Scottish island projects share £3m community boost

Thirteen projects across Scotland's islands share £3m for homes, skills and community hubs

Projects across 12 Scottish islands are sharing £3m for affordable homes, training facilities, community hubs, a permanent veterinary facility and other local infrastructure.

Grimsay community and heritage centre in the Outer Hebrides Image: Visit Outer Hebrides / Grimsay Community AssociationOriginal source

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Thirteen projects across 12 Scottish islands are sharing £3 million for practical intended to make island life easier to sustain.

The projects include two neglected buildings on Skye becoming multi-use community hubs with childcare, gym, arts and small-business space; a permanent veterinary facility on Tiree for local crofters; and expanded training facilities at UHI's Scalloway campus.

Grimsay Community receives the largest single award, £600,000, to strengthen its centre as a social, cultural and economic hub. Other awards support affordable homes on Lismore, a marine enterprise hub on Mull, road improvements on Rum and community facilities in Orkney and Shetland.

The Islands Programme has now distributed £22.7 million since 2021-22 through more than 100 awards across 57 islands. The individual projects are modest beside a national infrastructure budget, but on a small island a childcare room, vet clinic or training salon can remove a very specific reason somebody might otherwise have to leave.