ABOUT US
Creating Meaningful Impact
We are fortunate to have a strong team of individuals from all walks of life who bring their unique expertise and resources into everything we do. The Trustees are all local residents with a range of skills and interests. They are all volunteers, dedicated to making Dunkeld, Birnam and district a better place to live and to visit.
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The DBDDT Board of individual trustees are elected each year the AGM.
The board meets once a month to review progress and discuss new initiatives.
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Please read our current constitution here.
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Minutes from our monthly board meetings can be found here.
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Meet the Trust Team
Representing the community are volunteers and one employee from all walks of life. If you would like to get involved with any aspect of the Community Trust please contact us.
Chair
James Jarvis
I am James Jarvis. My wife and I moved to Dunkeld in 2021 when our children left home. For more than two decades I worked at The University of Edinburgh in Information Service as well being a warden in Pollock Halls of Residence Student Accommodation.
The outdoors has been a passion for me. In addition to participating and coaching distance running, I also do remote supervision of Duke of Edinburgh Award Expeditions and currently take the Corbenic Hillwalking Group out once a week.
I am an occasional volunteer with the Paths & Nature Group, the Field and Dunkeld Community Archive. I organise the weekly Monday evening running group on the Highland Games Field. I am currently a member of Mountaineering Scotland, Royal Scottish Geographical Society and Mountain Training,
Secretary (Acting)
Alex Kettles
Alex is an architect with 35 years of experience principally in healthcare, housing and community buildings. Locally, Alex was part of the team who delivered the Birnam Arts facility and remains an active member of their volunteer and fabric groups. She has also been a member of the A9 Community Core Group, the school PPG and is a director of the Dunkeld & Birnam Community Coworking Space.
Community Development Officer
Mel Nicoll
I first came to Dunkeld and Birnam for work in 1992, before moving here two years later. I have been involved in various community groups and projects during my time here, including as a founder member of The Orchard. My role as CDO is to support the board to help the Trust develop and deliver beneficial community projects.
Treasurer
Stuart Paton
I'm Stuart Paton, I live with my wife and two teenage daughters in Strathbraan, about one mile beyond Trochry. I moved here from Aberdeen about 13 years ago. I have been involved in a wide range of community endeavours including chairing the Community Council from 2017-2021, Chair of the Sports and Leisure Hub for a number of years and co-led the MUGA project, and I am now actively involved in the Arbortreum project which is looking to develop an all accessible path at Stanley Hill. I am a keen hillwalker, skier and cyclist (both road and mountain biking- hence the attraction of living in Dunkeld), active tennis player with the Dunkeld club and member of various outdoor organisations including the John Muir Trust, Scottish Wildlife Trust and Mountaineering Scotland.
Trustee & Chair of The Care group
John Gilruth
I’m a retired social work manager, having spent the last 20 years of my career in Perth and Kinross. I’ve lived in Dunkeld for the last 10 years, but have various forebears who also lived locally. My interests are gardening, fishing, writing , walking and making stuff happen in communities . I’m passionate about the work of the Trust with a particular focus upon trying to increase the range of care and support available locally.