Two exciting projects in ɬ will receive a welcome boost as a result of the council securing funding from the Scottish Government’s Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF).
Administered by national tourism and events organisation, VisitScotland, the RTIF supports the improvement of infrastructure in rural areas facing increasing visitor demands.
The projects are part of a package of 11 Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development (STID) proposals initially developed by local community groups or charities across nine of the region’s islands. The latest two projects to benefit are the Skerryvore Lighthouse Shore Station and the Isle of Staffa Access Infrastructure (Stage 3 - Staircase Replacement).
- Skerryvore Lighthouse Shore Station, Tiree - total project cost is £276,177 - RTIF grant award is £219,359.
The project will improve the existing trail and enable access to the station from the harbour pier. It will also address the visitor pressure points of site access and parking. The site improvements will offer an all-year-round opportunity for locals and visitors to enjoy the Skerryvore Lighthouse Shore Station.
- Staffa Access Infrastructure (Stage 3 - Staircase Replacement) - Total project cost is £1,471,500 - RTIF grant is for a maximum award of £900,000.
The existing access infrastructure on Staffa needs urgent and significant improvement. This project will replace the cliff-side staircase and is the final phase in the Staffa Conservation and Access Project. The first two phases have also been supported by RTIF grants:
- Phase 1: Footpaths and visitor welcome – completed in 2022
- Phase 2: Boat landing jetty to improve landing access – completed in 2025.
Welcoming the news, the council’s Policy Lead for Business Development, Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess, said:
“It is fantastic that these two important and indeed very popular visitor attractions on Staffa and Tiree are to benefit from the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund.
“It is great that so many people choose to visit ɬ, and we want to maximise that, but we also need to keep in mind the effects that growing numbers of visitors can have on our island communities and the local environment. This funding will help to ease the pressure on the main tourist areas so that visitors and residents can all benefit.”
Trudy MacKenzie, Hynish Trust that manages the Skerryvore Lighthouse Shore Station on behalf of the community, said:
“Hynish Trust is delighted to announce that it has received funding through the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund to upgrade and make safe the historic Skerryvore Lighthouse Shore Station at Hynish. This transformative project marks a significant step forward in preserving and enhancing Tiree’s most iconic heritage site.
“The planned upgrades will not only protect this vital piece of maritime history but will also redefine the site’s visual impact, leaving a lasting impression on all who visit. By honouring the legacy of Skerryvore while improving visitor experience, this work reflects the enduring cultural and historical importance of the Shore Station to the community and beyond.”
Clea Warner, Regional Director of the Highlands and Islands at the National Trust for Scotland, said:
"We are very grateful for funding from the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund to support our infrastructure project at the Staffa National Nature Reserve. As visitor numbers to this beloved island have increased in recent years, our complex multi-year project to improve its access infrastructure becomes even more vital. After completing work to the landing jetty this year, we are now replacing the staircase to the upper island and puffin colony to improve the visitor experience. As a conservation charity, it is our responsibility to undertake this work with the greatest care for the island and its nature, and in partnership with boat operators, to create an enjoyable experience for visitors. Our aim is to create lasting infrastructure that will allow us to welcome people to this special places for decades to come."
David Adams McGilp, VisitScotland Regional Director, said:
“Communities are at the heart of creating a sustainable and successful visitor destination and the funding of these projects will not only enhance the visitor experience but benefit the local community.
“VisitScotland is focused on the responsible growth of tourism and events. We must encourage the right facilities to cater for the growing demands of both visitors and locals, to ensure the best possible experience for all.”
