Brian MacLeod considers arguments for the proposed buyout of croft land in Tongue from Sutherland Estates
ON NOVEMBER 1 a well-attended open meeting was held in Tongue to consider the community purchase of land within the Parish of Tongue currently owned by the Sutherland Estates.
The meeting was co-chaired by Frances Gunn of the Tongue Grazing Committee and Mark Brennan of the Melness, Tongue and Skerray Development Trust. The meeting was called in response to a letter from Peter Voy, Factor for the Sutherland Estates, stating that “the Countess is offering to sell her interest in the Tongue crofts and common grazing to the crofters concerned”.
A presentation was made by Sandra Holmes and Liz Howard, representing the Scottish Land Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The presentation highlighted some of the achievements of community-managed estates throughout the Highlands.
There was detailed explanation of the process of setting up a community land trust and some discussion of the challenges and opportunities that such a development presents. At the end of the meeting there was a proposal that wider discussions and consultations were necessary throughout the Parish of Tongue focusing on these options:
1.Crofters purchase by themselves.
2.Crofters involve the wider community to work towards a community-based bid.
3.Crofters decline the offer.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der No 314, December 2017-Ausgabe von Am Bratach.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der No 314, December 2017-Ausgabe von Am Bratach.
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The Postie's Post
WHEN YOU consider that we really don’t have that many roads in the Highlands, the ones we do have seem to get a story from most people you talk to.
Council Gritters Fall Short In Assynt
‘I took to social media in the vain hope that somebody would notice’ — Cllr Currie
Bookends
“She Said He Said I Said: New Writing Scotland 35”, edited by Diana Hendry and Susie Maguire, Association for Scottish Literary Studies, 2017. £9.95.
Graeme At Large
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A 19th Century View Of 'Wild' Land
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Geopark Means Business This Year
Securing long-term government support is a priority, says new chairman
Fraser Darling's View Of Highland Medical Care
The “West Highland Survey: an essay in human ecology”, edited by Frank Fraser Darling, was published by the Oxford University Press in 1955. Fraser Darling (1903-79) was an English ecologist, ornithologist, farmer, conservationist and author who between 1939 and 1943 brought derelict land into agricultural production on Tanera Mòr in the Summer Isles. In January 1944 he met Tom Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, who was aware of Fraser Darling’s published works which included a popular weekly column on agricultural science syndicated in several Highland newspapers. They agreed his plan for a social and biological investigation into the problems of the West Highlands and for establishing an agricultural advisory and demonstration centre in the crofting areas. In Fraser Darling’s own words, the West Highland Survey was established “in order to examine in a spirit of scientific inquiry, to gather a solid body of facts for analysis and synthesis, which would serve as a foundation for a future policy for the region”. He continued: “The argument was maintained that if the problem were understood in its wholeness, solution would be possible”. In June 1944, a team which included Frank Fraser Darling as director and four young Gaelic-speaking field officers, began work. The resulting 438-page book includes the following account of the Highlands and Islands Medical Service, launched in 1913 and forerunner of the Scottish National Health Service. After thirty years, the surveyors regarded the service as an unqualified success, an enviable situation underlined by the number of able medics seeking work in the post-war Highlands.
From Our Archives
Long service nurse to be honoured by community
The Postie's Post
IF YOU are a regular reader of my postie’s posts you will probably sigh when you realise that I am talking about roads again this month. But I do have an excuse and that is because the Highland Council aren’t really that good at managing them at times.
Bookends
George Gunn, “The Great Edge”, Grace Note Publications, 2017. £12.99.
