Bays of Harris land ownership bid receives £1m funding from SLF

Bays of Harris Community Estate Limited (BoHCEL) has secured £1,082,680, the largest of six awards worth a combined £2,197,924 announced today to communities across Scotland.

The funding will enable the group to purchase a 10,927 hectare crofting estate from a private seller and address long-standing issues surrounding housing and population in a fragile and dispersed community.

Among the other recipients is Voe Community Development Association (VCDA), which has been awarded £106,780 to acquire the B-listed Sail Loft in Lower Voe, Shetland. The group plans to transform the building into a heritage centre offering low-cost tourist accommodation, a café and workshop space.

The SLF is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by The National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs, said:

“Once again these projects demonstrate the scale and variety of ways the Scottish Land Fund can support communities, whether it is giving islanders greater autonomy, creating a much-needed heritage centre and workshop space or bolstering volunteering opportunities. It’s especially welcome to see the Bays of Harris purchase conclude after many years of hard work.  It shows that perseverance does pay off, and I wish all the projects the best and look forward to hearing about their progress.”

Cara Gillespie, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said: “These awards will have a positive and empowering impact on each of their communities, helping groups to secure important assets and giving local people control over the things that matter most to them.”

Sandra Holmes, head of community assets at HIE, said: “These projects highlight the incredible impact of communities taking charge of their own future. By securing vital assets, they’re safeguarding essential services while creating places that support jobs, attract visitors and bring people together.

“For example, the Bays of Harris funding contribution to bring the land into community ownership demonstrates the vital role that investment plays in helping communities realise their ambitions. Community ownership is a powerful tool for lasting change, strengthening the local economy and building resilience for generations to come. We can’t wait to see what these inspiring ventures achieve next.”

And Euan Galloway, Chair, Bays of Harris Community Estate Ltd, said: “We are delighted the Scottish Land Fund has approved funding to enable us to complete the purchase of the Bays of Harris Estate. It has taken 14 years to reach this stage. We would like to thank the many people and organisations whose support, commitment and hard work have made this achievement possible. We now look forward to completing the purchase of the Estate on behalf of the community in the coming months.”

Other groups receiving funding are:

Loch Ewe Community Enterprise

Award £345,663

Loch Ewe Community Enterprise will purchase the Bac Dubh industrial site in Poolewe to establish a multi-use community business park. The group will use the site to transform a vacant industrial asset to create affordable, flexible space for local businesses, supporting employment, resilience and long-term economic stability within the Loch Ewe area. 

North Sutherland Community Forest Trust

Award £109, 745

North Sutherland Community Forestry Trust (NSCFT) will purchase a log cabin at Borgie Forest, 0.8 ha of the surrounding land and the solum of an existing separate log cabin at the site which is currently used by the group. The group will use the site to extend their existing activities into a multifunctional community hub. 

Morvern Community Woodlands

Award £459,650

Morvern Community Woodlands will purchase 94 ha of land adjacent to the village of Lochaline, on the Morvern Peninsula. MCW will develop woodland crofts, associated self- build plots, a community woodlot and recreation space, as well as manage broadleaf and commercial forestry. The project will address population decline, housing need, nature restoration and access to land, as well as providing economic and volunteering opportunities. 

Quarter Community Hub

Award £93,406

Quarter Community Hub in South Lanarkshire is to purchase the B-listed Quarter Parish Church to provide a base for their community activities.

Tairgse sealbh fearainn Bàigh na Hearadh a’ faotainn maoineachadh de £1m bho SLF

Tha suas ri 11,000 heactair de fhearann ann an Innse Gall gu bhith ann an sealbh coimhearsnachd, a’ leantainn air maoineachadh bho Mhaoin Fearann na h-Alba (SLF). Tha Oighreachd Coimhearsnachd Bàigh na Hearadh Earranta (BoHCEL) air £1,082,680 fhaotainn, an tabhartas as motha de shia tabhartasan le luach còmhla de £2,197,924, a chaidh ainmeachadh an-diugh do choimhearsnachdan air feadh Alba.

Bheir am maoineachadh cothrom don bhuidheann oighreachd chroitearachd de 10,927 heactair a cheannach bho neach-reic prìobhaideach, agus dèiligeadh ri cùisean fad-amail mu thimcheall taigheadas agus àireamh-sluaigh ann an coimhearsnachd sgapte agus cugallach.

Am measg an luchd-tairbhe eile tha Comann Leasachaidh Coimhearsnachd Voe (VCDA), air an deach £106,780 a bhuileachadh gus Sail Loft liostadh-B fhaotainn ann a’ Voe ann an Sealtainn. Tha am buidheann a’ planadh air an togalach a chruth-atharrachadh gu ionad dualchais a bhios a’ tabhann àite-fuirich luchd-turais air bheag cosgais, cafaidh agus àite do bhùithtean-obrach.  

Tha an SLF maoinichte le Riaghaltas na h-Alba agus air a lìbhrigeadh le Maoin Coimhearsnachd a’ Chrannchuir Nàiseanta agus Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean (HIE).

