Mangersta on Lewis in land buyout bid

The crofting community hopes to take control of thousands of acres

A crofting community of 29 residents has started the process of taking over the land they live on.

Urras Mhangurstaigh was formed to promote a buyout of the village of Mangersta on Lewis and its common grazings which cover 9,000 acres (3,642 hectares).

The land is owned by Uig and Hamnaway Estates.

Earlier this year, six people from Mangersta visited Gigha to see how a buyout of that island had worked.

Urras Mhangurstaigh has also been in close contact with buyout groups on Uist, Harris and Lewis.

'Amicable discussions'

Chairman Iain Buchanan said: "Uig has seen continuous population decline and the only people who are going to change that are those of us who have made the commitment to live and raise our families here.

"We hope to be in a position to submit our register of interest to the government this year.

"Following that, our wish would be to have positive and amicable discussions with our landlords so that both parties can co-exist to the mutual and long term benefit of this fragile community and sporting estate."

Uig and Hamnaway Estates has previously helped the community with the development of a shop and offered to gift land for the location of a St Kilda visitor centre.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Community Land Unit is supporting Urras Mhangurstaigh.

HIE community land advisor Margaret Anne Elder said: "We are delighted to be providing advice and assistance to the community group whose ambitious plans could transform and energise the local area.

"While Urras Mhangurstaigh is following in the footsteps of others, each community is different and faces its own challenges, and so HIE's support is an important factor in ensuring it successfully achieves its aims."