Highland community 'in transformative moment' after £1.75m gift from neighbour

One of Britain’s richest men has helped a Highland community become “agents of their own destiny” after gifting them £1.75m to buy up crofting land.

The community of Coigach in Wester Ross has been able to purchase around 7,800 acres of the Badentarbat Estate near Achiltibuie following a personal donation from millionaire financier Ian Wace, who bought Tanera in the Summer Isles, across the water from the peninsula, in 2017.

The transfer of the land, which is home to around 70 tenanted and owner occupied crofts, has now been completed with the Coigach Community Development Company (CCDC) hailing a ”historic” moment for moment” for the peninsula.

Laura Hamlet, chief executive of CCDC, said: “Many communities that are fortunate enough to gain ownership of their land do so only after years of dedicated effort to raise the necessary capital.  

“Today, and with thanks to Mr Wace, a substantial portion of land has passed into the hands of those who call this area home.

“ At CCDC, we take this responsibility very seriously. As a newly established Crofting Landlord, we are committed to listening, understanding and responding promptly to the needs of our tenant crofters.

“Yet, there is plenty of room for excitement, as this marks a historic and transformative moment for the peninsula.  Together, we now have the opportunity to envision Coigach’s future and truly become the agents of our own destiny.”

The agreement will enable the land to be in the custodianship of the local community for many years to come.

Ian Wace, the financier and philanthropist who bought Tanera Mor in the Summer Isles in 2017 with the island now a private retreat for the guests of the charities he supports. | Campsie

Mr Wace’s intention to make the donation to the charitable company was supported by 91 per cent of those who attended an extraordinary meeting in Coigach June.

Tanera is run by Summer Isles Enterprises, which is funded by the Jagclif Charitable Trust to focus on the regeneration and restoration of the island where invited guests of charities supported by Mr Wace can use as a retreat.

Summer Isles Enterprises said it “worked closely” with CCDC to come up with a donation agreement that “empowered” the community.

The priority was to ensure there was a route for crofting communities to assume responsibility for the land, which they have worked for generations, a statement from SIE said.

READ MORE: Tanera Mor: The below radar Scottish island living and growing by its own rules

Meanwhile, SIE will take on the remaining 1,100 non-crofted acres of the Badentarbat Estate

Here, SIE said it will extend “its established approach” to the sustainable restoration of buildings and landscapes on its part of the land.

The Badentarbat Estate was owned by the Rex family for around 50 years and is one of two main estates on the Coigach peninsula, which is home to around 250 to 300 people.

On Tanera, around 150 people are employed, from chefs to gardeners, stable hands and builders, who continue to develop the island and care for the invited guests, many who are military veterans, NHS staff and teachers.

At least 40 buildings have been restored for accommodation and communal meeting places with other buildings appearing , from those which service the island to a tiny wooden chapel on top of the highest hill on the island.

Meanwhile, two new inns are being built on the mainland opposite Tanera with SIE now redeveloping the Summer Isles Hotel at Achiltibuie.

Adam Blaker, CEO of Summer Isles Enterprises, said of the Badentarbat transfer: “We are delighted that after months of hard work, we have completed this transaction, which secures the future of the crofted land for the community.

“We look forward to working with our neighbours to help make Ian Wace’s donation to CCDC a catalyst for regeneration across the beautiful Coigach peninsula. I am also very grateful to the Rex family for making this all possible.”