About The Hall & Kildonan
Kildonan is a small village situated on the south coast of the Isle of Arran and our hall provides ample opportunities to get the community together, having fun and socialising.
About The Hall
Built in 1915 as a reading room and adopted in 1916 as the Village Hall, the hall has been used continually throughout its’ 100 years. Serving the locals and visitors as a venue for parties, dances, meetings, exhibitions, talks, yoga, exercise, Taiko drumming, and since November 2014, a film club.
It is maintained by charitable works and the efforts of a number of dedicated volunteers. Recent improvements have seen a new roof, new windows and doors and in celebration of its’ 100th birthday the hall is to be made more easily accessible for the less abled.
The bell, which used to adorn the United Free Church on Church Brae was installed by the committee and volunteers to mark the Millenium.
Living In Kildonan
Kildonan takes its name from the church of St Donan, a 6th century disciple who came to Arran to reputedly evangelise the heathen inhabitants. The village, as it is today, gradually grew out of the number of small clachans dotted around the district and is split as High Kildonan and Low Kildonan.
A key focal point when looking south from Kildonan is the island of Pladda, which lies a kilometer or so offshore; its name comes from the Norse for "Flat Isle". The lighthouse on the island was built by the Stevenson family in the 1820s, and was manned until it was automated in the 1980s.
Meet The Committee
We're here for the locals and visitors
Alistair Yates
Chairman
Judy Cook
Vice Chairman
Jenny Gilchrist
Treasurer
Steve Kelly
Secretary
Meet The Trustees
Helping fund our efforts to expand and build
Douglas Cook
Originally a native of the high road, Douglas moved to the low road at the age of 3 taking up residence next to the village hall. The Cook family has been part of Kildonan life since the mid-nineteenth century, serving as committee members or trustees since the hall’s inception.
Earliest memories include Halloween and Christmas parties in the hall, football, hockey and fun week sports days in the field next to Drimla Lodge. Then it was ceilidh dancing through the teenage years. But it was the sea he was never out of. If it floated he was on it, of course always tethered to the Port Rocks for safety! This love became his career and for the past 26 years has sailed as a Deck Officer with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, holding a Master Mariners qualification for over half this time.
The life of a seafarer is a nomadic existence but the lure of Kildonan has been ever strong. Whether it’s long summer days or a roaring dramatic winter gale there is no finer place to be in the world.
Margo Stewart
Margo was born and brought up at the Cnoc in Kildonan and is the third generation of Stewarts to farm in Kildonan. She is a professional nanny in Glasgow and spends most of her weekends in Kildonan, where her heart lies.
Margo has fond memories as a child of attending events in the Hall and looks forward to attending many more. She hopes to retire to Kildonan shortly.
When Mamie Stewart, Margo’s Aunt and former Trustee retired, Margo was asked to take on the responsibility.
John McDonald
John McDonald took over Auchenhew Farm, with his father Iain in 1984, having previously farmed at South Bank and Meadowside (with a few years in Whiting Bay in-between). He is the 4th generation of McDonalds farming in the South End of the island.
John has some fond, but sometimes vague memories of many a ceildh at the hall! One where he donned a French maids outfit (don’t ask) and another where he dressed up as Dougie from Parry Handy. Other local worthies were the other ship mates! He is also an enthusiastic participant of the Kildonan Hall Burns Supper. Twice, being the chairman, and also addressing both the immortal memory and the toast to the lassies.
John takes over the trusteeship from his uncle, Willie Stewart, who passed away earlier this year.
