A disused ferry store on the Isle of Raasay is to be transformed into the island’s first community owned venison processing facility as part of a major investment helping Scotland’s island communities work towards becoming carbon neutral by 2040.
The project has secured almost £129,000 through the latest round of the Carbon Neutral Islands programme, which is investing £750,000 across five island communities to support local climate action and economic development.
The former East Suisnish Ferry Pier Store will be converted into a solar powered food production hub, allowing venison to be processed on Raasay for the first time rather than being transported to the mainland.
The new facility is expected to reduce carbon emissions by around 136 tonnes each year while creating skilled employment, providing butchery training and supporting a new Hill to Plate education programme with Raasay Primary School and nursery.
Alongside the processing facility, Raasay has also been awarded almost £78,000 to restore important habitats through the removal of invasive plant species and the planting of 4,000 native trees.
The investment forms part of a wider programme supporting five island communities, including Barra, Great Cumbrae, Hoy and Islay, with projects ranging from renewable energy and battery storage to habitat restoration and local food production.
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs Gillian Martin said:
“Island communities face real challenges such as cost of living, higher energy costs and the growing impacts of climate change.
“This investment will help thousands of residents build stronger, more self sufficient communities fit for the future.
“These projects show how tackling climate change can create jobs, grow local economies and keep more money in island communities.
“Across the five islands, the funding will support solar power, battery storage, low carbon heating, habitat restoration and local food production.
“These represent practical, community led action designed to reduce reliance on imported fuels and help islands become more self sufficient ahead of a 2040 carbon neutral target.”
Tom Lusink, Community Development Officer at Raasay Development Trust, said the funding was essential to the island’s journey towards net zero.
He said the venison processing facility would build on the crofting community’s long tradition of managing deer sustainably while creating employment and skills opportunities that benefit local people.
He also welcomed continued support for habitat restoration, saying long term investment was essential because restoring nature takes place over many years rather than short funding cycles.
Councillor John Finlayson, Chair of The Highland Council’s Eilean a’ Cheò Area Committee, described the funding as a strong endorsement of the island’s ambition.
He said the investment would help reduce carbon emissions while creating training opportunities, supporting local contractors and ensuring more economic value remains within the island community.
Since launching in 2021, Scotland’s Carbon Neutral Islands programme has invested £4.65 million in projects designed to help island communities cut emissions, strengthen local economies and become more resilient for the future.
