£61.5m for community, business and environmental projects in rural Scotland

£61.5m has been awarded to community, business and environmental projects in some of Scotland's most remote rural areas.

The funding is part of the latest Rural Priorities funding round and will help create or safeguard at least 1600 jobs in more than 300 projects across the country, encouraging sustainable economic growth in rural areas.

A number of high quality applications are being further assessed to ensure they contribute to national outcomes and deliver maximum benefit.

Projects approved in this round include The Speyside Trust, which is a small independent charity helping children and adults with learning difficulties and other special needs to enjoy holidays. The Speyside Trust will receive £472,464 in Rural Priorities funding to repair drainage and improve over 20 kilometres of track surface, eliminating ongoing damage from water erosion.

The project will help to preserve this important historic site for continued enjoyment by locals and visitors to the area.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead said: "A diverse range of valuable community, business and environmental projects will benefit in the coming years from the latest awards under our Rural Development Programme."

"The Scottish Government has ensured the maximum amount of funding is available to the widest range of recipients possible in this funding round, despite budget cuts imposed by the UK Government."

Further information:
Scottish Government