(405)  PAIRC ESTATE IN LEWIS – LAND REFORM ACT

The tenants of the estate of Pairc in the isle of Lewis voted on 30 November 2004 to pursue a community buy-out of the estate under the provisions of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (see No 205).  The buy-out is however opposed by the laird, Barry Lomas, an accountant from Warwickshire, and if it goes ahead will be the first instance of such a contested buy-out under the Act.  A large wind-farm, producing an annual revenue of over a million pounds, is proposed for the estate.  If the buyout offer goes ahead, the Scottish Executive will have six months to make a decision on the matter.