A report dated 25 July 2005 by the Chief Officer was submitted on tenders received for the Tighnabruaich Fire Station replacement. Following an evaluation of tenders submitted it was recommended that the lowest offer to specification received from Stewart McNee (Dunoon) Limited, at a cost of £1,285,875.65 be accepted.
(Strathclyde Fire Board Minutes 11/8/2005)

The site for the new station is behind the Coastguard Station at Kames Industrial Estate. The foundations are being put in at present and the steelwork should be going up in March with the building being finished by September 2006. The building is best described as being L shaped but with the angle between the sides being more like 150degrees rather than 90 degrees. (17/2/2006)

The new station went operational 20th March, 2007 and had an Official Opening on the evening of the 25th February, 2008.

When the new call signs were being implemented in the WEST SDA over a 7 week period beginning 31/8/2020 doing 1 LSO Area per week, Tighnabruaich was changed from L17 to E25.

The official opening of a new fire station for the Tighnabruaich area on Wednesday by Sir Ronald Holroyd, chairman of the Fire Brigade Committee, was attended by a number of officers and members of the service, and eight of the firemen who will man the station.
Dr. J.W.Macfarlane, chairman of the Western Area Joint Committee, presided, and introduced Sir Ronald, who, in the course of his remarks, said Tighnabruaich was the first station opening he had attended manned by entirely voluntary firemen. He was very pleased that in this area they had men of this type willing to give their time and work for the protection of the community against fire outbreaks. County Councillor Gordon Aitken thanked Sir Ronald, Dr. Macfarlane, officers, firemen, and members of the public for their attendance at the ceremony.
(The Buteman Friday, 8th December, 1967. Page 1)

Tighnabruaich's new fire station, built by Messrs Brown of Strone, Ltd., was officially opened last Wednesday by Sir Ronald Holroyd, chairman of the Fire Brigade Committee, in the presence of a number of officers and members of the Fire Service.
Among those present were Firemaster Joseph Hartil, officer in charge of the Western Area, Assistant Firemaster Robert Herbert, Station Master for Argyll Donald Campbell, Firemaster J.B.Coupar, Glasgow, Mr A.D.Jackson, County Clerk, and Mr Ian Henderson, architect.
The Tighnabruaich Brigade, which at present numbers a volunteer crew of eight under officer in charge Mr Donald C. Beaton, consists of Messrs. R.MacIntosh, P.Kinmont, N.Blair, A.Turner, W.Jamieson and R.Smith.
The new station is provided with a fire siren warning system and is equipped with a hose reel tender and featherweight pump. Its area covers all of the Kyles district as far as Otter Ferry and is manned entirely by volunteers. The chairman, Dr. J.W.Macfarlane, observed that the formation of the Tighnabruaich Brigade and the building of the station had been due to the enthusiasm of the officer in charge, Mr Beaton, who had been associated with the Brigade for 27 years and had recently received the B.E.M. in recognition of his services.
County Councillor Gordon Aitken, in thanking Sir Ronald and Dr. Macfarlane, who is chairman of the Western Area Joint Committee, for their attendance, said this was really a great day for Tighnabruaich.
(The Buteman Friday, 15th December, 1967. Page 9)

