The Argyllshire village of Arrochar and Tarbet is celebrating as the scenic community is crowned the Scottish Calor Village of the Year 2009, receiving a total jackpot prize of £9500 for community investment.

Astounding judges with its vision for the future, the community deservedly scooped the prestigious title and will go on to receive a community celebration, hosted by Calor Gas Ltd., next month.

"Arrochar and Tarbet truly showed the determination and huge community spirit required to make the best out of rural living," said Frank Gunning, one judge and President of The Association of Scottish Community Councils. "The community had once been a thriving hub for the Ministry of Defence's torpedo range on Loch Long, but some parts had since started to slip into poor condition. Recognising the need to rejuvenate the scenic village, Arrochar and Tarbet worked incredibly hard to fundraise and regenerate the community into a shining example of what can be achieved when people come together and work towards a common good."

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The standard of entries was particularly high this year, with the decision between the three regional winners, Forth, Isle of Eigg and Arrochar and Tarbet, a particularly tough one.

Frank comments on the final decision: "The judges had a really tough decision to make as all three communities made good cases for winning. In the end, it was felt that Arrochar and Tarbet had the leading edge over the other two.

"The regeneration of Arrochar Parish Church is outstanding. Having seen a community come together, fundraise and give up time and skills to create one of the most beautiful churches in Scotland is just brilliant.

"By creating a village 'hub' through the development of a community hall and showing a vision for the future with redevelopment plans for Arrochar's pier, villagers are making strategic moves towards developing the community for the future."

Organised by Calor Gas Ltd. (Scotland), with support from the Association of Scottish Community Councils, (ASCC) and The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisation's (SCVO) Rural Team, the awards are designed to allow Scotland's rural communities to promote their success and achievements, share best community practice and demonstrate initiatives towards sustainability. Communities were judged on four categories this year; people, business, sustainability and communication.

(GK/BMcC)