MSP backs ownership of island campaign

By ANDY PHILIP
Published on 01/10/2012 00:00

A CAMPAIGN to open up ownership of a Scottish island to the local community has been backed by a senior Scottish Government minister.

Michael Russell, the education secretary, supports attempts to encourage residents of Bute to join the Mount Stuart Trust, the company that owns and manages most of the island.

Mr Russell, who is also local MSP for Argyll and Bute, said: “I have had a very productive discussion with the trust in recent days and I think their work is very important to the island.

“It seems to me, however, that there would be great benefit to be had from a wider membership that included those who live on the island or who work closely with the island.

“I would support local people seeking and gaining membership and my own application is simply designed to draw attention to the issue. I hope the trust will think seriously about the matter and I will be writing to them to make that point.”

Campaign group Land Action Scotland wants residents to join the trust to give people a say in how their community is run.

Group founder Andy Wightman, a land rights campaigner, said: “This is an extremely welcome intervention, and it sends a clear message to the current owners of Bute: from the grassroots to the corridors of power, Scottish public opinion is against the old model of aristocratic land ownership.

“The Mount Stuart Trust now have a decision to make. Are they a genuine charity which puts the interests of the residents of Bute first? If so, they have no choice but to accept applications from candidates like Michael Russell.”