Funding approved for Argyll and Bute island tourism projects

Tiree
Susan Thomson
Monday 31 March 2025 - 15:33

Three tourism projects in Argyll and Bute’s island communities have received funding from the Scottish Government’s Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF).

The projects were selected from 11 proposals under the Argyll and Bute Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development (STID) Plan, initially developed by local groups and charities across nine islands.

The approved projects, which will enhance tourism facilities, include:

  • Bute Forest: Development of a new arrival point, car park, and additional amenities for the forest, managed by Bute Community Land Company—the largest community land buy-out in Scotland.

  • Hynish Trust (Tiree): Expansion of parking, site organization, and improved signage at the 19th-century Hynish Lighthouse Shore Station. Following its transfer to the Tiree community in 2024, the Hynish Trust now leads the project.

  • RSPB Loch Gruinart Nature Reserve (Islay): Expansion of parking, along with new toilet facilities and an arrival point for this popular wildlife reserve.

Launched by VisitScotland, the RTIF aims to alleviate the challenges posed by increased visitor numbers in fragile areas. Since its inception, Argyll and Bute Council has secured £1.98m from the fund for various projects, including a council-led initiative at Fionnphort.

The STID Plan, supported by VisitScotland, provides up to £35,000 per proposal to prepare projects for full RTIF funding. Awards for larger-scale initiatives (2025–27) range from £150,000 to £900,000.

Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess, Policy Lead for Business Development, emphasized the balance between boosting tourism and protecting island communities and environments. He noted that these projects, developed through extensive local consultation, aim to enhance facilities at key tourism sites.

He said:

“Maximising our tourism offering is a top priority but we also have to remain mindful of the impact which increased numbers of visitors can have on our island communities and the local environment.

“Each of the projects in the STID Plan have grown out of extensive consultation with people and organisations within local communities and, in taking forward these three projects, we will be able to enhance and upgrade facilities at some of our most attractive island tourism areas.”