£5m Award For Highlands & Islands Tourism
2nd January 2020
Nine projects in the Highlands and Islands will share a £5 million European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) award to promote the outstanding scenery, wildlife and culture of the Highlands and Islands, Scottish Tourism & Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced.
The funding has been awarded through the Natural Cultural and Heritage Fund, led by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Ms Hyslop announced the grants after visiting Wildlife Watch Abernethy.
The project has received just over £252,000 from the Natural Cultural and Heritage Fund, which will create three new, local jobs as well as extend the opening season and improve the visitor experience at Loch Garten, so more people can enjoy the nature reserve and learn about conservation in the Cairngorms.
The area has also recently featured in the BBC Autumnwatch programme and has been promoted by VisitScotland as a key spot for wildlife watching.
The RSPB will install new information panels at the centre and on the surrounding woodland trails, expand and extend vehicle parking, and develop a programme of talks, walks and activities.
The Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund invests in projects in the Highlands and Islands which improve the experience of visitors exploring the region's nature and culture.
Multiple attractions along the country's famed North Coast 500 will benefit including a new visitor centre and improved car parking facility at Corrieshalloch Gorge Gateway to Nature. Strathnaver Museum in North West Sutherland will also be renovated and refurbished into a leading heritage hub in the region.
Ms Hyslop said:"Tourism is a major part of the Highland and Island's economies and it's essential that its social and economic benefits are shared as widely as possible. That's why I’m pleased to announce the successful applicants for grants from the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund to improve their experience for visitors.
"This fund will create jobs and help projects in remote areas, like Wildlife Watch Abernethy, to enhance their offer to the millions of people who visit the region every year. Thanks to support from the European Regional Development Fund, the wonderful landscapes, nature and culture of the Highlands and Islands will welcome new visitors in a way that is sustainable and creates long-term benefits for local communities."
Francesca Osowska, SNH Chief Executive, added: "A key priority for SNH is to help ensure tourism and other sectors benefit from, and invest in, Scotland’s high quality environment.
"Nature and culture are closely linked in the Highlands & Islands, and in many places they are central to the local economy, maintaining rural populations, jobs and skills. These nine innovative projects can bring significant benefits to more rural communities for years to come, giving visitors even more to enjoy in these iconic areas of Scotland."
Uwe Stoneman, Senior Site Manager for RSPB Abernethy nature reserve, said:"Loch Garten has been at the heart of tourism and nature in the highlands for the last 60 years. We are very grateful for this funding which will enable us to continue to showcase the importance of this special forest along with the history of its ospreys for decades to come, bringing benefits to the local community and contributing to tourism in the Cairngorms National Park and beyond."
Other projects to receive funding include:
West Highland College UHI - The Coast that Shaped the World (£350,371) - This project will develop a website, app and programme of digital exhibitions along the west coast of Scotland. Stories of coastal communities will convey how maritime cultural, and natural, heritage helped to shape the world. Local stories will be mapped and gathered, creating a website and app to inspire potential visitors.
Trees for Life, Dundreggan Rewilding Centre (£714,000) - The project will create a hub where people can experience an ancient pinewood with unique juniper forest, discover Gaelic history and learn about rewilding. It will feature interpretation about Dundreggan’s natural heritage, engagement with Gaelic culture, forest play facilities, accessible trails, walks and trails, learning, outdoor events, indoor study and research and improvements to the wider natural heritage.
National Trust Scotland, Corrieshalloch Gorge Gateway to Nature (£923,000) - A new visitor centre will form a gateway to Corrieshalloch Gorge and the Falls of Measach. The project will also improve and expand car parking and develop new path networks with wayfinding and signage.
Lews Castle College UHI, UVAP- Uibhist Virtual Archaeology Project (£271,000) - This project will create a series of augmented reality experiences and mixed-media exhibitions for seven archaeological sites along the Hebridean Way walking route.
