This fund supports small and medium-sized businesses, social enterprises, and community organisations that operate in the visitor economy, perishable goods and haulage sector across selected islands which have had prolonged disruption to their ferry services from mainland Scotland.

The amount you will receive will be based on turnover and size of your business, social enterprise or community organisation.

Awards to new applicants will range between approximately £3,000 to £35,000.

The deadline to apply is midday on 28 September 2026.

To be eligible for the grant, your organisation must:

• be a small or medium-sized business, social enterprise or community organisation operating in the visitor economy, perishable goods and/or haulage sectors across one or more of the following islands:

The eligible islands are:

• Arran
• Barra
• Benbecula
• Berneray
• Coll
• Colonsay
• Eriskay
• Gometra
• Grimsay
• Harris
• Iona
• Mull
• North Uist
• Scalpay
• Small Isles – Canna (and by extension Sanday), Muck, Rum and Eigg
• South Uist
• Tiree
• Ulva
• Vatersay

All applicants must have a trading address in one or more of these islands and must be primarily operating in one of the following sectors:

• retail outlets (shops, stalls, markets) affected by reduced footfall
• cafes, restaurants and other eateries
• hotels, bed and breakfasts and other accommodation providers for example: youth hostels, campsites, pods
• visitor attractions including museums, art galleries, indoor/outdoor leisure facilities and events 
• transport operators in the visitor economy (taxi, bus, cycle hire)
• tour operators and guides, including those offering bespoke experiences such as retreats, whale watching and fishing 
• catching, farming (i.e. fish and shellfish), processing and manufacture of perishable food and drink items such as fresh seafood
• haulage of perishable, non-perishable goods and livestock

Your organisation must also:

• have started trading on an eligible island on or before 1 April 2025 
• have an annual turnover of at least £15,000 in your last accounting period (for social enterprises and community organisations, by turnover income means other than public sector grants)
• generate at least 50% of your turnover from one or more eligible sectors on one or more eligible islands. Self-employed/sole trader applicants including those with multiple income streams must generate at least 50% of your total income from trading in one or more eligible sectors on one or more eligible islands
• be a micro, small or medium enterprise as determined by average annual employee numbers i.e. between 0 and 249 employees. Voluntary run organisations with no employees can also apply if they meet all other criteria
• have more than 50% of your staff based on one or more eligible islands
• intend to continue trading in the eligible sectors for the next 12 months on an eligible island 

Your organisation is not eligible if it is a:

• public sector or arms-length government organisation
• political organisation
• religious/membership organisation (unless proof can be given that their trading activities are open to all)
• transporter of perishable goods primarily by air rather than ferry

It is free to apply to this fund.

Small and medium-sized businesses, social enterprises and community organisations that operate in the visitor economy, perishable goods and haulage sector across selected islands which have had prolonged disruption to their ferry services from mainland Scotland.

The deadline to apply is midday on 28 September 2026. Decisions will be made as soon as possible after this date. 

If successful, you should receive your payment by 31 December 2026.

The deadline to apply is midday on 28 September 2026. Decisions will be made as soon as possible after this date. 

If successful, you should receive your payment by 31 December 2026.

Applicants will be required to provide 12-month trading accounts.

Businesses, social enterprises and community organisations that cease trading within 12 months of being awarded a grant may have to repay the grant.

If you have previously had an award from the Islands Business Resilience Fund, you will be contacted directly by a member of HIE staff to confirm continuing eligibility. You don't need to apply again.

Visit the Highlands and Islands Enterprise website for more information and to apply.