Plans to construct a full-scale replica of an Iron Age Roundhouse at Gairloch Museum in Wester Ross have been backed by Highland Council, following a grant funding award of £45,000.
Today (Monday 27 April) Councillors on the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh committee approved the Community Regeneration Fund award which will go towards the £279,725 project within the existing and well-visited Outdoor Museum.
The project seeks to create an educational and interpretive structure that brings prehistoric Wester Ross to life.
Councillors agreed that the project will deliver benefits including heritage preservation, community wellbeing, skills training, education and tourism.
The project, which aims to boost local employment and volunteer opportunities, has demonstrated strong support in consultations with community groups.
The development phase of the project runs from June 2026 until June 2027, with construction and programming extending into 2028.
The CRF supports projects that increase community resilience, tackle poverty, address rural depopulation, aid economic recovery and promote climate action.
The committee also noted Ward Discretionary Fund applications have been approved from 1 January to 31 March 2026 and will support the following organisations:
- Kyle & Lochalsh Community Trust - Micro Eco Village - £2,920
- Garve & District Development Company - Connecting Communities - £900
- Torridon District Community Association - Replace Stairlift at Loch Torridon Community Centre - £1,000
- Torridon & Kinlochewe Community Council – Purchase of Defibrillator for Community First Responder Scheme - £978
- Aultbea's Men Shed - Purchase of corrugated roof for a second shed - £1,126.97
- Toybox Children’s Centre - Staff Training and Learning to Support Best Start for Children - £930.
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In other business, the committee also:
- Scrutinised and noted the latest Area Performance Report from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
- Noted the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026.
- Received an update on the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Area Place Plan.
Read the full reports here https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/5331/wester-ross-strathpeffer-and-lochalsh-committee
Or watch the committee here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqh4wlB07Bc
Notes to editors
- Community Regeneration Funding is an umbrella term for a number of funds that are available for communities/organisations to access in Highland. It currently comprises elements of the Highland Coastal Communities Fund (HCCF) and the Place Based Investment Programme (PBIP), both of which support economic regeneration and sustainable development in Highland.
- From the current CRF allocation, the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer & Lochalsh area has £196,288.77 available.
- Area Committees are awarded devolved allocations according to approved formulae. Decision making on which projects should receive funding sits with elected members.