The Cairngorms National Park Authority has partnered with the Cairngorms Trust to launch the Communities and Cultural Heritage Fund, a £50,000 initiative designed to support communities and celebrate our shared cultural heritage across the National Park. 

The new fund is an important part of the work to support cultural heritage and is open to community councils, community development trusts and other community organisations within the Cairngorms National Park. Applications are also welcome from community interest companies, sole traders and micro-businesses whose projects benefit communities in the National Park. Grants ranging from £2,500 to £10,000 are available, covering both revenue and capital costs, and projects must be completed by 10 February 2027. 

Roger Clegg, Chair of Cairngorms Trust, said: “Community led projects have always been at the heart of the work of the Cairngorms Trust.  We are looking forward to supporting the communities of the Cairngorms to deliver exciting cultural heritage initiatives through this fund.” 

Eilidh Todd, Communities and Rural Development Manager at Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: “This fund is an exciting opportunity for communities across the National Park to develop projects that celebrate and protect our unique cultural heritage. It’s about supporting local people to make their ideas a reality while strengthening the fabric of our communities.” 

The new fund was announced earlier this month at a landmark cultural heritage event in Boat of Garten that brought together 65 people involved in or passionate about cultural heritage. The event was shaped by a steering group of nine local practitioners from a wide range of cultural heritage backgrounds and different areas of the National Park, including Laggan, Braemar, Glenlivet and Strathspey. Prior to the event, the group worked with expert facilitators Carron Tobin and Diane Smith from SCOTO CIC to design a programme of talks, showcases and conversations aimed at establishing a shared voice and a network for cultural heritage in the Cairngorms National Park. 

Cultural heritage working group member, Lydia Fisher, said: "It's been rewarding meeting people passionate about heritage in all its forms. The event sparked new ideas, fostered collaboration and inspired new ways of thinking about how to celebrate and preserve the National Park’s rich cultural legacy.” 

 Ms Todd added: "The event was a tremendous success in uniting people from across the National Park who are passionate about cultural heritage. It was inspiring to see so many ideas shared, collaborations formed and connections made in just one day. We’re excited to work with communities to preserve our past, celebrate the present and look at how best to work to work together on the future of cultural heritage in the National Park." 

More information about the fund and the application process is available on the Cairngorms Trust website.