Huge majority of Bute islanders back scheme to buy Sir Dickie's land

Organisers of a referendum on the issue said more than 2,700 people took part, with 93 per cent in favour.

The land, known as Rhubodach Forest, is at the northern end of Bute and offers spectacular views of Argyll.

The Bute Community Land Company says the deal will create jobs and increase visitors. It needs to raise 1.4 million for the purchase, which has to be approved by the Scottish government.

The vote was Scotland's biggest ever ballot on a community buyout proposal. Voting forms were sent out to about 5,200 people on 25 January.

Yesterday the counted votes revealed that 2,557 out of 2,739 ballot papers were in favour of the plans, organisers said.

Peter McDonald, a director of Bute Community Land Company, which ran the vote, said: "We are absolutely overwhelmed. That is a phenomenal result. We needed 2,610 people to vote and for 50 per cent of those to vote yes. A total of 93 per cent of the votes said yes.

"There were moments in the last few weeks that we thought we would not get the turnout required but in the end more than 50 per cent of people voted.

"The forest is currently owned by Richard Attenborough. It's at the north end of Bute. It's a special, special place; you can see mainland Argyll. In August it was put on the market."

A feasibility study for the buy-out will be presented to the Scottish government by Tuesday.

Mr McDonald said: "The government has got to give us the formal go-ahead. Once we get that we have to go and get the money.

"This is the first step along a very long road. The community has spoken. There is a real appetite for this to happen."

The company has until the end of May to raise the 1.4 million.

Three-quarters of the forest is planted and some of the trees will be cleared. Plans include developments to attract tourists, opening it up to cyclists and walkers and to set up renewable energy projects.

John McGhee, chairman of the company, paid tribute to those who had worked on the buy-out proposal, and at the vote itself.

"What you have all done is help to achieve a historic moment," he said following the result.

"This is the day when the people of Bute took charge of their destiny. This is the first step in the regeneration of this island, and it is going to make a huge difference.

"There are a lot of people who were against this, but they are members of the community, and they are entitled to their say, too. I, and others, will be listening to them, to see what their views are.

"We need to be inclusive about this, and not triumphalist."