<PHOTO> Sir Ronald Holroyd inspecting tender and crew prior to the opening.
Tighnabruaich's new Fire Station, built by Messrs Brown of Strone, Ltd., was officially opened on Wednesday forenoon by Sir Ronald Holroyd, Chairman of the Committee of Inquiry in presence of a number of officers and members of the Fire Service.
Those who were present were Firemaster Joseph Hartil, Officer-in-Charge of the Western Area; Assistant Firemaster Robert Herbert; Station Master for Argyll Donald Cameron; Firemaster J.B.Coupar, Glasgow; Mr A.D.Jackson, County Clerk; and Mr Ian Henderson, Architect.
The Brigade, which at present numbers 8 of a crew under the Officer-in-Charge, Mr Donald C Beaton, are-Messrs R.M'Intosh, P.Kinmont, N.Blair, A.Turner, W.Jamieson, C.Jamieson, and R.Smith. The Station is provided with a fire siren warning system, and equipped with a hose reel tender and feather-weight pump. The area covers all the Kyles district as far as Otter Ferry.
Dr. J.W.Macfarlane, Chairman of the Western Area Joint Committee of the Fire Service, presided, and in introducing Sir Ronald said it was a great honour to have him with them that day. This new station was the fifth to be built in Argyll, and was manned entirely by volunteers. They were very pleased indeed with the Station. It was significant that in the whole vast County of Argyll there were only two full-time members, the remainder being part-time volunteers.
Sir Ronald said he was in Scotland on behalf of the Committee set up to review the Fire Services. By that he did not mean there was anything wrong with the Service. on the contrary when he visited a station such as Tighnabruaich and found so many men willing to play their part voluntarily he felt greatly encouraged. A review, however, of the service and its needs had not been made for some thirty years, and since then many tremendous changes had taken place. It was quite a big job to assess modern needs, but two things had stood out-the excellent morale and spirit of full time firemen, and the willingness and ability of the part timers. All over Britain they found that there were as many part-time men as there were full-time men, and when they took into account the outlying areas where volunteers operated alone there were more part-time than full-time men. He was, therefore, very pleased to come to Tighnabruaich that day and see for himself what a station was like that was run entirely by a part time crew. This was the first voluntary station he had seen, and he was greatly pleased with what he saw. In those days when so much emphasis was put on reward for labour, it put new heart into him to find so many willing to make self-sacrifice to serve the community in a very important duty. He was also very glad to see that among the members of this unit were a number of younger men. That, too, was very heartening. He had much pleasure in declaring the station open, and by pulling a cord would unveil the plaque to commemorate the event. (Applause).
Sir Ronald was then presented with a cigarette casket, bearing the Fire Service badge, as a memento.
The Chairman observed that the formation of the Tighnabruaich Brigade and the building of the Station had in great measure been due to the enthusiasm of the Officer-in-Charge, Mr Beaton, who had been associated with the brigade for 27 years, and had recently received the B.E.M. in recognition of his services.
County Councillor Aitken, in thanking Sir Ronald and Dr. Macfarlane for their attendance, said this was really a great day for Tighnabruaich, and even the sun had shone for the event. Sir Ronald's remarks very much referred to this community, where the members of the Brigade had given a courteous and efficient service. It had impressed him very much indeed. They hoped they would see both Sir Ronald and Dr. Macfarlane at some future date in Tighnabruaich.
The Brigade then responded to a test call, and as the siren sounded the station doors swung open and the new engine with a full crew left on a test run through the village.
<PHOTO> The Tighnabruaich crew with their new engine. Also in the picture is fire officer Donald Cameron, Oban. (Machine and seven crew lined up along side)
(The Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standard, Saturday, 9th December, 1967. Page 2.)

Donald Retires from the fire service 

Donald Wren retires today (Thursday) as officer in charge of the fire service retained unit at Tighnabruaich, after serving as a fire fighter since 1971.
He was initially under the badge of the Western Area Fire Brigade then, after reorganisation, Strathclyde Fire Brigade. Donald was promoted to officer in charge in 1984.
Although he has been involved in many call-outs ranging from road accidents to house fires, he considers the most harrowing incident he had to deal with was when the crew were unable to save all the occupants of a neighbour’s house which caught fire.
However, Donald has many other happier call-outs to remember and he enthuses about the friendship and loyalty he has enjoyed from the team who served under his leadership.
Donald will be succeeded by Colin MacColl who will be assisted by Leading Firefighter Mark Critchley.
<PHOTO> Donald Wren, retiring from the fire service.
(Oban Times?)

OFFICIAL OPENING
OF TIGHNABRUAICH AND KAMES
COMMUNITY FIRE STATION 

STRATHCLYDE FIRE & RESCUE 

25^th February 2008 

GUESTS ASSEMBLE 

PLATFORM PARTY ASSEMBLES 

WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS
Area Commander John Ironside 

OPENING CEREMONY
Councillor Brian Wallace
Convener of the Board of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue 

DEDICATION OF STATION
Father Jim Thompson 

CLOSING REMARKS
Chief Officer Brian P Sweeney Q.F.S.M. D.Univ. M.A. 

BUFFET 

TIGHNABRUAICH AND KAMES
COMMUNITY FIRE STATION 

Fire crews have operated in Kames and Tighnabruaich area since 1951. In 1955 there was a Volunteer unit in Kames and a Volunteer unit at Tighnabruaich.

The official opening of a new fire station for the Tighnabruaich area on Wednesday 6th December 1967 by Sir Ronald Holroyd, chairman of the Fire Brigade Committee, was attended by a number of officers and members of the service, and eight of the firemen who will man the station. Dr J. W. Macfarlane, chairman of the Western Area Joint Committee, presided, and introduced Sir Ronald, who, in the course of his remarks, said Tighnabruaich was the first station opening he had attended manned by entirely voluntary firemen. He was very pleased that in this area they had men of this type willing to give their time and work for the protection of the community against fire outbreaks. County Councillor Gordon Aitken thanked Sir Ronald, Dr. MacFarlane, officers, firemen, and members of the public for their attendance at the ceremony.
(The Buteman Friday, 8th December 1967. Page 1) 

In 1974 Tighnabruaich became a Retained Unit with eleven men under the Western Area Fire Brigade.
In 1975 under local government re-organisation Western Area Fire Brigade became part of Strathclyde Fire Brigade.
In 2005, following the tendering process a contract was awarded to Stewart McNee (Dunoon) Limited at a cost of £1,285,875 for the new station.
The role of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue has changed over recent years and continues to change. Firefighters now work proactively to reduce the number of fires, other emergencies, fatalities and injuries through a variety of Community Safety Initiatives. Retained Duty System Firefighters continue to perform an essential role in the community by providing fire cover all year round, promoting the Fire Safety message and carrying out Home Fire Safety visits.
The new station will be crewed by ten personnel with Watch Commander Colin MacColl, the current Officer in Charge, being ably assisted by Crew Commander Mark Critchley and Firefighters Michael Atkinson, John Blair, Thomas Boyle, Robert Fletcher, Ian MacLeod, Christopher Moss, Douglas Nicolson and Daniel Strickland.
The opening of this magnificent station once again demonstrates Strathclyde Fire Board’s commitment to the communities of Argyll and Bute. 

