Rural tourism infrastructure projects to receive share of £3m funding

More than a dozen popular tourist sites across Scotland are to receive just over £3m in funding for projects to enhance the visitor experience.

Thirteen projects across the country have been recommended for approval - subject to conditions - to receive cash from round three of the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF).

Managed by VisitScotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, the RTIF was created to improve the quality of the visitor experience in rural parts of Scotland that have faced pressure on their infrastructure due to this increase in visitor numbers. 

It aims to reduce the impact of visitor numbers on local communities and facilities and create a more collaborative and sustainable approach to infrastructure provision and long-term maintenance of local facilities for the benefit of communities, when it is safe to welcome back visitors. 

Round three was open for applications from local authorities and National Park authorities, in partnership with their communities, and is aimed at funding infrastructure improvements such as parking, campervan facilities - including disposal points - viewpoints and toilet provision.

Round three applications recommended for approval include:

• £375,000 for the Trossachs Visitor Management Project, to include additional motorhome, car parking and cyclist provision at Trossachs Pier, Ben A'an and Stronachlachar; provision of new toilet facilities at Trossachs Pier and improved signage and orientation provision to manage visitors through the Trossachs.
• £375,000 towards Fife Outdoor Tourism Infrastructure Programme - a partnership project between Fife Council and Fife Countryside Trust, to provide a network of parking, toilets, interpretative and renewable energy points for EV and EB charging serving the Fife coastal path, the Pilgrims Way and Fife 191 driving route.
• £375,000 to address increasing visitor pressures in Glencoe and Glen Etive through provision of an overarching plan for an improved visitor infrastructure and management routes along the A82. The project will improve car parking provision, paths and address visitor management issues.
• £201,925 towards St Cyrus National Nature Reserve (NNR) Parking and Toilet Improvements - a partnership project between Aberdeenshire Council and NatureScot to upgrade and expand the car parking at St Cyrus NNR to provide an additional 40 parking spaces for cars and motorhomes. The project includes refurbishment of the toilets to include a changing places standard toilet, and provision of additional cycling racks, EV charge points and a chemical disposal point.

Over the three rounds of RTIF, projects across 12 local authorities and both national park authorities have received support - from the Scottish Borders to Shetland. Round three has also seen new success stories from local authorities including Aberdeenshire and Perth & Kinross.

ENDSThe full list of funded projects can be found here: https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/funding/rural-tourism-infrastructure-fund#3