Harbours across the north-east have been given a slice of more than £420,000 in funding.
The funding from the North East of Scotland Fisheries Local Action Group (NesFlag) will be used to improve harbours and boost business.
Among the successful proposals is £52,000 for a new sea safari business in Stonehaven, £31,000 to allow the Peterhead Seafood Festival to expand and £85,000 will go towards a new slipway at Banff.
Whitehills Inshore Fishermen’s Association secured more than £41,000 for a new chill facility, Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners were handed £29,000 for a new waste management scheme and Stonehaven’s Tolbooth Museum was awarded £44,000 to develop the attraction.
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Iain Sutherland, manager of Rediscover Peterhead, said he was “delighted” that they could build on the success of their seafood festival following its debut last year.
Andrew Newton, secretary of the Stonehaven Tolbooth Association, said the funding boost will provide the majority of the cash needed to extend the attraction.
He said: “A professional input is required in order to present a sound business case to potential funders and the trustees were delighted when NesFlag offered to provide 75% of the cost of employing consultants. This has made an immense difference to the project’s viability.”
Jamie Wilkinson, NesFlag coordinator, said the successful funding bids are “great examples” of the community projects they support.
He said: “In this round we have supported a number of applications along the coast which will deliver significant benefits to small scale fishermen. We have also offered grants to projects which improve coastal tourist attractions and celebrate the maritime heritage of the region.”
