A familiar red landmark on Port Bannatyne’s quayside could be set for a new lease of life after a local resident came up with a plan to turn the village’s old telephone box into an interactive heritage hub.
Linda MacFadyen, who lives in Port Bannatyne, said the idea came to her while walking her dog past the marina.
“Every time I walked my dog past Port Bannatyne Marina, I couldn’t help noticing the sad state of that old red telephone box,” she said. “Once a beauty, now looking a bit forgotten. And yes, it stirred up memories — which probably tells you my age right there.”
Linda said she quickly discovered she was not alone.
“It turns out I wasn’t the only one feeling that way,” she said. “Lots of folk around Bute have said that seeing the plans has stirred their own memories too — and how pleased they are to see something positive finally happening with the box.”
Thanks to a donation from Port Bannatyne Marina, the classic red K6 phone box is now set to be restored and repurposed as a permanent heritage information point, potentially located right on the village quayside.
Rather than functioning as a traditional information board, the restored kiosk will invite visitors to step inside, lift a retro-style handset and dial in to recorded stories about Port Bannatyne and the Isle of Bute. These will range from village history and island life to tales of the midget submarines, the development of the marina, and how the Anchor Tavern became the much-loved, community-owned hub it is today.
Linda explained that the technical side of the project has been developed by local installation artist Chris Ratcliffe, who works with recycled technology to create interactive public artworks. His design will allow the phone box to deliver a modern listening experience while still retaining the ability to dial 999 in an emergency.
There will also be practical information available, including ferry and bus times, places to visit, and recommendations for food and drink. The recordings can be updated easily, allowing the content to stay fresh and relevant.
One particularly reflective element of the project is the inclusion of a Wind Phone — an unconnected line inspired by the international Wind Phone movement — offering a quiet space for remembrance or contemplation while looking out over the water.
“This project isn’t just about saving a piece of design history,” Linda said. “It’s about creating a place to pause, listen, and feel connected — to the village, to its stories, and to each other.”
Inside the kiosk there will also be printed leaflets highlighting local attractions and events, along with plans for a small community book exchange. Local organisations will be invited to sponsor and care for individual audio recordings, helping bring together heritage groups, tourism interests and the wider community.
Linda believes the restored phone box could quickly become a talking point. “A shiny red phone box on the quayside is always going to turn heads,” she said, adding that it could also become a popular photo spot for visitors and encourage them to spend longer exploring Port Bannatyne.
She added that, if successful, the idea could expand into a network of Bute-branded heritage phone boxes across the island, from Ardbeg to Kilchattan.
The project is being supported by both BID and Port Bannatyne Development Trust. Duncan Martin, Chair of BID, said: “BID is delighted to support the restoration of the island’s red telephone kiosks. These quirky landmarks will create a fun tourism trail, act as vibrant community hubs, and help connect people, support local groups, and boost businesses while celebrating the island’s unique heritage.”
Port Bannatyne Development Trust added: “We are supporting this project because we believe it contributes to the local community, creating space for people to connect, contribute, and develop new skills. It has the potential to grow and make a lasting impact in Port Bannatyne and across the Isle of Bute.”
Local resident Neil McKay has already volunteered to lead the restoration team and is encouraging others to get involved. No specialist skills are required, and work will be organised around people’s availability.
Anyone interested in helping can contact Linda MacFadyen at [email protected], sign up via www.phoneboxproject.org, or register their interest at the Anchor Tavern or Port Post Office.