Thuirt Gillian Mhàrtainn, Rùnaire Caibineit do Ghnìomh Gnàth-shìde is Cùisean Dùthchail:

“Tha na pròiseactan sin a’ taisbeanadh uair eile an sgèile agus am measgachadh de dhòighean as urrainn do Mhaoin Fearann na h-Alba taic a chur ri coimhearsnachdan, eadar gur ann a’ toirt barrachd fèin-ùghdarrais do dh’eileanaich, cruthachadh ionad dualchais air a bheil cruaidh-fheum agus farsaingeachd do bhùithtean-obrach, no misneachadh chothroman saor-thoileach. Tha e gu h-àraid na adhbhar toileachais a bhith a’ faicinn crìoch air ceannach Bàigh na Hearadh an dèidh mòran bhliadhnaichean de dh’obair chruaidh.  Tha e a’ sealltainn gu bheil leanaltas a’ pàigheadh, agus tha mi a’ guidhe gach soirbheachadh do na pròiseactan uile agus a’ coimhead air adhart ri cluinntinn mu an adhartas.”

Thuirt Cara NicGillEasbaig, Cathraiche Comataidh Maoin Fearann na h-Alba: “Bidh buaidh dhearbhach agus cumhachdachaidh aig na tabhartasan seo air gach aon de na coimhearsnachdan aca, a’ cuideachadh bhuidhnean le maoinean cudromach fhaotainn agus smachd do shluagh na coimhearsnachd air na nithean as cudromaiche dhaibh.”

Thuirt Sandra Holmes, ceannard mhaoinean coimhearsnachd aig HIE: “Tha na pròiseactan sin a’ togail air a’ bhuaidh do-chreidsinnich aig coimhearsnachdan a tha a’ gabhail uallach do an àm teachdail fhèin. Le bhith a’ faotainn mhaoinean deatamach, tha iad a’ dìon sheirbheisean riatanach agus a’ cruthachadh àiteachan a tha a’ cur taic ri obraichean, a’ tarraing luchd-tadhail agus a’ toirt dhaoine còmhla.

"Mar eisimpleir, tha tabhartas maoineachaidh Bàigh na Hearadh gus am fearann a thoirt a-steach do shealbh coimhearsnachd, a’ taisbeanadh a’ phàirt chudromaich a tha tasgadh a’ gnìomhadh ann an cuideachadh choimhearsnachdan gu an àrd-amasan a choileanadh. Is e innleachd chudromach airson atharrachadh maireannach a th’ ann an sealbh coimhearsnachd, a’ neartachadh an eaconamaidh ionadail agus a’ togail seasmhachd airson ghinealaichean ri teachd.  Tha sinn air bhioran gus faicinn na choileanas na h-iomairtean brosnachail sin san àm ri teachd.”

Agus thuirt Euan Galloway, Cathraiche Oighreachd Choimhearsnachd Bàigh na Hearadh Earranta: “Tha sinn air leth toilichte gu bheil Maoin Fearann na h-Alba air maoineachadh aontachadh gus a dhèanamh comasach dhuinn ceannach a chrìochnachadh air Oighreachd Bàigh na Hearadh. Tha e air 14 bliadhna a thoirt airson na h-ìre seo a ruigsinn. Bu mhath leinn taing a thoirt do mhòran daoine is bhuidhnean a thug taic, dealas agus obair chruaidh a rinn e comasach don euchd seo a choileanadh. Tha sinn a-nis a’ coimhead air adhart ri crìoch a chur air ceannach na h-Oighreachd às leth na coimhearsnachd sna mìosan a tha ri teachd.” 

Is iad na buidhnean eile a fhuair maoineachadh:  

Iomairt Coimhearsnachd Loch Iùbh

Tabhartas £345,663

Bidh Iomairt Coimhearsnachd Loch Iùbh a’ ceannach làrach gnìomhachasail Bac Dubh ann am Poll Iùbh gus pàirc gnothachais coimhearsnachd ioma-chuimseach a stèidheachadh. Cleachdaidh am buidheann an làrach gus maoin ghnìomhachasail falamh a chruth-atharrachadh, mar àite sùbailte air prìs reusanta a chruthachadh do ghnothachasan ionadail, a’ cur taic ri cosnadh, fulangas agus seasmhachd eaconamach fad-amail taobh a-staigh sgìre Loch Iùbh.  

Urras Choilltean Coimhearsnachd Chataibh a Tuath

Tabhartas £109, 745

Ceannaichidh Urras Choilltean Coimhearsnachd Chataibh a Tuath (NSCFT) ceabain loga ann an Coille Bhorgaidh, 0.8 heactair de fhearann ionadail agus talamh ceabain air leth a tha an làthair aig an làraich, agus a tha gu làithreach ga chleachdadh leis a’ bhuidheann. Cleachdaidh am buidheann an làrach gus an gnìomhan làithreach a leudachadh gu bhith na ionad coimhearsnachd ioma-dhòigheach.

Fearann-coillteach Coimhearsnachd na Morbhairne

Tabhartas £459,650

Ceannaichidh Fearann-coillteach na Morbhairne 94 heactair de fhearann ri taobh baile-fearainn Loch Àlainn agus air Rubha na Morbhairne. Leasaichidh MCW croitean fearann-coillteach, plotaichean fèin-thogail co-cheangailte, coille coimhearsnachd agus àite chur-seachadan, a thuilleadh air coilltearachd coimearsalta a stiùireadh. Dèiligidh am pròiseact ri crìonadh àireamh-sluaigh, iarrtas taigheadais, ath-shlànachadh nàdair agus cothrom ruigsinneachd air fearann, a thuilleadh air cothroman eaconamach is saor-thoileachaidh a sholarachadh.

Ionad Coimhearsnachd Quarter

Tabhartas £93,406

Tha Ionad Coimhearsnachd Quarter ann an Siorrachd Lannraig a Deas ri Eaglais Paraiste Quarter air liostadh-B a cheannach gus bunait a sholarachadh do an gnìomhachdan coimhearsnachd.