Four sustainability projects in Perthshire are to benefit from almost £250,000 of funding from the Scottish Government as part of the green legacy of the 2014 Ryder Cup.

The projects extend the reach of the Ryder Cup Green Drive which focuses on integrating sustainability across all aspects of the event's planning and staging.

The four projects are:

• Zero Waste Fortnight – an initiative run by Perth and Kinross Council and Zero Waste Scotland to support communities in Perthshire to achieve zero waste to landfill
• Sustainable Golf – led by the Scottish Golf Union, providing practical advice and small grants support for environmental and community projects in golf clubs in Perthshire
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• John Muir Trust – engaging people from all walks of life in the conservation of 'wild' places and peatlands
• Big Tree Country – conserving Perthshire's stunning and unique 'big tree' landscape.

Speaking at the launch at Auchterarder Golf Club, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Hosting The Ryder Cup brings many benefits to Scotland that will last longer than the world class sporting action we will see next September.

"These benefits include business opportunities for Scottish firms winning event contracts, as well as improvements to local infrastructure, such as the work being done at Gleneagles Station.

"Sporting events around the world are embracing sustainability and The Ryder Cup provides Scotland an opportunity, when the eyes of the world will be watching, to emphasise the benefits we all derive from healthy and diverse natural landscapes.

"It is highly appropriate to drive these projects off in the Year of Natural Scotland. We can utilise The Ryder Cup to inspire communities and businesses, for example through some of the projects announced today, in the drive to a greener and more sustainable future."

(JP/CD)