Working in partnership to improve rural infrastructure

We’re supporting rural communities across Scotland to welcome visitors while protecting the places they come to enjoy. 

We deliver the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) on behalf of the Scottish Government, it's all about partnership working.  

Working closely with local authorities, community groups, and tourism partners we identify where investment is needed most and support projects that benefit both visitors and local people. 

The RTIF enables us to support practical infrastructure projects that help rural areas manage growing visitor numbers, including public toilets, motorhome facilities, car parks, low-carbon transport, multi-use paths, and active travel links. 

Through local Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development Plans, we collaborate with partners to prioritise projects and target investment where it can make the biggest difference. And several multi-year projects will continue throughout this year, supported by a further £4 million in the Scottish Budget. 

Parking hub and visitor interpretation facilities in the village of Hoswick, Shetland funded by RTIF

Current or recently completed projects

Ardvreck Castle Visitor Facilities

£245,560.28 was awarded for a project in Loch Assynt, Sutherland which includes a car park expansion, motorhome provisions and layby safety reconfiguration. 

Skerryvore Lighthouse Shore Station 

This infrastructure project in Hynish, Tiree, received an RTIF grant award of £219,359 which will support projects which include trail upgrades and access management. 
 

Glenmore parking and active travel initiative 

This project received £221,751, this will upgrade signage and lighting, car parking and establish active travel paths. 

Staffa conservation & access infrastructure development 

• Argyll and Bute Council with delivery agent National Trust for Scotland
• Total amount awarded £1,400,000

Staffa, a Scottish island known for its geology and wildlife, has fully reopened to the public after intermittent closures since 2022.

The closure facilitated urgent work to improve safe access for visitors and protect the island's flora and fauna from increasing tourist numbers. A new staircase near Clamshell Cave now provides access to the upper areas. 

Picture shows the new Staffa staircase in progress

Tarbert Pier Lochside Park 

• Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority
• Total amount awarded £750,000

The project added car parking with sustainable transport connections and improved access to the loch for cruise and waterbus users. 

The improvements support a better visitor experience and create employment opportunities and business development for local outlets. 

They also help reduce pressure at Luss by providing high-quality facilities at another accessible location on the western shores of Loch Lomond. 

Tarbert Harbour

Dounby Visitor Infrastructure 

• Orkney Islands Council
• Total amount awarded £616,958.28 

A visitor hub in Dounby will be developed to serve the needs of both tourism and the local community. The project will help reduce pressure on key natural and cultural heritage sites, improve the visitor experience, and deliver socio-economic benefits to local businesses and communities. 

The project includes a new, accessible, unisex toilet block with drinking water refill station and motorhome waste disposal facility, e-bike, and electric vehicle (EV) charge points and designated disabled parking spaces as well as motorhome parking. 

Picture shows the progress of works underway at Dounby

Achmelvich Beach Car Park and Toilets 

• Highland Council
• Total amount awarded £500,000 

Highland Council and Assynt Development Trust aim to redevelop and expand the Achmelvich beach car park and replace the current public toilets with a larger unit incorporating toilet and shower facilities, alongside modest space for visitor interpretation and good-practice information. 

There are also 38 additional parking spaces planned, alongside reinstatement of 40 existing spaces with durable surfacing. Planning permission was granted in November 2021, following an earlier RTIF-funded design phase. 

Picture shows the Achmelvich Beach works including resurfacing

Coast to Country 

• Moray Council
• Total amount awarded £294,817

This project is a multi-partner, multi-location programme aimed to create a network of facilities across the region to support tourism and relieve pressure on local beauty spots, including: 

• A new motorhome overnight facility in Cullen, plus motorhome parking at Ballindalloch and Craigellachie 

• Upgrades and reopening of toilets in Findhorn and Ballindalloch 

• New car park with footpath to Bow Fiddle Rock, Portknockie 

• Car park enhancements at Ben Rinnes, Ballindalloch, Hopeman, and Craigellachie 

Picture shows car park enhancements at Ben Rinnes