The Pairc community on Lewis is today holding an event to celebrate their local estate coming into community ownership.
Pairc Trust had been attempting to acquire the local Pairc estate since 2003 in order to bring it into community ownership. Having finally completed the purchase in December 2015 the group are now formally celebrating, marking the occasion with an event for the local community whilst acknowledging everyone who made the acquisition possible.
Purchased for £500,000 the estate covers an area of 28,000 acres, boasting an extensive coastline and incorporating 11 crofting townships.
Pairc Trust themselves raised £300,000 towards the cost of the purchase.
During the lengthy acquisition process, Pairc Trust received ongoing support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
The estate purchase was supported with a grant from the Scottish Land Fund, a Scottish Government programme that is delivered in partnership by HIE and BIG Lottery Fund Scotland.
Angus McDowall, chairman of the Pairc Trust, said: “Pairc Trust are delighted to take ownership of the Pairc estate on behalf of our community. Today’s event to celebrate the purchase of the estate brings the long struggle for ownership to a close, and that struggle is now starting to fade into a distant memory.
"Our main focus is now to move forward and develop the estate for the benefit of the Pairc community."
Community holds buyout celebration event
18 June 2016