Mull of Galloway - Community Buy Out moves forward

The trust wants to keep the area as a place of "beauty and tranquillity" and now has almost all the money it needs to buy the most southerly tip of the Scottish mainland

A community group has secured more than £300,000 towards its buy-out of the most southerly tip of Scotland.

The Mull of Galloway Trust received the grant from the Scottish Land Fund.
It will use it to purchase the 30-acre site in Dumfries and Galloway from the Northern Lighthouse Board under Community Right to Buy procedures.
The trust says it wants to preserve the Mull of Galloway as a place of "beauty and tranquillity" and protect it "for future generations."

The trust wants to keep the area as a place of "beauty and tranquillity" and now has almost all the money it needs to buy the most southerly tip of the Scottish mainland

The £6m Scottish Land Trust was set up last year to support projects like the Mull of Galloway purchase. SLF committee chairman John Watt said the fund sought to "empower more rural communities. Communities are capable of immense achievements when they own and manage their local land and assets and this scheme will bring clear long-term benefits for the Mull of Galloway," he said.

Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse said it would allow the trust to "take control" of its own future."The Scottish government strongly supports communities across Scotland in their efforts to manage assets to the benefit of local people and the economy of their area," he said.
He said the area could be developed into a "fantastic tourism and heritage asset".
The total grant of £338,500 represents 95% of the sum needed to acquire the land and various buildings.The lighthouse tower is not part of the sale and continues as a working lighthouse operated by Northern Lighthouse Board. 

The Mull of Galloway Trust is now just £4,000 short of the full cost of its project.
Launched last year, the £6m Scottish Land Fund is funded by the Scottish government and delivered by the Big Lottery Fund in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Rachael McCormack, director of strengthening communities at HIE, said: "The Mull of Galloway Trust had overwhelming local support to acquire this unique heritage site.
"Projects like this create opportunities for generations to come together and for local assets to be put to use, helping to create a better future for our communities.