Emma Roddick Welcomes Launch of Island Business Resilience Fund

Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has welcomed the opening of a new Scottish Government fund aimed at supporting island businesses affected by ongoing ferry disruption.

From 2 July, island businesses in sectors most impacted by travel uncertainty, such as tourism and the movement of perishable goods like seafood, can apply for targeted financial support from the Islands Business Resilience Fund.

A total of £4.4 million has been made available, with funding awards expected to range from £3,000 to £35,000, depending on demand and organisation size.

The fund is open to eligible businesses and social enterprises based on South Uist, North Uist, Eriskay, Benbecula, Berneray, Grimsay, Colonsay, and Arran, all of which have experienced higher-than-average ferry disruption in recent years.

Emma Roddick MSP, who has consistently raised concerns around the impact of ferry issues on island life, praised the fund’s potential to bring immediate relief to struggling local organisations:

“We all know how deeply ferry disruption affects life and livelihoods here. It doesn’t just cause inconvenience, it creates real uncertainty for people trying to run businesses and keep communities going.

“This fund is a practical step that responds directly to what we’ve been hearing from islanders: that they need targeted support, and they need it now. I’m glad to see the Government listening and acting.

“I’ll keep working to make sure voices from our islands are heard at every level, and that we keep pushing for long-term solutions as well as immediate help like this.”

Applications to the Islands Business Resilience Fund will be open from 2 July until 12 noon on 1 September 2025, and managed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Decisions and payments are expected to be issued by 31 October 2025.