We’re delighted to confirm Glenfarg Community Transport Group’s (GCTG) Digital Demand Responsive Transport (DDRT) pilot service between Muckhart and Rumbling Bridge is now open to all. This service was tested during the summer and allows connection with the number 23 service to Kinross and Tillycoultry at Rumbling Bridge.

The pilot is for a 3 month trial period from August and we hope that as many people as possible give it a go so that if funding allows, it can be extended to link up more fully with the 23 service. Full details at Community Transport Update

Clackmannanshire Council’s Depute Returning Officer has now declared that the following nominees have been duly elected to serve on the new Muckhart Community Council:

Jonathan Bacon
Daniel Conroy
Jon Jordan
Greig Ness
Celia Norton
Matthew Pease
Marion Riddell
Neil Rodger
Gillian Thompson
Ann Wilson

COMMUNITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS 2025

On behalf of our community, many thanks and congratulations to those who put themselves forward for nomination and who are now duly elected members of the new Muckhart Community Council. In particular, many thanks go to those existing members of the Community Council who have stood for a further term, in addition to those standing for their first time.

Many thanks also to those members of the current MCC, who have decided to stand down, and for the many years of service that they have given to our community.

The next meeting, together with the last AGM, of the current MCC will take place on Wednesday 3rd September at 7.30 pm in the Coronation Hall.

Please find below the link to the full Declaration of Results for the Community Council Election 2025 across Clackmannanshire and the related press release:

Community Councils Elections Uncontested Declarations 2025

Five areas elect their community councillors for the next four years

Nominations for the Community Council are opening on 6th August 2025. Every 4 years a new community council is elected and we would love to welcome new members to join our team! Read on to find out more about what community councils do and the role of a Community Councillor:

MCC 2025 Nominations information

MCC issues a regular email newsletter which you can subscribe to here: Muckhart Community Council Newsletter.

As well as news from MCC meetings it provides information on local events, news from Clackmannanshire Council, Scottish Government consultations, road information, Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface Bulletins, Neighbourhood Watch updates and lots of other information. If you would like anything included please contact [email protected].

Following our survey in April and engagement events in May, the Local Place Plan Steering Group are busy analysing all the data gathered so far and will be drafting our plan during July.

You can find out more about Local Place Plans and sign up to the LPP newsletter here: Local Place Plan

We are pleased to announce that our Natural Flood Protection works in the Glebe Field has won the Community Climate award at this week’s Climate Action Awards ceremony. Our thanks go to Forth Rivers Trust and Clackmannanshire Council for delivering this project. Thanks also go to everyone in the community including the School and Church for supporting the project! A well deserved award that recognises the benefits of natural flood measures!

More information can be found at:

https://www.facebook.com/ForthRiversTrust/posts/950806017085120?ref=embed_post

August 2025 – New 203 Digital Demand Responsive Transport (DDRT) pilot service – connecting Muckhart to Kinross and Dollar/Tillcoultry

We’re delighted to confirm Glenfarg Community Transport Group’s (GCTG) Digital Demand Responsive Transport (DDRT) pilot service between Muckhart and Rumbling Bridge is now open to all. This service has been tested during the summer and allows connection with the number 23 service to Kinross and Tillycoultry at Rumbling Bridge. The pilot is for a 3 month trial period from August and we hope that as many people as possible give it a go so that if funding allows, it can be extended to link up more fully with the 23 service.

Full 23 timetable at https://glenfargct.co.uk/timetable/

Service times – initially on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

Muckhart (bus stop opposite Mona’s) → Rumbling Bridge: 09.15

Rumbling Bridge → 23 service to Tillycoultry via Dollar: 09.27

Return from Tillycoultry (Sterling Mills outlet village) → Rumbling Bridge: 11.02

Rumbling Bridge → 23 service to Kinross: 09.23

Return from Kinross (Park and Ride) → Rumbling Bridge: 11.15 or from Milnathort (Heaven Scent): 11.05

Other Kinross stops – the Kirklands Hotel, Green Hotel, Muirs Hotel, Leisure Centre (in between 11.05 and 11.15)

You can book by using the Ride Pingo app or emailing [email protected].

You can use your National Concession card or pay by cash/card

For return Kinross/ Tillycoultry trips, please ask for a return number 23 fare. If booking by Ride Pingo, please note that the fares shown may not be accurate at this stage.

We hope you’ll use this pilot service so that it is able to continue and develop. Keep up to date with news at: https://glenfargct.co.uk/the-203-ddrt-new-pilot-service/

Got any questions? Email [email protected].

Finally, a huge thank you to GCTG for taking this pilot forward and getting Muckhart back on the road again!

