Funding boost for Hermaness visitor hub project

A project to create a visitor hub and make access improvements at Hermaness National Nature Reserve (NNR) is to go ahead following the granting of more than £286,000 from the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF). 

Hermaness NNR on Unst, which overlooks Muckle Flugga Lighthouse, is a dramatic and spectacular haven for thousands of Scotland’s most iconic seabirds including fulmars, skuas, shags, gannets, puffins and kittiwakes. Increasing visitor numbers were causing erosion of peat on the old path to Hermaness Hill, where sensitive bird species also nest. 

NatureScot, in partnership with Shetland Islands Council, are looking to create a new boardwalk – made from recycled plastic - across the peatland, provide new toilets, improved car parking and a sheltered interpretation point for visitors. In total, the project is receiving more than £857,000, including the RTIF funding and over £562,000 from the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund (NCHF). NatureScot is also contributing over £9,000. 

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 as well as visitors.

“We know that at times tourism can bring some additional pressures to popular sites, particularly in our local communities. The Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund was created to address these issues whilst enhancing visitors’ experiences in Scotland’s rural areas.

“The Hermaness visitor hub is a project with exciting potential and will provide significant benefits to visitors and to local residents. I look forward to seeing the completed project.”

“Due to Covid-19, there is evidence that a new, homegrown audience is discovering and enjoying Scotland’s more remote locations, such as Hermaness, which is fantastic. Improvement works like this are crucial to ensuring the NNR remains sustainable for years to come.

“Tourism is a force for good and if managed responsibly, sustains communities in every corner of Scotland, creates jobs, tackles depopulation and improves the wellbeing of everyone who experiences it. We believe this fund is helping to ensure that the tourism infrastructure for visitors meets current and future demand.”

For more information on RTIF, please visit: https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/funding/rural-tourism-infrastructure-fund