Island communities in Highland are celebrating this week after receiving funds to boost a series of key local projects.
The Highland Council has been successful in securing backing from the Scottish Government’s Islands Programme 2026/27 for four community-led projects across the Small Isles and Skye & Raasay.
Support worth over £900,000 will be shared to support:
- Gaeltec community hub, Dunvegan - £393,000
- Kinloch village road and track improvement programme, Rum - £355,112
- Eigg camping pods expansion – £87,602
- Canna contractor accommodation - £76,000
Councillor Kate Willis, Chair of the Lochaber committee which covers Eigg, Rum and Canna, said:
“I am delighted to see these funds going right to the heart of the challenges our island communities are facing.
“They will be used to provide much needed accommodation for workers, to support sustainable community-led development and to enhance the basic infrastructure that island populations need to thrive and grow into the future.
“It is the people who live and work on our islands who are driving the projects, and I am looking forward to seeing the developments take shape and the positive benefits they will bring to the lives of islanders.”
Councillor John Finlayson, chair of Highland Council’s Eilean a’ Cheo committee, said:
“I was delighted to hear the very positive news regarding the Islands’ Programme Award for the Gaeltec Community Hub in Dunvegan. Having worked with the Dunvegan Community Trust in recent times to support their activities and move forward this exciting project, I know how important this award will be in supporting the ambitions the community have for the building and the many opportunities it will provide for people of all ages.
“The development of this project again shows what can be achieved when the Scottish Government, The Highland Council and the local community work in partnership to achieve shared goals.”
The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: “Congratulations to all who have helped drive through these community projects that will help support key ambitions for population growth and economic development in our islands.
“The social and economic benefits that come from better infrastructure, housing and new facilities for locals and visitors will be vital to help island communities to grow and flourish into the future.”
About the projects
Canna Contractor Accommodation - 2026/27 Islands Programme award: £76,000
The project will create community-owned accommodation for contractors and workers on the Isle of Canna. This is intended to be a semi-permanent solution to the chronic shortage of accommodation for contractors working on construction and development projects on the island. Between major construction contracts the base would also accommodate visiting consultants, tradespeople and short-term contractors, as well as temporary staff.
Gaeltec Community Hub - 2026/27 Islands Programme award: £393,000
The project takes two interconnected buildings (known as the Gaeltec Buildings)and regenerates them into a multi-use hub that will incorporate a childcare space; arts and crafts workshop areas and a gym.
Local businesses and services will be supported with small rentable units, a co-working space will bolster entrepreneurship and remote working opportunities, while the current local business tenant will enjoy a refurbished workshop. These facilities are set to transform the buildings into a dynamic centre, achieving significant social, well-being and economic benefits.
Eigg Camping Pods Expansion – 2026/27 Islands Programme award: £87,602
This project will deliver community-owned visitor accommodation at Galmisdale, close to Eigg's ferry terminal. It will deliver:
- Two all-season camping pods for short-term visitor accommodation, built by an on-island contractor.
- Five serviced campsite pitches.
- Associated infrastructure including water, electricity and waste-water connections, landscaping and access improvements.
Visitor accommodation capacity is now a major constraint on Eigg’s economy, limiting visitor numbers and affecting local businesses including the shop, café, ferry services and outdoor activity providers.
Kinloch Village Road and Track Improvement Programme – 2026/27 Islands Programme award: £355,112
The Kinloch Village Road and Track Improvement Programme will transform critical infrastructure on the Isle of Rum. Delivered by the Isle of Rum Community Trust (IRCT) this project will deliver a complete programme of improvements and upgrades to the roads and key connecting tracks in and around Kinloch village. Kinloch is the only village on the Isle of Rum, home to a resident community of 43, a NatureScot-managed nature reserve, a Mowi fish farm and a growing tourism economy. Roads and tracks serving Kinloch are the sole means of movement on the island, connecting homes, the pier, the village shop, the school, the hall and all the visitor accommodation.