Argyll and Bute Council has advanced five community-led schemes for initial consideration in the Scottish Government's Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) 2027/28 round, seeking more than £4 million to improve local facilities, stimulate economic activity and strengthen visitor infrastructure.

Stage 1 Expressions of Interest have been submitted for projects in Oban, Ardrishaig, Rothesay, Ardchattan and Tiree. If shortlisted at this stage, applicants will be invited to submit detailed bids later this year.

The proposals are:

- Oban Lorne Community Sports and Events Hub: £700,000 to modernise the rugby clubhouse and facilities, adding a café, flexible community and event space, a physiotherapy suite, accessible toilets and upgraded changing rooms.

- Crinan Canal Ardrishaig Terminus Programme: The Pier Square Gateway Phase: £750,000 to refurbish the Pier Master's House and the adjacent store into visitor accommodation, alongside improved operational facilities.

- Rothesay Winter Garden Redevelopment: £974,000 to enhance the historic Winter Garden and provide flexible community spaces with a new café and bar.

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- TAC Workspace, Ardchattan: £200,000 to repurpose a former canteen into two business studio units and deliver new facilities for tenants.

- Tiree Gateway: £1.4 million to convert a disused building into a multi-purpose hub with visitor infrastructure, accommodation, campervan services, public amenities and event space.

The five bids were selected after a review of community proposals received through the council's expression of interest process, alongside projects already in the authority's development pipeline.

Councillor Jim Lynch, the Council's Policy Lead for Business Development, said: "These projects reflect the ambition, creativity and determination of communities across Argyll and Bute to invest in their future. Together they have the potential to deliver wide-ranging benefits, from creating new business and employment opportunities to enhancing community facilities, supporting tourism and bringing important buildings and spaces back into productive use.

"The Regeneration Capital Grant Fund has helped unlock a number of transformative projects across Argyll and Bute in recent years, and we're pleased to be supporting these communities as they seek to secure the next round of funding. We look forward to working with project partners as the application process progresses."

The council noted that earlier this year four local projects secured support through the 2026/27 RCGF programme: Kintyre Sea Sports; Nonhebel Park on Mull; Tarbert Harbour Community Water Sports and Activity Hub; and the Tighnabruaich Community Refuelling and Business Hub.

The Scottish Government is expected to confirm later this year which applications will progress to Stage 2, with awards for the 2027/28 programme anticipated in early 2027. Successful schemes aim to enable community-led regeneration, bolster local economies, enhance the visitor offer and provide long-term benefits for residents and businesses.