Businesses around Scotland are now benefiting from a £3.3m Scottish Government project to extend broadband services.

On Friday Finance Secretary John Swinney visited one of the 4,000 businesses and households able to access broadband after Ministers launched an initiative to connect properties previously not connected.

Ardgualich Farm near Pitlochry is a campsite which now takes online bookings using broadband.

Mr Swinney said: "I am delighted that this Scottish Government project has provided broadband access for so many householders and businesses, including Ardgualich Farm.

"Broadband has fast become an essential tool for companies the length and breadth of Scotland. By upgrading our broadband infrastructure, we are helping companies - including those in rural areas - gain a competitive advantage at a time when they need it most."

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Norman Campbell, owner of Ardgualich Farm, said: "Our broadband connection has changed the way the business operates. We are now able to take electronic bookings and respond to queries and requests by e-mail - things we couldn't do before."

The Scottish Government asked members of the public to identify access difficulties so that the 'reach' problem - where people cannot access broadband due to their distance from an ADSL-enabled telephone exchange - could be addressed. In total 4000 eligible households and businesses have registered.

A contract to extend broadband services, worth up to £3.3 million, was awarded to Avanti Caledonian Broadband Ltd to extend affordable broadband services. The work has been taking place in recent months.

David Williams, CEO of Avanti Communications said:"This contract with the Scottish Government will mean that every business and home in Scotland can now achieve the goal of universal broadband, thus supporting children's education and the development of Scottish businesses three years ahead of the Digital Britain deadline."

(GK/JM)