£1m Highland Fund closed

A FUND set up nearly 60 years ago to help reverse the decay gripping the Highlands has been wound up after dispensing more than £1 million.

The Glasgow-based Highland Fund was the brainchild of Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton, MP for Inverness, and launched in the House of Commons in November 1953.

At the time little or no money was available to crofters, fishermen or small businesses and it was initially overwhelmed with requests for assistance.

The fund, which was made up entirely of private donations, lent money on conditions that were far more favourable than could be found elsewhere. However, with banks and public bodies now ploughing money into business and community ventures, it is felt it is no longer needed.

The money left in the fund, around 330,000, has gone to Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the Gaelic college in Skye.