Scotland’s Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund Opens New Round

Administered by VisitScotland, the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) is a platform which will provide leverage for additional and focused investment, stimulate collaboration, build capacity within communities and meet the Scottish Government’s commitment to addressing climate change and the transition of Scotland to a low carbon society.

Since the start of the Fund in 2018, £9 million of grant funding has been awarded to 45 projects across rural Scotland.

The fourth round will look to build on the momentum created by previous rounds of the RTIF and the unfulfilled demand for support to realise a more strategic network of facilities which will meet the needs of our visitors for years to come, drive Scotland’s rural areas to become world class destinations with the ability to meet future visitor expectations.

RTIF will continue to support collaborative projects that focus on improving the visitor experience in rural parts of Scotland that have faced pressure on their infrastructure or negative impacts on communities due to significant increases in visitor numbers but will also look forward to address anticipated future pinch points as a result of growth initiatives such as route development, major events, the rise in cruise arrivals, film and TV production as well as the continued growth in the motorhome sector.

Local Authorities and National Park Authorities can apply for funding. 

Awards are available from £75,000 up to a maximum of £375,000.

The Fund can provide applicants with support up to 70% of approved project activity.

A small amount of RTIF funding will be made available to applicants approved at EOI stage to support design and facilitate the planning process. This will be available up to maximum of £5,000 based on a maximum 50% intervention rate.

Expressions of interest should be submitted by 13 August 2021 (5pm). Applications for the design grant should be submitted by the earlier date of 30 April 2021.