Health and wellbeing

Homeowners can now apply for a standalone grant of £7,500 from the Home Energy Scotland Scheme to install heat pumps. Previously, applicants were required to sign up for a loan before they qualified for this funding, but can now access the money directly.

The new approach is designed to offer greater flexibility for those looking to make their homes more climate-friendly.

Today sees the publication of analysis of a consultation into a proposed Scottish Circular Economy Bill – ‘Delivering Scotland's circular economy: Proposed Circular Economy Bill - Consultation analysis’.

The cost of living crisis is being felt across most households in the country. If you are finding it difficult to cover household costs such as energy bills or paying your rent, make sure you find out what support and advice is available for you and your family.

A new drive has been launched to develop Scotland’s green heat sector and ensure the right people, skills and technology are in place to make homes and buildings warmer, greener and cheaper to run.

Scotland’s rural and island communities can share their lived experiences of the cost of living crisis directly on a new public web portal launched today (Tuesday 8 November).

The Rural Exchange portal has been developed by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) to give a voice to people living and working in rural and island areas.

Naturescot are consulting about a future National Park for Scotland as part of the the Scottish Government's commit to designation of at least one new National Park during the lifetime of the current Scottish Parliament. 

It is almost 20 years since Scotland’s first two National Parks were created:

An islands researcher is looking to hear from people who used to live on a Scottish island and who have other long term island connections. Kirsten Gow, herself based on the Isle of Jura, has developed a survey in a bid to understand how people stay connected to island life whilst living elsewhere, and what part islanders who live off-island could play a part in the future of island life.

The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund was established in 2021 with £15 million allocated to support mental health and wellbeing in communities across Scotland. On 7th May 2022 it was announced that the fund will continue for another year.

The majesty and beauty of Scotland’s landscape and outdoor spaces are a magnet for visitors from all over the UK and the wider world.

Access rights under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 make Scotland support freedoms to access the land and wild camp rarely matched elsewhere in the world. These access rights bring considerable benefits to the public, and enable visitors to Scotland to connect even more meaningfully to nature and the outdoors.