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Financial support

SRDP: Rural Priorities

The Scottish Rural Development Programme is now the Scottish Government's main programme for financial support to rural Scotland. Rural Priorities is an important part of the SRDP. Rural Priorities is a competitive scheme, but actions contributing to favourable condition on designated sites are a priority for each of the Regions and measures have been designed specifically to offer support for delivering these public benefits. You can see the full list of Regional Priorities for your area on the Scottish Government's Rural Development website external site .

A summary of the Rural Priority options that relate to grazing and trampling has been prepared and can be viewed under grazing options. There may be other options relating to public access, species management or business development that land managers may wish to consider that are not covered by this summary.

Supported activities

The types of activities that could be supported include:

  • Preparation and implementation of a moorland management plan; where appropriate, detailing muirburn, shepherding, feeding, use of all terrain vehicles and peat-cutting practices;
  • Stock reductions or removals (away and off-wintering);
  • Maintenance or reduction of deer populations in the open range to enhance the natural heritage;
  • Using cattle grazing for conservation management;
  • Following an agreed grazing regime to favour particular habitats, e.g. Species-rich grassland, Scrub and Tall Herb Communities, Wetlands;
  • Sustainable grazing management in forests; including management of deer and livestock;
  • Capital works on SSSIs aimed at bringing special features into favourable condition.

The Rural Priorities scheme is open to any individual, business or properly constituted group. Agency staff external site  would be happy to discuss and advise on your ideas for a Statement of Intent ahead of submitting a Proposal.