Strathnaver Museum to share in £5m European Regional funding
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Strathnaver Museum has been given a £650,000 boost after being named as one of nine projects in the Highlands and Islands to share a £5 million European Regional Development Fund award.
The funding – which seeks to promote the outstanding scenery, wildlife and culture of the region – was announced this week by Scotland's tourism and culture secretary Fiona Hyslop. It was awarded through the Natural Cultural and Heritage Fund, led by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).
The Strathnaver project involves refurbishing and renovating the museum at Bettyhill as a heritage hub for north-west Sutherland. The money will go towards improving the physical condition of the historic church that houses the museum, enhancing the visitor experience and securing the condition and integrity of the collection.
It will also help to extend outreach work across the area, widen the services offered on site, increase the number of staff and aid the sustainability of the organisation by improving the retail and research spaces.
Ms Hyslop announced the grants after visiting Wildlife Watch Abernethy, one of the other projects that will benefit.
It has received just over £252,000 from the Natural Cultural and Heritage Fund which will create three new jobs as well as extending the opening season and improving the visitor experience at the Loch Garten nature reserve in the Cairngorms.
The area has featured in the BBC Autumnwatch series and has been promoted by VisitScotland as a key spot for wildlife watching.
The RSPB will install new information panels at the centre and on the surrounding woodland trails, expand and extend vehicle parking, and develop a programme of talks, walks and activities.
Others to receive funding are West Highland College UHI – The Coast That Shaped the World (£350,371); Trees for Life, Dundreggan Rewilding Centre (£714,000); National Trust Scotland, Corrieshalloch Gorge Gateway to Nature (£923,000); Lews Castle College UHI, Uibhist Virtual Archaeology Project (£271,000); NW Mull Community Woodland Company, Storas Ulbha (£813,000); Kilmartin Museum Company (£700,000); Access to Orkney Heritage (£273,420).
Funding for the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund comes from the Scottish Government’s European Regional Development Fund programme, with match funding from other sources bringing overall investment to more than £7m.
Ms Hyslop said: “Tourism is a major part of the Highland and Islands' economies and it’s essential that its social and economic benefits are shared as widely as possible. That’s why I’m pleased to announce the successful applicants for grants from the Natural Cultural and Heritage Fund to improve their experience for visitors.
“This fund will create jobs and help projects in remote areas to enhance their offer to the millions of people who visit the region every year. Thanks to support from the European Regional Development Fund, the wonderful landscapes, nature and culture of the Highlands and Islands will welcome new visitors in a way that is sustainable and creates long-term benefits for local communities.”
SNH chief executive Francesca Osowska said: “A key priority for SNH is to help ensure tourism and other sectors benefit from, and invest in, Scotland’s high-quality environment.
"Nature and culture are closely linked in the Highlands and Islands, and in many places they are central to the local economy, maintaining rural populations, jobs and skills. These nine innovative projects can bring significant benefits to more rural communities for years to come, giving visitors even more to enjoy in these iconic areas of Scotland.”
