Major step for Rum community plan

Rum is the largest of the Small Isles

Plans to allow the local community to own a village and glen on a Hebridean island are to be pushed forward the Scottish Government said.

Rum has been owned by government conservation agencies since 1957.

Environment Minister Michael Russell said moves to hand over ownership of the land and property at Kinloch will be progressed to a conclusion.

The move would open the way for crofting to take place on Rum for the first time, Mr Russell said.

Up to five crofts would be created to help encourage more people to move to the island. Isle of Rum Community Trust and government agency Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) have been holding talks on community ownership.

Mr Russell said: "I want to see a process put in place to enable the local community to own and manage land and property in Kinloch village and glen, and to develop a thriving local community with a sustainable economy."

A Rum Summit - a meeting previously held to advance the plan - will be re-convened in December to look at what progress has been made.