In the next edition of his Scottish Comms tour, Communications Officer, Michael Wolverson, tells the story of how locals came together to save a 200-year-old pub in a once ‘forgotten part of Scotland.’
“This pub has always been the heart of the community, and we have brought it back”
Just a few months before my visit to Southwest Scotland, The Ploughman in Wigtown was saved by the community who stepped in to prevent it being turned into flats. When I arrived in May, I was eager to discover the impact this historic pub was already having on the community it serves.
I met Craig, Committee Chair, who welcomed me with a tour and shared the story of its revival. Even before I unpacked my camera and microphones, it was clear: The Ploughman had quickly become more than a pub. It was a gathering place, a hub of connection, and a space where everyone feels welcome. With support from Plunkett, Democratic Finance Scotland (DTAS), and funding from South of Scotland Enterprise, the pub was brought back to life.
Enjoy this short video from my visit
After reflecting on the loss of the pub as “something was missing” and a “crying shame,” the community’s vision became clear: to create a space where people feel at home, included, and connected. As Craig explained, “Even though Wigtown has many wonderful businesses, something was missing. The pub brings people together and keeps Wigtown on the map.”
Determined to change the perception of Wigtown as a “forgotten place in Scotland,” the community raised over £31,000 through Community Shares. With the keys in hand, volunteers worked tirelessly to restore the building. Craig emphasised the scale of that effort, noting that “everything you can see in the room has been touched by a volunteer.”
Already, The Ploughman has begun to play its part in village life. The first quiz night filled the pub and future quizzes were already fully booked, while local MSPs have shown their support, including Emma Harper MSP who held a constituent surgery here to connect politics with everyday community life.
For many, though, the impact goes further – some visitors told me it was their first time back in a pub for four or five years. As Craig put it, “that sense of reconnection is at the heart of what the community set out to achieve – and it makes all the work worthwhile.”
While I was there, three committee members: Pennie, Julie and Tracey, were busy interviewing candidates for a new bar staff role. Between interviews, they spoke passionately about their ambition to create opportunities for local people – through employment, apprenticeships, and training in partnership with nearby colleges.
Their commitment was clear: to pay the real living wage, provide steady work, and open doors for those who might otherwise struggle to find opportunities in such a rural area. “It’s a community-run pub, and we want it to be as local as possible by giving people here the chance to work,” Tracey explained.
Julie explained that, because they are in a rural area, transport links are limited, with buses running infrequently and rarely late into the evening. For many young people, this makes it difficult to access jobs further afield. The committee sees the pub as an ideal solution: a place close to home that not only offers employment but also the chance to learn new skills.
They also highlighted the lounge as a welcoming part of the pub, a place that brings everyone from the community together. “It’s about giving people that place to meet up and talk without any pressure,” they explained.
The lounge now opens in the mornings, run entirely by volunteers. With the bar closed, it serves as a dry space offering tea, coffee, and biscuits in a relaxed setting. On Tuesdays, a local volunteer known as “Professor PAT” provides free PAT testing for small appliances, attracting visitors such as one young man who arrived with a vintage radiogram. Though he spoke little, they told me he has since returned to the pub many times.
Plunkett is here to support – thanks to the partnership with the Scottish Government’s Rural Network
My visit to The Ploughman was made possible through Plunkett’s partnership with the Scottish Government’s Rural Network. This programme enables us to provide tailored business advice to communities across Scotland who are working to save or establish a community pub.
Craig spoke warmly about the support they received:
“It’s not just reference material – it’s someone at the end of a phone, someone at the end of an email to sanity-check your ideas, to reassure you that what you’re doing is possible. We were encouraged every step of the way, so it was an absolute joy to work with Plunkett.”
Become a Plunkett member
Beyond the initial guidance, Craig emphasised the ongoing value of their Plunkett membership, particularly the access it provides to resources, suppliers, and expertise:
“We’ve found that having a Plunkett membership pays for itself. The knowledge and support you gain are priceless. Plunkett is the service we want and need – it’s invaluable.”
If you are inspired by this case study, why not join the Ploughman as a Plunkett member? Click the button below to find out more and how you can sign up.
