Introducing the Calanais Fund for Heritage
We are Delighted to Announce the Launch of the Calanais Fund for Heritage!
New Support for Local Communities and Heritage Projects
Maoin Chalanais do Dhualchas ga chur fo sheòl san Dàmhair
The Outer Hebrides are home to some of Scotland’s most remarkable and evocative places, from the world-famous stone circles at Calanais to the rich, living stories of our Gaelic traditions. To help protect, celebrate, and share our extraordinary heritage, Urras nan Tursachan (UnT) – in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund – is proud to launch the Calanais Fund for Heritage (CFfH) Pilot Scheme.
This new grant-giving initiative is designed to put heritage right back into the hands of local people. Community groups across the Outer Hebrides will benefit from this scheme created to help local people explore, care for, and share our islands’ rich history and culture.
Aim of the Fund
The Fund aims to improve community life through heritage projects. Whether your community group wants to explore local history, protect historic buildings, record traditional archives, or bring people together through Gaelic culture and arts, we are here to support you. The CFfH is all about giving local people the resources and support to lead projects that matter to them and celebrating a shared sense of pride in our unique heritage. Eligible projects include any that connects people with the heritage around them:
- Opening Up Access: Helping everyone discover, explore, and connect with our islands’ history – improving paths or signage to local sites, creating new digital stories, developing interpretation, exhibitions, or running welcoming activities for different people within the community.
- Preservation & Research: Helping to record, research, interpret and care for local history, from archaeology and historic buildings to old archives and living Gaelic traditions.
- Boosting Community Wellbeing: Using our shared heritage to bring people together, inspire lifelong learning, and support outdoor exploration, youth activities, mental health, and sustainable cultural tourism that brings real benefits to island life.
- Building Local Skills & a Sustainable Future: Supporting training, heritage skills, hands-on experience, and sustainable stewardship so that communities across all our islands can develop new skills and care for our surroundings for generations to come.
Who the Fund can help and how:
Constituted, not-for-profit organisations operating anywhere in the Outer Hebrides are invited to apply to the CFfH for support on projects that help communities celebrate their culture and heritage. The Fund is all about empowering communities: giving local people the resources to lead heritage projects that matter to them.
Importantly, no match funding is required, the Fund is open for applications via an easy to complete online form. To keep funding accessible to grassroots groups while supporting substantial projects, there are two funding streams available:
- Micro Grants: up to £500
- Standard Grants: £501 and above
Important dates:
End of October Launch of the Calanais Fund for Heritage
Through November Assistance and Drop-in Information sessions for applicants
– Wed 18 Nov, 12-4pm: Drop-in Session at Cnoc Soilleir, Daliburgh
– Tue 24 Nov, 12-4pm: Online session, contact community@calanais.org to book
– Wed 25 Nov, 12-4pm: Drop-in Session at Calanais Visitor Centre, Callanaish
End November Deadline for Expressions of Interest
Mid December Deadline for Micro & Standard Grant Applications
Mid Dec – end Jan Assessment of projects by independent Decision Making Body
Beginning of February Announcement of Grant Awards & Projects commence
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Building a Stronger Heritage Community
The Calanais Fund for Heritage is designed to create lasting benefits for both people and places, helping to turn local ideas into reality.
By linking community ambition with professional expertise and sustainable funding, the Fund will:
- Strengthen connections between residents and their heritage
- Encourage inclusive participation in cultural and historical projects
- Foster skills, education, and wellbeing across communities
- Improve the quality of visitor experiences across the Outer Hebrides
The Fund will play a vital role in shaping the future of heritage in the Outer Hebrides, ensuring that local stories, traditions, and sites are not only protected, but celebrated and shared widely.
Tha sinn airson cluinntinn mun phròiseact agaibh!
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Kathryn Lamont Smith, Heritage Manager at UnT:
“Calanais has been at the heart of the culture and heritage of the Outer Hebrides for over 5,000 years. Through the Calanais Fund for Heritage, we now have an opportunity to support community-led heritage projects across our islands, helping people care for historic places, share local stories and keep traditions alive for future generations.”
Thuirt Kathryn Lamont Smith, Manaidsear Dualchais aig Urras nan Tursachan: “Tha Calanais air a bhith aig cridhe dualchas Innse Gall fad còrr is 5,000 bliadhna. Tro Mhaoin Chalanais do Dhualchas, tha cothrom againn taic a chumail ri pròiseactan dualchais fo stiùir na coimhearsnachd air feadh nan eilean, a’ cuideachadh dhaoine a dhìon làraichean aosmhor, a cho-roinn sgeulachdan ionadail agus a’ cumail an dualchais beò airson nan ginealaichean air thoiseach oirnn.”
Lorna Eller, Lead Director of UnT for the Fund:
“Heritage is part of everyday life across the Outer Hebrides: it’s all around us. When UnT started the redevelopment of the Calanais Visitor Centre, part of the plan was to use a share of entry revenues for the benefit of heritage throughout the Outer Hebrides. Now, with the pilot scheme for the Calanais Fund for Heritage going live, we are delighted to be delivering on that commitment. Through this Fund we want to help communities bring their own ideas to life, making our heritage easier to access and share.”
