List of community buyouts in Scotland facts for kids

In Scotland, community ownership means that local people work together to own and manage land or property in their area. This land might be bought by the community, or sometimes it's given to them for free or for a very small fee. When a community owns land, they can use it to create jobs, protect nature, or build things that help everyone in the area.

For a long time, a lot of land in Scotland was owned by only a few people. But new laws have made it easier for communities to take control. This helps local people decide what happens to their land and how it can help their community grow.

Important laws that have helped communities include:

• The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gave communities the right to buy land.
• The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 made it possible for more communities, even in towns and cities, to buy land.
• The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 allows the government to make landowners sell if it helps the area develop in a good way.

The Scottish Government also helps communities buy land through the Scottish Land Fund.

Amazing Places Owned by Communities

Many different types of land are now owned by communities across Scotland. Here are some examples:

Island Communities

Owning an island means the people living there can make big decisions about their future.

Eigg

The Eigg community bought their whole island in June 1997 for £1.5 million. The Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust now owns this beautiful island, which is about 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) in size. This was a very famous example of a community buyout.

Gigha

The island of Gigha was bought by the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust in March 2002 for £4 million. This island is about 1,300 hectares (3,200 acres). The community has worked hard to make the island a great place to live and visit.

South Uist Estate

In November 2006, the communities of Benbecula, Eriskay, and South Uist came together to buy their estate for £4.5 million. This huge area, owned by Stòras Uibhist, covers about 38,000 hectares (94,000 acres). It includes three islands and helps manage their natural environment and local life.

Ulva

The island of Ulva was bought by the North West Mull Community Woodland Company in June 2018 for over £4.4 million. This island is about 2,000 hectares (4,900 acres). The community received a large grant from the Scottish Land Fund to help with the purchase.

Forest and Woodland Communities

Communities often buy forests to manage them for timber, recreation, and wildlife.

Abriachan Forest

The Abriachan Forest Trust bought Abriachan Forest in March 1998 for £152,000. This forest is about 534 hectares (1,320 acres) and was bought from Forest Enterprise. The community now manages it for local people and visitors.

Isle Martin, Loch Broom

The Isle Martin Trust was given Isle Martin in May 1999 by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds). This island is about 150 hectares (370 acres) and is used for nature conservation and community activities.

Little Assynt Estate

The Culag Community Woodland Trust bought Little Assynt Estate in November 2000 for £244,000. This estate covers about 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) and is managed for its woodlands and natural beauty.

Aline Community Woodland

In May 2005, the Erisort Trust bought Aline Community Woodland on the Isle of Lewis. This forest is about 633 hectares (1,560 acres) and is managed by the community.

Langamull and West Ardhu Woodlands

The North West Mull Community Woodland Company Ltd bought these woodlands on the Isle of Mull in December 2006 for £343,000. They cover about 700 hectares (1,700 acres) and were purchased from Forestry Commission Scotland.

Evanton Wood

The Evanton Wood Community Company bought Evanton Wood in August 2012 for £300,000. This forest is about 65 hectares (160 acres) and is a popular spot for local walks and activities.

Other Community-Owned Areas

Communities have also taken ownership of various other types of land and buildings.

Glendale Estate, Skye

One of the earliest examples was the Glendale Estate on Skye, purchased by the government in 1908 and then sold to the local crofters (farmers). This estate is about 9,300 hectares (23,000 acres).

Stornoway Estate, Lewis

The Stornoway Estate on Lewis was given to the Stornoway Trust in 1923 by Lord Leverhulme. This large estate covers about 28,000 hectares (69,000 acres).

North Assynt Estate

The Assynt Crofters' Trust bought the North Assynt Estate in February 1993 for £300,000. This estate is about 9,000 hectares (22,000 acres) and was a very important early community buyout.

Knoydart Estate

The Knoydart Foundation bought the Knoydart Estate in March 1999 for £750,000. This estate is about 7,000 hectares (17,000 acres) and is known for its remote and beautiful landscape.

North Harris

The North Harris Trust bought North Harris in March 2003 for £2.2 million. This estate is about 22,500 hectares (55,600 acres) and has since grown even larger with more land purchases.

Glencanisp and Drumrunie Estates

In June 2005, the Assynt Foundation bought Glencanisp and Drumrunie Estates in Assynt for £2.9 million. These estates cover about 18,000 hectares (44,000 acres).

Galson Estate, Lewis

The Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn (Galson Estate Trust) bought the Galson Estate on the Isle of Lewis in January 2007 for £1.2 million. This large estate is about 22,600 hectares (55,800 acres).

Cultybraggan Camp, Comrie

The Comrie Development Trust bought Cultybraggan Camp in September 2007 for £350,000. This former prisoner of war camp is about 36 hectares (89 acres) and is being redeveloped by the community.

Kinloch village, Rùm

The Isle of Rum Community Trust was given Kinloch village on Rùm in February 2009. This area is about 100 hectares (250 acres) and was transferred from Scottish Natural Heritage.

RAF Machrihanish

The Machrihanish Airbase Community Company bought the former air base of RAF Machrihanish in May 2012 for just £1! This large area is about 409 hectares (1,010 acres) and is being used for new projects.

Mull of Galloway

The Mull of Galloway Trust bought the Mull of Galloway in July 2013 for £350,000. This heathland area is about 12 hectares (30 acres) and was sold by the Northern Lighthouse Board.

Bridgend Farmhouse, Edinburgh

In November 2016, Bridgend Inspiring Growth bought Bridgend Farmhouse in Edinburgh for £1. This former farm is about 0.41 hectares (1 acre) and is now a community hub.

Portobello Old Parish Church, Edinburgh

Action Porty bought the Portobello Old Parish Church, Edinburgh in September 2017 for £600,000. This was one of the first times an urban community in Edinburgh used the right to buy a property.