Four rural villages in Stirlingshire are set to receive high-speed, full-fibre broadband as part of the UK Government's Project Gigabit scheme, delivered by the Scottish Government and implemented by Openreach. The villages of Kippen, Fintry, Strathblane and Blanefield have been selected for the latest round of support, aiming to bring reliable connectivity to communities that might otherwise be left behind due to their remote locations.
£157 Million Contract to Connect Hard-to-Reach Areas
Openreach has been awarded a £157 million contract under a UK-wide framework to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to approximately 65,000 premises across Scotland. This includes some of the most challenging locations in the Highlands, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Argyll and Bute, as well as parts of Central and South Scotland. The project aims to provide future-proof digital infrastructure that supports economic growth, flexible working, and thriving rural communities.
Government and Industry Support
UK telecoms minister Liz Lloyd said: “Whether it’s families streaming together, farmers being able to use new technology, or businesses reaching more customers online, this upgrade creates real opportunities for people across Stirling. In partnership with Openreach, the UK Government is delivering infrastructure that will serve this area for decades to come. We’re making sure everyone can benefit from the digital world, no matter where they live.”
Scottish Business Minister Tom Arthur added: “It’s great to see Project Gigabit working alongside our R100 programme to bring fast and reliable broadband to homes and businesses across Scotland. This future-proofed digital infrastructure is vital for supporting economic growth, enabling people to work more flexibly and helping rural communities to thrive. We will continue to work closely with partners to maximise the impact of public investment and ensure more people in Scotland can benefit from improved connectivity.”
Benefits of Full-Fibre Technology
Fibre technology offers more reliable, resilient, and future-proof connectivity, with fewer faults, predictable and consistent speeds, and enough capacity to meet growing data demands. It enhances online experiences for households, such as seamless streaming and gaming, and for businesses, including smooth video calls, banking, and customer interactions, with reduced buffering or slowdown during peak times.
What Residents Can Expect
Robert Thorburn, partnership director for Scotland, said: “We’re bringing faster, more reliable broadband to more properties in Stirling and letting local people know what to expect. This is a major infrastructure upgrade, so there will be more engineering teams, equipment and vans around town, and we’re working hard to keep disruption to a minimum. Wherever possible, we’ll use our existing network of ducts and poles to avoid roadworks, new street furniture and disturbance. But there may be places where we need to install new poles, underground ducts and fibre cables because it’s the only way to make sure households get included in the upgrade.”
