Aigas Forest in Inverness-shire is to be brought under community ownership, the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has announced.

The buy-out has been made possible due to additional funding released through the Scottish Land Fund.

Aigas Community Forest was awarded £519,000 to bring the project's total Scottish Land Fund investment to £740,000. This will allow the community to purchase the 286-hectare woodland.

Earlier this year, an initial award of £221,000 allowed for the purchase of a smaller area of land – 49 hectares.

The purchase of the land, which will be made under the National Forest Land Scheme, will enable the whole forest to be developed and managed, and provide economic, environmental and social benefits to the local community.

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Some of the improvements will include new cycle and foot tracks, associated visitor infrastructure, recreational and educational activities, and new business opportunities.

Andrew Leaver, Secretary of Aigas Community Forest, commented: "This increase to our grant from the Scottish Land Fund will enable the community in Lower Stathglass to realise our ambition to buy the entire 700 acre Aigas woodland from Forestry Commission Scotland.

"Owning the whole forest will allow us to develop a thriving and vibrant asset supporting local businesses and providing recreation and conservation opportunities for local residents and visitors alike.

"Our thanks go to the Scottish Land Fund committee and all the other supporters who have contributed to this purchase."

Aileen McLeod, Environment and Land Reform Minister, added: "This project is an excellent example of how a community can transform ambition into reality. Through the Scottish Land Fund, the Scottish Government is looking forward to supporting other communities as we seek to secure more land into community ownership by 2020."

John Watt, Committee Chair, Scottish Land Fund, said: "This award will help Aigas Community Forest to realise its dreams of purchasing and owning all 286 hectares of community woodland. This will develop a stronger, resilient and more sustainable community with the ability to develop a wider range of income generating opportunities for the future."

(JP/IT)