Welcome to the Scottish Rural Network COVID-19 Information Hub. This hub was set up in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and will be updated regularly with the latest official guidance, helpful resources, funding support and news relevant to Scotland's rural communities.

If you are looking for more advice relating to agriculture and farming then please visit the COVID-19 page on ruralpayments.org

If you cannot find the answer you are looking for in the information below, then please get in touch with us at info@ruralnetwork.scot

Click on the links below to jump to a section

• Coronavirus guidance from Scottish Government
• Sector Specific Guidance & Support
• Community Support and Funding
• Business Support and Funding
• Third Sector Funding
• Wellbeing & Mental Health Support
• Other Useful Links

Coronavirus guidance from Scottish Government

Scotland has moved out of the levels system. Everyone should continue to act carefully and remain cautious.

To stay safe you should:

• get the vaccine when you are offered it
• wear a face covering, clean hands and surfaces regularly
• self isolate and take a PCR test if you have symptoms
• take regular tests if you don’t have symptoms to reduce the risk of spreading the virus
• meet outside if you can, and open windows when indoors
• keep your distance from people not in your group
• work from home, or do a mixture of home and office working if possible
• use the Protect Scotland and Check-in Scotland apps

Sector Specific Guidance & Support

• Advice for pet and livestock owners
• Guidance for the Tourism and Hospitality Sector
• Travel and transport guidance
• Live events sector
• Scotland Food & Drink Coronavirus Information Hub
• Information on the Forestry & Timber sector from CONFOR
• Find more guidance on the gov.scot website

Community Support & Funding 

• Communities Recovery Fund
• Community and Third Sector Recovery Programme
• Scottish Government Supporting Communities Fund - this fund is issued through anchor organisations and is not available for applications. You can see a list of the organisations supported so far here.
• Connecting Scotland
• Resilience planning information from Ready Scotland
• ScotPHO COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Map

Business Support & Funding

For information on business support funding available through the Scottish Government, you can visit the FindBusinessSupport.gov.scot website. 

Funding and support available through the UK Government;

• Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
• Self-employment and Universal Credit
• Self-employment Income Support Scheme
• UK Government business support finder tool

Other funding and support available;

• Growbiz is an independent, community-based organisation with charitable status, providing support to anyone starting, running or growing a rural business. They are increasing their support during the COVID-19 crisis and are open to any small or micro-business in Perthshire or other parts of rural Scotland.
• Crowdfunder UK 'Pay it Forward' Scheme

​Third Sector Funding & Information

• SCVO Coronavirus Third Sector Information Hub
• COVID-19 Resource centre for non-profit organisations

Wellbeing & Mental Health Support

• RSABI Helpline - 0300 111 4166
• Clear Your Head - practical tips on looking after your mental wellbeing
• Support in Mind Scotland
• National Rural Mental Health Forum
• Support for victims of Domestic Violence

Other useful links

• News from Scottish Government
• Information and support for Parents
• Support for older people
• Age UK - for older people, their families and their carers