Highlands and Islands projects awarded Scottish Land Fund support

Glenuig Community Inn Limited has received £352,800 to buy the Glenuig Inn and associated buildings in Lochaber, which it has been leasing since March 2025. It will continue running and developing the site as a community hub, restaurant and accommodation to create an inclusive community events space.

Friends of Fearn Abbey have been awarded £93,600 to reopen the former Church of Scotland building in Tain, which has its roots as one of the oldest pre-reformation churches in the country, as a space for social gatherings, performance and life events.

Glenelg and Arnisdale Development Trust has been given £92,239 to acquire a shop with a store building (used for stock) on the main street of Glenelg, Kyle, retaining it for the benefit of the community.

The grants are among 10 across Scotland totalling £1,453,569 announced today by the Scottish Land Fund.

SLF is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), both of which have extensive experience of helping communities to acquire and develop their assets for over a decade.

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary, Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, said:

 “Vibrant community spaces are the lifeblood of our towns and villages - places where people can meet, access services, and simply enjoy being together. The latest awards from the Scottish Land Fund will deliver exactly that; welcoming, reliable facilities offering childcare, recreation and wider opportunities for local people. I warmly congratulate each successful project and look forward to seeing the benefits they will bring to their communities in the years ahead.”

Cara Gillespie, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said: “The focus of this round of SLF funding has been on providing groups with the funds to secure spaces where they can come together as communities in both rural and urban locations, forging social ties and helping to meet local needs.”

Sandra Holmes, head of community assets at HIE, said: “The successful projects announced today across Scotland are all great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities. Glenelg and Arnisdale Development Trust, for example, will acquire the village shop and store building in the village thanks to an award of £92,239. This will secure a vital local service, support economic activity, and maintain a much-valued gathering place for residents and visitors alike.

“All these projects will help retain population, attract visitors and create jobs. Ownership will give community groups greater control over important assets that will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come. We wish all the successful groups the very best in their new ventures.”

Peter Langhorne, Director, Glenuig Community Inn, said:"This is just wonderful news. We will now be able to buy the Inn which we have been leasing and operating for the last four months. The Glenuig community has a long history of developing and managing community assets but this really is the 'cherry on the cake.”

John Scott, Friends of Fearn Abbey, said: “When we received the news that we had been successful in our bid for funding from The Scottish Land Fund we were overwhelmed, our small volunteer group has been working on the project to secure Fearn Abbey (The Lamp of The North)  for future generations and this news will allow us to turn dreams into reality”

Ewan Kerr, Director, Glenelg & Arnisdale Development Trust, said: “We’re thrilled to receive support from the Scottish Land Fund. Our community shop is a vital lifeline for residents in this remote area, and this funding secures a stable and sustainable future for the service we all rely on."

Other groups receiving funding are:

Alloa Community Shed

Award  £185,800

Alloa Community Shed will purchase Marshill House in Alloa town centre to provide a space for people to learn and connect, to improve wellbeing and reduce social isolation.  The space will offer lessons in DIY and act as a community hub for local people. 

Avich & Kilchrenan Community Heritables

Award  £45,040

Avich & Kilchrenan Community Heritables will purchase two churches, at Dalavich and Kilchrenan, to operate as complimentary community spaces.  The two hubs will cater for a variety of existing and new community activity and will also form part of a proposed Christian and clan heritage trail.

Balerno Village Trust

Award £239,005

Balerno Village Trust will acquire Balerno Police Station in Balerno. The group will create a vibrant community hub that is accessible for all ages and stages of life. The hub will provide smaller community spaces for hire, after school care, and support for youth activities.

Polmont Community Hub

Award £82,001

Polmont Community Hub SCIO (PCH) will purchase Polmont Community Hub and the surrounding greenspace.  The group currently operate the space, and acquisition will allow for continued use by local community groups, a playgroup, and a venue for events. 

Rousay, Egilsay & Wyre Development Trust

Award  £198,658

Rousay, Egilsay & Wyre Development Trust will purchase three parcels of land close to the shoreland on Rousay, Orkney, close to the islands’ only pier. This will enable the group to create a multi-phased project to deliver facilities for the community, promote tourism, visitor accommodation and a community-led island marina.

Spark

Award £63,961

Spark will acquire the former library premises of Beatlie School Campus, Livingston. The group will continue to deliver a service supporting socially isolated people in Craigshill and South Howden. In addition they will create a collaborative third-sector hub where organisations share resources and support joint initiatives.

Barthol Chapel Community Hub

Award £100,465

They acquire the former church near Tarves in Aberdeenshire, which it will then develop into a flexible, multi-use community space for venue hire, sports activities and life events. In addition, there will be a community cafe and the group will host exhibitions and concerts in the space.