Community vote on island takeover

Rum has been owned by government conservation agencies since 1957

Residents on Rum are to vote on whether to take over community ownership of buildings and land on the island.

The ballot, due to be held in January, is part of the Scottish Government's plan to transfer £250,000 of land and assets to islanders.

The community hall, village shop, tea-room, campsite and land in Kinloch Village and Glen on the west coast island is expected to be transferred.

Rum has been owned by government conservation agencies since 1957.

It passed from the Nature Conservancy Council to Scottish Natural Heritage in 1992.

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

Up to five crofts would be created to help encourage more people to move to the island, which currently has a population of about 30 people.

"Key step"

Andrew Thin, chairman of SNH, said: "This is a key step in the establishment of an independent community and economy for the island and we look forward to working closely with the trust on its future plans.

"This will also allow SNH to get on with the business of managing the island's outstanding natural heritage and working with the community to enhance the visitor experience."

A meeting of the Rum Task Group, which aims to identify ways of developing less reliance on SNH on the island, met Environment Minister Michael Russell on Arisaig.

Mr Russell said the planned transfer of land would provide a platform for the development of a "thriving and sustainable" community.

He said: "It will create opportunities for local enterprise while improving the facilities and services available to visitors to the island.

"Much has been achieved in the last year, but there is much still to be done to conclude the final arrangements and to build towards the transfer of other assets to community management in the future."