Latest news with #CommunityLandScotland
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
New archive tells the story of land reform across Scotland
The land all around was owned by the Chief of Macleod, who lived in the impressively preserved Dunvegan Castle. Then, in the mid-70's, Dunvegan went high-tech. Gaeltec arrived in the village. The company was at the cutting edge of film resistive (of foil) strain gauge sensors – thin miniature pressure sensors used in medical and veterinary work. With up to 20 good jobs at its peak for the locals, Gaeltec was a trailblazer for high-tech remote working, and justifiably lauded as an example of a partial solution to the depopulation and demographic challenges that have haunted much of the Highlands for many generation. READ MORE: Unfortunately, Gaeltec struggled to survive latterly, and despite a change of owners, public support and much goodwill, the lab in Dunvegan finally shut its doors about eight years ago. The rollercoaster history of Gaeltec is only one small adventure in the colourful wider history of the Dunvegan community. Macleod of Dunvegan and his tribe fought the last clan battle in Skye against the constant foe, Macdonald of Sleat. That gruesome clash - Battle of Coire na Creiche - in 1601 ended two centuries of serious violence between the clan rivals. Then, much of the area around Dunvegan was ravaged by Clearances. The Glendale Martyrs – who led the fight for land rights during the Crofters Wars – were from the neighbouring estate. Young Highland Crofters with spinning wheel and new hat (Image: Community Land Scotland) The populist land agitator and bard, Mairi Mhor nan Oran, was brought up in the area. Today the Macleods of Dunvegan are a pale shadow of their former selves. The Macdonalds of Sleat have long since surrendered most of their south Skye fiefdom to the Clan Trust – now bogged down in a highly controversial sale of the old Macdonald Castle and restaurant and grounds. Meanwhile, the local community in Dunvegan now has plans to take over the old Gaeltec building and transform it into a community facility. Once more the building will be a centre for optimism and opportunity as the local community takes control. The rollercoaster story of Dunvegan is only one of 840 possible example from around Scotland where buyout communities have taken control of land and buildings, in cities and towns as well as the rural heartlands. Now Community Land Scotland curator Iain Craig is researching and collating these stories to create a national archive telling the history of Scotland's land reform movement and the unique records of the communities that are engaged in the process. A historical scene at Kyleakin on Skye (Image: Community Land Scotland) He said: 'Like Dunvegan, every community has a story to tell and these stories are often fascinating and dramatic. Our project aims to ensure the stories of these communities are available for everyone, capturing the history of people and community and explaining ultimately, why so many of them opted for community control.' Mr Craig - a Gaelic-speaking design graduate from Balmacara in Wester Ross - argues that community ownership can be transformational and it is now one of the most important political and social movements in Scotland. 'Looking at the variety of stories across Scotland, we don't have rose-tinted glasses. Our members know that buyouts can be challenging. They have to be very inventive and resilient and they have to ensure their income stream works", he said. 'But everywhere there are great stories where community buyouts are reinvigorating the community in Stow or Bridgend or Kirkcaldy, Huntly, and Lewis and Harris." The Assynt Foundation community trust lives under the shadow of majestic Suilven, and the less attractive historical shadows of The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland, the most notorious of the Clearance barons. Laundry women on Skye (Image: Community Land Scotland) Now in community hands, the estate is leasing out Glencanisp Lodge – built by the Duke's family in 1850 - to a hotel entrepreneur. The Glencanisp development should create around 15 jobs and provide income for the community. 'What a great story for the archive', said Mr Craig. 'There is the horrible drama of the clearances, the lodge as a sign of privilege while the community suffered, all finally leading to community control and community benefit as the lodge is owned by the people rather than the laird.' The archive will tell the stories of these community journeys including all areas of Scotland. As well as the riches of the new archive, Mr Craig has been travelling Scotland with an exhibition of artworks, featuring creations by contemporary artists telling the stories and achievements of the pioneers of community ownership. The Where We Stand exhibition has travelled the length and breadth of Scotland from Stow to Stornoway, Glasgow to Oban to Wick. READ MORE: Over 7,000 people have visited the exhibition so far, enjoying the works of artists such as Virginia Hutchison, Richard Bracken, Colin Tennant, Saskia Coulson, Francia Boakye, Kate O'Shea, Emma Duncan, Ann Little and Helen Walsh. Mr Craig said: 'The Where We Stand artworks are all themed around the long and difficult struggle for community empowerment. It reflects the conflicts and celebrates the achievements. 