Aberarder Local Fund
Funding for communities in Strathnairn
Value: Expected value of £785,000
Status: This fund will be developed in partnership with local communities
About the Aberarder Local Fund
The Aberarder Wind Farm Connection will connect Aberarder Wind Farm to Dunmaglass, securing power for generations with a robust new overhead line.
The Aberarder Local Fund will be developed in partnership with the communities closest to the project site in Strathnairn.
Funding will be available when the main construction begins.
Who the fund is for
The local fund is aimed specifically at communities close to the project infrastructure in Strathnairn.
Fund value
The current total lifetime value of this local fund is £785,000.
The fund value is calculated in line with UK Government guidance, and is made up of community benefit funding associated with the infrastructure of the following projects:
- Aberarder Wind Farm Substation – Existing Dunmaglass 132kV Overhead Line
- Aberarder Wind Farm Substation
Communities in Strathnairn can also apply to our Regional Funds, which support larger‑scale, strategic community projects across the north of Scotland.
Learn more about our approach to funding
Designed in collaboration with communities
It’s important to us that this fund reflects what matters most to the people it will benefit.
Help shape this fund
We are launching our consultation for the Aberarder Local Fund in October 2026. We would welcome thoughts and views of all community members who live and work throughout Strathnairn and the surrounding area, particularly those who are situated close to the infrastructure.
The aims of this consultation will be to define:
- The area of benefit for the fund (i.e. where the funding should be available)
- The priorities for the fund (i.e. what is most important to your community and how the money should be best used)
- The structure of the fund (i.e. how many years the fund should be available and what level of funding should be available for community projects)
To learn more about what matters to you, we will be hosting in-person and online sessions on the following dates and times:
|
Event Details |
Location |
Date / Time |
|---|---|---|
|
Drop-in session / Presentation and Q&A |
Farr Community Hall, Inverarnie Park, Inverness, IV2 6AX |
Wednesday 28 October, 9.30am to 12.30pm (Community Café) |
|
Drop-in session / Presentation and Q&A |
Strathnairn Hall in Daviot West (Daviot Hall), Inverness, IV2 5XL |
Wednesday 4 November, 3.30pm to 7pm |
|
Drop-in session / Presentation and Q&A |
Farr Community Hall, Inverarnie Park, Inverness, IV2 6AX |
Thursday 5 November. 3.30pm to 7pm |
|
Presentation and Q&A |
Microsoft Teams - Register here |
Monday 9 November, 7pm to 8pm |
We recognise that not everyone will be available to attend one of these sessions – if you are not able to attend, but would still like to share your views, please get in touch at community.benefit@sse.com and we can provide you with a briefing document and survey to complete. The survey will be open between Monday 26 October and Friday 20 November.
The views gathered during these sessions will be used to create the fund proposal, which will be shared with key community representatives (e.g. community councils, development trusts) for feedback before being finalised. The finalised fund details will be published on this website later in the year.
If you have any questions or accessibility requirements please email us at community.benefit@sse.com
Our commitment to communities
We’re committed to working with communities to ensure the benefits are shared fairly and deliver real, meaningful outcomes.
Through this fund, we want to support projects that strengthen communities now and leave a positive legacy for the future.
Stay informed
We will keep this page updated as the fund develops, and you will be able to apply for funding here when applications open.
You can also follow us on social media and sign up to our mailing list to receive updates on this and other funding opportunities.
