A total of over £96 million has just been allocated from the Rural Priorities scheme within the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP).

The funding from this round alone will create or sustain more than 200 jobs in Scotland, bringing the total investment approved to date to £257.8 million.

Out of the recent allocation, £6.4 million is coming to projects on Argyll – aimed at supporting economic recovery and fighting climate change.

Three of the Argyll projects supported are:

• £747,964 grant to Tarbert and Skipness Community Trust:  to remove vegetation and secure the masonry structure of Tarbert Castle, in addition to restoring public access to the castle and its surrounding grounds. The 13th century castle is of great archaeological significance and a good example of how the centralised royal power influenced the Gaelic Western seaboard at the time. In addition to creating up to five FTE jobs over four years and engaging the community in their cultural heritage, the project will also add value to the recently established Kintyre Way long distance route and associated economic tourism benefits.
• £641,000 to Arrochar and Tarbert Development Trust: to develop a pontoon and visitor centre with toilets, shower and launderette facilities at Arrochar at Loch Long. This will attract visitors to the area by opening up marine access to the Loch. The facilities will be used by visiting ships like the Waverley, public transport providers, kayaks and yachts and is pivotal to encouraging marine access.
• £86,329 to Isle of Coll Nature reserve: to ensure the proper management of the site and increase the important population of breeding waders by extensive winter cattle grazing of wet grassland. Over 200 species of flowering plant, including 10 species of orchids are found on the Coll nature reserve, a large proportion of which are found in the machair and dunes. Three species of rare bees also occur in the area and the grant will go towards maintaining their habitat. The plan will support breeding pairs of corncrakes on the island.