News / Papa Stour, Fair Isle and Bigton projects benefit from government funding
THREE Shetland projects have been given a £620,000 share of a £3 million Scottish Government funding pot for island communities.
The Fair Isle Bird Observatory will receive £204,895 to complete its long-awaited rebuild, with Papa Stour History and Community Group earning £276,665 for phase three of its renovation of the former kirk building.
Bigton’s Hymhus has received £139,992 to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the former St Ninian’s Church.
The funding was announced by first minister John Swinney on a visit to Shetland on Monday.
He also visited COPE Ltd in Lerwick, after it received £653,000 in islands funding last year to expand its premises.
“I was pleased to meet staff at Cope to find out more about this incredible project in Lerwick, and how islands programme funding has helped it to grow,” Swinney said.
“I have no doubt that projects awarded funding this year will make a similar positive impact across communities.”
Cope chief Steven Coutts said the funding would make “a major difference” to their operations, with all of its activities moved indoors.
The Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust announced last week it would be taking bookings for next year in the coming months, and it has received a further funding boost to ensure it gets over the line.
The Scottish Government said the new observatory will feature 33 bedrooms – 11 of which are for staff – along with a laboratory, lounge, dining room, visitor centre/library and shower/toilet facilities.
It said it will open in May.
Hymhus will use its funding to install an air source heat pump and replace its single-glazed windows.
The Papa Stour History and Community Group has been given the biggest award to go towards its aim of creating a community hub and visitor centre on the island.
The Scottish Government said the project was seen as “a key driver of future activity and investment in the island”.
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