If Scotland is taken out of the European Union, rural communities will lose massive support from LEADER funding. You can read our full story on that by clicking here, and below are 12 examples of the role that funding plays.

1. Angus – DD8 Music (£31,333)

Funding for a studio for local musicians in Kirriemuir to develop their music. The group is now self-sufficient and hosts an annual Bonfest music festival in honour of late former resident Bon Scott (AC/DC) which attracts 5,000 visitors to a town of just over 6,000 people.

2. Argyll & the Islands – Glenkiln Riding Centre (£47,628)

Funding for an indoor horse riding arena on the Isle of Arran to enhance the lives of many disabled young people, adults and their familes.

3. Ayrshire – ACE Adventure Centre for Education (£55,166)

An environmental education project, based in Girvan, creating opportunities for young people to learn through adventure sports such as canoeing, gorge scrambling, sup boarding, mountain biking and river tubing.

4. Dumfries & Galloway – Crafty Distillery (£50,000)

A Newton Stewart-based project aimed at bolstering the local food and drink sector through the creation of the Crafty Galloway Gin Tour.

5. Moray – Keith and Dufftown Railway Association (£16,500)

Funding to help the volunteer-run tourist railway line for Keith, Drummuir and Dufftown to celebrate its 150th anniversary with a gala event that saw a steam locomotive run on the “whisky line” for the first time in 50 years.

6. Orkney – Westray Developmen Trust (£45,955)

Investment in two greenhouses in the Orkney Islands to stimulate demand in locally produced fresh fruit and vegetables.

7 Shetland – Shetland Skatepark Association (£69,088)

LEADER helped fund a new skatepark in Knab to help young people on the island fulfil their dream of creating a custom-built area for skateboards and BMXs.

8. Highlands – Kinlochbervie Planning for Play (£49,998)

Funding for a new innovative playpark in Kinlochbervie to upgrade the ageing 25-year-old facility.

9. Greater Renfrewshire & Inverclyde – Gourock Golf Club (£42,500)

Financial backing to create a new all-weather golf practice area to encourage players to continue all-year round practice of one of Scotland’s most popular sports.

10. Perth – Highland Island Adventure Safaris (£74,900)

A custom-built 12-seat boat that bolsters tourism along Loch Tay, giving passengers a unique view of Perthshire’s largest loch.

11. Outer Hebrides – Outer Hebrides Tourism (£107,184)

This grant helped OHT learn from other European projects on tourism in enhancing the visitor experience to the isles and creating a video-marketing strategy for the area.

12. Scottish Borders – Mums Supporting Mums (£9,945)

Funding to create a support group aimed at tackling social isolation and loneliness for rural-based mums. Set up by mums for mums.