Scotland's largest sporting and crofting estate is set to move into community ownership after the board of directors of South Uist Estates Ltd this week agreed in principle to recommend to its members that they sell the whole share capital of the company for £4.5m to local community group Stòras Uibhist.

The islanders now face the challenge of raising a minimum £600,000 contribution towards the acquisition and initial capital requirements as well as looking to secure the rest of the funds from other sources. Possible funders may include Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the BIG Lottery Fund, which, in the past have supported community buyouts through the Scottish Land Fund.

Estate proprietor, South Uist Estates Ltd comprises a 34 members from nine families. They have owned the 93,000 acre estate which encompasses almost all of South Uist, Eriskay and a substantial part of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides for 45 years.

The owners agreed to enter into negotiations for the sale after a ballot of the estate's 2,700 residents drew three-quarters of those eligible to turn-out and 70 per cent of those supported the project.

South Uist Estate has an established reputation for its sporting opportunities including wildfowling, trout and salmon fishing and red deer stalking. Ninety-five per cent of the ground is subject to crofting tenure and there are 850 crofts..

Angus MacMillan chairman of Stòras Uibhist  (South Uist Community Company), said, "The whole community of the South Uist Estate area is delighted that agreement has been reached. This represents a highly significant moment in the history of these islands.

"I would like to thank South Uist Estates Ltd for their patience which has allowed us to reach this stage. I would also like to thank all those involved, including the directors of Stòras Uibhist, HIE and the BIG Lottery Fund."

Chairman of South Uist Estates Ltd, David Ruck Keene said: "Although this proposed transaction remains subject to shareholder approval, the Board of South Uist Estates Ltd is genuinely pleased that agreement has been reached with the Board of Stòras Uibhist on the sale of the estate. I am especially grateful to our staff for their patience over such a long period of uncertainty.

"I would also like to thank Angus MacMillan and the board of Stòras Uibhist for the constructive manner in which these negotiations have been conducted.
After 45 years of ownership many of South Uist Estates shareholders will, I know, wish to continue their valued connections with these wonderful islands and their people."

The community has an ambitious raft of proposals to secure a prosperous future for the estate including community renewable energy schemes, an integrated drainage scheme for the islands and facilitation of a £12m proposal to redevelop Lochboisdale as a 'Port of Entry' comprising public and private housing, new pier facilities, industrial units and yacht moorings.

An international fund-raising appeal in the form of a ceilidh, will be launched this Sunday (May 21) in London at the Boisdale restaurant near Victoria, owned by Ranald MacDonald of Clanranald, whose forbears were the owners of South Uist, Benbecula, Eriskay and Barra until 1834.