Barry Young

Treasurer

I was born in Eskdalemuir but moved away when I was 3.  I spent a lot of time here growing up as my grandparents lived here .  We moved back to the area in 2009 and converted my grandads 'man shed' into our home. 

I joined the Community Council 3 years ago as I felt it was important to ensure the Community Council continued to represent the voice of the local community and that I could contribute my skills, knowledge, and experience in a useful way. 

Liz McQueen

Secretary

My journey to Eskdalemuir began with a date! - exploring the stone circles and Samye Ling Tibetan Centre with my now-husband Geoff, a Lockerbie local. Since moving here in 2017 with our young daughter, I've immersed myself in understanding our community's unique character and challenges. As a landscape painter and project leader with OutPost Arts, I split my time between creating art inspired by our valley and leading creative wellbeing projects that bring people together. You'll often find me exploring the paths with my dogs Oscar and Dorothy, appreciating the diverse ways our landscape has been shaped over generations.

I joined the Community Council because I believe in the importance of strong community voices in planning and development decisions that affect our daily lives. As Secretary, I'm committed to ensuring our community's interests are represented as we face modern challenges. I'm passionate about creating opportunities for people to work and live here, while preserving the unique character that makes Eskdalemuir special for current residents and future generations.

Al Green

Chairman

Originally from Edinburgh, I moved to the Eskdalemuir area in 2020 with my wife Isla and sons, Logan and Ramsay, after many years living in London and Surrey. Over the past two years, we've been busy converting Cote Barn into our family home - a project that's deepened our connection with the area. Im a graphic designer with over 20 years experience, brining a broad skill set across graphics, design, product development, textiles and manufacturing.  

Outside the studio, I'm a keen cyclist and recently helped establish the Eskape gravel cycling group at the Eskdalemuir Hub - and I have recently taken on the joint role of active travel coordinator for the Eskdale area. An initiative that reflects my passion for both the outdoors and building community connections. 

I joined the Community council to ensure local voices are heard and to contribute my creative and professional skills in ways that support and strengthen our community. 

Ian Warden

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I moved to Eskdalemuir in 2022, (on the hottest day ever recorded), with my wife Lisa and our Boxer dog Buddy! Previously we lived in Coventry and I had retired from the police force. Lisa is Scottish and we had always planned to move ‘north’ on our retirement. It has been great meeting so many new people and adapting to a slower pace of life…although it is true what they say about retiring…I don’t now how I ever fitted work in! 

The strength in community should never be under estimated and this is why I joined the Community Council, to make sure voices are heard and that we work with the community to ensure people can live up to (and maybe exceed) their potential.

Julie Macleod

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In my formal working life I was employed on various youth and community projects in London and Northampton and moved to Eskdalemuir when I bought a house here in 1986. I was inspired by the building of the Samye Ling Temple and enjoyed working as a labourer on the building site. My children attended Eskdalemuir primary school before it became the Hub and with other young families in the valley, we organised and participated in various enjoyable community activities. During that time, I created a little bakery business and baked to supply Samye Ling and the wider community with organic bread, pastries and cakes. More recently, my partner Fergus and I lived and worked for seven years as cook and caretaker at Purelands Retreat Centre. We've spent many years renovating an old shepherds' cottage and I like to live in a simple way which is labour intensive. I’m very interested in the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity in this beautiful valley and in the building of vibrant and happy community life. I like to write and sometimes work in collaboration with Fergus who is a visual artist. 

I always have time and energy to work on behalf of Eskdalemuir and the Eskdalemuir community and see my role in the Community Council as a means to serve.

Bernard Provost

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