Harris community backs bid for 27,000-acre estate

Bays of Harris Estate includes land in the south of Harris and also the Isle of Berneray

Islanders have voted in favour of community ownership of one of the largest estates in the Western Isles which is still privately owned.

The 27,000-acre Bays of Harris Estate includes a large area in the south of Harris and the Isle of Berneray. The area is home to about 2,050 people.

A ballot held to gauge support of a community buyout saw 63% in favour of it. There was a turnout of 70% of eligible voters.

Bays of Harris Steering Group said there was still a lot of work to be done on the bid, including the setting up of a legally-constituted organisation to negotiate the buyout from the owner.

More than 75% of the Western Isles' population live on community-owned land.