We Incorporate the Dunoon Men’s Shed

Dunoon Community Shed incorporates The Dunoon Men’s Shed which was established in 2015 with the primary objective of improving the health, well-being and social needs of older men. This ethos remains a key part of the Community Shed but it is not restricted to men. We have a friendly environment within our social area and workshop facilities. Members can work on their own projects or involve themselves in our many and varied community projects. Some members just come in for the company, a cuppa and a chat.
Repairing and Making Things
We have many members who are skilled in making and repairing objects, tools and appliances. We aim to keep things out of landfill by repairing, upcycling and renewing items brought to us by members of the community.
These items include vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, strimmers, chainsaws, sewing machines and many other things.
Often items are donated and we renovate them, test them and offer them for sale on our sale page
Arts and Crafts

We have a growing community of men and women engaged in crafting activities. This may be learning how to sew, knit, draw, paint or simply get together for a chat and to work on a cross stitch kit.
Woodworking
We have a superb woodworking area, which is equipped with tools which would otherwise be outside availability for the householder. This includes, industrial bench saws, mitre saw, two lathes, pillar drills, bandsaws, grinders, and many other tools.
Members work on restoration projects and manufacture of items for the public or their own projects. Sometimes, all they need to do is cut a piece of wood for a shelf!
Music

We are building a music space within the expanded Shed. This will have a live room which can be used as a practice room for all kinds of music or for small groups of people from the community who want to get together and make music.
There will also be a recording control room and some instrument storage.
This space is not yet available but construction is under way and we expect it to be ready in early 2025. If you would like to be involved or think you would use such a space, please contact us.
Engineering and Mechanical
For the members who wish to participate in engineering activities we have a 4 post car lift (thanks to a generous grant from the CoOp), a Colchester lathe, a small milling machine and a welding bay.
There is also a separate area for working on electrical and gardening equipment.
Martial Arts, Exercise and Meeting Space

We are building a space within the expanded Shed that will be available for multiple uses including martial arts, exercise, meetings, talks, and other activities. This space is not yet available but plans are made and construction will start soon. If you would like to be involved or think you would use such a space, please contact us.
Scale Modelling Club
In October 2024, we formed a scale modelling group which proved immediately popular. It meets on Saturday afternoons at 1pm and members bring along their projects to work on together. It’s a social opportunity and the chance to gain from the experience of others. We have a number of larger scale flying aircraft and some ships that we would love members to take on and renovate.
Gardening

We are hoping to develop the land around our building to use it as a community garden for the use of local people who would like to grow vegetables or flowers but don’t have access to a garden. This is a bit of a wasteland at the moment with lots of weeds but it could be really nice with some volunteer effort.
We already have some raised beds in use which were created with grants from Tesco, Bank of Scotland, Magic Little Grants and the CoOp have enabled us to start this area and equip it with a Keter tool shed.
Model Railway Club
In January 2023, we formed a model railway club which has proved very popular. It was originally set up in one of the existing rooms but that was never going to be big enough.
A new space is under construction and will be ready in August 2024. It is big enough to house one or two layouts and to allow the growing membership to enjoy this hobby. It will also be used for other types of scale modelling.
Commitment to the people of Dunoon and Cowal
Dunoon Community Shed is a registered Scottish Charity based in its own 11,000 square feet premises in Hamilton Street Dunoon. It incorporates the Dunoon Men’s Shed and provides facilities, resources, services and activities for all comers.