If the 1100 islanders of Barra and Vatersay want to take control of their land they are going to have to pay for some of it – under an act introduced by the last Conservative Government.
Public meetings have been held across the islands and there has been a positive response to the idea of investigating taking control of 16,000 acres.
In 2003, the late clan chief Ian Macneil agreed to donate his crofting estate on Barra to the then Scottish Executive. However, he made clear that if islanders wanted the 9000 acres, they were to be given the estate free of charge at a later date.
We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.
Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.