'The exhibition investigates the journey of community ownership over the last 100 years, and ask: 'What do we want next?' 'Good progress has been made in some communities in the last 100 years, but shockingly only 421 people own half of Scotland's private land and radical change is needed. 'Where We Stand investigates these issues and themes and hopes through the eyes of contemporary artists, and we hope it will help enrich and stimulate the land reform debate. The feedback, conversations and connections made during this tour makes it clear that this isn't just about ownership, it's about empowerment of people and the impact that has on their lives on a day to day basis.' After visiting multiple communities across Scotland, the exhibition, which finishes its comprehensive tour in Edinburgh at North Edinburgh Arts from June 27 to July 11. For more information on The Where We Stand exhibition, visit
The Herald Scotland
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
New unit aims to build partnerships between communities and developers
A new unit is being launched aimed at building partnerships between landowners, communities and developers involved in natural capital projects. The Natural Capital Community Partnerships (NCCP) project aims to establish fair and practical examples of projects where communities, developers and landowners work together to share in the benefits of natural capital investment. The new unit will be led by Dr Sally Reynolds, who has significant experience working in community development and of 'walking the tightrope' between different interests in the land use sector. 'We want to promote understanding and cooperation between different parties', said Dr Reynolds. 'We want to encourage open conversation and early dialogue between communities, landowners and developers.' Dr Reynolds highlighted that community engagement is crucial. She added: 'Well-managed peatland or wetland restoration or woodland development projects can support both environmental restoration and community development and resilience. It can create local jobs, boost local economies and sustain livelihoods - maximising the benefits for communities.' READ MORE: New report highlights how crofting helps keep Eigg's cultural traditions alive Call for delay to controversial sale of Skye castle and estate New community-led homes development on Colonsay will be 'transformational' There are already a number of successful, collaborative projects across Scotland, such as the community-owned Assynt Foundation in Sutherland, which has a major forest development project with Woodland Trust Scotland. In Dumfries and Galloway, Foresight Sustainable Forestry Company has a partnership with Upper Urr Environmental Trust which has allowed them to develop the area for community use including the installation of a path network, benches and a range of community events. Dr Reynolds said: 'This is a new and unique project doing a lot of work on-the-ground. It's a key ambition that Scotland's land should benefit more of Scotland's people. With good conversations at an early stage there is greater understanding and a much greater chance of agreements that suit everyone.' 'As far as possible, the community, landowners and developers should be able to form agreements that are meaningful and beneficial for all parties.' The Natural Capital Community Partnerships will have a team of four staff and will work within Community Land Scotland and in partnership with the Scottish Land Commission. The Community Land Scotland team will work as part of a network of advisers across Scotland including the newly appointed Community Benefits from Nature Adviser employed by the Scottish Land Commission in partnership with the Cairngorms National Park Authority. Emma Cooper, Head of Land Rights and Responsibilities at the Scottish Land Commission, said: 'This project is a really important step in making sure natural capital investment delivers for communities as well as for nature. 'We're pleased to be working alongside Community Land Scotland, including through our new Community Benefits from Nature Adviser, to support fair and practical approaches in communities across Scotland. 'Our land is a finite resource that needs to meet many different needs. By helping communities, landowners and developers work together from the outset, this initiative can turn potential tensions into lasting, shared benefits.' The project is funded by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Foundation Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, Scottish Forestry and others. Jane Morrison-Ross, Chief Executive of South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) said: 'As Scotland's Natural Capital Innovation Zone we continue to take a forward-thinking approach in the South of Scotland to creating a wellbeing economy based on our natural capital assets. 'Community Wealth Building is one of our key priorities, so we are delighted to be working with Community Land Scotland and partners in delivering this groundbreaking national project.'
