A cherished part of Sandbank’s history is preparing to come back to life just in time for the festive season. The Oakbank Community Inn, located at the “gateway to the Scottish Highlands” near Dunoon, will officially reopen its doors on Saturday, December 20th, marking the end of almost three years of closure and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the village.
Dating back to the 1860s, the Oakbank has long been a cornerstone of the community. Earlier this year, its future was secured when the people of Sandbank successfully purchased the building with the support of a substantial Scottish Land Fund grant—transforming the beloved local into one of Scotland’s newest community-owned pub ventures. At a time when the region has also been hit by the sobering news of eight Argyll Holidays parks entering receivership, the revival of this historic inn brings a welcome dose of optimism.
A Community Effort From Day One
The journey to reopening has been anything but easy. Months of intensive work have been carried out by the committee and a dedicated group of volunteers who poured their time and energy into redesigning and refurbishing the bar area. According to Sue, one of the driving forces behind the project, the team has embraced every challenge along the way.
“While the work has been going on, we’ve organised a number of car boot sales and played host to a very popular, regular pop-up green grocers’ shop,” she explained. “We’ve also provided a location for health-related workshops and charity coffee mornings.”
These efforts have not only raised funds but have helped re-establish the Oakbank as a meeting point long before its official reopening. Events such as quiz nights and BYOB evenings have drawn enthusiastic crowds from Sandbank and beyond, culminating in an impressively attended Annual Members’ Meeting—a clear sign that local interest in the pub’s revival is both strong and growing.
Opening With a Lively Programme of Events
The Oakbank plans to open with a bustling schedule designed to draw in locals and visitors alike. From the opening weekend onwards, guests can look forward to quiz nights, live music, and other community-focused events. The pub will also open on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve, offering a festive gathering place for those looking to celebrate close to home.
Among the upcoming attractions are comedy and music open-mic nights, with budding performers encouraged to step into the spotlight. Sue teased that the area is “already full of comedians” but hinted at ambitious plans for a stand-up comedy competition in the spring.
Listening, Learning, and Looking Forward
Development Officer Dawn Petherick, who has played a pivotal role in breathing new life into the venue, says the team has worked hard to gather community input.
“We put out a questionnaire to our shareholders and social media followers and received some great ideas about how we can revive the pub and make it stand out as a true destination,” Dawn said. She also praised volunteers and local businesses who have committed hundreds of hours to tidying, painting, and preparing the space for reopening. “We’d like to say a big thank you to each and every one of them.”
But the team isn’t stopping at a bar refresh. Plans are already taking shape for food service and accommodation, as well as a permanent display exploring the area’s “American Years”—the decades when the US Navy was based at Holy Loch from 1961 to 1991. The committee is even considering offering gallery space for Cowal Open Studios artists, further cementing the pub’s place as a cultural hub.
A New Dawn for a Much-Loved Local
Sue admits the journey has been “exciting but a wee bit scary,” acknowledging the challenges faced by community-run pubs across Scotland. But the team remains optimistic, fuelled by the passion of Sandbank’s residents and the support of more than 200 shareholders.
“Our aim has always been to be a vibrant resource for the entire community,” she said. “We’ve achieved a lot over the past few months, but there’s still so much more to do. We want to take everyone in Sandbank and the surrounding areas with us on this journey!”
For updates or to get in touch, visit Oakbank Community Inn Sandbank on Facebook or email sue.mckillop@ocis.org.uk
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