Four community groups on Arran are to receive almost £120,000 in government funding to give projects on the island a helping hand.

The Arran Eco Savvy Community (£70,000), Arran Development Trust (£40,600), Lamlash Improvements Association (£1,712) and Pirnmill Village Association (£5,640.42) will all be receiving cash from the Rural and Island Communities Ideas Into Action Fund.

The Arran Eco Savvy Community plans to put the cash - one of the largest single awards from the fund - towards its Green Islands Net Zero home energy efficiency project.

The Arran Development Trust will use its award to pay for "project management and professional services fees" associated with a new development of 18 affordable rental homes and 25 serviced plots for new-build homes in Lamlash.

The Lamlash Improvements Association intends to buy a new marquee for use in the community and 'shared equipment loan across wider Arran', while the Pirnmill group plans to use its share of the cash to carry out a feasibility study into the use of hydro power to make the village more energy resilient in times of extreme weather.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “We are working to ensure local communities are empowered to tackle local challenges.

“This investment comes at a critical time for our rural and island communities, who are disproportionately impacted by the cost-of-living crisis compared to the rest of the country.

“I wish all the successful community groups well as they now look to take forward these projects and make a positive difference to their local areas.”

Money from the funding to the Arran-based groups will go towards eco-friendly initiatives, tackling poverty, and improving community spaces.

The funding is provided as the result of a partnership between the Scottish Government and Inspiring Scotland.

Inspiring Scotland CEO Celia Tennant said: “We’re delighted to continue to support the Scottish Government to deliver the Rural and Islands Communities Ideas into Action Fund.

“We know local, grassroots groups are best placed to respond to the needs and opportunities most important to their communities.

“We look forward to working alongside successful applicants and will support them to make meaningful change in their local area.”

Including the projects in Arran, over 180 projects across rural Scotland will receive funding totalling more than £3,000,000 this year.