Visit Loch Ness Inverness grant funding boost to five local projects in Stratherrick and Foyers, Abriachan, Beauly and South Kessock, including a wildflower garden at historic Boleskine House
Five local projects have been awarded community tourism development grants by Visit Inverness Loch Ness (VILN).
VILN, the UK’s first Tourism Business Improvement District when created in 2014, distributed funding totalling £10,000 towards the initiatives up to a maximum of £2500.
The idea behind the fund was to encourage communities to apply for money for projects that would benefit the local community as well as visitors.
The successful projects include path infrastructure for Boleskine House Foundation’s wildflower meadow on the southern shores of Loch Ness.
Also benefiting were Abriachan Forest’s seasonal ranger post, Beauly Community Council’s signage for the town centre, Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust’s signage for Falls of Foyers, and Aban Outdoor’s marketing and promotion of the upcoming Kessock Ferry Swim on June 25 this year.
Bryony Beck, destination development manager at VILN, said: “We are delighted to award the grant funding to such great community tourism initiatives.
“We had an amazing response to the fund and, in fact, were oversubscribed.
“It’s a shame we couldn’t award funding to everyone that applied but we hope to open up a similar fund again in the future.”
A spokesperson from Boleskine House Foundation said: “With thanks to Visit Inverness Loch Ness for a grant, we have started work on a pathway through our wildflower meadow, connecting two parts of the estate and which will allow visitors to walk through the meadow without disturbing nature.”
