Eco-friendly tourist accommodation at Ballantrae, Ayrshire, a poultry farm near Peebles and a waste business near Greenock are among the latest projects approved through Rural Priorities.

Overall, the £60 million will create 530 jobs, with a further 430 sustained. Considerable environment benefits will also stem from the investment.

Around 4,500 projects have now been approved through the scheme, to the value of around £330 million.

Rural Secretary Richard Lochhead said that hundreds of projects are now complete, making a real difference to Scotland's rural communities.

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Mr Lochhead said: "This is another major investment in rural Scotland that will lead to the creation of new businesses, new community facilities and a range of environmental projects.

"It is hugely encouraging to see so many applications coming forward that will boost the rural economy through job creation and others that will deliver major environmental benefits."

This is the seventh round of approvals from the Rural Priorities scheme. £330 million has now been approved, funding around 4,500 projects in rural Scotland. The grants provide both environmental and business support with some paid over the course of several years to ensure the habitats are properly maintained.

A further 58 cases to be funded by approximately £9 million have been approved in principle and are undergoing final eligibility checks.

(GK)