Community bid for historic village site

IT is hoped that an area of land which includes the pre-Clearance village of Rosal in Upper Strathnaver, may soon come under community ownership.

The site has recently been put on the market by Forest Enterprise Scotland (FES) and the owner of the surrounding woodland, Simon Mackay (Lord Tanlaw) is keen to work with local people by opening it up and preserving its cultural heritage.

In 2013, FES put a 2400 hectare block of land – which included the clearance village – up for sale, which was purchased by Lord Tanlaw.

He traced his ancestry back to a Christina Mackay who had been among those evicted from Rosal during the Sutherland Clearances. His wish was to place a wind-harp in his ancestor's honour on the site. It would also act as a memorial to all members of the Mackay clan, and Lord Tanlaw's aim was to increase interest in the land of Mackay and improve public access to the forest in general.

However, there was public concern that Rosal was being included in the sale and it was eventually agreed at that time that the site remain in the hands of FES.

But recently the forestry body have again put it on the market – and again Lord Tanlaw expressed an interest.

At the recent meeting of Bettyhill Community Council, a discussion was held with Phil di-Duca, of Kelpie Woodlands, who was representing Lord Tanlaw.

Mr di-Duca said that Lord Tanlaw shared a common interest with the community council regarding the village site, therefore if there was a possibility of purchasing or leasing this ground then his intention would be to develop it, to make it more diverse, to open it up to the general public and to preserve the cultural heritage of the area.

While the ideal solution from his viewpoint might be direct acquisition of the village site, he recognised that the local community, and the wider diaspora consequent on the Clearances, had a powerful interest which must be recognised.

He was therefore interested in the prospect of working with whatever local body eventually became the owner and would be keen to help finance future developments.

This could be done through the Tanlaw Foundation, his charitable trust, a vehicle used to carry out his philanthropic aims.

Following discussion, it was agreed that Lord Tanlaw's intentions appeared to have positive potential for both parties.

However, as the community council itself is debarred from owning property, it would seek a partner locally, such as the Strathnaver Museum or the North Sutherland Forest Trust, which would be able to hold land on behalf of the public.

The community council would reiterate its current application to FES to participate in the acquisition of the land as this would prevent it being offered in the open market in the meantime.

Mr di-Duca agreed to ask Lord Tanlaw whether he would be willing to finance a local person to enter into the complex process of community acquisition and the two parties agreed to keep in touch while seeking momentum towards an early solution.