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Families quit National Trust for Scotland-owned Canna | Families quit National Trust for Scotland-owned Canna |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Families are quitting a tiny Hebridean isle amid claims residents are frustrated at having little control over island life and homes they rent. | |
Canna's population of 22 could drop to 14 by the end of the year. | Canna's population of 22 could drop to 14 by the end of the year. |
Geoff Soe-Paing, who is about to leave with his wife Eilidh and their four children, said islanders needed a "hand in their own destiny". | Geoff Soe-Paing, who is about to leave with his wife Eilidh and their four children, said islanders needed a "hand in their own destiny". |
Owners the National Trust for Scotland said departures were disappointing but a new family was expected soon. | Owners the National Trust for Scotland said departures were disappointing but a new family was expected soon. |
Since the start of the year four people have left, the Soe-Paing's family of six is poised to quit and a couple are planning to leave later this year. | Since the start of the year four people have left, the Soe-Paing's family of six is poised to quit and a couple are planning to leave later this year. |
The Soe-Paing's departure will leave Canna's school with no pupils. | The Soe-Paing's departure will leave Canna's school with no pupils. |
The new family of four expected to arrive on the island over the next few weeks has children of pre-school age. | The new family of four expected to arrive on the island over the next few weeks has children of pre-school age. |
Mr Soe-Paing and his family have lived on Canna for five years. | Mr Soe-Paing and his family have lived on Canna for five years. |
He said depopulation was an issue for other small Scottish islands and was a result of residents not having a big enough say. | He said depopulation was an issue for other small Scottish islands and was a result of residents not having a big enough say. |
"There should be attempts made to let them have a little bit of hand in their own destiny and give them not just lip service to community empowerment," he said. | "There should be attempts made to let them have a little bit of hand in their own destiny and give them not just lip service to community empowerment," he said. |
"People will come and go and that is the short-term viewpoint of the trust. | "People will come and go and that is the short-term viewpoint of the trust. |
"Why can't we keep people here? Surely that is the question." | "Why can't we keep people here? Surely that is the question." |
Island celebrations | Island celebrations |
In a statement, the trust said it was very disappointed that people were leaving. | In a statement, the trust said it was very disappointed that people were leaving. |
It said it was completing the renovation of a home, known as the MacIssacs cottage, on the island and would shortly be announcing the name of the family taking on that tenancy. | It said it was completing the renovation of a home, known as the MacIssacs cottage, on the island and would shortly be announcing the name of the family taking on that tenancy. |
The trust added that it was also looking for more families to join the community. | The trust added that it was also looking for more families to join the community. |
Alexander Bennett, of the trust, later told BBC Scotland that he hoped a review of property tenures may find a way of encouraging families to stay longer. | |
He said: "We cannot sell property because we hold Canna in perpetuity for the nation. | |
"That means we cannot sell, but we can offer longer leases of up to 15 years which is what we normally do. | |
"Under law we could offer up to 20 years and maybe roll it on from there." | |
Canna's population decline comes in the Year of Scotland's Islands. | Canna's population decline comes in the Year of Scotland's Islands. |
The celebrations started in April with events promoting the culture and creativity of island communities which are backed by European and Lottery funding. | The celebrations started in April with events promoting the culture and creativity of island communities which are backed by European and Lottery funding. |
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