ISLANDERS on Scalpay off Harris are to be balloted next month on whether they want to accept the gift of their island from its present owner.
The vote will be organised by the Western Isles Council's Election Office and November 6 is earmarked for the count.
In February last year, Fred Taylor wrote to its 320 residents offering to hand it over to help them fight depopulation and economic decline.
A London restaurateur and businessman, he inherited Scalpay after the death of his father John, a renowned architect.
Last night on Scalpay a public meeting considered the findings of a feasibility study, including the development of the island as a destination for yachts.
While the island has two top natural harbours with piers and slipways, only around 100 yachts a year anchor overnight.
Finlay MacRae, secretary of the Scalpay Community Land Transfer Steering Group, said that Scalpay was unlike any of the other community buyouts who had to fight and raise money to buy their land.
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