The Scottish Government is to establish a £6 million fund to provide investment in infrastructure to support sustainable growth in rural tourism across Scotland.
The Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund aims to help ensure the services and facilities tourists and communities need are provided.
Latest figures indicate notable increases in visitor numbers to rural tourism sites in certain areas.
The new fund will support a wide range of improvement projects – such as parking, camping facilities, recycling points and footpath access.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Scotland’s islands and rural communities attract visitors from across the globe.
“The tourist boom that our country is enjoying is great news. It means more jobs and investment but it can also mean pressure on transport, services and facilities – especially in rural areas. The Scottish Government is determined to help.”
The new fund is expected to launch in early 2018 and will be administered by public sector partners working with local authorities, with input from communities and the industry to identify projects requiring support.
New rural tourism infrastructure fund
10 Oct 2017