COMMUNITY groups have been given the opportunity to take over local projects with £1.6 million of funding from the Scottish Land Fund.
The grants, funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership with the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, will be split between organisations across the country.
It is hoped the cash will help communities become more resilient and sustainable through ownership and management of land and assets.
One of the beneficiaries is North Edinburgh Arts (NEA) group, which has been given £156,000 to buy its current premises in Muirhouse.
It intends to extend and upgrade the building to create more space for additional enterprise units and a larger cafe.
The Blackwood Estate Community Association plans to use its £67,000 grant to take ownership of 65 acres of ancient woodland in South Lanarkshire.
READ MORE: Community ownership call for Monument to 'protect legacy of William Wallace'
It hopes to safeguard the woodland for future generations, as well as improving access for residents of nearby villages.
Victoria Connick, treasurer and secretary for the group, said: “This will bring 65 acres of ancient woodland into community ownership, providing greater public access, a dedicated outdoor learning space and a range of opportunities for further projects, volunteering, training and employment.”
In Dumfries and Galloway, Kirkcolm Community Trust has received £53,000 to buy and re-open the village shop and use it as a community hub.
Ian Morral, a spokesman for the community group, said the trust was delighted to have its application approved.
“This will enable us to develop the building for use as a community hub, facilities that we hope to offer are a large area for functions and meetings, a cafe and shop and local craft display area which will also double up as a smaller meeting area,” he said.
Land Reform Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said the grants “will go towards projects that will provide locals with better access to green space, encourage wildlife and support community business”.
John Watt, Scottish Land Fund Committee chairman, added: “Groups from all across Scotland are making a real impact to their communities with a wide range of ambitious projects that deliver tangible benefits to the people who live there, and the Scottish Land Fund is delighted to be able to support them.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here