Thirty one Highland based sports clubs are celebrating new funding awards through the Get Active Scotland initiative, supporting efforts to help more people become active across communities facing rural isolation and deprivation.
The first round of funding follows the launch of Get Active Scotland in Inverness last September by Olympic athlete Megan Keith.
Get Active Scotland is a two year funding partnership involving national and local organisations including the London Marathon Foundation, sportscotland, High Life Highland and Glasgow Life.
The programme is one of Scotland’s largest focused on increasing participation in physical activity, particularly among less active children and young people and communities affected by deprivation and geographic isolation.
Funding in this first round, administered by High Life Highland, supports a wide range of sports including basketball, ice hockey, shinty, football, gymnastics, athletics, golf, tennis, bowling, rugby, kayaking and surfing.
Among the clubs receiving funding are Highland Disability Sport, Highland Bears Basketball, Aviemore Avalanche Junior Ice Hockey, Beauly Shinty Club, Golspie Youth Action Project, Grantown YMCA Community Centre, South Skye and Lochalsh Kayak Club, Thurso Community Cafe and Ullapool Golf Club.
Darren Reid, Head of Sport and Physical Activity at High Life Highland, said the response to the fund had been overwhelming.
“We were overwhelmed with applications for the first round of Get Active Scotland funding, with some excellent applications all with the aim of helping people to be more active more often.
“While some clubs will be disappointed that they were unsuccessful this time, we are speaking with representatives to encourage them to try again when applications open again next month.
“We are very grateful to the London Marathon Foundation for the financial investment in Highland, it is already making a difference to local clubs and organisations and will have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of people living here.”
Mike Diaper, Group Funding and Impact Director at the London Marathon Foundation, said this was only the beginning of the programme’s impact.
“It’s fantastic to see such a range of community groups already benefitting from Get Active Scotland funding and this is just the beginning.
“We can’t wait to see the impact they’ll have in boosting the health and wellbeing of children, young people and less active communities across the Highlands.
“With applications re opening in February 2026, even more groups will soon have the chance to apply for the funding they need to make physical activity accessible, inclusive and part of everyday life.”
The London Marathon Foundation has committed £500,000 to the two year fund, marking the first time it has made a grant solely focused on supporting communities in Scotland.
The funding has been made possible through London Marathon Events’ acquisition of Caledonian Concepts Ltd, which delivers major participation events including the Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running.
Community groups based in Highland can apply for grants of up to £5,000, with the next application deadline set for Friday 6 February.
