LOCAL community groups across Cowal are celebrating after receiving national recognition from environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful in their 2025 It’s Your Neighbourhood (IYN) awards, with several local projects achieving some of the scheme’s highest marks.
The results shine a spotlight on the outstanding volunteer-led efforts taking place across Argyll and Bute, with eight local groups honoured overall.
Among them, four Cowal initiatives stood out for their ambitious environmental work, community impact and year-round dedication.
The strongest result locally came from Inspiring Innellan, which achieved the coveted Outstanding level five award, along with a certificate of distinction — an accolade reserved for long-term, high-impact projects.
Another strong performer was Scenic Sandbank, which earned a Thriving level four rating. Volunteers have continued to enhance public spaces in Sandbank, maintain attractive planting displays and champion biodiversity across the village, all of which contributed to the group’s success in this year’s assessment.
Bullwood Nature Trail, a project that has been steadily growing in scope and participation, received an Improving level two rating. Assessors highlighted the group’s efforts to make the trail a more accessible and environmentally rich community asset, with ongoing plans to expand habitats and encourage greater local involvement.
The Dunoon Community Development Trust’s Grow Food, Grow Dunoon project also impressed, achieving a Thriving level four award. The initiative promotes local food growing, sustainability and community resilience through shared allotments, education and hands-on volunteer activity, helping more residents learn how to grow their own produce.
The annual IYN scheme, run in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, recognises local groups working to improve their communities through gardening, environmental action and volunteer-driven regeneration.
With such strong results across Cowal, local volunteers say they are more motivated than ever heading into 2026.
Ahead of the Scottish general election, Keep Scotland Beautiful is calling for national funding to support, recognise and celebrate the dedicated volunteers delivering community environmental improvement initiatives every day across our country, and the significant contribution they make at a local level to help combat climate change, restore nature and biodiversity, and tackle litter.
To register your interest or find out more about joining our Climate and Nature Friendly Communities Network in 2026, please email: [email protected]
