“This success has only been made possible through the dedication and support of a great many individuals, organisations and funders over the years,” said Euan Galloway, Chair of Bays of Harris Community Estate Ltd. “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped us reach this point. The Scottish Land Fund’s support means we can now move forward with confidence towards completing the purchase by the end of the year.”

The award follows the community ballot in favour in 2022 and the agreement achieved with the owners last year to sell the Estate.

The Scottish Land Fund award covers the purchase of the Estate, associated legal costs and funding for an Estate Manager during the first year of community ownership.

Work is now underway with solicitors and other professional advisers to finalise the remaining legal processes, including detailed mapping of the Estate boundaries, with the aim of completing the purchase within the next six months.

The company will then hold an Annual General Meeting at which all members—now numbering almost 250—will be invited to attend. The current Interim Board will stand down and members will elect a new Board of Directors to lead the Estate into its next chapter and shape its long-term future.

One of the new Board’s first responsibilities will be to appoint an Estate Manager, creating a new local job to oversee the day-to-day management of the Estate and help deliver the community’s long-term ambitions. Initial funding for the post has been provided by the Scottish Land Fund as part of the award, ensuring the new Board has professional support from the outset.

Mr Galloway added: “Securing this funding is another hugely important milestone on our journey towards community ownership of the Estate. We look forward to celebrating the day the Bays of Harris Estate is officially transferred into the hands of the community. Thank you again to everyone who has helped make this possible.”

Community Land Scotland welcomes the new funding. Director of Communities and Operations, Dr Sally Reynolds said: “This is a huge step forward for the Bays of Harris Community Estate and fantastic news for the community. It has been a long process, dating back about 14 years.

“But this helps to secure the necessary funding to purchase the estate. The South Harris Community has great plans to prioritise housing and tackling depopulation. Time and again we see communities that own the land make the best decisions for the people. It will be truly inspiring to see the Bays of Harris moving to full community control.”