Projects

Our projects

The Sand Bothy


The Sand Bothy was built in the 1980’s as the Balmedie Beach Visitor Centre. Since the building was taken over by the Community Trust it now aims to:


  • be a community & volunteering hub
  • build a permanent exhibition about the area for all ages including schoolchildren
  • provide a rentable space for classes, groups, events and workshops
  • provide a kiosk for selling hot and cold drinks, ice creams and snacks


Balmedie Litter Squad


A group of volunteers of all ages meet on the first Saturday of the month to collect litter around the village.


Balmedie Beach Wheelchairs


Many families are excluded from places that are inaccessible to wheelchair users and those with more hidden disabilities. This makes much of the countryside no-go areas for some in our community. The Balmedie Beach Wheelchairs project aims to change that on Balmedie Beach.  



Potterton Volunteers


In 2021, BCT was awarded funding to carry out work at Potterton Burn to alleviate the flooding of community park, play park and carpark. The work was successfully completed in 2022, with installation of paths and fences.


Potterton Volunteers group has now formed to continue the maintenance of the park and planters around the village.

Balmedie Community Sensory Garden


An area of land in the centre of Balmedie has been transferred to the Trust by Aberdeenshire Council, in perpetuity, for the development of a sensory garden for the benefit of the local community.


A design was produced for the eventual development of this area. Much of the work has been completed with building of dry-stane walls, creation of paths, installation of tables and benches, building of stone and wood planters.


However it is very much a work in progress, with grass to cut, bulbs to plant to be maintained, and trees to trim.
It is a lovely peaceful place where volunteers meet and work, local people walk and sit, and children play and learn.

Groups supported by the Trust

Better Balmedie


Better Balmedie was set up in 2009 to make improvements to the appearance of Balmedie. Over the years Better Balmedie volunteers have planted and maintained planters and barrels, installed benches, picked up litter, and generally helped to keep the village looking good.


Better Balmedie is now developing a base in the land surrounding Balmedie Congregational Church which includes a potting shed and raised beds – a place for members to meet and the community to enjoy.

Balmedie Christmas Lights


Balmedie Christmas lights is a small volunteer group, meeting & fundraising in Balmedie with the aim of lighting up the village at Christmas time and providing some festive cheer!

Belhelvie Community First Responders


The Belhelvie Community First responders are volunteers who have been trained by the Scottish Ambulance Service to respond to medical emergencies in our local area whilst an ambulance is on it's way. 

Balmedie Health Walks


Whatever it is that you really want to do - get fitter, meet new people or just feel better today - walking is the easy way to a happier, healthier you! 


Our free weekly health walks are short, low-level walks starting and finishing at Balmedie library with a social cup of tea or coffee for £1 at the Beachside Coffee Shop afterwards.


Balmedie Congregational Church


This is a small community church in the centre of Balmedie. It holds regular services and is used for community activities such as meetings, coffee mornings, sales and play groups. The Church is available for hire. In January 2023 it became the home of Winter Warm Hub at The Wee kirk, a place where people can get out of the house,
stay warm, have a natter, play games and puzzles and have a warm drink too.