Covid fund aids over 100 Scottish country sports tourism businesses

Following intervention from BASC and the Scottish Country Sports Tourism Group (SCSTG) in February, over 100 Scottish country sports tourism businesses have now received coronavirus funding from the Scottish government’s £1m recovery pot. 

The funds were awarded after both BASC and the SCSTG embarked on a concerted lobbying campaign.  The organisations stepped in when it emerged the country sports tourism sector had been excluded from crucial financial assistance for a second time.

Developed in a partnership between BASC, SCSTG, VisitScotland and the Scottish Government, the recovery fund set out to help the hardest hit businesses most in need of support.   

Who received support from the Scottish government?

Applications for support were received from a diverse range of organisations across Scotland.  These included sporting agencies, game shoots, sporting estates, clay pigeon shooting grounds, deer stalking providers, falconers, sea fishing charters and inland fisheries.

All businesses receiving support had lost a minimum of 50% of their revenue due to the pandemic.  The recovery fund has thrown Scotland’s country sports tourism sector a lifeline, giving them a chance of survival and eventual recovery. 

BASC’s Ross Ewing described the funds as crucial and ‘thanked the Scottish government and VisitScotland for eventually making this funding available’.

How you can help

The fund does not go so far as to recoup losses over the past year.  As such, we are appealing to BASC members to support your local country sports businesses as Covid restrictions start to lift.

For all the latest updates on the easing of lockdown around the UK, visit our dedicated coronavirus pages here.

Covid support outside of Scotland

Details of support available to rural businesses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is available here.

Want more on this story? Read the full press release here.