Knoydart wins international rural resilience award

That this House congratulates the Knoydart community on the west coast of Scotland on being awarded the Michael Dower Award for European Rural Resilience; notes that the award recognises communities across Europe tackling economic, environmental and social challenges to improve rural life; further notes that Knoydart was selected ahead of finalists from Armenia, Germany and Ireland; recognises that this accolade comes 25 years after the community completed its historic £750,000 buy-out of the 17,000-acre Knoydart Estate; commends the community’s achievements over that period, including the doubling of its population from around 60 to 120, the establishment of community enterprises such as the Old Forge pub, Knoydart venison and tourism services, and the creation of 450 hectares of new woodland with over 600,000 trees planted; welcomes the improvements in local infrastructure and the restoration of the community’s hydro power scheme; and applauds all those involved with the Knoydart Foundation, Knoydart Forest Trust and wider community for their inspiring example of rural regeneration and resilience.