£35.7 million for rural Scotland

A ski complex in Newmilns creating eight new jobs and a woodland mountain biking area in Grantown are among 300 projects approved in the latest round of Rural Priorities.

A young farmer’s cattle business in Gartocharn and a micro-brewery in Cromarty also have been given the green light.

In total the £35.7 million investment will safeguard 400 jobs and create 500 new jobs across rural Scotland. The funding supports a range of business development measures and helps tackle some of the Scottish Government’s key priorities by enhancing biodiversity, increasing renewable energy and reducing the effects of climate change.

This new round of funding brings the total number of projects approved by Rural Priorities to 4,850 since the scheme’s launch in 2008, worth some £378 million.

Rural Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

"By investing a further £35.7 million in rural Scotland we are providing welcome support to our economy, helping to create new businesses and kick-start a wide range of projects to tackle climate change and enhance biodiversity.

"The creation of a further 500 new jobs across the country gives a much-needed boost to local rural communities. This is essential in times of economic uncertainty, when financial challenges become increasingly difficult.

"Since its launch in 2008, Rural Priorities has now approved 4,850 projects, worth some £378 million. The scheme has also created thousands of new jobs in our rural communities.

"Hundreds of projects are now complete, and recent changes made to Rural Priorities will allow the scheme to sustain momentum and continue to deliver for Scotland in the future."

This is the eighth round of approvals from Rural Priorities. Funding awarded will provide both environmental and business support, with some funding paid over the course of several years to ensure the projects are properly maintained.