Scotland's highest village votes in favour of plans for a community buyout

Wanlockhead is the highest village in Scotland at an elevation of around 1,350 feet (410 m). The village is in the part of the Lowther Hills that lies in Dumfries and Galloway (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Phrìs is Gall-Ghaidhealaibh) in the southwest of Scotland. Now residents of the Scottish village have voted in favour of plans for a community buyout. The ballot could see them take ownership of nearly 4,000 acres of land which is currently owned by the Buccleuch group. The next stage will be to apply to the Scottish Land Fund and other foundations to raise the financial support needed for the buyout.

Wanlockhead Community Trust (WCT) have said a motivating factor in developing the buyout was to secure a "sustainable future" for the area. They hope to produce more jobs for local people. Important in this will be the development of tourism. The area is one of outstanding beauty with the Southern Upland Way coming through the village; the spectacular Mennock Pass which is much favoured by campers; also Scotland's most southerly ski slope. Negotiations with the Buccleuch group during the process have been  described as "constructive throughout".

Image above: Wanlockhead Village courtesy of Wanlockhead Community Trust.

Image below: Mennock Pass courtesy of Wanlockhead Community Trust.