Thuirt Lorna Eller, Prìomh Stiùiriche UnT airson na Maoine: “Tha dualchas fighte ris gach pàirt de bheatha anns na h-Eileanan an Iar: tha e gar cuairteachadh. Nuair a ghabh UnT ri ath-leasachadh Ionad-tadhail Chalanais, bha e nar n-amas a bhith a’ cur cuid dhen teachd-a-steach gu math iomairtean dualchais air feadh Innse Gall. A-nis, le seòladh an sgeama-pìleit seo airson Maoin Chalanais do Dhualchas, tha sinn air ar dòigh a bhith a’ buileachadh air a’ ghealladh sin. Tron Mhaoin seo, tha sinn airson taic a chumail ri coimhearsnachdan a bhith a’ toirt gu bith am miannan fhèin gus cothroman a chruthachadh air ar dualchas.”
Caroline Clark, Director for Scotland at The National Lottery Heritage Fund:
“With our support Urras nan Tursachan has delivered fantastic new facilities at the Calanais Visitor Centre exploring and explaining thousands of years of history but this project also shares a focus on the living heritage of the area, its people and its nature.
“The investment in the visitor centre is supporting new opportunities for employment, training and learning thanks to money raised by National Lottery players these community grants will further widen the scope for the local community to explore and celebrate the heritage of Calanais, place and people. Heritage Fund supported community grant programmes put funding decisions on grassroots projects into the hands of local people helping to build connections with the heritage that matters to them.”
Thuirt Caroline Clark, Stiùiriche airson Alba aig Maoin-dualchais a’ Chrannchuir Nàiseanta: “Le ar taic, tha Urras nan Tursachan air goireasan ùra iongantach a stèidheachadh aig Ionad-tadhail Tursachan Chalanais a’ rannsachadh agus a’ mìneachadh mhìltean bhliadhnaichean de dh’eachdraidh, ach bheir am pròiseact seo sùil ri dualchas beò nan eilean, a chuid dhaoine agus àrainneachd.
“Tha am maoineachadh anns an ionad-tadhail a’ cruthachadh chothroman ùra air cosnadh, trèanadh agus ionnsachadh. A thaing don airgead a thogas iomairtichean a’ Chrannchuir Nàiseanta, bheir na tabhartasan coimhearsnachd seo leudachadh air a’ chothrom a th’ aig a’ choimhearsnachd ionadail a dhol an sàs ann an dualchas Chalanais. Bidh prògraman a gheibh taic bhon Mhaoin-dualchais a’ cur cho-dhùnaidhean maoineachaidh gu ìre an t-sluaigh, gan cuideachadh gus dàimhean a thogail leis an dualchas as ionmhainn leotha fhèin.”
Calanais Fund for Heritage – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Applicants
General Overview & Eligibility
The CFfH is a brand-new grant-giving initiative developed by Urras nan Tursachan. It is designed to support heritage-led community development, enhance local wellbeing, increase accessibility to historic assets, and empower island communities across the entire Outer Hebrides.
The Calanais Fund for Heritage is more than a funding mechanism – it is a vision for how heritage can enrich lives. Its approach focuses on accessibility, inclusion, and community empowerment. By directing resources to locally led projects, the Fund seeks to:
- Enable communities to engage directly with their heritage
- Strengthen wellbeing through heritage activities that bring people together
- Promote sustainable use of heritage assets while creating educational and economic opportunities
The Calanais Fund for Heritage is delivered across two distinct phases:
- Pilot Phase (2026–2028): The initial two-year pilot phase is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This phase allows us to test application processes, refine governance structures, and build best practices while delivering immediate financial support to community heritage projects across the Outer Hebrides.
- Operational Phase (From 2028 Onward): When Urras nan Tursachan began the redevelopment of the Calanais Visitor Centre, a core part of the vision was to use a portion of visitor admission revenues for the wider benefit of Hebridean heritage. In its operational phase, the Fund will become a permanent, self-sustaining feature of heritage support across the Outer Hebrides, funded directly by net proceeds from visitor admissions to the Calanais Standing Stones and Visitor Centre.
Developed by Urras nan Tursachan in consultation with The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the Calanais Fund for Heritage is administered by Urras nan Tursachan. The governance framework is structured into two distinct groups to maintain transparency, independence, and fairness:
- Steering Group: Responsible for setting fund rules, overseeing governance, and agreeing on board membership. It comprises representatives from Urras nan Tursachan, Historic Environment Scotland, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Comann Dualchas Innse Gall, and Outer Hebrides Tourism.
- Decision-Making Body: Responsible for evaluating proposals, awarding grants, and recommending operational improvements. The Decision making Body comprises independent community members representing local island views and representatives from Urras nan Tursachan, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Comann Dualchas Innse Gall, and Outer Hebrides Tourism.
- Administrative Support: Day-to-day administration, applicant guidance, and management support are provided by the Urras nan Tursachan team.
Funding is open to constituted, not-for-profit organisations operating anywhere in the Outer Hebrides.
- Individuals and Informal Groups: While individuals, informal groups and commercial organisations are not directly eligible, they can collaborate with an eligible constituted body to submit an application.
