This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Islanders buy local estate
21/03/2003
North Harris islanders today celebrated the formal hand
over of 55,000 acres of the North Harris Estate to the
local community.
Deputy Environment and Rural Development Minister Allan
Wilson joined in the official hand-over ceremony to mark
the completion of the sale of the estate and the islanders
efforts to bring it into community ownership.
The community bid jointly with businessman Ian
Scarr-Hall for the estate and secured assitance of £416,000
from Highlands and Islands Enterprise's Community Land
Fund.
A further £1.6 million came from the New Opportunities
Fund Scottish Land Fund (NOFSLF). The remainder of the
funding came from local fund raising activities and
£100,000 from the John Muir Trust.
The community's part of the estate includes 55,023
acres, excluding about 600 acres around Amhuinnsuidhe
Castle which will remain unfenced and accessible to the
public. Two cottages, a boathouse, a game larder and a
slipway. All shooting rights and fishing rights on Loch
Geodha Beag are also included.
Mr Wilson said:
"The North Harris community must be congratulated for
their determination and rigorous efforts towards securing
the estate for local ownership.
"This is a wonderful example of a local community coming
together to take control of their own social, economic and
environmental future. The community has shown great courage
in facing the challenges involved and is now set to reap
the rewards.
"By purchasing the land, the community now hopes to
develop and manage a number of business opportunities that
will potentially include renewable energy initiatives,
building developments and use of the forest reserves.
Islanders will also ensure the natural heritage values of
the estate are protected.
"Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the New
Opportunities Fund Scottish Land Fund must also be
congratulated for their financial and other contributions
towards the land purchase.
"Enhancing rural Scotland's quality of life,
environmental diversity and range of opportunities are
important achievements that we can all be proud of."
The North Harris Trust was established in August 2002,
secured a private partner interested in the castle and
fishing allowing the purchase of the North Harris
Estate.
HIE's Community Land Unit will continue to provide
support to the North Harris Trust to help manage the
project.
The Scottish Land Fund was established by the New
Opportunities Fund - a National Lottery distributor, in
February 2001. Initially allocated £10.8million the Fund,
administered by
Highlands and Islands Enterprise in
partnership with Scottish Enterprise, has assisted
communities to establish the feasibility, complete the
purchase, and undertake the development and management of
local land and land assets. NOF Scottish Land Fund was
established in February 2001 with a budget of £10.8
million. As at March 2003, 95 grants worth a total of £8.5m
had been made.