This funding alongside £50,000 from the Cairngorms National Park Authority, £40,000 from the Crown Estate, £50,000 from Highland and Islands Enterprise and significant voluntary input from the local community and other organisations enables 18 months work to develop detailed proposals for a wide range of projects in Tomintoul and Glenlivet  that could see a total investment of £3.6m in the area.

Tomintoul and Glenlivet  has a distinct heritage with many colourful stories from the past, the project will use this rich heritage to promote rural regeneration and encourage more visitors to experience this distinctive and vibrant part of the National Park.

The vision is for the communities of Tomintoul and Glenlivet to share and celebrate the hidden heritage of the area, building on the economic regeneration already underway and significantly enhancing the landscape, heritage, skills and development opportunities in the long term. There will be a variety of projects to get involved in which will provide many training opportunities for people to learn new skills.  Planned work includes projects to improve the museum and visitor centre in Tomintoul, gather oral history, conserve important buildings in the area such as Scalan and Blairfindy Castle, restore woodland along sections of the River Avon, create more wetland habitat for wading birds and improve paths in the area.

Steve Smith, Chair of the TGDT said, “We are delighted with the outcome of the Landscape Partnership bid, the size of investment that the award brings presents a huge opportunity for both the local area and the wider community. All partners have worked extremely hard in presenting a bid that truly reflected our passion and commitment to preserve, enhance and celebrate the unique landscape and heritage within the Tomintoul and Glenlivet area. We look forward to realising the ambitions of the bid.”

The project will also focus on working with young people, in particular supporting Speyside High School with their Rural Skills programme and running junior ranger posts in conjunction with schools and the Crown Estate.  A learning hub will be developed in Tomintoul to offer training and courses for everyone in the community. 

Eleanor Mackintosh CNPA Board Member said, “We are very excited about this partnership. The first phase of support from the Heritage Lottery Fund is a real recognition of the strength of partnership and commitment that the community, the Crown Estate, agencies and our partners are making to the long term development of Tomintoul and Glenlivet. There is still a lot of work to do but this is a fantastic start.”

Colin McLean, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland, added: “It’s thanks to the Lottery playing public that we can make awards such as this so we are delighted to mark The National Lottery’s 20th birthday with such good news for the communities of Tomintoul and Glenlivet. What they have already started on a small scale can now be taken forward bringing real cohesion to the natural and built heritage of the region. Nature lies at the heart of what makes Scotland special and having funded over 300 natural heritage projects, HLF is committed to helping people reconnect with what often lies overlooked on their doorstep.”

Notes to editors

A Landscape Partnership (LP) earmarked grant means that money has been set aside by HLF for the scheme in question. The applicant then progresses to the second round and submits a further, fully-developed application to secure the full award. 

HLF’s Landscape Partnerships are helping bring together members of the community as well as local, regional, and national organisations to deliver schemes which benefit some of the UK’s most outstanding landscapes and rural communities. Grants range from £100,000 to £3m. The next closing date for LP applications is May 2015 for decisions in October 2015. 

The Cairngorms National Park was established in 2003. It is the UK’s largest national park at 4,528sq km The park has four aims: to conserve and enhance the area’s natural and cultural heritage: promote sustainable use of the Park’s natural resources; promoting understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Park (including recreation); and to promote sustainable economic and social development of local communities.

The CNPA was set up to ensure that the unique aspects of the Cairngorms – both the natural environment and the local communities – are cared for, sustained and enhanced for current and future generations to enjoy. The CNPA provides leadership  to all those involved in the Cairngorms and works in partnership with a range of communities, businesses, non government organisations and public sector partners to deliver practical solutions on the ground.

From the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife, the Heritage Lottery Fund uses National Lottery players' money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about.

More than 300 Land and Biodiversity projects in Scotland have received over £50million from HLF.

Further information

Charlotte Milburn – CNPA Press Officer on 01339 753 607, email: charlottemilburn@cairngorms.co.uk.