Survey launched to gauge public opinion on community buy-out of Rosal clearance village
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A SURVEY has been launched to find out how members of the public feel about a potential community buy-out of Rosal clearance village and around 2100 hectares of surrounding forestry.
Rosal village is currently in the ownership of Forestry and Land Scotland.
But in January North Sutherland Community Forest Trust (NSCFT) announced it was linking with Bettyhill, Strathnaver and Altnaharra Community Council and Strathnaver Museum to look into the possibility of purchasing the clearance village and a surrounding area of woodland in Strathnaver.
Strathnaver Museum has already been granted funding from the Scottish Land Fund towards exploring the community purchase of Rosal village and a team of consultants has been engaged.
In January NSCFT director Tim Curtis said: "We have some really exciting ideas for things that can be done at Rosal and a team of consultants has been engaged with Scottish Land Fund money to explore the potential benefits of a community buy-out."
But he added: "Without community support the purchase will not go ahead."
The township at Rosal was cleared of its inhabitants in the 19th century - they were forced to leave to make way for large-scale sheep production.
Today more than 70 ruined buildings sit on the hillside overlooking Ben Loyal. Interpretive panels imagine what daily life would have been like in the township.
If the community ownership was to happen, Rosal would become the property of NSCFT.
An introduction to the community survey states: "Should the community own Rosal Clearance Village and surrounding forestry? We need to know what you think to help us to decided how to move forward....
"We want local people to be at the heart of how Rosal is managed and developed. We want to make sure the forestry and clearance village is used to the maximum benefit of locals and visitors."
The survey, which will take around five minutes to complete can be accessed via NSCFT's Facebook page. The deadline is Friday, August 6.
North coast groups link to progress community buy-out of historic site
