53 new residents and three businesses have relocated to Argyll and Bute and been awarded more than £140,000 from the council’s Rural Resettlement Fund (RRF).

A number of families have already made the move to Argyll and Bute, setting up new homes right across the area, and have received £126,000 in personal relocation grants.

The businesses, a fencing contractor on Colonsay, a patisserie on the Isle of Bute and a repair engineer to Dunoon, have also been awarded self-employment relocation grants totalling £15,000 from the fund.

The innovative scheme, which remains open for applications, was launched in October 2016 to encourage people and businesses to move and stay in Argyll and Bute and is now being advertised on a national jobs and homes search website.

Councillor Aileen Morton, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council said:

“The £500,000 RRF is open to families, individuals and businesses looking for new opportunities or a new way of life. We have just launched a national digital marketing campaign to encourage even more people to apply to the fund and make Argyll and Bute a place to live, work and do business.

“Argyll and Bute is one of Scotland’s most promising regions and the RRF can provide practical help for young people, relocating or returning to the area to take up a job or Modern Apprenticeship, young families relocating to take up a job and businesses relocating here.”

The RRF can provide grants to employers, self-employed people and families to assist with some of the expenses associated with relocating their business or taking up employment.

For more information and to apply see - www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/rrf