Fife and Angus LEADER host Estonian group

Angus and Fife LEADER had the pleasure of hosting a study party from North-Harju, Estonia, to share ideas and inspiration for local rural development projects. 

The Estonian party of 22 delegates was drawn from members of their LEADER LAG, which is involved with rural development at enterprise or community level. They were here for three days and had the opportunity to visit a range of our projects.

Fife LEADER hosted the first day of project visits at Tayport, in North-East Fife. The group met the lead applicant and visited the site of a project working to improve salt marsh coastal habitat as part of an innovative, natural coastal defence approach.

They then visited the Tayport Harbour where the Harbour Trust explained their project to improve access to the pontoons to increase visitor and local use. This was followed by cups of tea (it was a chilly day!) and home baking in the Harbour Café, which received LEADER funding in the last programme. The group then headed north over the Tay Bridge to Dundee and a welcoming dinner later that evening.

On the second day we received our guests at Newton of Fotheringham Farm in Angus. Newton has done significant development of their farm and does lovely farm tours. Thereafter, we went to Kirriemuir where there are several LEADER-funded local projects for regeneration and enterprise. The afternoon was spent at Murton Farm who were recently granted an award for a Rural Skills Centre. Last but not least we went to Hatton of Ogilvy Farm who make innovative premium Scottish potato vodka and are applying for a LEADER grant to fund a Visitor Centre and Tasting Experience. Our visitors got the chance to taste their vodka which was, of course, very much appreciated.

The last day of their visit we spent the morning doing a guided tour at the premier local visitor attraction, Glamis Castle, and then concluded the trip with a networking afternoon at Hospitalfield, Arbroath, to create further opportunities for follow-up projects with North-Harju. Each of the Estonian delegates did a small presentation of who they are and what they do. The presentations were followed by cooperation discussions between North-Harju and Angus LEADER and other invited guests. The study visit was very well received by our Estonian guests and we are hopeful that it will lead to more cooperation in the future.

Visit the Angus LEADER website.

Visit the Fife LEADER website.

More about LEADER across Scotland

You can find out about LEADER across Scotland in the LEADER section of our website, where you can also submit an Expression of Interest form if you have an idea for a project.

And watch our short film below to find out more about six inspiring projects that received funding in the LEADER 2007-2013 programme.

Scottish LEADER programme from ScottishRuralNetwork on Vimeo.