part of a community consultation, 96% of respondents backed the charity’s community asset transfer request.

He added: “While there are still several stages to complete before the Community Asset Transfer process is finalised, agreement on the transfer terms represents a major step forward.

“Once ownership is transferred, we will be able to access funding to modernise and enhance the building, ensuring it meets the needs of current and future generations.

“Our plans include improving accessibility throughout the building, reducing its carbon footprint and creating a vibrant, sustainable community asset at the heart of Pitlochry.”