News

Local Holidays for 2026 in the Banff and Buchan area are:

Monday 9th February

Monday 6th April

Monday 4th May (May Day)

Monday 7th September

Monday 12th October

Trades Fortnight: Monday 6th July - Friday 17th July

Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed it will be introducing permanent 20mph speed limits in built up areas within its communities.

From Monday 22nd September 2025, road users will have to lower their speed on many routes previously covered by 30mph speed limits.  The decision follows the Scottish Government's commitment to see all appropriate roads in built-up areas have safer speed limits by the end of 2025.  This national strategy seeks to introduce a consistency for 20mph speed limits across the country.  Associated costs with the implementation of this programme are covered by Transport Scotland.

Due to environmental regulations being enforced by SEPA (Scottish Environmental Protection Agency), Aberdeenshire Council must now handle waste upholstered seating differently to protect the environment.

These items may contain Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) - harmful chemicals that must be destroyed safely by incineration and kept separate from other items of waste and recycling streams.

What are POPs?

Persistent Organic Pollutants are toxic chemicals that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate in the food chain, and pose a risk to the environment.  They are commonly found in older upholstered domestic seating and include flame retardants, plasticisers and dyes.  Regulatory measures introduced by SEPA now require special handling and disposal of these items.

What is affected?

All waste upholstered seating is affected by these regulations - anything that is designed to be sat on including:

sofas, sofa beds, armchairs, kitchen/dining room chairs, home office chairs, futons, beanbags, stools and footstools, floor and sofa cushions, highchairs with upholstery, electric recling chairs.

This list includes any part made of or containing leather, synthetic leather, fabric or foam.

Beds and mattresses are not included.

With regards to the household recycling centres, we are advising customers to do the following:

• Please check before visiting which sites can accept these items.


• Portsoy, Alford & Insch cannot accept any due to space limitations.


• Rips and tears should be taped up prior to deposit


• Use the skips marked for upholstered seating - if you need assistance, speak to site staff


• Follow instructions provided by site staff


• Any incorrectly disposed of upholstered item could lead to extra disposal costs to the council and potential loss of recyclable materials

Further information is available through the council website, on-site and through social media channels.

The Banff quaich presented to Julie Forbes volunteer of deveron amateur swimming club in recognition of her dedication and commitment to helping our young people.

At our last meeting Dougie Thomson presented the Quaich to Keith Newton on behalf of the Friends of Macduff Marine Aquarium (FOMMA) for all of the fantastic work that they do to promote the Aquarium and the surrounding area as well as the Calendar.

Keith was delighted to accept the quaich and acknowledged that there are other groups which also do a lot of work in the area to enhance both towns.