On 16 October, Lochcarron Regeneration met with Kompan, an international play equipment manufacturer, to discuss options, costs and practical considerations for upgrading Lochcarron’s playpark facilities.
Kompan have extensive experience working with local authorities and community groups across Scotland, and this meeting helped establish realistic expectations around equipment quality, lifespan, sustainability and overall project costs.
Who Attended
- Duirmuid McNamara – Kompan
- Martin Rabbitts – Lochcarron Regeneration
Learning from Other Playparks
The discussion included examples of recent playpark developments elsewhere in the Highlands.
It was noted that some projects, such as Kyleakin, had benefitted from significant developer contributions linked to new housing developments. While useful as reference points, these examples should be viewed with caution, as Lochcarron is unlikely to have access to similar developer funding.
A number of playparks were identified as valuable sites to visit for inspiration and benchmarking:
- Helmsdale (space-themed park)
- Newtonmore
- Kyleakin
- Dunvegan
- Balmacara
- Applecross
Play Equipment Quality & Sustainability
Kompan outlined the durability and environmental credentials of their equipment:
- All steel components are hot-dipped galvanised, providing an expected lifespan of 30 years or more
- Many products are made using up to 95% recycled materials
- Two specific play sets are manufactured using discarded fishing nets
- These are part of global fishing industry recycling initiatives
- Kompan purchase the nets from fishermen, helping them offset carbon emissions
- Example themed sets include “Fish Factory” and “Fish Cutter”
This approach aligns well with coastal communities like Lochcarron and supports wider sustainability goals.
Budget Expectations
A significant part of the discussion focused on realistic budget expectations.
Key points included:
- Cold-pour rubber surfacing typically accounts for around 50% of total project cost
- Alternative options include grass matting or rubber tiles, which may reduce costs
- A budget of £40,000 would only deliver a very limited, basic playpark
- For a meaningful, high-quality facility suitable for Lochcarron, a budget in the region of
£120,000–£150,000 should be expected
This confirmed earlier assumptions that significant external funding will be required to deliver the scale of improvements envisioned.
Project Structure & Cost Reduction Opportunities
The meeting also explored organisational and cost-saving considerations:
- If no suitable trust is available, the project could operate through a SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
- Registering as a charity and working through Highland Council could remove the need to pay VAT on equipment, resulting in substantial savings
- There may be opportunities to take ownership or long-term lease of the site from Highland Council if this enables redevelopment
- The group should ask whether Highland Council could assist with removal of existing equipment, helping reduce overall costs
Engagement with Highland Council
Kompan advised that engagement with Highland Council should be channelled through the Amenities team, with John MacKay suggested as a key contact.
The recommended development process was outlined as:
- Begin structured fundraising
- Obtain supplier quotes
- Work closely with Highland Council to progress design, approvals and installation
Next Steps
This meeting provided clarity on:
- the true cost of delivering a high-quality playpark
- the importance of phased fundraising
- opportunities to reduce costs through structure and partnerships
The information gathered will help inform future discussions with Highland Council, funding bodies and community partners as Lochcarron Regeneration moves into the next stage of planning.
