The Borders town of Langholm has suffered continuous economic decline over the past few decades due to the closure of the traditional textile industry.

But now one of Scotland’s largest landowners, the Duke of Buccleuch and family, is in advanced talks with a community group over “the biggest community land buyout in the south of Scotland” in a bid to boost tourism.

Buccleuch -- which comprises the business interests of the Buccleuch Family – announced its decision to sell 25,000 acres of the famous Langholm Moor last year.

It is now in “advanced discussions” with The Langholm Initiative, a charity based in the Borders town, over the potential sale of an area covering nearly 10,500 acres, which includes nine residential properties.

A joint valuation, undertaken by independent valuers working for each of  the parties, estimates the value of the land to be just over £6m.

Langholm, a traditional textile town, has seen decades of economic decline through the loss of textile manufacturing.

The Langholm Initiative says the prospective buyout provides the community with the chance “to decide its own future for the first time”.

Members say the plans will be the first where a community positions the environment and climate change at the heart of the decisions they make.

The area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area for breeding Hen Harriers, the UK’s most persecuted bird of prey.

The central aspect of the plans is the creation of the Tarras Valley Nature Reserve, which would deliver community regeneration, climate change action, ecological restoration, wildlife conservation and develop outdoor tourism.

The ambition of the community has received widespread support from politicians and organisations including The John Muir Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, RSPB Scotland, The Woodland Trust, Forest and Land Scotland and Borders Forest Trust.

Kevin Cumming, The Langholm Initiative’s project leader, said: “This is one of the most important and forward thinking community plans in the UK. 

“The decisions we make now will have a massive impact on future generations. It has been a positive experience working with Buccleuch Estates and we are excited to try and get the buyout over the line.”

Other plans the community hopes to take forward include the planting of nearly 500 acres of native woodland, peatland restoration work, the development of modern business units and the creation of an eco-campsite.

On March 20, the Initiative applied to the Scottish Land Fund for £3m towards the purchase. 

They have also approached the new South of Scotland Enterprise agency SoSE to support the purchase.

It is hoped the remaining money will be found through a large scale crowdfunding campaign which is likely to kick off next month.

The Langholm Initiative is also pursuing other sources of funding to finance the deal.

Mr Cumming added: “The south of Scotland lags far behind the Highlands and Islands in the support it has received for community land ownership. 

“This is despite facing many of the same issues as that part of Scotland such as ageing population, youth migration and loss of industry.

“We raised £8000 in eight days through a crowd funder to help us undertake our investigations into community ownership, these donations came from all over the world. It’s rare that we as individuals have the opportunity to make a difference on this scale and we are hopeful that people will support us.”

The Buccleuch estates cover more than 215,000 acres of agricultural, forest and amenity land in Scotland, including more than 500 properties.

Buccleuch announced in May last year that it intended to sell a 25,000 acre landholding including Langholm Moor, following a review of land on its Borders Estate.

A spokesman for Buccleuch said: “We have been working closely with the Langholm Initiative in relation to the potential sale of land, including areas of Langholm Moor, and these are progressing well. We hope we will reach a positive conclusion before the end of this year.”