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Islanders vote to take future in own hands with buyout

Islanders vote  to take future in own hands with buyout

Residents in Lewis have voted to buy the Carloway Estate, which the famous Callanish Stones stand on.

There was cheering and applause in Breasclete Community Centre when the results were announced.

Some 254 people were in favour of a buyout of Carloway Estate.

There were 86 votes against.

The turnout was 67.6%.

Of those who voted, 77.4% were in favour of community ownership.

Fewer than 700 people live on the 11,400-acre crofting estate, which stretches from Callanish to Knock and includes the villages of Breasclete, Tolsta Chaolais, Doune and Kirivick.

A total of 340 votes were cast from the 503 entitled to take part.

The Galloway family, who own the land, are willing sellers.

The area draws thousands of visitors annually to the world-famous Callanish Stones – inspiration for Brave, the Oscar-winning animated blockbuster movie.

The land is valued at about £180,000 and the community will now apply to the Scottish Land Fund for financial help.

A feasibility study has considered renewable energy schemes, including a small-scale hydro-electricity initiative and other development proposals for the estate under community ownership. Kenny John Maclennan, chairman of the buyout steering group, told the crowd in the hall: “This is something our forebears would have given their right arm for.”

He accepted some people opposed the buyout but felt this was an opportunity that should be grasped.

Callanish crofter and local councillor Donald Macleod was strongly against the buyout. He feared it would create an extra layer of bureaucracy, but he pledged to go along with community opinion and back its development.

The Callanish Stones are owned by Historic Scotland and are not part of the proposed buyout.

However, as protected ancient monuments, they risk restricting development in the vicinity, particularly wind turbines.

Islands SNP MSP Alasdair Allan said: “I believe the people of Carloway now have a great opportunity ahead of them as they strive to become their own landlords and take more control of their local economy.

“I believe they can be as successful as many other local community buyouts.

“I am very willing to work with the trust to help find the best way forward for a buyout, and have written to them asking what I can do to help as they consider their options for a purchase.”