Whose Land Is It, Anyway?

Brian MacLeod considers arguments for the proposed buyout of croft land in Tongue from Sutherland Estates

- Brian MacLeod

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.