NW Mull Community Woodland Company, Storas Ulbha (£813,000) - Ulva Cultural Heritage Project - Ulva House will be conserved and refurbished as a visitor centre. A research project with the University of the Highlands and Islands will investigate the story of the people of Ulva and the wider impact they have had on the world. The project will also develop a website, restore Ulva House Garden with volunteers, and create a self-catering flat.
Kilmartin Museum Company Ltd, Kilmartin Museum extension and development (£700,000) - This project will renovate Kilmartin Museum into a fit-for-purpose visitor attraction and learning centre by remodelling the existing buildings and adding an extension. Improved visitor facilities will include a re-modelled shop, an overflow car park, and outdoor and digital interpretation.
Strathnaver Museum (£650,000) - This project will refurbish and renovate Strathnaver Museum as a heritage hub for North Scotland. It will improve the physical condition of the historic church which houses the current museum; improve the visitor experience and secure the condition and integrity of the collection; extend outreach work across the area; increase the services offered on site; increase the number of staff; and secure the future of the museum by improving the sustainability of the organisation by improving the retail and research spaces.
Access to Orkney Heritage (£273,420) - This Orkney Islands Council project will create greater access to heritage sites and assets across the smaller isles of the Orkney archipelago. The project will also improve interpretation information about the sites and create dedicated trails and routes that have been developed to encapsulate the main heritage locations of each isle.
Funding for the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund comes from the Scottish Government’s European Regional Development Fund programme, with match funding from other sources, including charitable trusts, public and voluntary sector contributions, bringing overall investment to more than £7m.
PHOTO
Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop at Loch Garten Reserve.
Maoineachadh luach £5m airson turasachd sa Ghàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan
Thèid maoineachadh ERDF (Maoin Leasachaidh Roinneil na h-Eòrpa/European Regional Development Fund) luach £5 millean a roinn eadar naoi pròiseactan anns a’ Ghàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan, airson àrainneachd, fiadh-bheatha is cultar na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean a bhrosnachadh, a-rèir Rùnaire na Turasachd is a’ Chultair, Fiona Hyslop.
Chaidh am maoineachadh a thabhann tron Mhaoin Dualchais Nàdarra is Chultarail, a th’ air a lìbhrigeadh le Dualchas Nàdair na h-Alba/Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Dh’fhoillsich a’ Bh.-uas. Hyslop fios mun mhaoineachadh an dèidh dhi tadhal air Wildlife Watch Obar Neithich.
Tha am pròiseact air còrr is £252,000 fhaighinn bhon Mhaoin Dualchais Nàdarra is Chultarail, thèid trì dreuchdan ùra ionadail a chruthachadh agus thèid an seusan fosglaidh a dhèanamh nas fhaide is tursan an luchd-tadhail a thoirt am feabhas aig Loch Ghartain gus an urrainn do bharrachd dhaoine tlachd fhaighinn às an tèarmann nàdair is barrachd ionnsachadh mu ghlèidhteachas air a’ Mhonadh Ruadh.
Nochd an sgìre air Autumnwatch air a’ BhBC o chionn ghoirid agus tha VisitScotland air a bhith ga cur air adhart mar sàr àite airson fiadh-bheatha fhaicinn.
Cuiridh RSPB pannalan fiosrachaidh ùr an sàs aig an ionad agus air na slighean coille, thèid parcadh a leudachadh agus thèid prògram de dh’òraidean, cuairtean is gnìomhan eile a dhealbhadh.
Bidh a’ Mhaoin Dualchais Nàdarra is Chultarail a’ maoineachadh phròiseactan anns a’ Ghàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan a chuireas ri tursan an luchd-tadhail a thig a dh’fhaicinn nàdar is cultar na sgìre.
Gheibh iomadh àite air slighe ainmeil North Coast 500 buannachd às, a leithid ionad turasachd ùr agus goireasan parcaidh ùra aig Coire Shalach. Thèid Taigh-tasgaidh Shrath Nabhair an ceann a tuath Chataibh a sgeadachadh is a dhealbhadh às ùr mar phrìomh ionad turasachd na sgìre cuideachd.
