Scottish Land Fund marks its 25th anniversary with record funding for communities across Scotland

From a former church in Leith to a crofting estate in Shetland and affordable housing on Fair Isle, 24 community projects across Scotland are sharing more than £3 million in Scottish Land Fund support to mark the Scottish Land Fund's 25th anniversary.

Today's awards are part of the largest ever funding round from the Scottish Land Fund and come as it celebrates 25 years of helping communities acquire the land and assets that matter to them.

Funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by The National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Land Fund has supported community ownership across Scotland since 2001.

Over the past 25 years, the Scottish Land Fund has invested more than £138 million of Scottish Government and National Lottery funding in 955 projects across the country, helping communities take ownership of:

• village shops

• community centres

• church buildings

• crofts

• land for affordable housing

• woodlands

• pubs

• moorland

• community gardens

• cinemas

• a 5,000-year-old chambered cairn

In total, it has contributed significantly to the transfer of 853 assets into community ownership, representing 213,803 hectares of land and buildings across Scotland.

As the Scottish Land Fund marks its 25th anniversary, the latest awards demonstrate the continued impact of community ownership in helping local people:

• create housing

• protect important buildings

• develop services that meet local needs

Who received funding from this round

Among the projects receiving funding in this latest round are:

• Leith St Andrews Trust, which has received £589,750 to purchase a church building that closed to worshippers in December 2024 and transform it into a centre for physical and mental wellbeing activities

• Muckle Roe Community Enterprise, which has been awarded £293,340 to purchase a crofting estate in Shetland

• Fair Isle Development Company, which has received £45,160 to purchase a 3 bedroom flat within the South Lighthouse complex to provide affordable rented accommodation

Reactions to Scottish Land Fund turning 25

Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs, said:

"For 25 years the Scottish Land Fund has helped communities realise their ambitions in providing vital services, protecting treasured landmarks and building sustainability into villages, towns and cities. This round, like so many before it, shows the breadth of ways this can be done - whether through providing much-needed housing, looking after people's wellbeing or creating a focal point to the community.

“It is incredible to see how the fund has supported real change for so many people across Scotland and I look forward to seeing these projects develop and serve their communities. The Scottish Government has provided a total budget of £111 million to the Scottish Land Fund since 2012. A huge thank you must also go to staff at the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, who have administered the fund, working closely with community groups, helping to ensure it is a success.”

Cara Gillespie, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said:

"As we mark 25 years of the Scottish Land Fund, these latest awards are a powerful reminder of what communities can achieve when they have the opportunity to take ownership of the places that matter to them. Over the past quarter century, the Fund has helped transfer hundreds of assets into community hands, unlocking local ambition, creating jobs, supporting affordable housing, protecting vital services and helping communities build stronger, more resilient futures.

"From islands and crofts to churches, community hubs and green spaces, the story of the Scottish Land Fund is the story of local people stepping forward with a vision for their area and turning that vision into lasting change. The 24 projects supported today are the latest chapter in that story and demonstrate that community ownership remains as relevant and transformative now as it was 25 years ago."

Julian Grant, Chair, Leith St Andrews Trust said:

“Everyone at Leith St. Andrews' Trust is absolutely delighted that this beloved landmark will get a new lease of life and remain at the heart of the community. This funding will be crucial in delivering our mission to transform the church into a welcoming and vibrant hub for all Leithers while also ensuring that the many community groups who use the building currently can continue to call it home.

“We're incredibly grateful to the Scottish Land Fund for its invaluable support; we also offer a massive thank you to our volunteers and members without whom this wouldn't be possible. There's a lot of hard work still to come before the Trust's vision is fully realised but everyone in Leith knows you need to persevere. We are thrilled to be continuing on this journey with the community.”

Reflecting on its beginnings, Neil Ritch, Director for Scotland, The National Lottery Community Fund, said:

"When the Scottish Land Fund was established with National Lottery funding in 2001, community ownership was still a relatively new idea. 25 years on, communities across Scotland have used ownership to create homes, jobs, businesses, greener places and stronger local economies.

“As a delivery partner for the Scottish Land Fund and with experience of helping communities to own assets for many years, we have seen first-hand how ownership can unlock ambition, attract further investment and give communities greater confidence in their future. The projects supported through this latest funding round show that community ownership continues to deliver practical solutions to some of Scotland's biggest challenges, from affordable housing and local economic development to environmental action and community wellbeing.”

Sandra Holmes, Head of Community Assets at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: 

“The 25th anniversary of the Scottish Land Fund is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the difference community ownership makes across Scotland. The grants announced in this latest round will give more communities the opportunity to take ownership of important local assets and unlock their ambitions for the future.”

Next steps

Read the list of groups receiving funding from the latest Scottish Land Fund round (Word doc, 30KB)