Skip to content

'UK's first community-owned vets' among island funds winners

News imageGetty Images A black and white cow and calf standing on a coastal meadow, called machair, on Tiree in the Inner Hebrides. Behind the animals is the sea and a blue sky. Getty Images
A community-owned vets practice opened on Tiree earlier this year

What is described as the UK's first community-owned vets has been awarded more than £300,000 from the Scottish government as part of an island funding project.

The local communities of Coll and Tiree bought their only practice after the previous owners retired last summer and no successor could be found.

Animal Care Tiree, which uses vets visiting from the mainland, has handled almost 800 appointments since opening in February.

It is one of 13 island projects to receive a share of £3m from the 2026-27 Islands Programme Fund, with Grimsay Heritage Centre in North Uist and Achnacroish Affordable Homes in Argyll among the others securing funds.

Animal Care Tiree, working with development trust Urras Thiriodh and Tiree Rural Development, will use the £302,949 award to convert a former cafe at Tiree's mart into a permanent base for the vets practice.

Argyll and Bute Council nominated the project for the Scottish government support.

Rhoda Meek, chair of Animal Care Tiree, said: "We are thrilled.

"Securing the future of veterinary care in Tiree is not only about people and animals - it is about buildings too.

"A permanent, fit-for-purpose practice matters enormously for the future of crofting, which underpins so much of the island's economy, and for the households whose pets are part of the decision to stay in, or move to, an island."

Who else has secured funds?

News imageGetty Images Rum is an island of red-coloured hills and viewed across a wide sandy beach on a sunny day. There are marks in the sand left by a falling tide.Getty Images
The Isle of Rum, viewed from a beach on Eigg, has received an award of more than £355,000

The other projects to receive money are:

  • Achnacroish Affordable Homes, Lismore, £272,506
  • Bendoran Marine Enterprise Hub, Mull, £345,500
  • Canna Contractor Accommodation, Canna, £76,000
  • Eigg Camping Pods Expansion, Eigg, £87,602
  • Gaeltec Community Hub Phase One, Skye, £393,000
  • Kinloch Village Road and Track Improvement Programme, Rum, £355,112
  • Grimsay Together, Grimsay, £600,000
  • Orkney's Creative Catalyst, Mainland Orkney, £71,773
  • Repurposing of St Rognvald's House, Mainland Orkney, £203,133
  • Mid Yell Pier Amenity Building, Yell, £156,496
  • Speldiburn Community Hub Enhancement, Bressay, £77,150
  • UHI Shetland Hairdressing Training Salon, Mainland Shetland, £58,779

'Strengthening resilience'

Highland Council has welcomed the funding for projects on Skye, Rum, Eigg and Canna.

Councillor Kate Willis, chair of the local authority's Lochaber committee, said: "I am delighted to see these funds going right to the heart of the challenges our island communities are facing.

"They will be used to provide much-needed accommodation for workers, to support sustainable community-led development and to enhance the basic infrastructure that island populations need to thrive and grow into the future."

First Minister John Swinney announced the projects which had been successful in securing funding ahead of a visit to North Uist.

He said: "Our island communities have so much potential, and this funding will help them pursue ambitions rooted in local priorities, strengthening their long-term resilience and prosperity."