Performance athletes from Highland, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles have been awarded funding to help them cover the cost of travelling to training and competitions for the next year.
The Athlete Travel Award Scheme (ATAS) is in its eighth year, the fund’s aim is to help ensure talented athletes living in rural and island communities have the same access to training, competition and developmental opportunities as athletes living on the mainland.
Travel and accommodation costs can disadvantage island and rural-based athletes, meaning they may be less likely to compete in certain competitions which would help their journey as an athlete, ATAS funding helps redress that burden without the athletes having to relocate from their communities.
ATAS is funded by sportscotland and the four local councils. Successful athletes can benefit from up to £1,500 from the programme to help with travel and accommodation costs when attending training and competitions.
This year 41 athletes have benefitted across 22 sports, sharing a total of £70,868 between them.
It’s set to be a huge year for many athletes from island communities with the Orkney 2025 Island Games taking place in July. It will provide a unique opportunity for athletes from Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles to represent their communities at a multi-sport event in Scotland.
Inverness-based Iona Scott is among those to receive funding. Iona has made the Scottish Junior Orienteering squad as well as the British Orienteering Talent Squad.
She said: “I’m very grateful to receive this support from Highlife Highland and sportscotland. This funding will enable me to continue competing at regional, national, and international events. It will also allow me to attend GB training camps to further my progression as an athlete.”
Emily McArthur is set to represent Orkney in athletics at the Island Games. She said: “I'm really delighted to be receiving the travel award this year. I had a difficult start to the season, suffering a broken ankle at the indoor competition in Glasgow back in February. The recovery process has been challenging, and is still ongoing, but I've had fantastic support from so many people.
“It's so important for me now to ensure that I get the most out of the rest of this season and travel is obviously a big part of that. We've identified some of the competitions that I'm hoping to travel south for in the coming months.
“Everyone in Orkney knows what a major expense it is travelling out of the county, so receiving this travel award is a massive boost. It's going to hopefully allow me to take part in more major competitions, outdoors through the summer, then into the indoor season early 2026.
“As well as the financial element it's just really nice to be recognised by the award. Wherever I'm racing I always feel I'm doing my best to represent Orkney and having that official support behind you is brilliant.”
Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said:
“At sportscotland we recognise the difficulties faced by athletes in rural communities in accessing the best possible training and competition. ATAS is a key programme in helping to support athletes with those specific challenges."
“This is an exciting time for sport in our island communities. Orkney 2025 will be a historic occasion and a wonderful chance for local athletes to compete at a home multi-sport event.”
High Life Highland’s Head of Sports Development Darren Reid said: “High Life Highland remains committed to supporting our talented athletes, ensuring they have the best possible opportunities to excel in their chosen sports at the highest levels of competition.
“Their achievements continue to bring pride to the region and help to raise the profile of the Highlands on the national and international stage. We extend our best wishes for their continued success.
“The Athlete Travel Award Scheme plays a significant role in enabling this support, and we are sincerely grateful to sportscotland for their valuable contribution."
Find out more
More information on the Athlete Travel Award scheme can be found on the sportscotland website
The full list of athletes who will benefit from funding are:
Highland (12)
Ross Gollan - Athletics
Andrew Baird – Athletics
Grace Alexander – Basketball
Olivia Poole – Cycling
Hannah McCook – Golf
Miguel Alexander Reis – Gymnastics
Lucy Daly – Judo
Iona Scott – Orienteering
Heather Gordon – Rowing
Emily Rothney – Snowboarding
Matthew McCreadie - Swimming
Phoebe Strachan – Surfing
Orkney (15)
Emily McArthur – Athletics
Taylah Paterson – Athletics
Jody Groundwater – Badminton
Shannon Leslie – Badminton
Hope Henderson – Climbing
Amy Golder – Kickboxing
Zara Flett – Netball
Owen Spence – Rugby
Cailynn Williamson – Rugby
Finlay Scott – Squash
Alfie Price – Swimming
Eve Wood – Swimming
Angus Robertson – Weightlifting
Ross Sinclair – Weightlifting
Sam Squire – Volleyball
Shetland (6)
Michelle Sandison – Athletics
Layla Todd – Athletics
Mhairi Gifford – Fencing
Hannah Williamson – Hockey
Ella Johnson - Netball
Connor Burgess - Table Tennis
Western Isles (8)
Ewan Amos – Athletics
James Anderson – Athletics
Rowan Campbell – Athletics
Muriel Macleod – Athletics
Abbie Stewart – Athletics
Kirsty Maclean – Football
Kyla McMurdo – Football
Samuel Maclennan – Football
