Harris islanders to battle population crisis with historic land buyout

Published on Monday 18 January 2010 21:45

MOVES to stem chronic depopulation in Harris will be helped by a historic land buy-out that will give islanders unprecedented control of their own affairs.

The West Harris Trust takes over the 4,500-acre estates of Borve, Luskentyre and Scaristavore on Monday.

The crofters are the first to buy land owned by the state under legislation introduced a decade ago by the then Scottish secretary Michael Forsyth.

It is now hoped projects to build new homes and crofts, create jobs and develop small-scale renewables projects will encourage more people to live on the island and reverse the trend of depopulation.

West Harris Trust secretary Neil Campbell said: "Left to its own devices, the west side of Harris will continue a slow decline where the population will become more elderly and houses that become vacant will be bought for holiday homes. We want to address that."

Between 1951 and 2001 the population of Harris fell from 3,991 to 1,984 and last year it had dropped to 1,884. More than 37 per cent of the population is over 65, and school rolls have fallen. Presently there is just one pre-school-age child on the west side.

The trust has plans for six new crofts and ten affordable houses, as well as a hydro scheme, cafe and marine museum.

Between five and 20 people have asked about re-locating to Harris and starting up businesses.

Another community-run trust already owns the 55,000-acre North Harris Estate, bought in 2003, and the neighbouring 7,472-acre Loch Seaforth Estate, meaning the majority of Harris will be in local hands.

It is thought the entire island could one day be under community control, while residents last year voted for Harris to become Scotland's third national park, largely run by locals.

Since it took control, the North Harris Trust has seen 40 jobs created. It is building eight social houses for rent near Tarbert and has plans for three wind turbines and three small-scale hydro schemes.

North Harris Trust chairman Calum Mackay said: "There is a huge amount of impetus from within the community to make things happen, more so than ever before.

"People are trying to make things work from within rather than depend on people from outside offering us things."

The two trusts are working closely together.

Mr Campbell added: "I see a future where the whole of Harris, or close to it, is under community control, perhaps with one community body."

John Watt, director of strengthening communities at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, welcomed the latest community takeover.

He said: "Other areas have proved how ownership and imaginative management of land assets can contribute to regeneration and growth."