Animal Care Tiree, described as the UK's first community-owned veterinary practice, has been awarded more than £300,000 from the Scottish government to establish a permanent base on the island. The grant of £302,949 comes from the 2026-27 Islands Programme Fund and will fund the conversion of a former café at Tiree's mart into a dedicated clinic. It is one of 13 island projects across Scotland sharing £3m from the fund.
The practice was set up after the communities of Coll and Tiree bought their only veterinary surgery when its previous owners retired in August 2025 and no successor could be found to take it over. Since opening in February 2026, the not-for-profit clinic has handled almost 800 appointments, relying on vets who travel from the mainland to serve the islands.
How is the practice run day to day?
Five rotating vets currently deliver services to residents of Tiree and Coll, according to the Herald Scotland. The service is being run in partnership with the development trust Urras Thiriodh and Tiree Rural Development, and organisers had already raised £70,000 to get the practice off the ground, per the same report. More than 190 households had registered with the clinic shortly after it launched, and it also offers round-the-clock online support alongside in-person visits, according to a national broadcaster's report.
Rhoda Meek, chair of Animal Care Tiree, welcomed the funding announcement.
"We are thrilled."
"Securing the future of veterinary care in Tiree is not only about people and animals - it is about buildings too."
"A permanent, fit-for-purpose practice matters enormously for the future of crofting, which underpins so much of the island's economy, and for the households whose pets are part of the decision to stay in, or move to, an island."
Argyll and Bute Council put the project forward for Scottish government backing.
Who else has secured funds?
Twelve other island projects were also awarded money from the same funding round. They include schemes on Lismore, Mull, Canna, Eigg, Skye, Rum, Grimsay, Orkney, Yell, Bressay and Shetland's mainland.
- Achnacroish Affordable Homes, Lismore, £272,506
- Bendoran Marine Enterprise Hub, Mull, £345,500
- Canna Contractor Accommodation, Canna, £76,000
- Eigg Camping Pods Expansion, Eigg, £87,602
- Gaeltec Community Hub Phase One, Skye, £393,000
- Kinloch Village Road and Track Improvement Programme, Rum, £355,112
- Grimsay Together, Grimsay, £600,000
- Orkney's Creative Catalyst, Mainland Orkney, £71,773
- Repurposing of St Rognvald's House, Mainland Orkney, £203,133
- Mid Yell Pier Amenity Building, Yell, £156,496
- Speldiburn Community Hub Enhancement, Bressay, £77,150
- UHI Shetland Hairdressing Training Salon, Mainland Shetland, £58,779
What impact will this have on island communities?
Highland Council has welcomed the money going toward projects on Skye, Rum, Eigg and Canna. Councillor Kate Willis, chair of the council's Lochaber committee, said the funding addresses pressing needs facing island populations.
"I am delighted to see these funds going right to the heart of the challenges our island communities are facing."
"They will be used to provide much-needed accommodation for workers, to support sustainable community-led development and to enhance the basic infrastructure that island populations need to thrive and grow into the future."
First Minister John Swinney unveiled the list of successful projects ahead of a visit to North Uist.
"Our island communities have so much potential, and this funding will help them pursue ambitions rooted in local priorities, strengthening their long-term resilience and prosperity."
The Tiree scheme forms part of a wider pattern of community-led ownership initiatives in Scotland's islands and rural areas. Elsewhere, a community buyout in the Western Isles recently secured more than £1m from the Scottish Land Fund to purchase a 27,181-acre estate, reflecting growing momentum behind locally controlled projects.
What happens next?
The conversion of the former café at the Tiree Rural Centre into a permanent veterinary base is expected to proceed so the clinic can move out of temporary arrangements, according to the Herald Scotland. The wider community project underpinning the service is scheduled to run for twelve months from 1 March 2026, according to Community Choices Scotland. Organisers are also seeking further funding to sustain operations and are introducing a membership scheme for local residents, according to a national broadcaster's report.
Key Facts
- Animal Care Tiree received £302,949 from the 2026-27 Islands Programme Fund.
- The practice has handled almost 800 appointments since opening in February 2026.
- Five rotating vets currently serve Tiree and Coll.
- The community previously raised £70,000 to launch the service.
- Thirteen island projects in total shared £3m from the fund.
