New archive tells the story of land reform across Scotland

The Herald Scotland

28-06-2025

The land all around was owned by the Chief of Macleod, who lived in the impressively preserved Dunvegan Castle.
Then, in the mid-70's, Dunvegan went high-tech. Gaeltec arrived in the village. The company was at the cutting edge of film resistive (of foil) strain gauge sensors – thin miniature pressure sensors used in medical and veterinary work.
With up to 20 good jobs at its peak for the locals, Gaeltec was a trailblazer for high-tech remote working, and justifiably lauded as an example of a partial solution to the depopulation and demographic challenges that have haunted much of the Highlands for many generation.
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Unfortunately, Gaeltec struggled to survive latterly, and despite a change of owners, public support and much goodwill, the lab in Dunvegan finally shut its doors about eight years ago.
The rollercoaster history of Gaeltec is only one small adventure in the colourful wider history of the Dunvegan community.
Macleod of Dunvegan and his tribe fought the last clan battle in Skye against the constant foe, Macdonald of Sleat. That gruesome clash - Battle of Coire na Creiche - in 1601 ended two centuries of serious violence between the clan rivals.
Then, much of the area around Dunvegan was ravaged by Clearances.
The Glendale Martyrs – who led the fight for land rights during the Crofters Wars – were from the neighbouring estate.
Young Highland Crofters with spinning wheel and new hat (Image: Community Land Scotland) The populist land agitator and bard, Mairi Mhor nan Oran, was brought up in the area.
Today the Macleods of Dunvegan are a pale shadow of their former selves.
The Macdonalds of Sleat have long since surrendered most of their south Skye fiefdom to the Clan Trust – now bogged down in a highly controversial sale of the old Macdonald Castle and restaurant and grounds.
Meanwhile, the local community in Dunvegan now has plans to take over the old Gaeltec building and transform it into a community facility. Once more the building will be a centre for optimism and opportunity as the local community takes control.
The rollercoaster story of Dunvegan is only one of 840 possible example from around Scotland where buyout communities have taken control of land and buildings, in cities and towns as well as the rural heartlands.
Now Community Land Scotland curator Iain Craig is researching and collating these stories to create a national archive telling the history of Scotland's land reform movement and the unique records of the communities that are engaged in the process.
A historical scene at Kyleakin on Skye (Image: Community Land Scotland) He said: 'Like Dunvegan, every community has a story to tell and these stories are often fascinating and dramatic. Our project aims to ensure the stories of these communities are available for everyone, capturing the history of people and community and explaining ultimately, why so many of them opted for community control.'
Mr Craig - a Gaelic-speaking design graduate from Balmacara in Wester Ross - argues that community ownership can be transformational and it is now one of the most important political and social movements in Scotland.
'Looking at the variety of stories across Scotland, we don't have rose-tinted glasses. Our members know that buyouts can be challenging. They have to be very inventive and resilient and they have to ensure their income stream works", he said.
'But everywhere there are great stories where community buyouts are reinvigorating the community in Stow or Bridgend or Kirkcaldy, Huntly, and Lewis and Harris."
The Assynt Foundation community trust lives under the shadow of majestic Suilven, and the less attractive historical shadows of The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland, the most notorious of the Clearance barons.
Laundry women on Skye (Image: Community Land Scotland) Now in community hands, the estate is leasing out Glencanisp Lodge – built by the Duke's family in 1850 - to a hotel entrepreneur. The Glencanisp development should create around 15 jobs and provide income for the community.
'What a great story for the archive', said Mr Craig. 'There is the horrible drama of the clearances, the lodge as a sign of privilege while the community suffered, all finally leading to community control and community benefit as the lodge is owned by the people rather than the laird.'
The archive will tell the stories of these community journeys including all areas of Scotland.
As well as the riches of the new archive, Mr Craig has been travelling Scotland with an exhibition of artworks, featuring creations by contemporary artists telling the stories and achievements of the pioneers of community ownership.
The Where We Stand exhibition has travelled the length and breadth of Scotland from Stow to Stornoway, Glasgow to Oban to Wick.
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Over 7,000 people have visited the exhibition so far, enjoying the works of artists such as Virginia Hutchison, Richard Bracken, Colin Tennant, Saskia Coulson, Francia Boakye, Kate O'Shea, Emma Duncan, Ann Little and Helen Walsh.
Mr Craig said: 'The Where We Stand artworks are all themed around the long and difficult struggle for community empowerment. It reflects the conflicts and celebrates the achievements.
'The exhibition investigates the journey of community ownership over the last 100 years, and ask: 'What do we want next?'
'Good progress has been made in some communities in the last 100 years, but shockingly only 421 people own half of Scotland's private land and radical change is needed.
'Where We Stand investigates these issues and themes and hopes through the eyes of contemporary artists, and we hope it will help enrich and stimulate the land reform debate. The feedback, conversations and connections made during this tour makes it clear that this isn't just about ownership, it's about empowerment of people and the impact that has on their lives on a day to day basis.'
After visiting multiple communities across Scotland, the exhibition, which finishes its comprehensive tour in Edinburgh at North Edinburgh Arts from June 27 to July 11.
For more information on The Where We Stand exhibition, visit https://100years.scot/where-we-stand/where-we-stand-exhibition