- Note on Partnerships: Applicants are expected to work in partnership with appropriately qualified experts where necessary (such as archaeologists, conservators, educators, or access specialists).
Proposals are welcome from groups across the Outer Hebrides. The Fund specifically encourages projects that engage people with lesser-known or less accessible heritage across all island regions.
Heritage encompasses both the tangible and intangible aspects of the past that people value, preserve, and pass on to future generations.
- In the specific context of the CFfH, heritage refers directly to the unique history, traditions, landscape, and culture of the Outer Hebrides.
- It spans diverse areas – including historic buildings, archaeological sites, crofting culture, maritime and industrial history, as well as living cultural elements such as the Gaelic language, oral traditions, folklore, memories, and community stories.
- The CFfH aims to actively support and sustain Hebridean heritage through community-led initiatives, education, accessibility, and local empowerment.
The Calanais Fund for Heritage supports community-led activity that connects people with the heritage around them. Projects are funded under the following core headings (a to d):
a) Increase access to heritage
- Physical access: Improving physical access to heritage sites and facilities, including paths, signage, and inclusive design. Opening up lesser-known, hidden, or hard-to-reach heritage sites so everyone can explore and enjoy them.
- Intellectual access: Enhancing intellectual access through digital stories, digital resources, interpretation, and exhibitions.
- Social access: Running welcoming heritage programmes and tailored activities supporting families, young people, older people, Gaelic communities, and disabled groups etc.
b) Support research, recording, preservation, or interpretation of:
- Archaeology: Recording, researching, and interpreting local archaeology and prehistory.
- Built heritage: Caring for and interpreting historic buildings and built heritage.
- Gaelic traditions and intangible cultural heritage: Safeguarding, celebrating, and recording living Gaelic traditions, folklore, and cultural heritage.
- Local histories and archival collections: Preserving local histories, historical archives, and collections.
c) Use heritage to support wider community needs, such as:
- Education and lifelong learning: Supporting schools (Gaelic and English medium), education, and lifelong learning.
- Childcare/youth/other age groups activities: Supporting activities, outdoor access, and initiatives connected to heritage.
- Skills development: Integrating educational opportunities and capacity-building into community services.
- Wellbeing, mental health, outdoor access: Promoting mental health, social connection, and community wellbeing by bringing people together.
- Cultural tourism and sustainable economic activity: Developing sustainable cultural tourism and economic opportunities across the islands to create a thriving, resilient Outer Hebrides.
d) Promote heritage skills development and opportunities for local communities across the Outer Hebrides
- Fostering local heritage skills, training, hands-on experience, and volunteer opportunities.
- Encouraging local participation and community empowerment, promoting “Your Heritage in Your Hands”.
- Supporting sustainable stewardship, care, and maintenance of community assets so that communities across all our islands can care for our surroundings for generations to come.
Two rounds of funding are planned, and there are two distinct funding streams available in Round 1:
- Micro Grants: For smaller projects seeking up to £500. These feature a short, simple application form for ease of access.
- Standard Grants: For larger projects looking for funding over £501. These follow a two-stage process (an initial Expression of Interest followed by an invitation to submit a full application).
No match funding is required. The Fund will consider applications for up to 100% of project costs during the pilot phase.
You can use the Calanais Fund for Heritage as match funding alongside other funding streams, provided the costs and activities are not being funded twice for the exact same work.
Note: Proposals for work, services, or projects which have already received funding through the Comann Dualchas Innse Gall (CDIG) ‘Seed Corn Fund’ are not eligible for funding through the Calanais Fund for Heritage (CFfH). This is because The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports both schemes. Organisations can still apply to both funds as long as it is for separate activities.
For Micro Grants of up to £500, payment will be made upfront. For Standard Grants, a staged payment structure is used to assist community groups who may not have large upfront funds (typically structured as 50% upfront, 25% upon a progress report, and 25% upon final project completion).
- Launch Date: The pilot scheme officially launches at the end of October 2026, at which point the online application portal goes live on the Calanais website (www.calanais.org).
- Information Sessions: In-person sessions and on-line sessions will be held during mid November 2026, plus one-to-one guidance will be given as required via contacting community@calanais.org
- For Standard Grants: The Expression of Interest submission closes at the end of November, and the deadline for Full Submissions closes 11 December 2026.
- For Micro Grants: The deadline for applications is 11 December 2026.
- Award Announcements: Decisions will be announced in early February 2027.
- Project Delivery: Projects will run between February and July 2027, with flexible completion dates allowed.
Please click Apply here to start your application, you will be able to save your form as you go along.
- For Micro grants (under £500) you will be taken to a short application form.
- For Standard Grants (over £501) you will be taken to an Expression of Interest form, which is assessed to ensure the project fits the aims of the Fund. Successful applicants will then be invited to make a full submission with full details.
Yes. To help groups prepare their submissions, information sessions (one online and two in-person) are planned for mid-November 2026, alongside one-to-one guidance where required. Session details will be advertised and applicants can also request one-to-one guidance here
If you have any queries about your project idea or the application process, please email the team here
