First round of Cairngorms Community Led Vision Fund awarded

The Cairngorms Trust has approved £78,282 in the initial wave of funding.

A detailed and up-to-date condition survey will be carried out on St Margaret's Church in Braemar.

The six projects are:

Strathdon Community Development Trust, Affordable Housing feasibility works that will indicate the need for affordable housing in the area and the viability of the project and allow the development of the old Lonach Hotel.

Dulnain Bridge Community Development Trust, Skye of Curr Affordable Housing Project – Feasibility Stage that will indicate the need for affordable housing in the area and the viability of the project and allow development to proceed.

Marr Area Log Bank to establish a Log Bank working with Community Food Initiatives in the Marr Area. The Log Bank will support those in food insecurity and fuel poverty, directly providing firewood to heat homes.

IRL Education Transition Project to improve the prospects of young people facing the transition from school to adulthood through one-to-one mentoring and group sessions in Kingussie High School. The programme aims to help young people learn the skills needed for the life outcomes of learning, employability, personal empowerment, and active citizenship to give them a better chance of reaching a positive destination after school.

Countryside Learning Scotland, Pathways to Rural Work, a rural education outreach programme for secondary schools that raises awareness, knowledge, training, and work placements within the entire rural sector, including the environment, conservation, traditional land uses and adventure and recreation.

Historic Churches Scotland for St Margaret’s Church Braemar: Regenerating a Scottish masterpiece. The project will undertake a detailed and up-to-date condition survey, which will inform the cost report and repair strategy and support the work to safeguard the building for future generations.

Roger Clegg, Chair of the Cairngorms Trust said: “The Cairngorms Trust board was pleased to award funding to a diverse range of projects including supporting the development of community owned affordable housing in the Cairngorms National Park; improving opportunities for young people and offering practical help to those in real need as the cost-of-living rises.”