Almost £6 million has been awarded by the Scottish Government to support community-led projects on Scotland’s islands – including around £1.5m for several projects in the Western Isles.
The money will help local authorities to create and safeguard infrastructure projects on their islands, which are focused on sustainability.
The funding was announced ahead of the autumn meeting of the Convention of the Highlands and Islands, taking place in Brodick Town Hall in Arran today (Monday November 3).
The Convention is a forum for the Scottish Government and its public agencies to meet twice a year to discuss and align strategies for the region’s economic, social, and environmental development. It focuses on improving coordination and addressing key challenges and opportunities, such as digital connectivity, population retention, and economic transformation. Meetings rotate between mainland and island locations and are open to the public.
The Scalpay Community Heritage Centre gets a £647,000 award supporting the first phase of redevelopment for the community hall. The money will be used to insulate the building and make internal layout changes to create a warm, accessible, and low-carbon facility.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said:“Our island communities are bursting with ambition, innovation and potential, and the Scottish Government is committed to supporting local priorities and long-term sustainability. Indeed it the underpinning objective of the Convention of the Highlands and Islands to take a collective, strategic approach to unlocking economic opportunities and tackling issues.”
The local list includes:
- North Uist Community Heritage Centre, Carinish Old School: £83,235
- Comunn Eachdraidh Nis : £100,000
- Scalpay Community Heritage Centre: £647,280
- Leverburgh Village Hall Regeneration Project: £474,071
- In addition, getting funding from the Scottish Government’s Carbon Neutral Islands Fund is a project from Vatersay Community Hall and Café – Decarbonising Community Spaces: £249,007
Councillor Paul Steele, Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar said: “I am pleased to welcome the award of Islands Programme Funding to 4 Western Isles projects. The Islands Programme continues to support community development in our islands, and this funding award will be key to these projects progressing to the next stage of development.
“The award of more than £1million to community projects in Harris will provide an incredible boost to the area and has the potential to deliver real transformational impacts. It is thanks to the hard work and dedication of board members, employees, and volunteers that community projects are successfully delivered. I would like to thank all those involved in securing this funding for their continued work.”
(The comment from CnES has been added since the report was first published.)
