Mining community seeks to secure its future by buying up land

Published on Tuesday 13 January 2009 19:08

A REMOTE Highland community is considering self-ownership to help regenerate the area in the wake of a devastating economic blow.

Last year Tarmac, a major supplier of building and aggregate products, announced the closure of its silica and sand mine in the village of Lochaline.

Situated on the Morvern peninsula, 40 miles from Fort William, it was one of the last working mines in Scotland and had provided work in the area for 63 years, employing one in five of the working population.

The loss of 111 jobs could have a knock-on effect on other services, including the post office, shop, hotel and GP.

However, a new community council for the peninsula is planning a land buyout, using land reform legislation to "secure a sustainable and diverse future for the area".

A steering group will be formed to begin the process.

Meanwhile, residents on Rum will today vote on a proposed community takeover of part of the island.

The Scottish Government is ready to transfer land and assets worth about 250,000 to the 32-strong community. The assets include the community hall, village shop, tea-room, campsite and land in Kinloch, the island's main settlement.

The 26,000-acre island has been run as a national nature reserve since 1957 and is owned by Scottish Natural Heritage. A task force is investigating ways to reduce dependency on the SNH.