A COMMUNITY buyout of the island of Tiree could provide the key to its economic recovery, according to George Lyon, the Liberal Democrat MSP for Argyll and Bute.
His comments came after it emerged that a team of consultants from the Scottish Agricultural College is to go to Tiree to study the social and economic facts of island life, as a first step towards a five-year development plan for the island.
Tiree's population has in-creased slightly in the past two decades. In 1981, it stood at 757, in 1991 it was 768 and in 2001 it was 770.
However, Mr Lyon said: ''It is not the actual numbers but the age profile which is worrying. Because of the increasing age of the population, we might see a dramatic drop in the coming years.
''I firmly believe that the islanders of Tiree could take a massive step forward in the rebuilding of their island if they were to move towards a community buyout of their island.''
The island is largely owned by the Duke of Argyll's Argyll Estates, but Mabel Macarthur, chair of Tiree Community Council said yesterday: ''I am not aware of any great clamour for a community buyout. If there is an upsurge in interest, then it will probably come out in this new study.
''We do however need jobs, particularly for the young people. We also need houses.''
The study is being financed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
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