Royal Four Towns Community Council

The Royal Four Towns Community Council represents the villages of Hightae, Heck, Greenhill and Smallholm. It’s made up of local people who meet regularly to listen to residents, pass views on to Dumfries and Galloway Council, and get things done on the ground – from salt bins and footpath repairs to planning consultations and emergency support.

What Community Councils actually do

Community Councils in Scotland were set up to give local people a direct voice with councils, the NHS, police and other public bodies. They don’t run services themselves, but they have the right to be consulted on planning applications, licensing, and anything that affects the area.

In Dumfries and Galloway they also play a big part in winter resilience – many have salt bins and snow shovels – and they keep a list of vulnerable residents who might need extra help during power cuts, flooding or heavy snow.

Typical questions they help with:

They work to the official Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils in Dumfries and Galloway.

Our Community Councillors (as of April 2026)

Anyone who lives in the Royal Four Towns and is on the electoral roll can stand or attend meetings. You don’t need any special qualifications – just a bit of time and a desire to help the area.

Position Name Address Phone
Chair Ian Collinson 2 Smallholm Steading, Smallholm 07540 188194
Treasurer Graham Anderson Newton, Low Road, Hightae 01387 810430
Secretary Cath Robinson Apple Tree Cottage, Hightae 07956 423838
Vice Chair James Marshall Nethergrange, Hightae 01387 810081
Community Councillor Stuart Bowe Lake House, Heck 07775 895818
Community Councillor William Muirhead 2 Hazelnook, Hightae 01387 811368
Community Councillor Steven Kimberley Rashieburn, Hightae 07551 307887
Community Councillor Murray Gibson Murrshell, Kildale, Hightae 07793 919393
Community Councillor Jennifer Stewart Smallholm Burn Farm 07843 421366

Meetings & How to Get Involved

Meetings are held roughly every 5–6 weeks (except July and August) and are open to any resident. You don’t need an invitation – just turn up.

Agendas and minutes are posted on the village noticeboards:

Full minutes are also on the Royal Four Towns website.

The AGM is usually in June/July.

Dumfries and Galloway Councillors for Ward 11 – Annandale North

The Royal Four Towns sit in Annandale North (Ward 11). Four councillors represent the ward. Here’s who they are, elected in May 2022:

Name Photo Party Phone Email
Stephen Thompson Stephen Thompson Scottish National Party (SNP) 07825 633151 stephen.thompson@dumgal.gov.uk
Gail MacGregor Gail MacGregor Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party 07824 845206 gail.macgregor@dumgal.gov.uk
Lynne Davis Lynne Davis Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party 07795 926781 lynne.davis2@dumgal.gov.uk
Carolyne Wilson Carolyne Wilson Scottish Labour Party 07795 926793 carolyne.wilson@dumgal.gov.uk

2022 first-preference votes (ward total – no detailed polling-district breakdown for Hightae or the Royal Four Towns is publicly available):
Stephen Thompson (SNP) 1,725, Gail MacGregor (Con) 1,153, Lynne Davis (Con) 1,114, Carolyne Wilson (Lab) 797.

Wind farm community funds

The area benefits from grants from Minsca Wind Farm (administered by Dumfries and Galloway Council, with the Community Council as intermediary) and Harestanes Wind Farm (administered by ANCBC – applications direct to them). Money has paid for things like loft insulation and a new boiler at the Royal Four Towns Hall, the Hightae bus shelter, Christmas lights, benches, footpath work, and support for local groups and the primary school.

Recent work by the Community Council

The RFT CC have recently cut four of the local paths: Meadow Path, Acorn Path and core paths 306 and 317 from Heck. The local footpaths need to be maintained and used – the Community Council is on the case.

More information

The Community Council’s own site is at royalfourtowns.com – it’s been running since 2014 and has sections for local organisations, footpaths and emergency planning.

Frequently asked questions

How do I raise an issue with the Community Council? +
Contact any councillor by phone (numbers are in the table above) or just turn up at a meeting. Agendas and minutes are pinned on the four village noticeboards – Hightae bus shelter, Greenhill village green, Smallholm display cabinet and the road into Bottom Heck.
Can anyone become a Community Councillor? +
Yes – you just need to be over 16, live in the Royal Four Towns and be on the electoral register. There are currently three vacancies, so if you’ve got a bit of time and want to help get things done locally, come along to a meeting.
What’s the difference between the Community Council and my Dumfries and Galloway councillors? +
The Community Council is made up of unpaid local volunteers who represent just the four villages and feed your views up to the council, NHS, police and so on. The four paid D&G councillors for Annandale North (Ward 11) cover a much bigger area and are the ones who actually make the decisions.
When and where are the Community Council meetings? +
Meetings happen roughly every five or six weeks (except July and August) and anyone from the Royal Four Towns can just turn up. Dates and agendas go on the village noticeboards.
Where can I find the latest welcome pack? +
Ask any Community Councillor – it’s packed with local contacts, emergency advice and useful numbers. A digital version is also on the RFTCC website.

Get Involved – We Have Vacancies

There are currently three vacancies on the Community Council. Anyone over 16 who lives in the Royal Four Towns and is on the electoral roll can stand. It’s unpaid but makes a real difference – from salt bins to footpath repairs.

Contact any councillor or just come along to a meeting to find out more.

Reviewed April 2026. Contact us if anything needs updating.