National park projects get share of £130k

Thirteen local projects in the Cairngorms National Park have been awarded money totalling £130,000 by the Cairngorms Recovery Fund.

Launched in August the fund was set up by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) and the Cairngorms Trust to help communities and local businesses to recover from the lockdown.

Among those to receive funding was the Blair Atholl and Area Tourism Association for the Blair Atholl

Community and Business Development project, and the Glenshee and Strathardle Tourist Association towards the Glenshee Visitor Centre.

The Cairngorms Trust contributed £30,000 to the fund and the charity has a remit to support projects that will benefit the wider resident and visiting public.

Roger Clegg, chair of the Cairngorms Trust explains:“Lockdown has been particularly hard for rural communities, it is vitally important to support their recovery, particularly those groups who may struggle to access funds in other ways.

“It was fantastic to see the innovation and passion that came through in the applications and we are proud to be able to contribute to some really worthy causes.”

Twenty-seven applications were received and assessed against the four guiding principles of the fund: to support projects that are focused on green solutions; to support the well-being and economic growth of communities; to support employment; and to support the long term aims of the national park.

CNPA board member Willie Munro chaired the assessment panel. He said: “We were delighted to see so many strong local projects being put forward.

“With a limited pot of money we had envisaged supporting six to eight projects, but I am delighted that we have been able to award funds to 13 projects from across the Cairngorms National Park.

“We hope this funding will bring a boost to the local economy and employment and help to deliver a sustainable future for the communities in the national park.”