GARBH ALLT COMMUNITY INITIATIVE

That this House congratulates the Garbh Allt Community Initiative for its success in securing £273,025 from the Scottish Land Fund; recognises that the organisation was set up to purchase the West Helmsdale Crofting Estate in East Sutherland; further recognises that community ownership will allow the community to lead and control the future development of the estate; notes that the Scottish Land Fund supports rural and urban communities to develop sustainable land and assets and that the Fund provides practical support and funding to encourage communities to work together to develop their ideas; records that securing the purchase of the estate, which includes over 20 important historical sites, will allow the development of many new fantastic business ventures with potential to create revenue income for the wider area; and congratulates everyone involved in the Garbh Allt Community Initiative for their imagination, drive and determination in working to develop a sustainable future for their local area and in directly confronting the many significant challenges and hardships that have affected the people of Sutherland in the past.