Five projects in Argyll and Bute have been put forward for the next round of the Scottish Government's Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF), with more than £4 million of investment being sought to support community facilities, economic development and visitor infrastructure.
Argyll and Bute Council has submitted Stage 1 Expressions of Interest on behalf of projects in Oban, Ardrishaig, Rothesay, Ardchattan and Tiree for the 2027/28 RCGF programme.
The latest bids build on recent success through the fund. Earlier this year, four Argyll and Bute projects secured support through the 2026/27 programme, with investment awarded to Kintyre Sea Sports, Nonhebel Park on Mull, Tarbert Harbour Community Water Sports and Activity Hub, and the Tighnabruaich Community Refuelling and Business Hub.
If successful at this stage, the projects will be invited to submit detailed funding applications later this year.
The projects being taken forward are:
- Oban Lorne Community Sports and Events Hub: seeking £700,000 to upgrade the rugby clubhouse and facilities, creating a café, flexible community and event space, physiotherapy suite, accessible toilets and improved changing facilities.
- Crinan Canal Ardrishaig Terminus Programme: The Pier Square Gateway Phase : seeking £750,000 to redevelop the Pier Master's House and adjacent store building into visitor accommodation while also improving operational facilities.
- Rothesay Winter Garden Redevelopment: seeking £974,000 to enhance the historic Winter Garden building and create flexible community spaces alongside a new café and bar.
- TAC Workspace, Ardchattan: seeking £200,000 to convert a former canteen building into two business studio units and provide new facilities for tenants.
- Tiree Gateway: seeking £1.4 million to transform a disused building into a multi-purpose facility with visitor infrastructure, accommodation, campervan services, public amenities and event space.
The five projects were identified following a review of community proposals submitted through a council expression of interest process, alongside projects already within the council's development pipeline.
Councillor Jim Lynch, the Council's Policy Lead for Business Development, said:
"These projects reflect the ambition, creativity and determination of communities across Argyll and Bute to invest in their future. Together they have the potential to deliver wide-ranging benefits, from creating new business and employment opportunities to enhancing community facilities, supporting tourism and bringing important buildings and spaces back into productive use.
"The Regeneration Capital Grant Fund has helped unlock a number of transformative projects across Argyll and Bute in recent years, and we're pleased to be supporting these communities as they seek to secure the next round of funding. We look forward to working with project partners as the application process progresses."
The Scottish Government is expected to advise later this year which projects will progress to the second stage of the application process, with funding decisions for the 2027/28 programme anticipated in early 2027.
Successful projects will help support community-led regeneration, strengthen local economies, enhance visitor experiences and create facilities that benefit residents and businesses for years to come.
