'Scotland's Land's End' nature reserve plan backed by locals

The Mull of Galloway Trust balloted residents in the area, garnering 98% support

Scotland's most southerly tip could become a nature reserve after local residents almost unanimously backed a proposed community buy-out.

A local trust is confident of raising the £300,000 asking price for the Mull of Galloway, mainly through the government's Scottish Land Fund.

The Northern Lighthouse Board is selling the 30-acre site as part of an asset disposal programme.

Its lighthouse tower is not included in the sale and will continue to function.

The Mull of Galloway Trust was set up to secure the site, which includes cottages and other buildings, as a nature reserve and tourist attraction.

The lighthouse tower is not part of the sale and will continue to function

However, it needed to demonstrate community support to attract funding.

In a ballot of 541 local residents, 347 votes were cast, with only three voting against the proposal and two papers being spoiled.

That represents 98.5% support on a 63.8% turnout.

The trust's next step is to prepare a business plan and formal funding application.

It has said it wants to preserve the area as "a place of beauty", "a place of tranquillity" for locals and visitors and to avoid any possibility of commercial exploitation of "Scotland's Land's End".