North Uist Community Council has announced they have a £3,000 funding pot for maintaining or developing natural heritage vehicular access tracks.

The money comprises ward funding from North Uist councillors, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Challenge Fund and the community council’s funds.

Announcing the funding, the North Uist Community Council stated: “We recognise that community members rely on informal vehicular access along agricultural tracks owned by crofters and townships in order to get to areas of North Uist that are far from the road.

“We want to make this funding available for the repair or development of the full length of one or more tracks that are used in this way by the community for access. This scheme is to support active living, e.g. walking, running, swimming etc., and to provide equal access to our natural heritage to all members of our community, regardless of their age or physical ability.”

Applications for grant funding are now invited from townships, crofters and landowners who own such a track, which has been available for access by all local residents for at least 12 months or are considering developing such access.

While the community council anticipates only being able to repair one track with the current round of funding, they ask all interested applicants, including those looking to install fencing, signage, gates and car parking to facilitate and control community access, to apply to help gauge interest and provide evidence to support future funding rounds.

Applicants should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Monday, April 3.