Harris community backs bid for 27,000-acre estate

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, 锘緽ays of Harris Estate includes land in the south of Harris and also the Isle of Berneray

I锘縮landers have voted in favour of community ownership of one of the largest estates in the Western Isles which is still privately owned.

The 27,000-acre B锘縜ys of Harris Estate includes a large area in the south of Harris and the Isle of Berneray. The area is home to about 2,050 people.

A ballot held to gauge support of a community buyout saw 63% in favour of it. There was a turnout of 70% of eligible voters.

B锘縜ys of Harris Steering Group said there was still a lot of work to be done on the bid, including the setting up of a legally-constituted organisation to negotiate the buyout from the owner.

M锘縪re than 75% of the Western Isles' population live on community-owned land.