Newcastleton welcomed Mairi McAllan, MSP, Minister for Environment and Land Reform, as part of the Community Land Week celebrations.  In a whistle-stop tour of Newcastleton village she saw firsthand how much has been achieved from community land ownership over the last 20 years;

Starting in 2000 and led by Libby Kennedy, Chair of Polysport, who had the vision and passion to take on the first community project; the creation of our 3G Astro courts and Pavilion which homes the village gym.  This project has spawned many and now we have a host of community-managed and partnered projects:

Unmanned Comunity Fuel pumps and electric charging point, Whithaugh Bridge, the show fields, Polysport, Pavilion and Playing fields, Golf course, Sawmill plantation walks, riverside walks, allotments, and the Holm Hill.  We estimate circa 800 acres of land in community ownership.

Shortly we will complete the upgrade of Buccleuch House which will be home to the Enterprise, Learning, and Outreach as well as our new 14 bed-bunkhouse and laundry.

Newcastleton, Hawick, Scottish Borders, Scotland, UK. 13th October 2021. Mairi McAllan MSP, Minister for Environment and Land Reform, visits the Newcastleton and District Community Trust in the Scottish Borders, as part of Community Land Week.