Money awarded to coastal projects

Dec 13 2012

Nineteen projects designed to create jobs and training will share £4 million from a fund set up to regenerate coastal areas.

The charities, small businesses and apprenticeship schemes are the first in Scotland selected to receive the grants from the UK Coastal Communities Fund, ranging from £50,000 to £375,000.

They were picked on the basis that they would promote economic growth, jobs, training and business opportunities in their areas.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander made the announcement and said a further £4 million will be available to projects in Scotland when applications for the next round of funding open in the new year.

The grants include £369,199 for water sports facilities and apprenticeship schemes in Argyll and Bute, and £358,708 to renovate Skye Sailing Club's boathouse in Portree, which is intended to create jobs and increase tourism.

The Long and Winding Way Company was given £240,000 to develop the Kintyre Way tourist attraction in the west of Scotland.

A sum of £90,000 was awarded for the regeneration of Irvine Bay in Ayrshire, and £60,000 was awarded to develop Eyemouth Museum in the Borders.

West Links fishing community in Arbroath receives £220,000 to develop infrastructure for tourism and provide job opportunities.

Mr Alexander said: "From Skye to Cumbrae, communities across Scotland are going to benefit from this £4 million investment. Growing up on Colonsay, I know both the opportunities and the challenges coastal communities face.

"This funding can make a real difference to the winning areas and help them become more economically sustainable. The fund received a large number of applicants and will continue every year so that we can help more innovative projects in Scotland and across the UK."