Duror & KentallenNews

💰 Funding & Community Support Grants

• ‍Community Regeneration Fund (CRF) & HCCF: Highland Council received £3,886,450.43 from the Scottish Government for  Highland Coastal Communities unding. Rather than issuing an open call for new projects, local teams will use BeConnected—a new interactive digital mapping platform—to identify community-led projects seeking funding and support.  

• National Events Programme: VisitScotland’s fund for live public-facing sporting and cultural events driving domestic tourism is open. Deadline: Monday, 5 October at 2:00 PM.

• ‍SSEN Transmission Funds: SSEN has launched a £10m Strategic Investment Fund targeting skills, employability, and fuel poverty across the region. Additionally, a £530,000 Bingally Local Fund is open for consultation for residents in the Strathglass area.   ‍

• Sustainable Communities Fund (SCF): Crown Estate Scotland is offering Community Capacity Grants and Environment Grants. Deadline: 26 October 2026.  

• Community Transport Grant Scheme (2027–2030): Grants available for community-led transport projects that connect residents to healthcare, social activities, and employment.

• ‍Tesco Fruit & Veg Grants (Tain & Inverness): Local youth groups, sports clubs, and schools can apply by the end of September for customer voting rounds to secure grants ranging from £500 to £1,500.  ‍

• Additional Funding Opportunities: Small Eco Awards (up to £20,000), National Lottery Commonwealth Games-inspired activities (£10,000 max), Reuse and Repair Fund (up to £50,000), and the Climate Action Fund (up to £1,000).
  

🙋🏻‍♀️ Local News & Public Consultations

• ‍Highland Visitor Levy Scheme: Statutory public consultation is open until 30 November 2026. Share feedback online via Engage Highland or access paper forms at local libraries and service points.  

• New Interactive Portal: Highland Council launched a new digital citizen engagement platform enabling residents to submit ideas, drop pins on maps, and vote on local topics.  

• BT Digital Voice Switchover: Residents are encouraged to prepare for the analog landline network shutdown coming in January 2027 by booking their switchover appointments early.  

• ‍Cairngorms Fire Recovery Fund: Grants from a £3m Scottish Government fund are available through Highland Council for small businesses affected by the Cairngorms wildfire that suffered a 20%+ income loss.  
  

🎓 Events & Workshops

• ‍Work & Wellbeing Day (Portree): Wednesday, 23 September (9:30 AM – 2:30 PM) at Portree Community Centre offering job opportunities, advice, and mental health support.  

• ‍Inverness Fringe Festival: Premiering this autumn from 28 September to 4 October with performances and cultural events across the city.‍

• Highland Young Writers Course: Free creative writing workshop for 18–24-year-olds from 12–17 October. Travel and access costs are covered.

• ‍Cèilidh @ Cultarlann: Traditional dance, music, and Gaelic language sessions held every Friday evening (7:00 PM – 10:00 PM).   ‍

• People's Emergency Briefing Screening: Free screening and discussion on climate and nature risks on Friday, 25 September at 7:30 PM at Nairn Community & Arts Centre.

• ‍Rescued and Ready Workshops (Alness): Free small electrical repair workshops hosted by ILM Highland to teach practical repair skills.  
  

🩺 Health, Wellbeing & Volunteering

• ‍Children’s Hearing Scotland: Recruitment is open for volunteer Panel Members (ages 18+) across the Highlands. Applications close: 23 September 2026.  

• Parent & Carer "Speakeasy" Sessions: Online 90-minute workshops hosted by NHS Highland discussing puberty, adolescent risk-taking, and healthy relationships.

• Mental Health Resources: Access suicide prevention tools and self-harm awareness courses via the Prevent Suicide Highland app or Highland Mental Wellbeing website.

• Volunteer Opportunities: Skye & Lochalsh Citizens Advice Bureau is seeking local volunteers, and Aban is recruiting for its fully funded Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Group.

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‍Contact & Briefing Submissions: To submit news or join the mailing list, contact communitybriefing@highland.gov.uk.