Thuirt a’ Bh.-Uas. Hyslop:"Tha turasachd na pàirt riatanach do dh’eaconamaidh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean agus feumar na buannachdan sòisealta is eaconamach na lùib a sgaoileadh cho farsaing ’s a ghabhas. ’S e sin as adhbhar gu bheil mi toilichte a bhith a’ gairm nan tagraichean a shoirbhich le tabhartasan bhon Mhaoin Dualchais Nàdarra is Chultarail airson tursan an luchd-tadhail a thoirt am feabhas.
“Bidh a’ mhaoin seo a’ cruthachadh dhreuchdan agus a’ cuideachadh phròiseactan ann an sgìrean iomallach, a leithid Wildlife Watch Obar Neithich, airson an dèanamh nas tarraingiche do na milleanan de dhaoine a bhios a’ tadhal air an sgìre a h-uile bliadhna. Cuiridh àrainneachdan, nàdar is cultar iongantach an àite fàilte air luchd-tadhail ùr ann an dòigh a tha seasmhach is a bheir seachad buannachdan maireannach do choimhearsnachdan ionadail air sgàth taic Maoin Leasachaidh Roinneil na h-Eòrpa."
Thuirt Àrd-oifigear SNH, Francesca Osowska: “Tha e mar phrìomhachas do SNH gun dearbhaich sinn gum faigh turasachd agus roinnean eile buannachd agus gun cuirear ri sàr àrainneachd na h-Alba.
"Tha nàdar is cultar ceangailte gu dlùth anns a’ Ghàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan agus ann an iomadh àite tha iad riatanach do dh’eaconamaidh na sgìre agus airson sluaghan, dreuchdan is sgilean ionadail a ghleidheadh. Thèid aig na naoi pròiseactan ùr-ghnàthach seo buannachdan mòra a thoirt do choimhearsnachdan ionadail fad iomadh bliadhna ri teachd agus barrachd a thoirt seachad gus am faigh luchd-tadhail barrachd tlachd às na ceàrnaidhean iongantach seo de dh’Alba."
Thuirt an t-Àrd-mhanaidsear Làraich aig tèarmann nàdair RSPB Obar Neithich, Uwe Stoneman:
“Tha Loch Ghartain air a bhith aig teis-meadhan turasachd is nàdair anns a’ Ghàidhealtachd fad 60 bliadhna. Tha sinn taingeil airson a’ mhaoineachaidh seo a leigeas linn cumail oirnn a’ taisbeanadh cudromachd na coille sònraichte seo agus eachdraidh nan iolairean-uisge fad iomadh bliadhna ri teachd. Bheir seo buannachd don choimhearsnachd ionadail agus cuiridh e ri turasachd ann am Pàirc Nàiseanta a’ Mhonaidh Ruaidh agus san sgìre mun cuairt oirnn.”
Tha na leanas am measg nam pròiseactan a fhuair taic:
Colaiste Taobh Siar na Gàidhealtachd UHI - The Coast that Shaped the World (£350,371) - Bidh am pròiseact seo a’ leasachadh làrach-lìn, app agus prògram de thaisbeanaidhean didseatach thar taobh siar na h-Alba. Bidh sgeulachdan nan coimhearsnachdan cladaich ag innse mar a chuir dualchas cultarail is nàdarra na mara ri cruthachadh an t-saoghail. Thèid sgeulachdan ionadail a chruinneachadh is a chur ri mapa agus thèid làrach-lìn is app a chruthachadh airson luchd-tadhail a bhrosnachadh.
