A new port of call for adventure, activities and learning opportunities has been officially launched in East Dunbartonshire.
Twechar Outdoor Pursuits Centre is a community-run base for kayaking, paddleboarding, cycling and more.
It is also a hub for training and volunteer opportunities – helping to promote regeneration and address disadvantage in the area.
The new facility was officially opened by Provost Gillian Renwick on Wednesday 29 October 2025, and forms part of a programme of long-term regeneration in Twechar.
East Dunbartonshire Council secured significant external support for the facility – including funding from the Scottish Government, sportscotland and the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund.
It is being operated by Twechar Community Action, which has been central to the transformation of the area over two decades.
The new centre, which is on a previously-derelict site next to the Forth and Clyde Canal near Twechar Bridge, includes:
- Storage for kayaks, paddleboards and wetsuits (which are available for hire) – with direct access outside
- Bike workshop room and storage
- Large meeting/seminar room which can be used as two separate spaces
- Reception
- Accessible toilets, showers, lockers and changing areas
- Food/tea prep area
- Outdoor seating
- Car and cycle parking
- Solar panels on the roof – saving money and reducing carbon emissions
- Landscaping and access road.
Provost Gillian Renwick said,
It is such an honour to officially open Twechar Outdoor Pursuits Centre. This has been an aspiration locally for a number of years so it’s wonderful to see the dream become a reality.
This fantastic resource will benefit people in the village and wider East Dunbartonshire area, of all ages and abilities. Thanks to everyone involved – including the community, our teams, funders and partners.”
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said, “Our £2 million investment in this project has transformed a derelict site into an outdoor activity hub to benefit people of all ages and abilities. Facilities like this are vital for building stronger, healthier communities.
“That’s why we are providing more than £62 million over the course of this financial year towards regeneration projects which will revitalise town centres, derelict sites and green spaces across Scotland.”
Sandra Sutton, a long-time champion of the project and volunteer at Twechar Community Action, said, “We’re so pleased that the local community is at the heart of this facility, which offers a variety of outdoor activities and opportunities. It’s the culmination of 20 years of hard work in conjunction with the Council – all springing from an original idea by Twechar Youth Group. Well done to everyone involved.”
The facility – at 15 Canal Row, Main Street, Twechar – is owned by the Council and operated by Twechar Community Action.
For information – including how to book – visit Twechar Outdoor Pursuits website, email info@twecharoutdoors.org.uk and follow the centre on Instagram.
The site was previously home to a Masonic hall and is at the northern entrance to Twechar. The project cost just over £5.6 million – more than half of which was externally funded.
That included support from the Scottish Government's Place Based Investment Programme, Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, and Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme, as well as sportscotland and the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund.
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said, “We know the sport sector is facing many challenges so to see the Twechar Outdoor Pursuits Centre officially opened after this level of investment is very encouraging. Everyone involved in the project has demonstrated a real commitment to ensuring that more people in the area will have an opportunity to become physically active and connected to their local community."
The Council worked with a number of partners, including:
- SCAPE Scotland – the framework procurement route through which the contractor was appointed to manage the design and delivery of the new centre via its supply chain. SCAPE Scotland is a public sector procurement specialist, dedicated to creating efficiency and social value via the built environment.
- Morgan Sindall Construction – the main contractor, appointed using the SCAPE Scotland Framework.
- AtkinsRéalis – appointed using the SCAPE Scotland Framework – which provided project management, cost management and principal designer services.
- Doig+Smith – appointed to provide NEC Supervisor services on the project.
