This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/6122968.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Islands buyout gets lottery boost Islands buyout gets lottery boost
(20 minutes 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, the board if which meets 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 FundThis 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 1892South 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.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.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." "This award is nearly the final piece of the jigsaw that will see the largest community buyout 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. 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 layout.