A community buyout of a Lewis estate could take place within 12 weeks after islanders voted to proceed with the purchase.
Residents of Pairc Estate voted 166-77 to take ownership of 26,775 acres of moorland on Thursday night.
The vote follows 12 years of debates over the issue, which looked set to end in an acrimonious court case.
The community-elected Pairc Trust, which led the buyout, now expects the legal paperwork to be completed within three months.
A delighted chairman of Pairc Trust, Angus McDowall, said the result showed the “faith the community have in us“ in the long running fight over ownership.
He added: “This is a major step forward in our efforts to bring Pairc Estate into community ownership, which have been ongoing for over a decade.”
Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan has welcomed news, stating: “Last night’s result was a decisive one, with 68% of the community who voted in favour of moving to community ownership, at long last. With funding now in place and the legal processes to recognise purchase underway I hope this finally opens up a new chapter in the story of this community which many people have been working for, for so long.”
