Community-Led Local Development Fund distributes over £900k to support projects in Highland

2nd July 2025

The Highland Strategic Local Action Group (LAG) met in June 2025 and considered and agreed funding for 28 projects submitted to the Community-Led Local Development fund (CLLD), which makes up part of The Highland Council Community Regeneration Fund (CRF) programme.

CRF is an umbrella term used to cover multiple external funding programmes administered by The Highland Council. Decisions on which projects are to receive CLLD funding are taken by the Highland Strategic Local Action Group. This decision-making group is made up of third sector representatives, public agencies, and private organisations.

Chair of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans, said: "It is the fourth year in a row that we have been successful in securing a large allocation of CLLD funding from the Scottish Government. This funding is essential to support grass roots economic regeneration, allowing communities to grow and develop new opportunities."

"We welcome the continued investment by the Scottish Government in our rural communities and are proud to support community groups and witness the significant and lasting impact these projects have across the Highlands.

"I wish everyone working hard to turn their plans into reality all the very best."

The CLLD Fund continues to play a vital role in supporting grassroots initiatives that foster resilience, inclusivity, and innovation in rural communities. From Caithness down to Lochaber, the funding will empower local groups and organisations to deliver impactful projects tailored to the unique needs of their communities. These include feasibility studies, building renovations, renewable energy installations, youth services, and community transport programmes.

This follows on from a successful 2024/25 CLLD round where over £1.4 million was allocated to 52 community groups across the Highlands. Across Highland, the overall social return on investment for the 2024/25 CLLD round was £3.46 for every £1 of funding invested. In total projects spent returned a social value of £6,065,874.

The Dornoch Area Community Interest Company
The Dornoch Community Transport Project
£36,861.00

Lochview Rural Training Centre
Land Based Training Equipment
£12,954.00

Fearn Amenities SCIO
Groundworks At Fearn Pavillion
£14,685.00

Edinbane Community Company
Edinbane Shop Technical Design
£15,000.00

Linnhe Leisure
Sound & Lighting
£83,331.97

Lochaber Hope
New Connections
£11,439.52

Poolewe and District Swimming Pool association
Sustain the Pool
£21,000.00

Wick Community Hub
Sensory Room Space
£30,000.00

Farmer Jones Academy c.i.c
Gro For You, Community Innovation Campus Sensory Dome and Play Equipment
£57,000.00

Rosemarkie Amenities Association (RAA)
Upgrading of Rosemarkie Promenade
£35,357.00

Dornie & District Community Trust
Dornie Hub
£31,329.84

Mallaig & Morar Community Centre Association
Energy Efficiency Improvements
£2,961.99

Arisaig Community Trust
Playpark Project
£22,343.32

Evanton Community Cinema
Evanton Community Cinema Equipment Purchase and Installation
£32,201.20

Wick Development Trust
Phase 3.2 - Riverside Path Upgrade & Motorhome Waste Service Station
£52,329.24

Mallaig Pool & Leisure
Upgrade of Gym and Sauna
£100,000.00

Dementia Friendly Communities Ltd
Dinner To Your Door Delivery Vehicle
£27,279.00

Ormlie Community Association Ltd
New Meeting Room & Services
£6,694.00

North Kessock Village Hall
North Kessock Village Hall Renovation
£17,000.00

Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust (IEHT)
Accessing Eigg: New Signage and Trails for Connecting People with Nature
£9,945.00

Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust (IEHT)
Net Zero Housing - Phase 2 (NZH-2)
£76,596.00

Go Golspie Development Trust
New Electric Community Car
£34,369.00

Farr North Community Development Trust
Community Transport - Farr Goes

£17,664.00

Glenelg and Arnisdale Development Trust
Glenelg Playpark
£27,077.00

Fox & Friends Highland
Disabled Friendly Bathroom
£38,000.00

Sutherland Resilience Initiative
Community Transport
£57,260.00

Applecross Community Company
Sustainable Living in Applecross: Affordable Housing Project
£44,600.00

The Place Youth Club
Disabled Access Project
£50,000.00

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

25/9/2026 : Employment Services

What Are the Options for Scottish Pupils Who Do Not Want the Traditional Academic Route?

Parents of teenagers in England are being told that they will need to understand a new range of vocational qualifications as their children approach the age of 14.   The Career Development Institute has welcomed the introduction of new Vocational GCSEs, which are due to start being introduced in England from 2029.  

Today : Local Authority

The £27 Million Energy Bill Facing Highland Council – And NHS Highland's Hidden Cost

Rising energy prices are a problem for households and businesses, but there is another very large energy bill that receives much less attention.   Highland Council operates one of the largest public-sector property estates in Scotland, while NHS Highland runs hospitals, health centres, clinics and other facilities across an enormous geographical area.  

Today : Local Authority

Public invited to Justice Service open days in Fort William and Wick

The Highland Council’s Justice Social Work teams in Lochaber and Caithness will be hosting open days in Fort William on Tuesday 6 October and Wick on Friday 9 October 2026.   The open days will provide members of the public with an opportunity to gain an insight into the Justice Service and find out more about the excellent work going on locally.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Launch of New Transport Service for Renal Patients in Highland

NHS Highland and The Highland Council are pleased to announce the launch of a new bespoke year-round transport service for renal haemodialysis patients across Highland.   Funded through a grant from NHS Highland, the service marks the first phase of a new approach to patient transport delivery, designed to support the long-term development of a more sustainable, flexible and community-focused transport model for Highland.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Economy and Infrastructure Committee to consider next steps on proposed Short Term Let Control Areas

Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee will meet next Monday (28 September 2026) to consider whether to progress proposals for new Short Term Let Control Areas across parts of Highland.   At the special meeting, councillors will be asked to consider the findings of a public consultation on proposed control areas covering Inverness City and a wider Highland Rural area, before deciding whether the proposals should be submitted to Scottish Ministers for approval.  

22/9/2026 : Local Authority

Scotland's Local Government Reform: More Local Power or Mainly a Search for Savings?

The Scottish Government is proposing a major reshaping of local government, with fewer regional authorities and many more community-level bodies making decisions closer to where people live.   The language is about local democracy, stronger communities and bringing decisions closer to people.  

22/9/2026 : Local Authority

Local Government Set For Huge Changes

Initial proposals designed to deliver fundamental reform of local governance have been set out to help shape the debate on improving public services.   The possible changes, if implemented, could help achieve a better balance of decision-making powers across the public sector to ensure investment is focused on delivering improved services.  

21/9/2026 : Local Authority

Council Tax Reform: Just How Many Scots Took Part in the Debate?

Council tax is one of those bills that most households know only too well.   It arrives every month or in a series of instalments, and it helps pay for services ranging from rubbish collection and roads to schools, social care and other council services.  

19/9/2026 : Local Authority

Why Scotland Is Reorganising Public Services – And Why Highland Could Feel the Impact More Than Most

Something important is happening in Scotland's public services, and it goes considerably further than another round of annual budget cuts.   The Scottish Government is now talking about changing the way public services themselves are organised.  

18/9/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Council's £2.1 Billion Investment Plan: Could Higher Interest Rates Put the Squeeze on Future Budgets?

Highland Council is planning to spend around £2.1 billion over 20 years on schools, roads, housing, community facilities and other infrastructure.   It is an ambitious programme, and one which could bring considerable benefits across the Highlands.