More than £330,000 has been invested in grassroots sport and physical activity across the Highlands, helping 85 clubs and community organisations get more people active.
The first year of the Get Active Scotland Fund has distributed £331,036.70 across the region, supporting everything from shinty and gymnastics to rowing, walking, golf, sailing, swimming and surfing.
Launched in September 2025 by Olympic and Commonwealth Games athlete Megan Keith, the fund is a partnership between the London Marathon Foundation, sportscotland, High Life Highland and Glasgow Life.
Grants are helping local organisations buy equipment, improve facilities, develop activities and remove some of the barriers that can prevent people from taking part.
The geographical spread is considerable, with projects including bowling and tennis in Badenoch, rugby and golf in Ross shire, sailing and shinty in Skye and swimming and surfing in Caithness.
Gairloch Coastal Rowing Club used its funding for lightweight oars, a road trailer and safety equipment, allowing more people to participate and helping the club attend events elsewhere in Scotland.
Sue Ward from Gairloch Coastal Rowing Club said:
“Our new lightweight oars have made rowing so much more accessible and easier for our members, while our new road trailer allows us to meet up with other Scottish clubs for social rowing events and regattas.
“Rowing is a fantastic way to get active and connect with others on the water, and this new equipment means many more people can now take part and enjoy the experience.”
In Lochaber, Ewan’s Room has received support for walking programmes designed to get people outdoors while improving physical wellbeing and building social connections.
Beauly Shinty Club received funding to develop its Under 14s Girls Shinty Team, while Aviemore Bowling Club secured support for equipment for an intergenerational bowling project.
Fyrish Gymnastics Club in Alness has used the fund to develop activities including opportunities for disabled young people.
Claire Gordon of Fyrish Gymnastics said:
“Fyrish Gymnastics are pleased to receive Get Active Scotland funding to upgrade our beam matting to competition standard and also ensuring the safety of all our athletes.
“This will enable us to hold our first four-piece competition in the Club.
“We hope to welcome gymnasts from all over Scotland and have our first Special Olympic Gymnastics competition in the near future.”
Mike Diaper, Group Funding and Impact Director at the London Marathon Foundation, recently visited several Highland projects benefiting from the investment.
He said:
“When we started Get Active Scotland, it was all about combining effort and pulling our resources in the belief that together we would make an even bigger impact.
“Coming here to see some of the projects live and in action, I can see that we’ve definitely done that!
“Small amounts of money can really help local clubs to get people active in a way that is right for them, and we’re excited to support more projects in the second year of the Get Active Scotland Fund, so that even more communities across the Highlands enjoy the life-long benefits of being active.”
High Life Highland Chief Executive Steve Walsh said demand for the grants demonstrated the commitment within Highland communities to creating opportunities for people to become active.
The fund particularly aims to reach less active children and young people and communities affected by deprivation and rural isolation.
For the clubs themselves, relatively modest investments can buy the equipment or create the opportunity that turns an idea into something people can actually join.
And there is more money available, with Highland community groups able to apply for grants of up to £5,000 before the next deadline on 2 November 2026.
For more information and to apply, visit Get Active Highland Fund | High Life Highland
