Langholm Initiative on latest community land buyout

SOSE congratulates Langholm Initiative on latest community land buyout

We have welcomed the Langholm Initiative’s completion of its latest community land buyout.

Langholm Initiative confirmed on Friday 11 November it had met its target of £2.2miliion to purchase more land from Buccleuch Estates.

Having purchased 5,200 acres of moorland last year for £3.8m, the latest buyout means the community group now owns a total of 10,500 acres, doubling the size of its Tarras Valley Nature Reserve.

The community group was assisted by a £1million investment from SOSE in 2020 for its initial buyout, alongside guidance and advice from the region’s economic and community development agency.

Professor Russel Griggs, Chair

“This is a momentous day for Langholm and the South of Scotland.

“Langholm Initiative’s plans for the Tarras Valley Nature Reserve are hugely ambitious, focussed on restoring the land, contributing to biodiversity and the journey to Net Zero, and also regeneration of the town.

“The community buyout has required a huge amount of work by many local people and partners, and SOSE congratulates all who have been involved in this journey.

“We are determined to continue to help communities to take advantage of the opportunities community asset transfer offers, which in the case of the Langholm Initiative is long-term economic, social and natural capital benefits for local people.”