Feasibility study for Scalpay buyout options 15/11/11
The proposed community buyout of the island of Scalpay in Harris has been awarded £10,000 of lottery funding to pay for a feasibility study.
The Scalpay Community Land Steering Group will examine the financial, social and economic impact of various land ownership models.
Landlord Fred Taylor has encouraged the island’s 300 residents to take control of their own destiny and is offering to hand over the island for free.
He says he has no plans of selling to anyone else and would retain the land if islanders
ultimately choose not to go-
Scalpay Community Council previously flagged up the idea of a merger with North Harris Trust though this would require the consent of both communities.
But residents may opt to go it alone for their own community company to take over and develop the island.
A community landlord would have wider access to the fresh investment vitally needed to regenerate the island’s ailing economy which is blighted by depopulation, departing youth, few facilities and lack of employment.