Our Mission

Community-owned, Community-led

The Swan has been a part of our community for a long time, and within that time has provided a constant for the people of Banton and its neighbouring towns. As a cherished establishment owned by the community, our mission is to create a welcoming space where people from all walks of life can come together and forge meaningful connections.

Our History

Community-owned, Community-led

The Swan stands proudly at the village cross and has traded continuously since it first opened its doors over 170 years ago. An oasis during the temperance years (ending in 1967), bus loads of people from nearby dry towns would still indulge in a dram at The Swan. Today it serves the same purpose as a place to come together and put your cares aside.

In 2016 when The Swan was threatened with closure the people of Banton saw the value in saving such an important community asset and raced to save it.

June 2019 saw The Swan close its door for the first time since the 1840’s... but for a very good reason. When it re-opened its doors once again, it opened fully renovated and ready to begin its next chapter.

P.U.B (People United For Banton)

Community-owned, Community-led

When The Swan was threatened with demolition in 2016 the village very quickly came together. Losing the only pub in our small rural village (which had already lost it’s post office and only shop) would have been devastating. Within 48 hours of news of possible demolition reaching the village, People United for Banton, P.U.B. had formed.

The group, (which has since grown in strength and number) has worked tirelessly to bring The Swan into community ownership and transform it in line with the needs and aspirations of our rural community. The effort has paid off and in December 2017 the Scottish Land fund awarded People United for Banton in excess of £180,000 to buy The Swan making it the first community-owned pub in Scotland. Generous grants from both Big Lottery Community Assets, Kelvin Valley LEADER and The Clothworkers Foundation were essential in enabling the extensive renovations necessary for the redevelopment.

The level of community support and involvement in the project was phenomenal with over 73% of Banton households taking part in the consultation process and over 150 people (that’s more than 30% the population!) volunteering their time to the project.

People United for Banton has also benefited enormously from support and funding from: