In the world currently, there is a sense of a great divide. Whether that be through politics, social groups, or belief systems, there is a resounding feeling that we, as a collective group of human beings, are instead becoming a series of individuals.
Individualism encourages the idea that each person should think and act independently, and this has been on the rise in the face of herd mentalities and restrictive authority in social institutions. While this can be beneficial for personal growth and creativity, it can also result in an increasing loss of community as people no longer value the ideas of those around them. There is a danger that this mindset could end up undermining Scottish culture entirely.
It makes individuals feel disconnected and retreat into themselves, creating those divides in our communities.
The Lochee Community Hub in my hometown, Dundee, has been providing non-judgemental support for vulnerable individuals, as well as those struggling with substance abuse, mental health, and homelessness and housing issues for over a decade, and its central location has become the heart of the community. The Hub has on-site staff who help those struggling to progress with their recovery through life-skills support and offers a welcoming venue for mutual aid activities. It builds bonds between people and helps tackle prominent issues throughout Dundee, making this space a huge asset even beyond its immediate locale.
Lochee is the area I grew up in and, on a recent visit, I discovered that, due to a lack of funding, the Hub was forced to close in March 2026. Seemingly, Dundee City Council would rather invest in infrastructure and tourism than a space which directly helps local people. To me, this stood out as a tangible testament to how little community is now valued.
Lochee’s reputation within Dundee is not a desirable one. It is one rooted in classism; as seems common in Scotland, the ‘roughest’ areas tend to have the highest levels of deprivation. The power of these prejudiced beliefs means that, without these spaces, the local population will likely regress and feel less encouraged to look out for those around them, leading to the importance of community falling by the wayside.
This isn’t just a problem in Dundee: all over Scotland, community values and general social interactions are becoming less common, which makes me think about how much our generation and those in the future will miss out on. Community is characterised by shared bonds like culture, religion, identity, or geographic location. They foster a sense of belonging, interaction, and mutual support, which is why they are so crucial in forming identity.
Scottish culture is a beautiful tapestry of voices, people, and places
Creating a network of local people does more than just help the development of social skills and strong values; Scottish heritage and culture rely upon community to carry the quintessential parts of what it means to be a Scot. The knowledge carried through ‘old wives’ tales’ and long held traditions depend upon communication across different generations to ensure we uphold and preserve integral parts of culture. This could be as simple as chatting to your neighbour, or helping a stranger. There are important lessons of life to be learned beyond your immediate circle.
It seems that community still thrives in older people, who have not forgotten the benefits good company can have on mental wellbeing. The Logie Club, located just a 5 minute walk away from The Lochee Community Hub, is always busy with locals who go there to share stories over a drink, or catch up with old friends and play bingo. The ‘clubbie’ also hosts various community events and can be used for members’ special occasions. Attendees are predominantly over 50s and pay a fee to join, reflecting the older generation’s desire to be surrounded by a community. Perhaps, in part, because they always have been.
For some members, heading to the clubbie is the only social interaction they have, and they often go there seeking support. As we get older, face major life events and lose people we love, being backed by community can hold us up in the worst of times. But as it stands, we are isolated from one another, and there is a lack of investment in the lives of those around us. And by the time we’re older, we may have lost our chance.
This lack of appreciation for the value of togetherness is, in my view, largely down to the effects of social media usage in young people. The internet undermines curiosity by giving an instant answer to every question one could possibly imagine. Having the world at your fingertips seems to make us forget about the world around us. Doomscrolling for hours and getting caught up in toxic online environments isn’t healthy. It makes individuals feel disconnected and retreat into themselves, creating those divides in our communities.
The most frustrating part about all of this is that people naturally crave community, and in recent times social media has emphasised that modern technology cannot replace the need for human interaction. This was seen during the Covid-19 pandemic, for example, when people’s desires for human connection could only be fulfilled through the online world. However, it is also a breeding ground for negativity and toxic ideologies. Social media connects individuals whose paths may not have otherwise crossed and allows vulnerable people to be targeted by beliefs that only serve to isolate us even more from one and other.
We need to stop fixating on what’s happening on our phones and realise that fostering community on a smaller scale is the first step to making a difference in the wider world. Scottish culture is a beautiful tapestry of voices, people, and places, and to continue to add more colours and patterns to this, we must weave forward together.
Lochee has always been built on the working class people who live there, and, despite its perceived flaws, its strength will always be community. I sincerely hope Dundee City Council decides to put more funding into the heart of its communities, and that other Scottish councils follow suit, as the value they create is worth a whole lot more than money – but in order for the council to see this value, at the very least, we must see it too.
