News story

Coastal Communities Fund: nearly £10m funding for Scotland’s coastline

27 coastal towns and villages across Scotland will benefit from £9.58m of UK government funding through the Coastal Communities Fund.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Scottish coastline

Tighean Innse Gall receives £497,419 to support and improve energy efficiency and promote the use of renewables for B & B's, self catering and small tourism related businesses throughout the Western Isles. It will also promote the islands as an eco-tourism destination "The Energy Isles - Low carbon tourism in the Outer Hebrides".

As part of the third round of the government’s £116.6m Coastal Communities Fund – which has already contributed £7.6m to coastal areas across Scotland – communities from Stranraer to Shetland will receive funding for projects to improve the local economy, tourism, transport and the natural environment, creating hundreds of jobs.

Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said:

“I created the Coastal Communities Fund because, as someone who grew up on a small island, I know how much difference targeted investment can make to people’s lives. It’s already supported scores of coastal communities throughout Scotland.

“Projects benefitting from the latest round of funding include redeveloping Rothesay Pavilion, creating a new Submarine Museum in Helensburgh, and restoring the harbour at Carbost in Skye. Overall, hundreds of communities across Scotland and the rest of the UK will benefit, creating jobs and making sure that some of our most remote and fragile communities share in the economic recovery.”

Coastal Communities Minister Penny Mordaunt said:

“These fantastic projects demonstrate the creativity, enterprise and passion needed to help seaside towns become year round destinations that people are proud to live and work in.

“This Government is determined to help our coastal towns thrive and this money will help them tap into new businesses, boost skills and create jobs that will benefit the community and wider area.”

£36 million has also been allocated to projects across England.

Download a full list of the projects that have received funding, on the Big Lottery Fund’s website.

Our interactive map has further information on each of the projects.

Screenshot of Coastal Communities fund interactive map
Published 26 January 2015