Dunoon is a town in Scotland that lies directly on the Firth of Clyde (an inlet on the west coast). Being well connected to Glasgow, it is a popular place for commuters to live. On the last weekend in August, the port town becomes really busy, as the Cowal Highland Gathering takes place.

This is the world’s biggest, most popular Highland Games. It would be good to strengthen and expand on these busy visitor days. The town is therefore considering how it could create more attractions.

In 2005 the harbour was extended to allow use of modern Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) ferries. However this initiative was not enough and there is already a new, promising idea.

The vision is to install a cable car system from Dunoon to the top of one of the nearby hills. According to the application, guests can expect to find a leisurely coffee and a viewpoint. This will make the hiking and cycle paths more accessible for guests and the planned cable car will mean that older people can also enjoy the view from the town’s local mountain.

Back in the town, there are then several possibilities: either you set out on foot back down the valley or you take the cable car again. So far, so good. Many projects like this are undertaken but the residents here have devised a small twist for the project on which their hopes are pinned.

In addition to the “normal” paths, you could also opt for the adrenaline variants. Several shorter zip lines are planned as well as an installation that is almost four kilometres long. The route will run from the Bishop’s Seat over the Bishop’s Glen to the base station. Moreover, an Alpine coaster will offer a rapid, family-friendly descent.

Both the long zip line and the roller coaster will run through the forest, which should create additional dramatic effect. Because of the high construction cost, it has been decided to divide the project into phases. The initial focus is on the cable car system.

This should run for two kilometres from the base station near West Bay to the top of Kilbride Hill.

The Dunoon Project was started against the backdrop of being a project of the people. The community will come together to see what it can achieve collectively.

The man behind the whole project is Brendon Wallace, founder and managing partner of BC technologies. He has lived in the area for 15 years and he loves the town and the varied landscape of the surrounding area. He would love to show off the beauty his home to more people.

“Because of the good transport connections, many people do pass through but until now they have seen no reason to stay here for long. With the implementation of the Dunoon Project, we are creating an adventure for every age group,” Wallace is sure.

The aim is to attract visitors and to stimulate the local economy in a broader sense. The feasibility study was completed in mid-April and the results seem to move the project even further forward. tm