A series of public meetings were held this week (Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd July) in Daliburgh, Iochdair and Eriskay to discuss the possibility of a community buyout of South Uist Estates.

Over 400 people attended the events and strong community support was expressed to move forward to the next step, which will see the community appoint a Steering Group to oversee the commissioning of a feasibility study.

The Estates' factor, Tim Atkinson, confirmed that while the Estates are not for sale, the Estates' Board has considered the implications of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act and the consequences of fragmentation from possible buyouts of some townships.  The Estates' Board is willing to discuss a sale of some or all of the Estates' assets to the community.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise's (HIE) Community Land Unit (CLU) organised the meetings.  Acting Head of the CLU, Andrew Anderson said: "While this is still very early days, there would appear to be strong support for a possible community buy-out of South Uist Estates.

"Following this week's meetings, Alasdair Morrison MSP will now arrange a series of public meetings to elect a Steering Group to consult further with the community and to oversee the feasibility study."

In addition, a question and answer information sheet will be produced and distributed shortly, and members of the CLU are organising a series of informal drop-in sessions throughout the area to provide further information and to answer any questions.  These sessions are due to run from week beginning Monday 4th August.  The public meetings to elect a Steering Group will be arranged for the following week.

Calum MacDonald MP, who attended and spoke at the Eriskay meeting, said: "I am delighted that the public meetings have endorsed moving ahead to the next stage of selecting a Steering Group with such a good majority after the packed and lively meetings. 

"Community ownership holds great potential for the social and economic development of the communities involved.  It is essential however that there is a hard-headed and realistic feasibility study leading to a viable business plan that is shown to be sustainable over the long term.  This is a huge step for the communities involved and it can only be taken after a thorough and searching scrutiny of all the issues.

Mr MacDonald added: "The role of the Community Land Unit will be indispensable as always, providing advice, factual information and funding to help the community."

South Uist Estates takes in South Uist, Eriskay and part of Benbecula and is home to some 3,670 residents.  The small group involved in informal discussions with South Uists Estates has now disbanded.

For further information or to request an information booklet on community land ownership call the CLU on 01520 722988 or e-mail s.holmes@hient.co.uk.