LOCAL groups in Cumnock and Doon Valley are being encouraged to apply to the Scottish Government’s new Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund.

The £6m fund was launched in response to the tourism boom across rural Scotland and the money is to be invested over the course of the next two years – 2018/19 and 2019/20 – to help ensure the services and facilities tourists and communities need are provided.

The latest figures show there was a three per cent annual increase in overseas visits to Scotland and a nine per cent increase in overseas tourism expenditure.

A wide range of improvement projects are set to be supported across Scotland such as parking, camping facilities, recycling points and footpath access.

Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley MSP Jeane Freeman is calling on groups in her constituency to get involved.

The social security minister said: “The tourist industry is vital to the Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley economy, which attracts visitors from all over the world each year.

“Local groups in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley that would like to bid for this funding can get in touch with me if they need any advice.”

The new fund is expected to launch in early 2018 and will be administered by public sector partners working with local authorities, with input from communities and the industry to identify projects.