Scotland’s highest village votes in favour of a community buyout

3863 acres of land could be sold to the community of Wanlockhead after residents vote ‘yes’ to a major buy-out from one of the country's biggest landowners.

Residents of Scotland's highest village have voted in favour of a community buyout, with plans afoot to create a new mountain destination where skiing, gold panning and wild camping will be used to draw visitors.

The community of Wanlockhead – 1456 feet (410m) above sea level in the Dumfries and Galloway hills – were balloted on taking over the 3,863 acres of land around the village currently owned by the Buccleuch organisation, which represents the business interest of the Buccleuch family, including the Duke of Buccleuch.

A total of 56% of those who voted in the village community centre on Wednesday backed the buyout, at 69 for to 55 against.

Rusting rail carts at Wanlockhead. Picture: Wikimedia Commons.

All residents aged 16 and over were eligible to vote, with the turnout recorded as more than 80 per cent.

The trust said a vote in favour of the buyout ensures “future decisions made on the land will be decided by the community”.

It added: “We, the residents of Wanlockhead, will be able to elect and decide democratically what we want to keep and improve in the village.”

Trust treasurer David Tkocz said: “It is an amazing opportunity for the village now and for the whole community.

“We’ve got some young families in the village and they are very excited. We are very happy with that.”

He believes the land valuation is nearing completion and the next step for the trust is to work with the Scottish Land Fund on a funding application.

A spokesperson for Buccleuch said: “The community ballot is an important step in the process of obtaining approval and funding from the Scottish Land Fund.

“Following the result of the vote, where a majority of the community (as outlined by WCT) voted in favour of the community purchase, we will continue our dialogue with the Wanlockhead Community Trust, which has been constructive throughout.”

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