Joy as islanders win right to buy Attenborough’s forest sanctuary
LAND reform campaigners were celebrating yesterday after securing a landslide victory in Scotland’s biggest community land ballot for part of Lord Richard Attenborough’s island sanctuary.
The 1,700-acre Rhubodach Forest, on the Isle of Bute, was put on the market for £1.4million last August by the Oscar-winning director, who has a holiday home in the area.
Inhabitants yesterday overwhelmingly voted for proposals for the community-run company to buy the forest by applying for grants from backers including the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Officials at Bute Community Land Company (BCLC), set up especially for the buyout, said they were “delighted and relieved” after 2,700 people took part, with 93 per cent in favour.
The referendum was the largest ever vote of its kind.
Peter McDonald, a director of BCLC, said: “The first emotion was relief but we are delighted and overwhelmed at the way this has turned out.
“We needed a 50 per cent turnout for the vote to count, and there were moments in the past few weeks where we were worried but we got a 52 per cent turnout.
“We’ve got to submit both business and feasibility plans to the Scottish Government in the next couple of months. But for tonight, at least, we will be celebrating.”
Legislation allows rural communities in Scotland to register an interest in and buy land when it comes up for sale.
Yesterday 2,557 of the 2,239 votes cast were in favour of the BCLC, who have promised greatly improved access to the forest for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
BCLC chairman John McGhee added: “This is the day when the people of Bute took charge of their destiny.
“This is just the first step in the process of regenerating of this island, and it is going to make a huge difference.”
Lord Attenborough, 86, bought the former farmhouse more than two decades ago.
Three years ago he revealed he had retreated to the island at Christmas to mourn the loss of his daughter Jane, 49, and granddaughter, Lucy, 15, who died in Thailand in the 2004 tsunami.
His solicitor Peter Duff, of Maxwell MacLaurin, was last night unavailable for comment on the vote.
Three-quarters of Rhubadoch forest is planted and some of the trees will be cleared, with Mr McDonald adding that the project would attract tourists and create jobs for the island.
BCLC was set up after a 1,700-person petition was sent to the Scottish Government by islanders in November.
Once the personal property of the Scottish monarchy, the island of Bute was used as a military base for Polish forces during the Second World War.
