The pilot of the police helicopter which tragically crashed onto Glasgow’s Clutha Vaults on Friday evening was well-known in Cowal as pilot of the air ambulance Helemed 5, frequently deployed in the area.

Staff looked on intently on Friday afternoon (November 29) as the CalMac vessel Coruisk underwent berthing trials during an exercise at Dunoon and Gourock.

The vehicle ferry, utilised during the summer months on the Armadale-Mallaig route between Skye and the mainland, is due to be introduced as a passenger boat over the remaining winter months to the Dunoon-Gourock Clyde crossing to reinforce the reliability of the service.

ARGYLL and Bute Council’s plans for refurbishment of three Dunoon primary schools are in disarray today after it was revealed that the Scottish Government will not fund a refurbishment of Dunoon Primary School.

AN application for South Cowal Community Development Company’s bid to buy Castle Toward went before Scottish Government ministers yesterday (Tuesday) – and ministers have instructed Argyll and Bute Council not to sell the historic property to any other party.

SCANS for mums-to-be will not take place locally for the ‘foreseeable future’, NHS Highland revealed this week.

ACTUAL Reality Ltd has made an official complaint against Dunoon councillor Dick Walsh, now council leader, to the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.

THERE is uncertainty over the future of Dunoon’s primary schools as councillors are set to consider consulting on an option to close Kirn (above) – recently held as a beacon to all Scottish primary schools.