This list contains the majority of land under community ownership in Scotland. It includes areas purchased in community buyouts, as well as land gifted or transferred for a nominal fee.
The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 introduced rights for communities to purchase land in their area. The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 extended the Community Right to Buy to communities of any size, including those in urban areas. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 allows ministers to compel landowners to sell if they decide that the sale will further sustainable development in the area. Funding for buying land has been provided by the Scottish Government through the Scottish Land Fund.
References
- George W Macpherson. Glendale Estate An [sic] Unique Early Experiment in Crofting Ownership Social Land Ownership, Caledonia Centre for Social Development, retrieved 4 August 2012^
- Assynt community considers buy-out BBC News, 5 August 2004, retrieved 4 August 2012^
- Mike Lloyd. Eigg marks five years of independence