Tourism

Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund

The Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) was established by the Scottish Government in 2017 and is managed by VisitScotland on their behalf. The fund supports collaborative projects across rural parts of Scotland that focus on improving the visitor experience. This is achieved by reducing pressure on infrastructure and negative impacts on communities due to large increases in visitor numbers. Since the fund was established, we have been awarded over £6.8 million in funding across 33 projects.

Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan

In late 2021, VisitScotland announced RTIF would focus on a more strategic approach to visitor infrastructure development. The Highland Council received additional funding to produce a Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan that would identify the key priorities for future RTIF support, over the medium term.

Find out more about the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund.

Funding for 2025 to 2026

Subject to budget confirmation from the Scottish Government in late February, VisitScotland have announced a new round of Rural Tourism Infrastructure Funding, with the deadline for project applications on the 28 February 2025 and a second application deadline for the 30 April 2025.

To apply projects must:

• be identified as priorities within the Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan
• have submitted a planning application by the application deadline
• be delivered between 1 April 2025 and 1 March 2027, priority may be given to those projects which can be completed by 1 March 2026
• have costs estimates that are no more than 3 months old at the time of submission

Grant Awards

Awards are available from £150,000 up to £900,000 for larger or multi-site projects. However, due to rising construction costs and inflation, flexibility may be shown in the case of projects which have demonstrated that they meet a strategic tourism infrastructure need and higher awards up to £1 million may be considered in such cases.

Intervention Rate

RTIF can provide applicants with support up to 80% of eligible project costs but depending on need and strategic impact and where this might accelerate the timescale for the delivery of a project, an intervention rate of up to 85% may be considered.

Design Grants

Design Grants are available to support new applications. Applications can be submitted anytime up to 1 December 2025, subject to funds being available, but must be completed by 1 March 2026.

Design Grants will be available up to £20,000 and 100% intervention rate.

For a copy of the full criteria, conditions and guidelines, email Tourism@highland.gov.uk