Tarbert has been named as one of the primary beneficiaries of a £7 million investment from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, aimed at breathing new life into historic town centres across Scotland. As part of the Heritage Places programme, the Tarbert Heritage Regeneration Scheme has been awarded £850,000 to protect local landmarks and stimulate economic growth.

The project represents the first Heritage and Place Programme for Argyll and Bute. It follows the successful model of the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), which has previously seen £27m of cumulative investment directed into eight key town centres across the region.

The regeneration plans for Tarbert are extensive, focusing on both the structural and social fabric of the village. Key initiatives include:

• Converting 10 currently vacant properties back into residential use.

• Repairing historic fishermen's store buildings located on the quayside.

• Restoring traditional shopfronts to enhance the high street.

• Providing traditional skills training for young people and hosting community heritage events.

Councillor Math Campbell Sturgess, Policy Lead for Business Development, said: "I am delighted that we have been successful in securing this funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. We are committed to protecting Argyll and Bute's historic built environment and this project places our heritage at the heart of community renewal, helping our local spaces thrive while protecting the character that makes Tarbert so special.

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"By restoring and safeguarding these historic buildings, we're not only preserving our past but also creating new opportunities for the community to flourish. Enhancing these much‑loved landmarks will support local pride, encourage sustainable use of our shared spaces, and strengthen the village's appeal for both residents and visitors. I look forward to seeing this project bring lasting benefits for people across the area – now and for future generations."

The wider National Lottery initiative is designed to deliver diverse benefits, ranging from the preservation of built heritage and the creation of sustainable tourism to the improvement of heritage skills. Over the last three decades, the fund has invested more than £1bn into 5,100 Scottish projects.

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "This marks an exciting moment, with fantastic investments in places that connect communities with their heritage gems. From Glasgow's iconic Sauchiehall Street, a place woven into decades of shared memories, to transforming the oldest public library in Scotland to celebrate the stories, people and places that shape us.

"Understanding how communities feel about their heritage is vital to meaningful regeneration, and we're proud to invest in four exceptional places where historic buildings will be restored and repurposed for everyone to enjoy, now and for generations.

"Thanks to National Lottery players over the last 30 years, we've invested over £1bn in 5,100 projects in Scotland ensuring heritage is valued, cared for and sustained. These projects will boost wellbeing, create learning opportunities for young people and make heritage a powerful driver of local pride and prosperity."

In addition to the National Lottery funding, the Council has allocated its own resources to the scheme, and a further funding bid has been submitted to the Historic Environment Scotland (HES) Heritage and Place Programme to support the project's delivery.