Tourism

Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund

The Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) was established by the Scottish Government in 2018 and is managed by VisitScotland on their behalf. The fund supports collaborative projects across rural parts of Scotland that focus on improving the visitor experience. This is achieved by reducing pressure on infrastructure and negative impacts on communities due to large increases in visitor numbers. Since the fund was established, we have been awarded over £6.9 million in funding across 32 projects.

Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan

In late 2021, VisitScotland announced RTIF would focus on a more strategic approach to visitor infrastructure development. We have received additional funding to produce a Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan that would identify the key priorities for future RTIF support over the medium term.

Find out more about the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund.

Funding for 2025 to 2026

In January 2025, VisitScotland launched a new round of funding through the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF). While applications for this round are now closed, design grants remain open and are still accepting submissions.

Design Grants

Design Grants are available to support new applications. Applications can be submitted anytime up to 1 December 2025, subject to funds being available, but must be completed by 1 March 2026.

Design Grants will be available up to £20,000 and 100% intervention rate.

For a copy of the full criteria, conditions and guidelines, email Tourism@highland.gov.uk