This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Barra land taken over by Scottish Ministers
27/10/2004
Transfer of 3,600 hectares of crofting land on the
island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides to Scottish Ministers
has been completed.
The land was donated by its owner Ian Macneil, whose
family have long established connections with Barra.
Ministers already own land on Barra and Vatersay and the
combined estates cover almost all of the two islands
extending to 6,500 hectares including over 440 croft
tenancies and two working quarries.
Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie said:
"The Scottish Executive is committed to ensuring rural
communities have a say in the future social, economic and
environmental sustainability of their community.
"Ian Macneil's decision to transfer his estate on Barra
to Scottish Ministers ensures that it will continue to be
managed for the benefit of the local community.
"We intend to manage this land with a view to its
transfer, along with our own properties, to community
ownership at a time appropriate to the islanders of
Barra.
"In the meantime we will encourage community
participation in the estate's management through an estate
charter similar to those already adopted on other estates
owned by Ministers."
The legal documents finalising the transfer were signed
on Thursday, October 14, 2004.