In recent years, communities in the Scottish Highlands and Islands have taken ownership of more than half a million acres – an area equivalent to that of an English county like Nottinghamshire or West Yorkshire. In places long characterised by contracting economies and shrinking populations, this remarkable development has resulted in new homes, new businesses, greatly enhanced self-confidence and the attraction of lots of new residents.
It is a movement which had not yet started when John Campbell was considering options for Canna in the 1970s, but protecting the community on the island was his priority when he gave it to the National Trust for Scotland. The 30 years since have seen nearby island and mainland areas like Eigg and Knoydart flourish under community control, whereas Canna’s population has been erratic and has now fallen to ten.
Jim Hunter, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of the Highlands and Islands, and former chairman of HIE, has written extensively about the north of Scotland and is a longstanding campaigner for land reform. His new book From the Low Tide of the Sea to the Highest Mountain Tops, provides the first comprehensive survey of an ownership revolution that is transforming the Highlands and Islands greatly for the better.
The book is being launched at the Scottish Parliament next month, but is available now from the The Islands Book Trust. It is beautifully illustrated with 100 pictures by Skye photographer Cailean Maclean.
Canna historians says:
Ray
Have noted a few errors again in your story. Your forgetting that one of the first community ownership schemes in Scotland was founded in 1923 when Lord Leverhulme gifted the Lewis Estate to the Trustees that became the Stornoway Trust. Its not a new concept.
We are sure that Dr.Campbell would have been well aware of the possibilities that this type of ownership structure presented when he considered Canna’s future in the 1970’s. Remember that Dr. Campbell was a member of the Canna Community not a landlord from 1981 to his death in 1996 his wife Margaret right up to her death in 2004. The Canna Community Association was founded in 2007 with assistance from the NTS. What is required for a community ownership scheme is a community that agrees to it. You may recall a letter to the press in 2011 on that subject. The Canna Community Association issued a recent letter for publication. Note the adult population numbers and re-printed for you here;
“For Publication”
Dear Sirs,
It is with regret that we once again correspond via the national press as a community voice. Our last letter was sent in May of last year after 6 adult residents announced their decision to leave the Isle of Canna. We were saddened that a further two adult residents decided to leave in February of this year. What is disappointing is that there are 11 adult members of the Canna island community affected by all the negative press surrounding this latest departure. What those of you on the outside don’t get to read is that there is actually a very hard working community here on Canna dedicated to the island and the positive aspects of its future. Mention has been made of community ownership but this requires a community that agrees to it. The 8 adults that left Canna no longer have a say in how this island should be managed and the community of Canna would like to make this very clear that we have no wish to participate in any community ownership scheme and are more than happy with our current partnership with the National Trust for Scotland. We are looking forward to a very prosperous future in that partnership and can also confirm that there are loads of opportunities here on Canna for those willing to work hard for it. Canna may not suit everyone or meet every individual’s needs but one thing is for sure, those that live here are very committed to the island and the wellbeing of its community and many visitors.
Yours.
The Canna Community Association
29 March, 2012 — 7:14 pm
Ray says:
You are quite right – the Stornoway Trust did come first and I had forgotten that, and sorry for miscounting the current population. I was, however, referring to the subject of Jim Hunter’s book, which is the much more recent community buyouts. I happily reprint your letter and I, for one, have never doubted the hard work and commitment of the permanent population of the island.
29 March, 2012 — 9:52 pm