Findhorn Village Conservation Company allocated £74,860 from Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund to invest in toilet blocks and visitor number counters
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FACILITIES at a local beach are to be improved using Scottish Government funding.
The Findhorn Village Conservation Company (FVCC) has been allocated a £74,860 share of £363,298 awarded to Moray from the Scottish Government’s Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF), delivered by VisitScotland, to enhance the area’s tourism.
A FVCC spokeswoman confirmed the toilet blocks towards Findhorn’s back shore will be upgraded and re-opened, and signage and visitor number counters will be installed in partnership with the local authority.
She said: “One of the blocks near the Heritage Centre is currently closed. We hope to start work on the refurbishment of this within the next few weeks. Once this is completed we anticipate we’ll have permission to start on the beach toilets. The RITF grant may not cover all the costs - we are currently seeking estimates - so we may be fundraising for match funding.”
The RTIF was created to improve the visitor experience in rural areas that have faced pressure on infrastructure due to increased visitor numbers. The fund aims to help create a more collaborative and sustainable approach to infrastructure provision and long-term maintenance of local facilities. Moray’s award contributes to the ‘Coast to Country’ project, part of the region-wide staycation programme.
The FVCC already operates a motorhome stopover near the back shore that was awarded a five star award and voted Aire of the Year in 2021. The group is working with Moray Council on a Capital Asset Transfer for the two public toilet blocks.
The spokeswoman said: “We are very fortunate in that the income from the stopover is essential for some of the future running costs.
“We are committed to providing the best we can for the village. The addition of the closed toilet and the new facilities at the beach will further add to better tourist experience.
“The beach toilets will also have an outside shower for beach-goers. This will also be an advantage for the growing number of cold water swimmers that use Findhorn Beach.
“All of these services are run by our volunteer board of directors. Their commitment to this project has made this possible.”
