Wild Land News no 57, Spring 2003

North Harris Buyout Article

The islanders of Harris in the Outer Hebrides are celebrating a successful bid earlier this year to buy their land. The 55,000 acre North Harris estate went on the market in April 2002, and the North Harris Trust was formed to prepare for what has been the largest community buyout in Scotland so far.

The purchase was made in partnership with Ian Scarr-Hall, a businessman from Stoke-on-Trent, who will own the fishing rights and the impressive Amhuinnsuidhe Castle. The community, with its population of about 700, will own the land together with the mineral and shooting rights. This is the first time such a partnership has been arranged in a community buyout. The community were helped by a grant of £1.6m from the Scottish Land Fund and £400,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise's Community Land Unit, as well as by the John Muir Trust, the Western Isles Council and Scottish Natural Heritage.

North Harris is the most mountainous area of the Western Isles. It contains Clisham (2622ft), the highest peak in the archipelago as well as numerous other peaks over 2000ft, and the remarkable crag of Sron Ulladale, reputed to be the largest overhang of rock in Britain.

The often tortuous road along the southern coast of North Harris looks out to the Atlantic and the island of Taransay, made famous by the BBC TV series Castaway. One or two vehicle tracks cut into the glens from this road, but the interior is largely wild and unspoiled.

Two of the stated aims of the Trust are "To keep North Harris wild and beautiful by safeguarding and enhancing the natural heritage" and "To facilitate enjoyment of, and promote understanding and appreciation of, the outstanding landscape and natural and cultural heritage of North Harris."

This is the kind of thing we like to hear, and we wish the islanders every success.