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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Islands buyout gets lottery boost | Islands buyout gets lottery boost |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Residents on South Uist have received £2m in lottery funding towards a community buyout of the island group. | Residents on South Uist have received £2m in lottery funding towards a community buyout of the island group. |
| A fee of £4.5m has been set for the sprawling South Uist Estate which also includes Eriskay and part of Benbecula. | A fee of £4.5m has been set for the sprawling South Uist Estate which also includes Eriskay and part of Benbecula. |
| Community leaders said the Big Lottery Fund award was a "huge boost" and they believe that the 93,000-acre estate will be theirs by the end of the month. | Community leaders said the Big Lottery Fund award was a "huge boost" and they believe that the 93,000-acre estate will be theirs by the end of the month. |
| If the sale goes ahead it would be the largest community buyout of land in Scotland. | If the sale goes ahead it would be the largest community buyout of land in Scotland. |
| 'Absolutely delighted' | 'Absolutely delighted' |
| The buyout has been launched by Sealladh na Beinne Moire (The Vision for the Islands). | The buyout has been launched by Sealladh na Beinne Moire (The Vision for the Islands). |
| The group is made up of 3,500 estate residents. | The group is made up of 3,500 estate residents. |
| They feel the area is not being exploited to the benefit of the community and want to boost its economy. | They feel the area is not being exploited to the benefit of the community and want to boost its economy. |
| The group is also hopeful of a further £2m from Highlands and Islands Enterprise whose board meet later this month, and they have further pledges from Scottish Natural Heritage and the islands council. | The group is also hopeful of a further £2m from Highlands and Islands Enterprise whose board meet later this month, and they have further pledges from Scottish Natural Heritage and the islands council. |
| Angus MacMillan, chairman of Sealladh na Beinne Moire, said they were "absolutely delighted" to have been awarded the lottery funding. | Angus MacMillan, chairman of Sealladh na Beinne Moire, said they were "absolutely delighted" to have been awarded the lottery funding. |
| This is about taking community land ownership back to its roots Dharmendra KananiBig Lottery Fund | This is about taking community land ownership back to its roots Dharmendra KananiBig Lottery Fund |
| "We believe that the community ownership of South Uist, Benbecula, and Eriskay presents us with a unique opportunity to develop appropriately the resources that we have." | "We believe that the community ownership of South Uist, Benbecula, and Eriskay presents us with a unique opportunity to develop appropriately the resources that we have." |
| "Over the years to come, we will seek to determine the sustainable economic regeneration of these islands, using every means at our disposal." | "Over the years to come, we will seek to determine the sustainable economic regeneration of these islands, using every means at our disposal." |
| Dharmendra Kanani, Scotland director of the Big Lottery Fund, said: "This is about taking community land ownership back to its roots. | Dharmendra Kanani, Scotland director of the Big Lottery Fund, said: "This is about taking community land ownership back to its roots. |
| "We also want to give communities more power over their lives to help them become stronger, with shared aspirations and the ability to achieve these together." | "We also want to give communities more power over their lives to help them become stronger, with shared aspirations and the ability to achieve these together." |
| South Uist has a golf course dating back to 1892 | |
| Angus MacNeil, Scottish National Party MP for the Western Isles, said Sealladh na Beinne Moire should be applauded for what it had achieved so far. | |
| He said: "This is a feather in the cap for all those who have been working hard behind the scenes over the past couple of years to make this achievable. | |
| "This award is nearly the final piece of the jigsaw that will see the largest community buy-out of its kind in Scotland." | |
| In 2005, a ballot of the community secured a 70% majority in support of proceeding with the purchase. | In 2005, a ballot of the community secured a 70% majority in support of proceeding with the purchase. |
| As well as 850 crofts, the estate includes fish farming operations, quarries and potentially lucrative shooting, mineral and fishing rights. | As well as 850 crofts, the estate includes fish farming operations, quarries and potentially lucrative shooting, mineral and fishing rights. |
| South Uist is also home to a golf course designed by legendary player Old Tom Morris. It is proposed to restore the Askernish course to its original 1892 lay out. |