Trees for Life, Dundreggan Rewilding Centre (£714,000) – Bidh am pròiseact seo a’ cruthachadh ionad far an ionnsaich daoine ann an seann choille-ghiuthais agus coille-aitinn àraid mu eachdraidh na Gàidhlig agus ath-fhiadhachadh. Bidh mìneachadh ann air dualchas nàdarra Dhùn Dreagain, com-pàirteachadh ann an cultar nan Gàidheal, cluich sa choille, slighean so-ruigsinneach, ionnsachadh, tachartasan a-muigh agus rannsachadh is leasachadh air an dualchas nàdarra.
Urras Nàiseanta na h-Alba, Corrieshalloch Gorge Gateway to Nature (£923,000) – Cuiridh ionad-turais ùr fàilte air daoine a-steach gu Coire Shalach agus Easan na Miasaich. Thèid goireasan parcaidh a thoirt am feabhas agus thèid frith-rathaidean ùra le comharran-stiùiridh is soidhnichean a dhèanamh.
Colaiste a’ Chaisteil UHI, UVAP - Uibhist Virtual Archaeology Project (£271,000) – Bidh am pròiseact seo a’ cruthachadh sreath de thaisbeanaidhean fìorachd-leasaichte (AR) agus meadhanan measgaichte airson seachd làraichean arc-eòlach air Slighe Innse Gall.
NW Mull Community Woodland Company, Stòras Ulbha (£813,000) – Pròiseact Dualchais Ulbha – Thèid Taigh Ulbha a ghleidheadh agus ath-dhealbhadh mar ionad turais. Bidh pròiseact rannsachaidh le Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean a’ rannsachadh eachdraidh muinntir Ulbha agus na buaidh a bh’ aca air an t-saoghal mhòr. Thèid làrach-lìn a dhèanamh, thèid Gàrradh Taigh Ulbha ath-stèidheachadh le saor-thoilich agus thèid flat fèin-frithealaidh a dhealbhadh cuideachd.
Kilmartin Museum Company Ltd, leudachadh is leasachadh Taigh-tasgaidh Chill Mhàrtainn (£700,000) – Thèid Taigh-tasgaidh Chill Mhàrtainn a leasachadh mar sàr ionad tadhail is ionnsachaidh le bhith a’ dealbhadh nan togalaichean às ùr agus a’ gan leudachadh. Bidh bùth ùr, raon-chàraichean a bharrachd agus sanasan fiosrachaidh a-muigh is didseatach am measg nan goireasan turais ùra.
Taigh-tasgaidh Shrath Nabhair (£650,000) – Thèid Taigh-tasgaidh Shrath Nabhair a sgeadachadh is a dhealbhadh às ùr mar ionad dualchais do thaobh tuath na h-Alba. Thèid staid na h-eaglais eachdraidheil, far a bheil an taigh-tasgaidh an-dràsta, a thoirt am feabhas; thèid obair choimhearsnachd a leudachadh anns an sgìre; thèid barrachd sheirbheisean a thabhann air an làraich; thèid àireamh an luchd-obrach am meud; agus thèid seasamh an taigh-tasgaidh a dhaingneachadh agus a’ bhuidheann fhàgail seasmhach le bhith a’ toirt àiteachan reic is rannsachaidh am feabhas.
Access to Orkney Heritage (£273,420) – Thèid slighean a-steach gu làraichean eachdraidheil air feadh nan eileanan beaga ann an Arcaibh a thoirt am feabhas an lùib a’ phròiseict seo le Comhairle Arcaibh. Thèid sanasan mìneachaidh a leasachadh agus slighean a dhealbhadh airson blasad de na prìomh làraichean anns gach eilean a thaisbeanadh.
’S ann bho phrògram Maoin Leasachaidh Roinneil na h-Eòrpa aig Riaghaltas na h-Alba a bhios Mhaoin Dualchais Nàdarra is Chultarail a’ faighinn a cuid maoineachaidh agus maoineachadh co-ionnan a’ tighinn bho thùsan eile a leithid urrasan carthannach, maoineachaidh on roinn phoblaich is shaor-thoilich agus maoineachadh gu lèir de chòrr is £7 millean ann.
