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
- Published
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.