THE Scottish government has unveiled a new £15 million fund to support communities facing climate change-related flooding.

The cash will be made available to councils, local groups and communities to build flood resilience and preparedness via future-proofing existing flooding infrastructure and sustainable drainage projects which use green spaces and planting to reduce flood risk.

Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Climate change means, globally, we are facing an increasing flood risk, and Scotland is not immune to that. We are determined to take action now to protect people, homes and livelihoods.

“This £15m package delivers on our 100 days commitment to invest in flood mitigation and prevention, with support targeted where it is needed most.

“By working closely with communities, local authorities and expert partners, we are investing in practical measures that will strengthen resilience and adapt to the challenges of the future.”

As part of the package, coastal communities will also receive support to replenish the dunes that once protected towns such as Montrose, where the coastline has moved 120m inland in half a century, making the town more vulnerable to flooding.

Public Health Scotland will also see funding to develop tools to combine flood risk, population, and demographic data to identify communities and groups at greatest flood risk in the future, while a new national flood advisory service will be formed to support councils in carrying out major flood protection schemes.

Ms Martin said: “From community-led projects and nature-based solutions to better data, improved infrastructure and more effective flood protection schemes, this investment complements our wider flood resilience strategy to help build a safer, more resilient Scotland.”