WIREDGOV

Two Argyllshire communities are poised to take control of their local woodlands, thanks to the latest awards from the Scottish Land Fund.

The South West Mull and Iona Development Ltd receives £750,000 to purchase the Tiroran Forest on the west side of the Island of Mull, while Kilfinan Community Forest Company also receives £750,000 to bring the remainder of the Upper Acharossan Forest, near Tighnabruaich into community ownership. Both purchases will be made under the National Forest Land Scheme.

Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair, John Watt, said yesterday: “Today’s Scottish Land Fund awards will help to develop the environmental, heritage, recreational and economic potential of two popular community woodlands. I wish South West Mull and Iona Development Ltd and Kilfinan Community Forest Company every success as they go on to own and develop these locally important pieces of land for the benefit of their communities and generations to come.”

South West Mull and Iona Development Ltd will purchase the 792 hectares of Tiroran Forest which they will manage and develop to provide new employment and educational opportunities in the local area.

Colin MacDonald, chairperson of South West Mull and Iona Development, said yesterday: “We are delighted to receive this support from the Scottish Land Fund, which is a huge milestone in our journey towards becoming community owners of Tiroran Forest.   In owning and managing such a large asset, local people will be able to influence and shape its future resulting in an opportunity for real community benefits, including more business and employment opportunities and leisure activities for local people and visitors.”

Kilfinan Community Forest Company already own 127 hectares of the Upper Acharossan Forest, near Tighnabruaich. Today’s £750,000 Scottish Land Fund award will allow them purchase the remainder of the forest which will create more opportunities for its development.

Dr William McAllan, Director, Kilfinan Community Forest Company, said yesterday: “The Kilfinan Community Forest Company has ambitious plans to strengthen the Kilfinan communities by providing jobs, affordable housing, environmental education and recreation.  The Scottish Land Fund award allows us to expand our horizons not just geographically but also to the economic and social benefit of the Kilfinan community.”

Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Dr McLeod said yesterday:  “I am delighted to see the latest round of Scottish Land Fund awards which will help communities in Argyll to bring land into community ownership. These communities have worked hard to identify land and develop plans for that land which will make a real difference to their long-term sustainability. I look forward to watching these projects develop and see the benefits that the Scottish Land Fund is bringing to communities throughout Scotland as the Scottish Government seeks to bring more land into community ownership by 2020.”

The First Minister recently announced the Scottish Land Fund will treble from £3 million this year to £10 million a year from 2016. This will make it easier for communities around Scotland who are interested in owning their land collectively to do so.

For more information on this release please contact

Big Lottery Fund Scotland
Landa.rolland@biglotteryfund.org.uk0141   
242 1458 / 07823 552889

Highland and Islands Enterprise Press Office 
kim.thain@hient.co.uk   
01463 244238

Notes to editors

• The Scottish Land Fund has £9 million over four years to assist communities in rural Scotland to acquire, develop and manage local land and land assets. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the Big Lottery Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, both of which have extensive experience of helping communities to acquire and develop their assets for over a decade.
• The SLF Committee was appointed following the normal procedures for public appointments. Committee members are non remunerated.
• The BIG Lottery Fund distributes lottery funding to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. It also uses its expertise in grant-giving to distribute non-Lottery funding. Full details of the BIG Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available on the website:http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk. BIG Lottery Fund Public Enquiries Line call: 0300 123 7110
• Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) delivers the Scottish Government Economic Strategy across more than half of Scotland - from Shetland to Argyll and from the Hebrides to Moray. It aims to support businesses and social enterprises; strengthen communities and fragile areas; develop key sectors, and create the conditions for a competitive and low carbon region. HIE has an annual budget of more than £75m and employs around 250 people in locations around the Highlands and Islands. See more at www.hie.co.uk