The islanders of Scalpay
have today voted to take their island into community ownership, after
owner Fred Taylor offered it to them free of charge. The community has
also voted to do so under the umbrella of the (adjacent) North Harris
Trust.
Community ownership has herewith been extended to another part of the
Western Isles, large areas of which are now managed by community
trusts. The largest, in terms of area, is Storas Uist, which encompasses
swathes of Benbecula, South Uist and Eriskay. Parts of Harris (West and
North) are under community ownership, and moves are afoot to also take
the Bays area into community ownership.
How the Scalpachs, who up to now did not really regard themselves as Hearachs, will work under NHT is as yet not clear.
The votes cast were: For 197, against 8, turnout 78.2%. For N Harris involvement 110, against 96.
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