Funding boost for John O’Groats Trail walking route
EFFORTS to maximise the visitor potential of the John O’Groats Trail have been given a financial boost.
The coastal walking route is one of three community projects benefiting from more than £48,000 in the latest grant awards from the Caithness and North Sutherland Fund.
The Association of Northern Trails Scotland (ANTS) was given £30,000 towards the costs of creating a trail development manager post to take the John O’Groats Trail through its next stage.
This will involve a two-year major development programme that will see further trail developments and activities, as well as promoting the project on a much wider scale.
ANTS chairman Jay Wilson said: "We are very grateful for the support awarded by the CNSFund.
"Our work to date, which has been carried out by dedicated volunteers, has demonstrated that the John O’Groats Trail project is a viable destination for walkers from around the world, as well as local recreational users.
"We have seen that the number of users is limited only by the quality of the trail infrastructure, and the grant will help us to appoint the expertise needed to take the trail to the next level.
"This will continue to grow the tourism and sustainable recreation potential of the area, while raising its profile as an international destination."
Other awards included £10,000 to Thurso Golf Club towards buying a new hybrid greens mower. As well as providing an important recreational facility for Thurso and surrounding area, the club works with visitor initiatives to promote and develop golf tourism.
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6 / 6Caithness and Sutherland Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club was awarded £8500 towards the costs of a new towable box trailer and a steel storage container. These items will help with the running of the popular vintage and classic rally at John O'Groats and support the club’s community activities for many years to come.
CNSFund chairman David Glass said: “Our latest grant awards help to further enhance community facilities and attractions that will contribute towards a sustainable future for our area.
"These community projects will not only benefit those living here but will also support our tourism sector after visitor restrictions are removed."
Mr Glass added: "We also wish to highlight that we are continuing to accept applications during the pandemic. Our staff are working from home and we are conducting our assessment meetings by teleconferencing to ensure as little disruption as possible.
"We are also liaising with our grant recipients who have had to postpone some of their planned events or activities in order to look at how these can be rescheduled where this is possible.”
The CNSFund is funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and distributes money to community projects that increase the attractiveness of Caithness and north Sutherland as a place to live, work and invest.
Applications are assessed quarterly. Information on how to apply can be found at the CNSFund website, www.cnsf.org.uk, or by calling 07841 204 982.
The deadline for applications for the next funding round is June 26.