Highland Council highlights important role Community Transport providers play

16th October 2025

During CTWeek25 - a national celebration to showcase how community transport services are integral to local lives - The Highland Council is paying tribute to the organisations and teams of volunteers who provide a crucial role far beyond simply moving people from one place to another.

In a typical year, Highland Community Transport Groups that the Council supports provide 25,000 volunteer hours.

The Highland Council's Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: "CTWeek25 is the perfect time to show our appreciation to all the dedicated staff and volunteers that provide essential services that are a lifeline for people across our local communities.

"From supporting the elderly, disabled, to ensuring access to healthcare, education, and employment, Community Transport providers across the Highlands are working hard to make sure no one is left behind."

The Highland Council provides grant support to the following Community Transport providers:

Applecross Community Company: Applecross Community Transport
Badenoch and Strathspey Community ConnXions
Beauly and District Care Project
Boleskine Community Care
Caithness Voluntary Group Caithness Rural Transport
Care Lochaber
Communities in Motion CT
Community Support and Information, Ross-Shire (CSI)
Connect Assynt
Creich Croick & Kincardine District Day Care Association
Dornoch Area Community Interest Company
Gairloch Community Car Scheme
Garve & District Development Company
Glenelg & Arnisdale Bus User Group (BUG)
Go Golspie Development Trust
Helmsdale Community Transport
Highlife Highland (Sunart Centre)
Lochaber Action on Disability
Nairn Community Transport
North West Community Bus Association
Partnerships for Wellbeing
Shopmobility Highland
Sleat Community Trust
South Lochaber Community Company
South West Ross Community Car Scheme
Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust
Strathnairn Community Access and Transport Association
Transport for Tongue Limited
Wheels in Nairnshire

Highland-area groups have received national accolades for their services, including the South West Ross Community Car Scheme winning the 2023 Kings Award for Volunteering.

Earlier this year the Applecross Community Company featured on BBC's Landward programme.

Highland-area groups have implemented projects which have inspired other CT's throughout Scotland and the UK more broadly. An example is the " Pay What You Can" scheme introduced by Wheels in Nairnshire

Several providers, Gairloch Community Car Scheme, Applecross Community Company, Wheels in Nairnshire, Communities in Motion CT, are also delivering contracts on behalf of the Council.

Councillor Gowans added: "Our grant award programme has been explored by other Local Authorities in Scotland and England as a model to take forward. It is about empowering communities to set up services in a way which suits them and takes into account unique circumstances and opportunities.

"We really appreciate the work of staff and volunteers and will be building on the work already underway to stay connected and explore future opportunities."