Save our shore project gets government cash

Luing Community Trust director Colin Buchanan said the funding, part of a bigger £12m committed for coastal change adaptation during the course of this current parliament, should be enough to complete the repairs to the existing sea defence and strengthen it, an essential first step before the project can start ’feeding the beach’.

He added: "We may need to raise more money as costs rise but hopefully this will be enough for us to do what we need to do. It brings us security and buys us enough time to get the beach feeding under way which will be a continual solution to saving our coast from eroding."

Ongoing work on sea defence repairs already carried out by the community, with support of funding sources and villagers donations, proved Luing as "a really good example of how a community can help itself", said Mr Buchanan.

An Argyll and Bute spokesperson said it was delighted the Scottish Government has confirmed the funding, adding: "We are also investigating what additional funding could support the community’s Cullipool Coastal Change Adaptation project.”

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition Màiri McAllan said: “The climate emergency is not a distant threat – we are already seeing an increased impact on coastal communities due to adverse weather and rising sea levels.

“We need to start adapting our coasts to better respond to sea level rise and reduce the risks associated with coastal erosion. Local authorities are seizing the opportunity to do this essential work, with their communities as key partners, and I am confident this additional funding will support that work even further.

“These case studies will be an important source of knowledge for all areas in Scotland affected by coastal change and will help to inform future projects."

A new National Adaptation Plan to address the climate risks facing Scotland will be published. A consultation on a new Flood Resilience Strategy will also be published for views this year.