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Tha 2018 na bhliadhna shònraichte dha iomairtean far a bheil coimhearsnachdan air sealbh a ghabhail air an cuid fearainn ann an Alba. Tha e a’ comharrachadh 25 bliadhna bhon a ghabh croitearan Asainte smachd air an talamh aca fhèin, agus an slighe fhèin.
B’ iadsan a thòisich cùisean, agus bhon uairsin tha cha mhòr 50 coimhearsnachd air an leantainn air feadh na dùthcha. Gu dearbha tha atharrachaidhean ann an ath-leasachadh fearainn cuideachd air cothrom a thoirt dha coimhearsnachdan sna bailtean mòra an aon cheum a ghabhail.

Tha eachdraidh fhada, aimhreiteach an lùib sgeulachd fearainn na h-Alba, gu sònraichte sa Ghàidhealtachd agus sna h-Eileanan, a’ dol air ais gu àm nam fuadaichean. Seallaidh sinn air sgeulachd sealbh coimhearsnachd fearainn na h-Alba, agus an iomadh dùbhlan a tha aig na coimhearsnachdan a tha air an t-slighe seo a ghabhail.

Am measg nan coimhearsnachdan air an tadhal sinn – Asainte, Eige, Gleann Dail san Eilean Sgitheanach, agus Bàrr a’ Mhullaich ann an Glaschu. Aig cridhe gach iomairt tha ath-nuadhachadh – a’ cruthachadh cothroman, obraichean agus a’ toirt piseach air beatha dhaoine. Ged a tha iomadh buannachd ann, chan ann gun dhuilghdeas a tha cùisean.

2018 is a historic year for community land ownership in Scotland. It marks 25 years since the Assynt crofters took ownership of their own land, and their own destinies. They were pioneers, and since then almost 50 community buyouts have followed in Scotland. Indeed land reform changes in Scotland have also seen inner-city community buyouts become a reality more recently.

Land ownership in Scotland, and in particular in the Highlands and Islands, has a long and turbulent history, stretching right back to the Highland clearances. We look at the story of Scotland’s community land ownership, and the ongoing challenges facing the communities that have chosen this path.

Amongst those we visit are Assynt, Eigg, Glendale in Skye, Gigha, Galson in Lewis, and Barmulloch in Glasgow. At the heart of each initiative is regeneration - creating opportunities, jobs, and improving people’s lives. While there are many benefits, it’s not without its difficulties.