The Lochside Press

A housing emergency has been declared in Argyll & Bute and the council wants to build up to 4,800 new houses near Helensburgh, including in the green belt. But not on this site, which doesn’t appear on its list of vacant land. Why is this?

Asked about the site, the MoD issued exactly the same statement that was used in 2022, saying wild flowers would be planted ‘in the next few years’.

It’s four years since 80 homes were demolished by the MoD– and the site near the Gareloch is still vacant. The MoD still insists it will be a wildflower meadow, but there is no sign of the flowers – why can’t it be used for affordable homes? wp.me/p8db2r-c0I

Argyll & Bute Council says consultants have found a unique way to fund essential services - by charging for optional extras wp.me/p8db2r-bV4

Blasting work and razor wire installation are planned for a site on Loch Long which could be used by nuclear submarines for the first time – council planners say it won’t have have ‘significant effects’ on the environment. wp.me/p8db2r-bTQ

The bell dates back to 1900 and was originally used on a ship before being donated to the local community - now it will be on display in Cove Community Library wp.me/p8db2r-bQA

The project follows news that nuclear-powered Royal Navy submarines could use the jetty at Glen Mallan for the first time wp.me/p8db2r-bG4

Farewell old friend x

A new report lists the Victoria Halls could close as Liveargyll faces a 15% finding cut – and Helensburgh’s library could be moved again, this time into the town’s leisure centre wp.me/p8db2r-byQ

@ScotRail Any update please? There are a lot of people stranded at Dalmuir

ℹ️UPDATE: We have requested Rail Replacement Transport at Dalmuir, Helensburgh and Balloch. These are not confirmed as yet. Please use our journey planner for these updates. journeycheck.com/scotrail/

⚠️NEW: @NetworkRailSCOT have advised us of a signalling fault between Dumbarton East and Dumbarton Central. Due to this we are currently unable to run trains from Dumbarton East towards Balloch/Helensburgh, Oban and Mallaig in that direction. @NetworkRailSCOT staff are enroute to fault fix. Please use our app/website for journey information during this time. 📲

The First Sea Lord said 'drastic improvements' were needed and saw temporary facilities being set up at Faslane after concerns that @RoyalNavy subs carrying Trident missiles were out on patrol for up to six months wp.me/p8db2r-bpN

Merry Christmas from Argyll & Bute Council - a Christmas Eve announcement from the council said ‘the reopening timeline may extend beyond earlier expectations’ – and 70 parking spaces will be lost next month wp.me/p8db2r-bhl

@FOIScotland @mySociety One in ten people? So 500,000+ people in Scotland have submitted an FOI request? Or is that the total number of requests, while most people who have submitted one have submitted several?

#HolyroodFOI Recap: Dr Ben Worthy’s research shows local government receives the most FOI requests, while @MySociety research shows that 1 in 10 people have submitted one. He noted that FOI boosts accountability - and can also act as a deterrent against improper behaviour.

The Herald is this week joining forces with nine hyperlocal Scottish news titles - through the @scottishbeacon journalism network - to look at the impact the transition to green energy is having on communities. Here, Sarah Ade, freelance journalist and editor of @GlenkensGazette, looks at the village of Carsphairn in Dumfries and Galloway, and the impact net-zero ambitions are having there 👇

Coming soon to a doorstep near you...

Paddle-boarder surprised by dolphins a couple of days ago! Posted it on fb page Clyde Cetacean Sightings but I don’t think the guy has seen it. #dolphins #dolphinandwhalewatch #clydecetaceansightings #firthofclyde #scotland #wildlife #paddleboarding

Dolphins and the PS Waverley Greenock Espanade Saturday, 16th August 2025. [copyright protected]

To mark #internationalcatday , here are Immy and Lossie, chief purr-roof readers for the Lochside Press, always looking to bag a story! They were mewly-appointed last year after travelling north from Sunderland.

MSPs @Ross_Greer and @jackiebmsp say an oil leak discovered 18 months ago in Glen Fruin must be cleared up as quickly as possible and action should be taken against Petroineos #ThePowerShift wp.me/p8db2r-an9

PS Waverley at Kilcreggan Pier yesterday afternoon @PS_Waverley #photography #canon #canonuk #scotland #canonphotography #shipping