Community groups in the north and north-east are among those sharing almost £150,000 to help mark Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters.
Scottish Natural Heritage has revealed 24 projects that have secured awards through its Plunge In! Coasts and Waters Community Fund, launched earlier this year.
The successful projects range from whale watching to a summer holiday club and from salt making to exploring sea sounds.
SNH Chief Executive Francesca Osowska said there had been an amazing response to the fund.
“The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has inevitably impacted on the ability of some projects to get underway this summer, but we look forward to supporting them to deliver their activities into 2021,” she said.
“It is fantastic some projects have found a way to use technology to get started and plunge right in.”
One of the projects, Curious Pilgrims: Sonic Outreach Shetland, will promote Shetland’s coastal areas through sound with the use of audio technology.
Under the artistic guidance of Shetland-based sound artist Renzo Spiteri, young people from Anderson and Brae High Schools will discover “hidden sounds” within Shetland’s coastal environment.
Mr Spiteri, co-founder and co-director of Curious Pilgrims, said: “We are very grateful to Scottish Natural Heritage for supporting our project.
“It will enable participants to experience and view Shetland’s coasts and seas in new ways, increasing their awareness of and sensitivity to this special ecology.
“They will develop new skills through artistic creation and sharing acquired knowledge and experiences with friends, family and the wider community.”
Other projects include Belhelvie Community Trust’s Focus on the Beach project to raise awareness of Balmedie beach, its wildlife and history; the Sea Watch Foundation’s Orca Watch event at John O’Groats; Lewis and Harris Youth Club Association’ holiday club and promoting the North Harris Snorkel Trail.
A project by the SCAPE Trust will construct a replica salt pan and provide training in traditional coastal salt making in Brora.
The Isle of Eigg Residents Association will use walks and arts to help visitors and residents learn more about the island’s landscape and wildlife.
Cromarty Courthouse Museum will help celebrate the connection between the community and the sea and Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre will create a moving image work in North Uist, while SEALL (Skye Events for All): Fèis an Eilein is a programme of events celebrating Skye’s coasts and waters.
Fèis na Linne: Spring Tide will establish a Coasts and Waters song-stream by sharing 20 selected Gaelic sea songs and their stories.
Finally, the Thurso Community Development Trust will deliver a programme of activities to help local people and visitors to celebrate the coastal waters around Thurso.
