MP welcomes new Crown Estate cash for coastal areas

Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael is encouraging charities, social enterprises and businesses in the Northern Isles to apply for support from Crown Estate cash in a new fund that will invest more than £1.8 million in the Highlands and Islands.

The fund is drawn from the marine holdings of the Estate and is designed to boost economic growth in coastal areas.

Scotland will receive £3.9 million from the fund in 2012.

Applications for funding will be administered by the Big Lottery ‘Big Fund’ and the deadline for the first round of awards will be September, with winners announced in December.