Scalpay

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.