Five residents take on tycoons to buy their US$5.6 million Scottish island
The remote island of Ulva was put on the market this year after decades of ownership by an aristocratic family
When tycoons in helicopters began landing on Scotland’s Isle of Ulva, its five tenants feared their way of life might be coming to an end.
The remote island of pristine beaches, lush hills and craggy coastlines was put on the market this year after decades of ownership by an aristocratic family.
Now the islanders are using a law introduced last year by Scotland’s nationalist government to suspend the sale and give themselves time to buy the land, hoping a government fund will help them do so.
“I think community ownership is the way forward,” said Emma McKie, 33, who remembers a time when a thriving farming community lived on the 12-kilometre long island off Scotland’s west coast.
They are facing a deadline of June 2018 to buy the island off its “laird” Jamie Howard, who put it up for sale for £4.25 million (US$5.6 million).
The glossy sales brochure for Ulva offered prospective buyers the unique opportunity to own “one of the finest private islands in northern Europe”, when it was first put up for sale in July.