The first grants have been awarded from our Community Led Vision Fund 2026/27.
Eight community projects will receive grants totalling £70,000 following a meeting of the Cairngorms Trust in Grantown recently. Successful applicants include community groups and projects in Badenoch and Strathspey, Aberdeenshire and Perthshire.
Awards range from £3,600 up to £16,000 and include:
- A traineeship in greenkeeping at Grantown Bowling Club;
- A building survey of the historic Lonach Hall;
- A scheme to restore a 16th century waterwheel in Blair Atholl.
The Community Led Vision Fund was established by the Cairngorms Trust and Cairngorms National Park Authority as part of the Scottish Government’s community led local development funding.
It plays a crucial role in enabling communities to shape and enhance the Cairngorms National Park. The fund has distributed more than £1.3million to nearly 90 projects over the past five years. This year, approximately £234,000 will be distributed.
Cairngorms Trust manager Rachel Dominy said: “Our board was impressed with the ideas being put forward by communities in the Cairngorms National Park. These are schemes that develop skills and strengthen the local economy.
“We wish our successful applicants well in their projects and look forward to seeing how they progress.”
Grantown Bowling Club will create a training opportunity for someone to learn how to care for a bowling green throughout the season. The Green Convener, Gordon Jamieson, will pass on his 30 years of experience in managing the green. The club also plans to hold events to attract new players.
Davie Rose, President of the Grantown Bowling Club said: “Our main asset is the bowling green and keeping it in good condition is essential if we are to continue to welcome all players to enjoy bowling in Grantown. At this year’s ‘Try Bowls’ event new players of all ages came along to have a go which resulted in several people joining the club as new members. This event, and everything else we do as a club, is only possible if we can keep the green in playable condition. We are extremely grateful to the Cairngorms Trust Community Led Vision Fund for this support.”
Lonach Hall Committee will receive £6,000 towards the cost of professional assessment of their listed building, with the aim of creating a plan to secure the structure for the future.
Catriona Skene, of Lonach Hall Committee, said: “The support from the Cairngorms Trust is a vital catalyst for this project. Early stage funding for historic community buildings can be incredibly difficult to secure, yet it is essential in unlocking future investment. This award enables us to take the responsible first steps towards protecting Lonach Hall through a conservation-led approach, ensuring the building can continue serving the Strathdon community for generations to come. We are incredibly grateful to the Cairngorms Trust for this funding award.”
And a grant of £7,850 will go towards the restoration of the historic waterwheel in Blair Atholl, allowing it to be brought back into use for milling flour for the bakery.
Kirsty Bruce, of Blair Atholl Watermill, said: “Having the grant makes a huge difference to us and the local community. The wheel is currently not operational but now we can carry out the restoration to continue a centuries-old tradition and ensure that the mill can work for the next few decades. As the mill is such a focal point in the village it will be lovely to have it fully operational again.”
The Community Led Vision Fund is open all year for applications. Trustees meet throughout the year to decide the latest grants. More information is available on our Funding page and the team is available for advice and support in the completing the application process.
FULL LIST OF GRANTS
Badenoch Community Project
Project: Planning permission for padel court
£5,600 towards support for cost of applying for planning permission for padel court in Kingussie.
Blair Atholl Watermill
Project: Watermill restoration
£7,850 toward restoration of the 16th century watermill, including replacement of the paddles and wheel beams.
Castle Roy Trust
Project: Ensuring the safety, sustainability and community use of Castle Roy
£3,616 towards three linked elements: a structural survey to assist long-term management of the structure; specialist masonry inspection; purchase of an all-weather gazebo and leg weights to enable small events to take place.
Grantown Bowling Club
Project: Outdoor Bowling for All
£7,760.10 towards events with local children and providing a greenkeeping training opportunity.
Grantown Remakery
Project: Project Momentum
£7,565 towards employment of a part-time shop assistant for one year.
Grantown YM Community Centre
Project: A Venue for Grantown
£16,000 towards purchase of seating, blackout curtain and flexible staging to allow the upper hall to host music, dance and drama events.
IRL Education
Project: Transition and Training Programme
£15,000 towards support for disadvantaged young people in Badenoch and Strathspey, including financial literacy, digital skills and partnerships with local employers and specialised services,
Lonach Community Association
Project: Lonach Hall Professional Fees
£6,000 towards professional assessment of the listed building in order to plan works to secure the structure.
