Scottish Land Fund marks its 25th anniversary with record funding for communities across Scotland

Colonsay and Oronsay Heritage Trust will transform a business unit in Scalasaig into a heritage centre celebrating local history and culture with gallery, visitor centre and retail space.

Muckle Roe Community Enterprise has been given £293,340 to buy a crofting estate in Shetland, while Comunn Eachdraidh Nis (Ness Historical Society) will use its £12,592 award to buy four parcels of land on Lewis, enabling the museum to expand and meet growing demand from the community and visitors.

The groups are amongst 24 projects which have shared in £3,010,576 of support from the SLF, which is marking 25 years of helping communities to acquire the land and assets that matter to them.

Since 2001, the Scottish Land Fund has invested more than £138m of Scottish Government and National Lottery funding in 955 projects across Scotland.

The Fund has helped bring a wide range of assets into community ownership, from village shops, community centres and crofts to land for affordable housing, woodlands, pubs, cinemas and historic sites. Among them is the 5,000-year-old Tomb of the Eagles, purchased by South Ronaldsay and Burray Development Trust in 2025 with a £357,705 award from the Fund.

In total, the fund has supported the transfer of 853 assets into community ownership, covering 213,803 hectares of land and buildings across Scotland.

The Scottish Land Fund is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by The National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) 

Commenting on the impact of the Fund and of the current grants, Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs, said:

“For 25 years the Scottish Land Fund has helped communities realise their ambitions in providing vital services, protecting treasured landmarks and building sustainability into villages, towns and cities. This round, like so many before it, shows the breadth of ways this can be done – whether through providing much-needed housing, looking after people’s wellbeing or creating a focal point to the community.

“It is incredible to see how the fund has supported real change for so many people across Scotland and I look forward to seeing these projects develop and serve their communities. The Scottish Government has provided a total budget of £111m to the Scottish Land Fund since 2012.  A huge thank you must also go to staff at the National Lottery Community Fund and HIE, which has administered the fund and worked closely with community groups, helping to ensure it is a success.”

The awards are part of the largest ever funding round from the Scottish Land Fund as it marks 25 years of helping communities acquire the land and assets that matter to them.

Roddy John Campbell, chairperson of Comunn Eachdraidh Nis said: "The board of Comunn Eachdraidh Nis wish to express their gratitude to the Scottish Land Fund for this award. This will enable us to further develop the centre, ensuring it meets the future needs of the community and visitors to the area."

Sandra Holmes, head of community assets at HIE, said: “The 25th anniversary of the Scottish Land Fund is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the difference community ownership makes across Scotland. Over the years, it has helped communities create jobs, provide affordable housing, safeguard vital local services, and develop new facilities, bringing lasting benefits to people and places.

 Read more in SLF’s news release