A Harris-based committee has received over £1m to bring local land into community ownership.
Bays of Harris Community Estate Ltd have been awarded £1,082,680 by the Scottish Land Fund to bring the Bays of Harris Estate into community ownership.
The Scottish Land Fund award covers the purchase of the Estate, associated legal costs and funding for an Estate Manager during the first year of community ownership.
The award marks a major milestone in a journey that began 14 years ago and brings the community a significant step closer to achieving its long-held ambition of owning and managing the Estate for the benefit of present and future generations.
"This success has only been made possible through the dedication and support of a great many individuals, organisations and funders over the years," said Euan Galloway, Chair of Bays of Harris Community Estate Ltd.
"We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped us reach this point. The Scottish Land Fund's support means we can now move forward with confidence towards completing the purchase by the end of the year."
The award follows the community ballot in favour in 2022 and the agreement achieved with the owners last year to sell the Estate.
Mr Galloway added: "Securing this funding is another hugely important milestone on our journey towards community ownership of the Estate. We look forward to celebrating the day the Bays of Harris Estate is officially transferred into the hands of the community. Thank you again to everyone who has helped make this possible."
Work is now underway with solicitors and other professional advisers to finalise the remaining legal processes, including detailed mapping of the Estate boundaries, with the aim of completing the purchase within the next six months.
The company then plans to hold an AGM for its 250 members. The current Interim Board will stand down and members will elect a new Board of Directors to lead the Estate into its new chapter and shape its long-term future.
The Board first plan to appoint an Estate Manager, a dedicated role to oversee day-to-day management of the Estate and help deliver the community’s long-term ambitions. Initial funding for this post has been provided by Scottish Land Fund as part of the award.
The Interim Board’s role is to ensure that the transition to community ownership is carried out in a fair, open and transparent way, giving the new Board a strong democratic mandate to make decisions on behalf of the community.
Everyone living within the Bays of Harris Estate area is welcome to apply for membership, while supporters living elsewhere are welcome to join as Associate Members and take part in discussions. More information on memberships is available here.
