Community landowner buys office base

SCOTLAND'S largest community landowner has marked the fourth anniversary of its historic buyout by moving into a permanent base.

Stras Uibhist, the body that took over the 93,000-acre South Uist Estate in 2006, has bought a building in Daliburgh, South Uist, from Highlands and Islands Enterprise which it will use as a business centre to lease offices for local firms.

Huw Francis, the chief executive of Stras Uibhist, said: "These offices will provide much needed space for the company as it administers the business on behalf of the 3,000 residents of the estate area and takes forward development projects that will deliver the much-needed social and economic regeneration that is the aim of community ownership."