Projects across the north and north-east are to share in Scottish Government funding to help fight climate change.
Some 41 schemes throughout Scotland have been awarded £3.6million to reduce their carbon footprint and inspire others to follow suit.
The funding was announced by Green MSP Robin Harper, who said he was pleased to see the Climate Change Fund support innovative communities throughout Scotland.
“If Scotland is to meet its carbon reduction targets we will need to scale up projects like these and learn from their experiences,” he said. “The projects funded today have, for all their diversity, a lot in common. They share drive and determination, and they are run by Scotland’s climate change pioneers, helping to reduce our carbon footprint and create a more sustainable economy and safer environment.”
Real Inverness CIC Ltd was awarded £111,533 while Girlguiding Inverness received £11,230 to refurbish Leachkin Guide Hall.
Ritchie Cunningham, headmaster of Inverness High School, which is involved in Real Inverness, said: “We are very pleased with the funding from the Climate Challenge Fund, the bulk of which is going to support two positions employed by the CIC.”
The funding will be used for a carbon emissions worker who will help the local community and the school become more energy efficient and save money.
A curriculum link worker will promote an environmental approach across the curriculum to ensure that every aspect of it is linked in to improving energy efficiency.
A total of four schemes in the Black Isle and Ross-shire will share £142,496: Alness Transition Town Group; Alness and District Allotment Society’s polytunnel and composting; Community Energy Scotland, and Transition Black Isle’s development project.
In Perth and Kinross, the Campaign to Open Blackford Railway station has been awarded £11,750 and the Glenlyon Woodfuel initiative £21,500.
In the north-east, Woodend Arts Association received £7,900 towards an allotments project, while Culter and District Community Association got £3,850 towards its village hall energy project.