Harper Macleod advises on community buyout of historic crofting estate

Calum MacLeod

Garbh Allt Community Initiative Estate bought out the Sutherland Estates’ crofting townships of Portgower, Gartymore, West Helmsdale and Marrel – some 3,000 acres, in May of this year, backed by the Scottish government-funded Scottish Land Fund and an SSE community fund. The land includes 20 sites of historical interest.

Calum MacLeod, a partner in the rural team at Harper Macleod, said: “Our involvement in this great project goes back over two-and-a-half years when we were first approached by a local community body who were tentatively looking at the idea.

“The project effectively empowers this Sutherland community and enables it to properly shape a sustainable future for the area. This purchase is a culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication to members of this community, and our extended congratulations goes to them.”

He added: “As a firm we have particular experience of Community Buy-outs and have been involved in some of Scotland’s most exciting community purchases of land, including advising on the Community Right to Buy and the Land Reform Act.”

Harper Macleod’s rural team advised the initial body who took forward the feasibility stage and then once the community had decided they wished to proceed it advised the newly incorporated body, including advising on the purchase of the estate, the crofting, and the mapping and registration of a crofting estate.

It also advised on the funding aspects with the Scottish Land Fund, and took the group through completion at the beginning of June.