Donview Centre

Located along the Lord's Throat, historically this site was a tented camp, including a cookhouse, for single men that were employed by the Forestry Commision to establish the  forest on Bennachie. The married men lived in the houses that were built at Donview. The wooden buildings we now see were then built as the Tillyfoure Forest office.

The Forestry Commission then amalgamated forest areas and the Tillyfoure office was closed and staff were then based at the larger Pitfichie office. The Tillyfoure office then became the Donview Centre and was repurposed for many years as an education and recreation facility. The toilets and car park were free to use for the public.

At this time there was still a small forestry related community based at Donview.

To bring in revenue, the Donview Centre was first leased to a local group of artists. The premises were then put up for lease (see details) and used for several years by a cabinet maker. After that business left, the buildings were damaged by a falling tree. The lack of a septic tank and a very limited water supply will need to be taken into account when assessing potential uses.

At this time there was no longer a local forestry related community.

Forestry and Land Scotland - the custodians of the Donview Centre together with the associated picnic area and car park (see map) - is  now proposing to sell this public asset.

The Monymusk & District Community Trust is now actively pursuing the transfer of  this asset to community ownership - see Community Asset Transfer Scheme

The next step is that the Trust will be submitting a Scottish Land Fund Stage 1 application, which if successful, will help with Technical Assistance support. This will include funding towards the cost of a valuation, a tree survey, and reports on the structural and electrical status of the old buildings. In addition the funding will allow the Trust to appoint an architect to work with the community to draw up plans for the replacement of the damage toilet block by a new building for an eco-toilet and resilience hub. The architect will also consider plans for the main building, which it is planned to develop as a 'Pocket Forestry Museum' in the future.

Members of the Trust are invited to join the Donview Centre Subcommittee. We are particularly keen for Junior Members to help as we have rather unique ideas for a community-led development of the Business Plan. So watch this space!

You can help us by completing the consultation form

Many thanks