Community groups in the Highlands secure funding

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-26135990

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Three community groups in the Highlands have secured grants from the Scottish Land Fund.

Aigas Community Forest has been awarded £221,000 to help it to purchase woodland near Crask of Aigas at Beauly.

Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust will uses its £144,512 to takeover the post office in Bonar Bridge.

West Glenmoriston Community Company has received £95,360 towards buying the former school in Dalchreichart, which it plans to turn into a community hub.

Andrew Leaver, secretary of Aigas Community Forest, said the organisation had worked hard to realise its aim of taking control of the local wood.

He said: "It's been a long, and at times dispiriting, five years to get to this stage but I hope that we can act as an example to other groups that sticking with your project is worth every ounce of effort involved."

Pete Campbell, chairman of Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust, said the future of Bonar Bridge Post Office had been safeguarded.

He said of the grant assistance: "It will allow continued provision of the current services for people living in the Kyle of Sutherland."

West Glenmoriston Community Company said the purchase of the school at Dalchreichart was the first phase of wider project to create a community hub.

Chairman Adam Philip said: "At present, there are no local services here.

"It is planned for this community facility to be developed into a centre catering for all the residents, and visitors to, this remote rural area, supporting local tourism businesses and providing potential opportunities for employment."

The Scottish Land Fund is funded by £9 million from the Scottish Government and administered by the Big Lottery Fund in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise.