Making a difference in Contin
The Contin Community Fund continues to support a diverse range of projects and groups in the village and also looking outwith the area to contribute to projects in neighbouring communities which will directly benefit local residents.
The EDF power solutions Corriemoillie Wind Farm Community Fund (Contin) supports not-for-profit groups providing charitable activities that benefit people living in the Contin Community Council area, including Jamestown and Tarvie.
The following case studies highlight two projects which the Corriemoillie Wind Farm Fund in Contin has supported in the past year.
Case Study: Power to the People!
The Highland Energy Community Partnership is an innovative five-year project that aims to improve energy efficiency and alleviate fuel poverty in rural areas of the Highlands, engage effectively with householders, develop the necessary supply chain and train local installers in key retrofit skills.
The partnership has been awarded almost £1.5 million over five years by the National Lottery’s Climate Action Fund.
Project funding also includes £12,000 from the EDF Corriemoillie Contin fund to support the costs of employing a local energy officer, shared with Garve. Anna Scott, who has a background in providing affordable warmth and energy efficiency advice in a previous role, is now in post.
This award represents a significant contribution from the Contin fund of £4,000 a year for the first three years of the project, with potential for a further two years of funding as the project progresses.
The project is co-ordinated by Changeworks and links closely with Home Energy Scotland (HES) – the Scottish government-funded advice service, which supports householders with energy efficiency and helps people access trusted schemes and support. The project is based on a successful pilot in Raasay where HES worked in partnership with the local development trust to attain 90% household reach.
The project works with six community groups in mid and west Ross-shire, and other key project partners including Highland Council and the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Each of the six community partners is employing a local energy officer who will build trust and relationships in each community and direct householders to relevant schemes, giving people confidence and support to undertake improvements and maximise opportunities for community-wide take-up and economies of scale.
Alongside the local authority and local colleges through UHI, the aim of the project is to also stimulate and support the necessary supply chain in the area and train more installers in relevant retrofit and renewable skills, creating jobs and retaining funding in the region.
CJT member Norma said:
| “The Highland Energy Community Partnership has now been launched and will be supporting six Highland communities. We are hoping that free advice, support on reducing bills, improving insulation, and accessing funding schemes will make homes warmer and more comfortable for our residents.” |
Case Study: Being a good neighbour – support for Strathpeffer Pump Track
Strathpeffer Community Park is an ambitious and transformational project, managed by the Residents Association, which has made incredible progress in recent years. Corriemoillie funds have provided support at all stages – from initial key drainage works to contributing to large-scale capital works such as playground equipment and footpaths. These large-scale projects have been consistently supported by both Strathpeffer and Contin community funds, recognising the importance of the facility to Contin kids too.
Plans to create fun and exciting cycling infrastructure were always part of the park vision. Strathpeffer Residents Association partnered with the local group ‘Highland Trail Riders’ to take this forward.
Phase One of the Bike Zone was the creation of cycle tracks with jump features in 2023, and Phase Two was to create a pump track, connected to the other cycle trails.
A total of £10,000 was donated by the Strathpeffer and Contin community funds to support this project (£3,000 from Contin) to help lever in other funds from the Community Regeneration Fund, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, New York Villas MacKenzie Trust, North Highlands Initiative and Anne Duchess of Minister’s Fund – a total project cost of £43,296.
These contributions show the usefulness and the flexibility of these place-based funds – demonstrating how relatively small amounts can really help local groups achieve much larger funding targets and deliver key local projects.
The project is a good example of successful partnership working. HTR bring technical expertise and volunteers who have the skills and technical expertise to maintain the tracks. As their volunteers have a particular focus and passion in this area, they will also contribute to events and skills training for the local community.
Volunteer Graham said:
| “The funding from Corriemoillie gave us the necessary proof that we could garner the money, and we used this to gain more funding from other sources and achieved our goal. Thank you.” |
About the fund
The EDF power solutions Corriemoillie Wind Farm Fund continues to support a diverse array of community projects, and in the year up to December 2025, supported 21 diverse community projects to the value of £70,958.
Read more about the EDF power solutions Corriemoillie Wind Farm Community Fund (Contin).