A fund worth almost £2million has been opened to celebrate The National Lottery’s 25th birthday.
The initiative, which is being distributed in a bid to bring communities together, is open to groups in the Highlands and Moray who can bid for their share of up to £1,000.
Applications opened on Saturday and will run through until Friday December 6.
Neil Ritch, director for Scotland for The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “For 25 years, the National Lottery has been helping communities to thrive in every corner of Scotland – from inner cities to rural villages, and everywhere in between.
“That’s why the fund, #CelebrateNationalLottery25, is to say happy birthday and to empower anyone and everyone to make their idea for their community a reality.”
In the past 25 years, thousands of lives across both the Highlands and Moray have been transformed by lottery-backed schemes.
The Portknockie Paddling Pool group, who maintain a tidal paddling pool for locals and visitors, has previously used national lottery funding to purchase maintenance equipment as well as deliver new signage and a concrete BBQ facility to improve the surrounding area of the pool.
Donna Coull at Portknockie Paddling Pool, said: “Our lottery funding was a welcome addition to our efforts to help improve and maintain the tidal paddling pool.
“The pool is an important resource for our community and especially busy in the summer with holidaymakers and local children.
“We were delighted with our funding which will help to preserve the pool for future generations.”
Projects in the Highlands that have benefited include Bunillidh Bairns who were able to provide equipment for their baby and toddler group and organise trips for children.
