Scotland’s highest village backs plans for community buyout
● Wanlockhead trust in talks with Buccleuch group
It already stands head and shoulders above every other village and town in Scotland, but now Wanlockhead is aiming even higher after voting in favour of a community buyout.
Residents in the former mining village, perched high in the Southern Uplands at 410m above sea level, have backed plans to take over thousands of acres of land currently owned by the Buccleuch organisation, which represents the business interest of the Buccleuch family, including the Duke of Buccleuch, one of Scotland’s largest private landowners.
A total of 56 per cent of those who cast their vote in the village’s community centre on Wednesday evening backed the buyout of the 3,863 acre expanse, with 69 people in favour and 55 against.
All residents in the Dumfries and Galloway community over the age of 18 were eligible to have their say, including holiday home owners who are on the electoral register in the area, with turnout more than 80 per cent.
Wanlockhead Community Trust (WCT), which has developed the buyout bid on the basis it would secure a “sustainable future” for the rural area, said that a vote in favour of the buyout ensures “future decisions made on the land will be decided by the community.” It has produced a feasibility study outlining how community ownership could help create jobs in the village and harness its potential as a tourism destination, complementing its existing Museum of Lead Mining.
The document also details plans for more affordable housing in the area, as well as habitat restoration and outdoor sporting and recreational activities.
In a statement, it added: “We, the residents of Wanlockhead, will be able to elect and decide democratically what we want to keep and improve in the village.”
Wanlockhead Community Trust The trust’s treasurer, David Tkocz, explained: “It is an amazing opportunity for the village now and for the whole community.
“We’ve got some young families in the village and they are very excited. We are very happy with that.”
Mr Tkocz believes the land valuation is nearing completion and the next step for the trust is to work with the Scottish Land Fund on a funding application.
A spokesman for Buccleuch vowed to continue talks with the trust. He said: “The community ballot is an important step in the process of obtaining approval and funding from the Scottish Land Fund.
“Following the result of the vote, where a majority of the community – as outlined by WCT – voted in favour of the community purchase, we will continue our dialogue with the trust, which has been constructive throughout.”
“It is an amazing opportunity for the village now and for the whole community”
DAVID TKOCZ