Lismore Community Trust has been awarded £83,596 to acquire a development plot of land in the village of Achnacroish. The group will provide the community with affordable housing in the form of two new-build semi-detached three-bedroom homes for rent.

Andrew Livingstone, Trust chair, said: “The Lismore Community Trust is delighted to be in receipt of the Scottish Land Fund Grant. It is a major step in being able to deliver two brand new community owned homes that we hope will attract new families who will support the community and infrastructure. This will inevitably help sustain the Lismore Primary School, assist in stabilising the population on the island and, we hope, attract new skilled individuals to work on the island.” 

Meanwhile, Raasay Development Trust has been given £137,000 to acquire two terrace houses in Inverarish on the Isle of Raasay, which will be redeveloped for affordable rented accommodation for the community.

Lindsay MacLean, director at Raasay Development Trust, said: ”Being able to buy these traditional terraced houses means that we can now fully renovate them and provide another two homes for social rent. Although our population is now just under 200, local job prospects mean there is the opportunity for this to increase.

“However, we have too many people living in unsuitable accommodation, such as caravans, or potential new residents unable to take up job offers as there is nowhere for them to live. This funding will therefore help our small island community and its economy in so many ways and we could not be more delighted.”

The grants are amongst 11, totalling £1,460,888, that have been announced this week for projects throughout Scotland.

Cairnbaan Community Trust has received £134,796 to purchase two buildings in the centre of Cairnbaan, Mid-Argyll, which will be redeveloped to create a community hub. The buildings will include visitor information, pop-up café, desk and room rental, and potentially a gym/wellbeing space in the future.

Kyle and Lochalsh Community Trust has received £166,720 to purchase two parcels of land at Ratagan and Saraig, Lochalsh, from Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) through Community Asset Transfer (CAT). KLCT will provide woodland crofts, two business units, a community growing space, and a campsite.

And Friends of Portnahaven Church on Islay have been awarded £85,990 to acquire Portnahaven church through a negotiated sale from the Church of Scotland (CoS) and convert it into a flexible space for group gatherings, activities, exhibitions and life events.

Another group receiving funding to pursue community ownership ambitions include South Ronaldsay and Burray Development Trust, which has been awarded £357,705 to purchase The Tomb of the Eagles Visitor Centre.

The Scottish Land Fund is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), both of which have extensive experience of helping communities to acquire and develop their assets for over a decade.

Mairi Gougeon, cabinet secretary, rural affairs and islands, said: “To date the Scottish Government has invested more than £50 million through hundreds of awards through the Scottish Land Fund to help communities develop facilities they need. These latest groups to share the funding show the incredible mix of how this support can be used to offer social, sporting and wellness spaces and support the development of much-needed affordable housing options.”

Cara Gillespie, Scottish Land Fund committee chair, said: “These grants reflect the inspiring diversity of projects that community ownership can help to deliver in both urban and rural areas. With their awards, these groups will be able to deliver projects with direct benefits to their communities, as well as positive cultural, social and economic impacts for Scotland as a whole.”.

Sandra Holmes, head of community assets at HIE, said: “The successful projects announced today across Scotland are all great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities. For example, the South Ronaldsay and Burray Development Trust in Orkney will re-open the visitor centre and Neolithic site which serves as an important tourist attraction for the island. This will provide employment and volunteering opportunities and will strengthen the local economy.

“All these projects announced today will help retain the population, attract visitors and create jobs. Ownership will give the community groups greater control over important assets that will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come. We wish all the successful groups the very best in their new ventures.”