Rural services

Businesses in remote and rural areas are being encouraged to take part in a short survey on parcel delivery costs.

As part of its commitment to tackling the longstanding issue of unfair parcel delivery costs to rural areas, the Scottish Government is looking to hear from businesses that buy and/or sell goods online.

It wants to find out more about the impact that surcharging has on your business and your thoughts about existing action on the issue.

The first ever National Islands Plan for Scotland has been laid before the Scottish Parliament for consideration.

The proposed National Islands Plan provides a framework for action in order to meaningfully improve outcomes for Scotland's island communities.

Have your say on the new draft National Transport Strategy for Scotland by taking part in a public consultation.

The National Transport Strategy (NTS2) sets out a vision for the next 20 years and was developed in collaboration with over 60 partner organisations around Scotland.

Would you like to see your broadband project recognised at a European level?

The European Broadband Awards are open for entries ​to big or small, rural or urban, private or public projects. Projects should be at least 65% complete. 

The five award categories are:

Do you know a small or medium-sized business in Scotland that deserves special recognition?

​The Scottish Rural Awards 2020 are now open for entries and nominations in a number of categories including a new category: Best Countryside Digital Innovator. The winner of this category will be crowned for successfully championing digital projects and products across the agricultural, rural and tourism sectors in Scotland. 

​The award categories are:

This year's £1 million Rescue Boat Grant Fund is now open for applications.

This UK Government funding is open to search and rescue teams in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to buy new boats, engines or other equipment.

So far, the £6million scheme has paid for 82 new boats, more than 1,800 items of equipment for rescue operations and in excess of 5,000 items of crew kit to keep volunteers safe on missions.

The 2019 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration are currently open for entries.

​These prestigious awards are delivered each year by SURF, a regeneration forum with over 300 cross-sector member organisations across Scotland, in partnership with the Scottish Government.

The purpose of the awards is to highlight, celebrate and share the achievements of initiatives that address physical, social and economic challenges in communities across Scotland.

1-7 June is Volunteers' week - which gives us an excuse to dig around for some volunteering opportunities in rural Scotland! You can check out all the activities taking place over the week and find out how to spread the message at https://volunteersweek.org/

Scottish Land and Estates are now seeking nominations for the 2019 round of the Helping it Happen Awards.

Now into their third year, the awards are looking to build on past success and acknowledge the enormous contribution that rural businesses make to the Scottish economy.