The islanders of Gigha are celebrating tonight (Tuesday 30 Oct.) having won their bid to buy the island. The news, which will be welcomed throughout Scotland, brings to an end an anxious period of waiting for the 110-strong community and puts them firmly in control of their own destiny.

Selling agents FPD Savill announced today that the community bid for the 3,400 acre island had been succesful, although it had not been the highest offer received.

Spokesman for the newly-formed Isle of Gigha Community Trust Willie MacSporran said: " This is a historic and wonderful day for the islanders - it marks a new chapter in our story and I'm sure the celebrations will be remembered for a long, long time. We are delighted with all the support we've received and are full of enthusiasm for the future. We are all prepared to do whatever it takes to make community ownership a runaway success." The Trust, with a membership of 80 and an elected board of 7 directors will now take over the running of the island estate. The official handover will take place early in the new year.

The community bid has been backed, financially and in-kind, by the Lottery-backed Scottish Land Fund and by the Community Land Unit (CLU) at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), as well as being supplemented by the islanders' own fund-raising efforts.

Head of the CLU John Watt, who also helped prepare the islanders' bid said: "We are delighted the islanders of Gigha have been succesful - especially as the demonstrated will to take over the island was so strong. They are following in the footsteps of others, notably Assynt, Eigg and Knoydart, but each community is different and each faces its own challenges.

"To some extent the hard work starts here, but the CLU is prepared to stick around for the long haul and help the islanders realise their dream of a prosperous and confident island for themselves and for future generations.

"It's also worth putting on record the appreciation we, and the islanders have for the constructive way in which the landlord approached the sale and the community interest. There was a deal of goodwill all along, amply demonstrated by the acceptance of the community offer which was substantially less than competing bids. This has been a tremendous team effort, with a great deal of input from the islanders themselves and a particularly important contribution from Simon Fraser - the Trust's Solicitor."

The Isle of Gigha Trust will now prepare a detailed business plan aimed at making best use of the islands' resources. The fundraising campaign also continues in earnest as a contribution to the purchase price still has to be made, as well as raising working capital for the years ahead. Many pledges have already been received with three particular contributions, from the communities of Assynt, Eigg and Knoydart being especially welcome. Talks will also be held with other funding agencies, especially Argyll and the Islands Enterprise and Argyll and Bute Council to discuss post-acquisition support.

Link to: Isle of Gigha community website

Link to: The Isle of Gigha website

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