Community Ownership

One of the largest landowners in Scotland has agreed a historic transfer of land to a community trust in the Borders. The land, which has been gifted by Buccleuch’s Borders Estate to Newcastleton & District Community Trust encompasses a range of amenity sites in the village.

Two ‘strong’ community asset transfer requests have been given the green light by councillors on The Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee. Unanimous support was given for the sale of land at South Bonar Industrial Estate at Bonar Bridge to Kyle of Sutherland Hub; and

The number of assets in community ownership is increasing in Scotland, according to new figures. An official publication from the Scottish Government presents the number of assets in community ownership, the number of community groups that own assets and the total area of assets in community ownersh

Around 100,000 new trees are to be planted throughout the Outer Hebrides by 2020 thanks to an initiative set up by a community wind farm charity. (from left) Wind farm developer Calum MacDonald, David Maclennan, SNH area officer for Argyll and Outer Hebrides, SNH chief executive Francesca Osowska an

Moray Council has approved the transfer of Forres Town Hall to the community. A Community Asset Transfer for the building was approved on Wednesday, as councillors praised the efforts of Forres Area Community Trust (FACT), the group which has been running the closure-threatened building on a transit

Copperworks Housing Association has celebrated another significant milestone in the regeneration of its local community. Following several years of hard work and determination Copperworks, with the support of local residents and the Royston Strategy Group, finally acquired a large area of derelict l

Four Highland communities in Sutherland, Caithness, Ross and Cromarty and Lochaber have had their requests for land and buildings to be leased or transferred over to them approved by the local authority. At the Highland Council's environment, development and infrastructure committee yesterday, membe

A historic estate dating back to the 17th century is set to be bought by the community thanks to a grant from the Scottish Land Fund. The Douglas Support Estate at Viewpark in Lanarkshire occupies almost 160 acres of fields and woodland, bordered by the M8.

Communities have many options to secure and develop land, but the full range of financing models is often not widely known, and there is more scope to develop innovative finance models to support community ownership, according to a new report. Scottish Land Commission chief executive Hamish Trench

Westbridgend Community Hall Development Association has submitted an application to West Dunbartonshire Council detailing how they would sustain a new centre at the site if they were the owners.

Community ownership should become a normal and realistic option for communities to acquire land and assets, according to recommendations in a new report published today. Prepared for ministers by the Scottish Land Commission, the report follows a review of existing community right to buy mechanisms

The Isle of Kerrera Development Trust has been awarded £119,167 from the Scottish Land Fund which will enable them to buy the island’s former school from Argyll and Bute Council and turn it into a much-needed community hub, as well as employ a part time project worker for a year. The Isle of Kerr

The Boathouse at Alva. Image: Scottish Land Commission As community groups across Scotland are opening up their doors showcasing what happens on community owned land in the first Community Land Week, Scottish Land Commissioner, Megan MacInnes looks at the importance of community land ownership and i

Amy Entwistle Following the transfer of the Island of Ulva to the North West Mull Community Woodland Company, Amy Entwistle looks at the right to force the sale of abandoned, neglected or detrimental land.

(from left) Juan Ignacio Gonzalez Tejero, Estates Manager (SCTS), John Robson (Trustee of Stonehaven Town Partnership) and James Douglas (Trustee of Stonehaven Town Partnership) The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) has transferred the Stonehaven Sheriff Court building for a nominal sum a