Three exciting tourism projects in Argyll and Bute’s island communities are being taken forward for a new round of applications to the Scottish Government’s Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF).
The projects are part of a package of 11 Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development (STID) proposals initially developed by local community groups or charities across nine of the region’s islands.
Three of those submitted have now registered an interest in proceeding and progression towards RTIF funding applications for these was approved at a meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure committee. They include:
- Bute Forest – a new arrival point, car park and additional facilities for the forest, which is owned by Bute Community Land Company, the largest community buy-out of privately owned land in Scotland
- Hynish Trust – site organisation, car park expansion and improved signage for the 19th century Hynish Lighthouse Shore Station on Tiree. In June 2024, the Hebridean Trust gifted the site to the Tiree community, and the Hynish Trust was formed to take the project forward
- RSPB Loch Gruinart Nature Reserve – car park expansion, arrival point and toilet facilities for Islay’s nature reserve which offers signposted trails and provides habitats for a wide range of Hebridean birds and other wildlife
Launched by the Scottish Government via VisitScotland, the RTIF aims to help tackle pressures from increased numbers of tourists in fragile areas.
Argyll and Bute Council has, to date, successfully secured £1.98m of funding from RTIF for a number of projects, including a council-led development at Fionnphort.
VisitScotland introduced a small fund - the Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development (STID) fund - to help develop projects before submission for full RTIF support where up to £35k could be awarded to each STID application.
The STID Plan is a pipeline of project proposals, many of which could start almost immediately subject to finance being available. Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund awards for 2025-27 are available from £150,000 up to £900,000 for larger or multi-site projects.
The council’s Policy Lead for Business Development, Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess, 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 hope to be able to enhance and upgrade facilities at some of our most attractive island tourism areas.”