2024 MCC Transport Survey

Thank you to everyone who responded to our transport survey. We had a good response with a lot of helpful information, which has clearly demonstrated the need for a public transport service or community bus in our area. A copy of the analysis report for the survey is available here:

Muckhart Community Transport Survey Responses Report

Since the survey MCC has continued to discuss with Glenfarg Community Transport Group (GCTG) the possible arrangements needed to ensure Muckhart’s inclusion in the revamped 202 service from September 24. Sadly, we have now learned that Clackmannanshire Council has determined that it will not provide the necessary financial support to enable the residents of Muckhart to have access to the bus service. This is extremely disappointing news, the more so given that the Council has seen fit not to contact MCC to notify it of the decision. We have learned about the Council’s refusal through the GCTG which has been in close discussion with Perth and Kinross Council. Understandably, Perth and Kinross have said that they wish to see a contribution from Clackmannanshire in order to include Muckhart in the 202 route.

Other options are being explored, and a meeting has also taken place between MCC representatives, Drew Smart, Chair of Glenfarg Community Transport Group, and Keith Brown, MSP. At that meeting, Mr Brown was asked to support the residents of Muckhart in our bid to reintroduce a public bus service. And he was brought up to date with the residents’ survey on the need for a bus service and a community bus option.

Mr Brown has now written to the Chief Executive of Clackmannanshire Council, Neil Gray, MSP, Minister for Health and Social Care and the Interim Chief Executive of NHS Forth Valley. These letters were issued on the same day that confirmation was received that Glenfarg Community Transport, recent winner of the Best Bus Service in Scotland Award, has been awarded the 202 route with effect from 2nd September 2024.

MCC ‘s campaign for better transport has the support of ward councillors, however, it is understood that Clackmannanshire Council are awaiting the outcome of its own review of public services within the Clackmannanshire area before any further response is made. 

MCC are grateful for Mr Brown’s help on this important issue and copies of his correspondence are available here:

Muckhart-Bus-Service-Needs – letter to CE, Clackmannanshire Council

Public-Transport-Access-to-Health-Services – letter to Cabinet Secretary, Health and Social Services

Health-Board-Bus-Services – letter to CE, NHS Forth Valley

We will keep you informed of any further news as it becomes available, but in the meantime thank you for all your support! Any comments are welcome on the outcome of our discussions so far and can be made to [email protected]

September 2024 Update

A letter from Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity to Keith Brown MSP has indicated an inability to intervene on this issue. A copy of his response is shown below:

Response Jim Fairlie MSP

It has also recently been confirmed that the feedback provided to Mott Macdonald, the consultants undertaking Clackmannanshire Council’s own transport survey, would be considered as part of a larger piece of work on sustainable transport, with a paper expected to be submitted to Clackmannanshire Council in early 2025.

MCC Microgrants and Event Fund

Muckhart Community Council (MCC) is pleased to announce that our microgrant and event fund applications are officially open.

If you are a resident or group based within the Muckhart area and have a project that could benefit local residents in line with the aims of the main EDF Burnfoot Hill Community Benefit Fund, you can apply for awards up to £250 for individuals or £500 for groups.

You can find out more by contacting [email protected]. Further details are also available here: https://muckhart.org.uk/burnfoot-hill-community-fund/

Applications close 5th June 2024.

Muckhart Community Council are keen to find out about your unmet transport needs. One potential solution would be Community Transport. Discussions have been taking place with Glenfarg Community Transport Group (GCTG) about a possible collaboration to progress this issue.

Community transport is not just about moving people from point A to point B.  It is about fostering a sense of belonging, bridging divides, and empowering individuals to access education, employment, healthcare, and social opportunities that are the bedrock of a thriving community.  Community transport provides flexible and accessible community-led solutions in response to unmet local transport needs.

How to Participate: There are two surveys, one for everyone and one for those aged under 22. These are being delivered to your letter box and word versions can be accessed here.

Muckhart Community Transport Survey

Muckhart Youth Transport Survey

Alternatively, use the QR link below.

QR code

The survey consists of 8 questions/sections and will take a few minutes of your time to complete. Your responses will remain anonymous unless you wish to provide contact details.

Please use the online form or leave a paper copy delivered to your letter box at Mona’s of Muckhart. You can also email a word copy to [email protected] or ask for for additional copies.

Thank you for taking the time to help.

If you didn’t manage to the Muckhart Community Transport meeting on Sunday 28th April and want to find out more about the presentation by Glenfarg Community Transport Group and options going forward to improve transport in the Muckhart area please click on the link below.