Harris estates transfer to trust

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More than 16,000 acres of government-owned land on the Western Isles has been taken over by a community trust.

West Harris Trust raised almost £70,000 from various bodies to fund its project to run three crofting estates - Scaristavore, Borve and Luskentyre.

The organisation hopes to encourage new families to move to the area.

The land involved is home to 123 people but only one is below school age and there have been concerns about maintaining the population.

Various bodies provided funds towards the buy-out.

We want to promote Harris as a great place to live and work Murdo MackayTrust chairman

Highlands and Islands Enterprise gave £23,600, local authority Comhairle nan Eilean Siar £15,000, housing organisation Tighean Innse Gall loaned out £20,000 and the Big Lottery Fund gave £10,000.

The estates had been owned by the Scottish government.

Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: "This land transfer is the culmination of a great deal of hard work, determination and commitment on the part of the West Harris Trust.

"It is an exciting day for the community and a landmark day for the Scottish Government's commitment to community ownership of land and empowerment.

"Community ownership plays a very important role in the empowerment of communities. It improves self reliance and offers opportunities for employment, skill development and economic success.

"I hope to return one day to witness the many benefits I envisage the trust will deliver through this historic transfer."

Trust chairman Murdo Mackay, who has the tenancy of a croft in Luskentyre, said: "We want to promote Harris as a great place to live and work and we hope to get more families into the area and create new crofts and bring currently under-used land into production.

"We are very excited about the fact that control of our own land will breathe new life into the community and encourage people to set up homes and raise families."