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Scotland's Tourism Funding Opportunities

2 minute read• Last updated: 17 July 2025

Whether you’re setting up your business or looking to grow, it’s essential to have the right financial support. Funding can help get your idea off the ground in the early stages as well as help support your development through new initiatives and adaptations for the future.

There are a wide range of organisations that can provide funding support for eligible businesses, and you may wish to approach more than one. They all have different criteria, and it is important you take the time to understand their objectives, eligibility criteria, and the application processes and timeframes.

In this article:

  • Sources of funding
  • Event funding

Sources of funding

Learn more about finding the right funding for you and your business. Including useful resources, events advice and more. 

  • Find Business Support

    The Find Business Support website is a useful resource to find out more about support available to businesses of all sizes and sectors in Scotland. The site covers support offered by more than 100 Scottish public sector organisations, all in one place.  

    Their website covers grants, loans, funding, advice and other support available for your business. Filter the search by region and sector to help you find tailored support. 

  • Business Gateway

    The funding that is right for you will very much depend on your business, but there are some useful articles and resources available on Business Gateway to help you narrow down your search. 

    Explore funding routes with Business Gateway. 

  • Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund

    VisitScotland manage the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) on behalf of the Scottish Government. Funding goes towards projects to improve the visitor experience in rural parts of Scotland which are experiencing visitor management issues.  

    Since 2018, 75 projects have been awarded £20 million of grant funding through RTIF. 

    Please note that RTIF is only open to applications from Local Authorities and National Park Authorities. Private sector businesses are not eligible for RTIF support.

    Explore funding opportunities through RTIF. 

Edinburgh Visitor Economy Improvement Fund

Looking across the city of Edinburgh

Edinburgh skyline

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Applications open on the 7 September for the first funding round of the Edinburgh Visitor Economy Improvement Fund (EVEIF).

Delivered by the City of Edinburgh Council and funded through the Edinburgh Visitor Levy, this new three-year programme will support projects that strengthen Edinburgh’s visitor economy and deliver benefits for businesses, visitors, and communities.

Phase 1 offers grants of £1,000-£15,000 for collaborative projects involving three or more visitor economy businesses working together.

Find out more about the fund and how to apply on the City of Edinburgh Council website.

Event funding

There are a range of funding options specific to the events sector which event organisers should check if they are eligible for, including through EventScotland's funding programmes.

National Events Programme

Find out more about whether your event is eligible and how to apply for funding through VisitScotland's National Events Funding Programme.

Article
3 minute read

International Events Programme

Find out more about whether your event is eligible and how to apply for funding through VisitScotland's International Events Funding Programme.

Article
2 minute read

Funding opportunities for events

Find out more about potential sources of funding for events in Scotland.

Article
4 minute read
Find out more

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