MAIN CONTRACTORS
Stewart McNee (Dunoon) Limited
Unit 20, Highland Avenue
Dunoon PA23 8PB 

ARCHITECTS
Argyll and Bute Council
Property Department

What’s tickling Colin? 

Watch Commander Colin MacColl of Tighnabruaich and Kames Community Fire Station played host to the top brass earlier this week. See the full story on page 4.
(Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standard, Friday 29 February 2008. Page 1.) 

Community Fire Station opens 
by SCOTT CAMPBELL 

<PHOTO> Tighnabruaich and Kames Community Fire Station firefighters with Chief officer Brian Sweeney (front), Area Commander John Ironside (standing forth from left) and Watch commander Colin MacColl (kneeling right).
On Monday night a packed audience saw the official opening of the Tighnabruaich and Kames Community Fire Station.
Once the ‘meetings and greetings’ had taken place Area Commander for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, John Ironside, welcomed the guests who were made up of local dignitaries, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue personnel and many people from the communities of Tighnabruaich, Kames and surrounding areas.
Mr Ironside began by commenting on how great it was to see so many people from the community turn out for the event before thanking several of those involved in the development including the corporate management team at Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, Argyll and Bute Council and Watch Commander Colin MacColl. He then went on to outline the order of proceedings for the event and introduced those on the platform party, giving a brief outline of their roles and a bit of history on each.
Mr Ironside then handed over to Councillor Brian Wallace, convener of the Board of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, who performed the official opening ceremony after expressing his gratitude for being given the honour to do so.
He said: “This is an exceptionally well equipped station with tremendous appliances. The retained firefighters take immense pride in their station and will serve the community for many years to come.”
Father Jim Thompson then gave the dedication of the Station, dedicating to all those who are associated with it: firefighters, their families and the community in general.
The congregation then prayed, for those in the fire service, asking for their protection, especially in dangerous situations.
The closing remarks were made by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue’s Chief Officer, Brian Sweeney.
Mr Sweeney gave a thoughtful, poignant, witty and well delivered speech thanking all who attended and reminding the community that the station is there for anyone who wishes to use the facilities for any local event.
He also paid special praise to the ten-man crew of the unit who, due to the geography of the station, don’t have the luxury of being anonymous. This was a direct reference to the fact that the incidents this crew attend, like every other part-time crew under his command, will involve people they know, or know of.
After praising John Ironside for all his hard work and effort Mr Sweeney then said: “I feel proud waking up every morning in the knowledge that I have got such an incredible force. I wish all my colleagues a safe, healthy and happy future.”
Ian McNee of Stewart McNee (Dunoon) Ltd, the main contractor in the £1 3m development, then gave a commemorative plate to Cllr Wallace who gratefully accepted it on behalf of the station. Mr McNee also singled out the main architect, Thomas McDougall, for his attention to detail throughout.
Speaking after the event Chief Officer Sweeney said: “This station, like all part-time stations are vital to the communities in which they serve. Retained firefighters are every bit as professional as those who do the job full time and are equally important. Their skills and resolve are second to none.
“This particular investment reinforces the significance of local stations and firefighters.”
Watch Commander Colin MacColl, said: “This is a fantastic building with top notch training facilities. Everything has been upgraded and we can do all our training here now. We have got a cracking crew here, I cannot fault any of them in any way, and this is a new and exciting time for us here.”
John Ironside added: “The turnout from the community was fantastic. The fire station is magnificent and I’d like to thank all the crew, past, present and future for all their support, hard work, effort and skill.”
The final word of the successful evening went to Strathclyde Police Chief Inspector Andrew Mosley who said: “This station is absolutely brilliant. It is a good investment for the Tighnabruaich and Kames area and the whole community will benefit enormously.”
The hordes then made their way through to indulge themselves in the grand buffet and chat to acquaintances, old and new, whilst the youngsters had the thrill of sitting in a fire engine, wearing a bona fide helmet and dreaming of times to come when they can do it for real.
<PHOTO> Cllr Wallace with the commemorative plate donated by Stewart McNee (Dunoon) Ltd.
(Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standard, Friday 29 February 2008. Page 4.)

If you know of any mistakes in this or have any additional information please let me know.