£31.5m help for rural projects

Protection for wildlife and the extension of scientifically important woodland are among the projects set to benefit from a multi-million-pound fund for Scottish rural priorities.

The 31.5 million boost announced yesterday is targeted at agri-environment and forestry projects and will support government priorities to improve water quality, mitigate climate change and protect biodiversity. It is co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the Scottish Government.

Projects to benefit include a croft on Lewis which will receive 37,021 to enhance birdlife habitats and 801,736 to extend native woodland in Dumfriesshire.