August 15, 2012
Comrie’s bonus below
One example of a community where the acquisition of an asset has been, and continues to be, a catalyst for major growth and development is Comrie in Perthshire. Their well-documented purchase of Cultybraggan Army Camp in 2007 has given rise to all manner of enterprising initiatives – all designed to bring long term sustainability and stability to the community. When land is purchased, value is normally derived from what can be developed on the surface. In Comrie’s case, that value extends below ground level.
15/08/12
Paul Cargill, 27/7/12, Strathearn Herald
The people of Comrie recently had what may well be a last chance to see inside their very own underground nuclear bunker.
An open day was held at the community owned Cultybraggan Camp to give visitors an opportunity to tour the hi-tech installation and the surrounding hillground.
The bunker will soon be converted into a high security data centre in a joint scheme involving the Comrie Development Trust, GCI Com and Keir Construction.
The trust recently welcomed the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, Alex Neil, to Cultybraggan Camp.
He met with representatives from all three groups to determine how the Scottish Government can support the proposed venture.
Alex Neil said: “The proposal to develop a new data centre here at Cultybraggan Camp is a very exciting one, particularly because of the benefits that it will bring to the surrounding locality. The new centre offers potential to help improve local connectivity through the provision of faster and more reliable broadband.
“Connectivity from the data centre will provide high-speed broadband to the nearby Futures Centre, which will include a modern hot-desking hub enabling people to work in an office environment without needing to travel to their workplace. This makes an important contribution to reducing people’s commuting time and also helps to reduce carbon emissions.”
The Minister continued: “In an increasingly competitive and technological world it is vital that local businesses and households in rural areas like Perthshire have access to high-speed sophisticated communications.”
David McCall, chair of CDT said: “As well as providing improved services to the camp and locality, this venture has the potential to provide an income for the trust.”
MSP Roseanna Cunningham said: “I’m a great supporter of CDT’s hard work and the Scottish Government has long supported their efforts.
“I am looking forward to that productive relationship continuing in the future.”