SUPER-FAST broadband is possible in the remote regions of Scotland – as evidenced by one Scottish community that is now installing broadband running at one gigabyte per second – a rate that is up there with some of the fastest parts of Britain's broadband network.

Nearly 200 premises in the rural Balquhidder area, near Stirling, will have access to this hyper-fast broadband following a partnership between Balquhidder Community Broadband (BCB) and Stirling Council.

The hope is that internet connections hundreds of times faster than those previously available from internet service providers in the area will boost the local economy, and improve jobs, diversity and resilience. Property prices are expected to rise, and residents and businesses will be able to better access commercial and public services online.

In what is believed to be a unique project in Scotland, creating the community owned network has involved local volunteers digging trenches and laying fibre cable across the rural landscape.

Funded in part by an initial £100,000 investment from Stirling Council along with a similar investment from its commercial partner, and rural development funding from the Scottish LEADER programme, the BCB project is expected to bring millions of pounds in economic gains to the area.

Speaking at a public launch, David Johnston, a director at BCB, said: “This project is hugely significant. Residential homes and businesses, some of which currently have no broadband, will be able to cancel existing poor broadband and line rental contracts and enjoy ‘world class’ service, for less than most are currently paying."

Local businesses include the Mhor Group – which operates restaurants and a hotel. Owner and chef Tom Lewis said: “This broadband scheme is vital to the development of our businesses. The markets we target expect and demand a good internet connection.

"Our current satellite feed is really expensive and only lets us provide limited email services to our customers which has had a negative impact in our corporate conference business. It will be transformational once we are connected and finally allow us to manage our businesses in Balquhidder, Callander and Glasgow from our home in Balquhidder,” stated Mr Lewis.