Carloway buyout contributing to community land target 17/4/14
Carloway is a leading example of how local ownership of land can transform the fortunes
of communities across Scotland, according to Roseanna Cunningham.
The Legal Affairs
Minister met key organisations taking forward a community purchase of the Carloway
Estate.
Residents recently voted to take ownership of the 11,500 acre estate, which
is home to the internationally famous Callanish Standing Stones.
The purchase is part
of the plan to see one million acres of land in Scotland under local ownership by
2020 – doubling community land from its current level.
Ms Cunningham said: “Land ownership
is clearly a matter close to the hearts and minds of communities the length and breadth
of Scotland.
“That is why the First Minister announced an ambitious target to place one million
acres of land across Scotland into local ownership by 2020, empowering communities,
sparking regeneration and driving renewal.
“By tapping into and using local knowledge,
we are empowering rural communities and progressing the true needs of the land.”
She added: “It’s heartening to see the affection that the people of Lewis have for
the Carloway Estate and their commitment to nurture this area. The plans they have
range from tourism opportunities to affordable housing, demonstrating just how wide
the benefits of land ownership can be.
“It is local people who are best-
“By improving the relationship between our land
and people, we can create stronger communities and deliver the economic growth and
fairer society that the people of Scotland quite rightly expect.”