Scottish culture minister, Linda Fabiani, has announced that more than £5m has been made available to nine communities through Historic Scotland's Conservation Area Regeneration Schemes (CARS).

Launched in 2007, the CARS scheme has already distributed £8.5m to 16 councils for a range of projects designed to target historic areas that have been unable to attract the investment needed for sustainable regeneration. The funding will allow communities to repair and improve private homes and businesses, as well as the restoration of local landmarks and the appointment of qualified conservation staff to lead schemes or provide specialist training.

Cumnock, East Ayrshire, will receive the largest grant of £888,050, while Haddington in East Lothian has been awarded £812,000. Paisley, Renfrewshire has been handed £738,000, and Kirkcaldy, Fife, will get nearly £500,000. Other areas to benefit from the funding include Blair Atholl, Perth and Kinross; Kelso, Scottish Borders; Stromness, Orkney Islands; Cumbernauld Village in North Lanarkshire; and Callander in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

Fabiani said: "These grants provide vital support for councils who want to breathe new life into areas that have not had the means to do so in recent years. The investment in maintaining and improving the historic character and heritage of these areas is essential for sustainable development." Communities in Scotland to already have benefit from CARS funding include Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire; Peterhead in Aberdeenshire; and Wick, Highlands, which was awarded £1.5m.