NINE projects across Scotland have been awarded grants by the Crown Estate which are transforming "underused and dilapidated properties".
The projects receiving funding include the renovation of a disused Orkney lighthouse to become a visitor centre, the repurposing of a former Kirkcudbright police station into a support centre for autistic young people and the restoration of a historic Art Deco lido in Aberdeenshire to support tourism.
The Community Capacity Grants are part of Crown Estate Scotland’s Sustainable Communities Fund which has, since its launch in 2020, distributed more than £1.7 million to projects across the country.
The grants seek to provide early-stage interventions supporting projects that may otherwise struggle to secure initial funding.
Here is a list of the projects receiving funding:
- Friends of Tarlair Community Group (Aberdeenshire): £43.9k. To support design drawings for final stage of restoration of a landmark historic coastal Art Deco lido and outdoor swimming pool.
- Tiree Community Development Trust (Argyll and Bute): £23k. Towards a feasibility study for redevelopment of local harbour and creation of a community storage facility.
- Arrochar & Tarbert Community Development Trust (Argyll and Bute): £48.5k. Help to provide public toilets in a popular coastal tourist spot.
- Scalpay Community Association (Eilean Siar): £38.5k. Redevelopment of a heritage centre which will utilise renewable energy sources and provide improved tourist facilities.
- Torridon District Community Association (Highland): £20k. Support for economic development in the form of a new campsite.
- Coigach Community Development Company (Highland): £42.5k. Towards RIBA Stage 4 costs (architectural drawings, building warrants etc) for 10 community-owned affordable homes.
- Cumbrae Community Development Company (North Ayrshire Council): £29.5k. To enable development of a business plan and procurement support for a community bid to operate Millport Marina.
- North Ronaldsay Trust (Orkney): £20k. Support for the repurposing of a lighthouse engine room as a community facility, with plans for a café, gift shop, and visitor centre.
- Resonate: Creating Communities (Dumfries and Galloway): £31k. Transformation of a former police station in Kirkcudbright to become a mental health support centre for autistic young people.
Catherine Phillips, founder of Resonate: Creating Communities told of her gratitude for Crown Estate Scotland in believing in the project.
“Having this support at this stage of the project is absolutely vital to assist with initial costs, and will not only provide practical financial assistance, but will also help in our efforts to attract more funders to give us their backing," Phillips said.
She added: “This Community Capacity Grant funding has given everyone involved in the project a huge boost, as well as the confidence to help us move forward. We are convinced that this will be an amazing project and one which will benefit many young people across the local community."
Pat Wain, chair of Friends of Tarlair Pool, echoed: “This funding will help complete the final stage in a restoration project for one of Scotland’s most iconic coastal Art Deco outdoor swimming pools. Having finished work on the pavilion, terraces, and inner boating pool, this money from Crown Estate Scotland will help us to bring back to life the main swimming pool – the focus of the whole complex.
“Having opened in the 1930s and having been enjoyed by thousands of people until the 1990s, we cannot wait to welcome back members of the public who we are sure will be as impressed as we have been by this beautiful community resource.”
Penny Coles, head of partnerships with Crown Estate Scotland, said: “This latest round of funding awards – the fifth since the Sustainable Communities Fund was launched – features projects which all demonstrate an ambition to make a tangible and lasting improvement to local people and visitors alike.
“We at Crown Estate Scotland are excited to be supporting the delivery of such important and positive projects which will help bring about improvements to the lives and economies of communities across Scotland.”
