Bid to take moorland into community hands backed by Scottish Land Fund

£3,669,762 for 16 community ownership projects

Part of Langhom Moor in the Scottish Borders is set to pass into community hands following an award from the Scottish Land Fund.

Across the country 16 community groups are today (SATURDAY 13 JUNE) sharing in £3,669,762 (See full list of awards at the end of this release).

Newcastleton & District Community Trust (NDCT) has received £850,000 in order to take ownership of 750 acres of land on the Tarras Water and Holmhill Estate from Buccleuch Estates.

The land is important strategically to Newcastleton, allowing the community control over its future development. This is particularly important after devastating floods hit the village in February this year. Control of land around the village will assist with flood prevention while development plans will allow for improved public access, a local energy network, sympathetic development of forestry and continued farming. NDCT have played a vital role in supporting their community through first the flooding then the COVID-19 crisis, offering practical help with hardship and wellbeing.

Meanwhile a further £1,000,000 has been awarded to The Langholm Initiative in Dumfries and Galloway, which has ambitious plans to take over a much larger area of the Langholm Moor and turn it into a community-owned nature reserve, with peatland restoration, ancient woodland regeneration and protection for breeding Hen Harriers.

Steve Hartley, Chair, NDCT, said: “Community ownership of this land, much of it still used today as it was over 225 years ago, now gives us all a bigger, brighter and more sustainable future. This will continue to include farming, but the community also wants to develop new leisure and renewable sectors, spreading the benefits of community ownership to everyone who lives here.”

And Kevin Cumming, Langholm Initiative Project Leader, said “The Langholm Initiative appreciates the offer of an award made by the Scottish Land Fund. It leaves us with a long way to go to succeed, but we are excited to work on securing the rest of the funding.”

The Scottish Land Fund is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Minister, Cabinet Secretary for Land Reform Roseanna Cunningham said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented global crisis which has fundamentally changed every aspect of our lives and will do so for some time to come. Communities across the country, whilst impacted in so many ways by the lockdown, are playing a vital role in responding to the crisis and maintaining our resilience, our sense of spirit and local support network.

“As we plan our recovery from COVID-19, we have a chance to re-imagine the Scotland around us and to begin building a greener, fairer and more equal society and economy. Communities must be right at the heart of this process and the funding announced today will support a wide range of projects to achieve just this, driving long-lasting benefits and empowerment to local communities.”

John Watt, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said: “The Scottish Land Fund supports inner-city projects as well as those in rural areas, but this particular round of funding has given a boost to communities in some of Scotland’s most remote areas, allowing communities to take control of the resources that surround them and make local decisions about how these are used.”

Sandra Holmes, Head of Community Assets at HIE, said: Sandra Holmes, Head of Community Assets at HIE, said: “The successful projects announced today are all great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities. Kyleakin Connections will purchase their rented premises, providing security and enabling an expansion to accommodate wider community use and Colonsay Community Development Company will be able to purchase property to develop into much needed temporary accommodation for key workers and families. Ownership will give these communities greater control over important assets and will help ensure its long-term future. We wish all the successful groups the very best in their new ventures.”

Other projects receiving Scottish Land Fund cash are:

Colonsay Community Development Company

Award - £214,000

The award will allow CCDC to purchase a former Baptist manse, which it plans to develop into temporary accommodation for key workers and families on the island.

Dunnet Forestry Trust

Award - £45,950

Dunnet Forestry Trust plans to purchase 260 acres of forest, which it currently manages on behalf of Scottish Natural Heritage, in order to add to a successful wood fuel and wood products business by developing a community amenity for the Dunnet area.

Shapinsay Development Trust

Award - £237,125

With this award, SDT will purchase two properties, which they plan to develop as affordable rented housing for residents on the island.

Kyleakin Connections (formerly Skye and Lochalsh Association for Disability)

Award - £24,580

This funding will enable Kyleakin Connections, which provides a day centre for adults with learning difficulties, to purchase its current home in the Old School House, Kyleakin from Highland Council so that it can expand and develop the premises.

South Islay Development

Award - £110,200

With this money the group will purchase Port Ellen Playing Fields with plans to upgrade it into an activity park and campsite.

Stronsay Development Trust

Award - £130,790

By using this award to purchase a three-bedroom property, SDT will be able to provide affordable housing on the island.

The Ballantrae Trust

Award - £262,493

This grant will allow Ballantrae Trust to purchase the Kings Arms Hotel in order to run it as a community-led social enterprise, offering flexible spaces for locals and visitors.

Cliftonville & Coatdyke Community Group

Award - £190,690

Using this grant, CCCG will acquire Coatbridge Indoor Bowling Stadium in order to renovate and extend it in order to better meet the needs of the community.

Dornoch Area Community Interest Company (DACIC)

Award - £216,411

This project by the Dornoch Area Community Interest Company will acquire a former abattoir site in order to establish community facilities, including a community centre with curling barn, car parking, games area and golf driving range.

Strathglass and Affric Community Company

Award - £38,588

Strathglass and Affric Community Company intend to purchase a former nurses’ home in Cannich and develop it into two homes for social rent.

All Roads lead to Whithorn Trust

Award- £110,635

This group will purchase the former Grapes Hotel in Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway to convert it into affordable rented housing.

Friends of Dundonald Castle

Award – £29,000

With this grant FoDC aims to acquire Dundonald Castle Visitor Centre, which it currently operates, from South Ayrshire Council and develop it to provide a new community facility.

North Ronaldsay Trust

Award - £159,400

The Trust will use the award to acquire a house, garage with a workshop, shop, outbuildings and eight acres of agricultural land in order to convert these into a community facility, enterprise hub, commercial unit and affordable housing.

The Ridge SCIO

Award - £49,900

With this grant The Ridge SCIO will purchase land and buildings at Black Bull Close, Dunbar to develop a space for community service, including training, volunteering and gardening.