Closer links between communities in the Highlands and Islands and the Heritage Lottery Fund are set to be forged through a new strategic partnership.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has joined forces with the UK-wide fund to create a new post of Heritage Lottery development officer.

The move provides a point of contact between the fund's Scottish office in Edinburgh and potential applicants and funding partners across a large, sparsely-populated area which stretches from Shetland to Argyll.

Helen Macdonald, who has been appointed to the new post, says she aims both to improve the fund's awareness of strategic issues affecting the Highlands and Islands and to help local communities and organisations to prepare and submit applications which meet the right criteria.

Originally from Stornoway, Helen was previously a community education officer with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.  She will be employed by cultural development agency HI-Arts and based in its office in Inverness, but expects to spend much of her time meeting local people across the Highlands and Islands.

John Watt, acting director of strengthening communities with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said heritage projects could do a great deal to support both social and economic development.

"Culture and heritage are at the heart of what makes a strong community, so the HIE network is very pleased to be launching this new strategic partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund," said Mr Watt.

"What the new post will enable us to do is to plan ahead on a strategic basis, making sure we identify those projects which can really help to boost community confidence and improve quality of life."

Colin McLean, the Heritage Lottery Fund's Manager for Scotland, adds:

"We are committed to reaching out to communities in the North of Scotland to let them know how they could benefit from Heritage Lottery Fund grants. We are sure there are local organisations that are unaware that projects they are planning qualify for our support.

"We want to let them know that we are interested in preserving more than castles and works of art as our heritage also includes, for example, our language, customs and natural heritage. We are also keen to support projects that benefit people through better access, education or involvement, and benefit communities through tourism, employment, and regeneration.

"The appointment of Helen Macdonald will give us the extra resource to spread this word. She will also work closely with groups to help them through the process of applying for grants.  Helen has experience and expertise to make sure the North of Scotland makes the most of what we as an organisation can offer."

A graduate of Strathclyde University, Helen says it was her pride in the heritage and culture of the area which led her to return to the Highlands and Islands after completing her degree.

"The heritage of the Highlands and Islands is amazingly diverse and deserves to be celebrated by local people as well as visitors," she explained.

"The work of the Heritage Lottery Fund can make a real difference to people's lives and help to breathe new life into communities.

"A very wide range of projects will be able to seek assistance, from buildings and relics to oral history and traditional music.  I'd be delighted to hear from any organisation in the Highlands and Islands which might wish to submit an application, or simply find out more about how to apply."

* Helen Macdonald can be contacted by phone on 01463 720897.  More information about the Heritage Lottery Fund is also available on the internet at www.hlf.org.uk