Islanders becoming 'victims of their own success' following buy-out

Published on Friday 16 March 2007 01:05

PEOPLE living on Gigha who bought their own island face becoming victims of their own success, according to a new report.

As celebrations were held yesterday to mark the fifth anniversary of the buy-out, an independent evaluation of the progress to date was published.

In a complete reversal of previous difficulties, it warned the islanders must now address a labour shortage, lack of accommodation and pressure on the primary school roll.

The island's population has risen from 98 to 151 in five years. The school roll has jumped from seven to 21, 18 affordable houses have been built and nine trust-owned houses have been upgraded.

Professor Jim Hunter, a land reform campaigner, said: "It's quite extraordinary now that some of the problems are the precise opposite of the problems that have been a characteristic of this place for a long, long time.

"Where there was no work now there is a labour shortage; where the school was on its way out almost for lack of pupils it is now not big enough; and where homes were going to rack and ruin there is now an accommodation shortage despite homes being built and renovated."

A community trust bought the island for 4.5 million in 2002 when it faced having its fifth private owner in 60 years.