Why are we considering a community buyout of Skerray?
 A community landowner will work to directly address local needs and will invest its revenue into initiatives to help regenerate the community as a whole. 
Community landowners are directly accountable, and accessable, to the community and can also qualify for public and lottery funding opportunities that may not be available to private landowners.
Being shared owners of our own land and tenants of this land gives us the opportunity to take real responsibility for the future good of Skerray and everyone who lives in it.
Control of our own resources gives us the ability to plan and influence events on our own land.  In this way the community has the ability to directly manage its own future and has a say in any potential development of the land.
What happens if the Sutherland Estate does not want to sell?
It is hoped that the community will be able to negotiate a purchase with the owners as a willing seller.  However,  if an agreement cannot be reached, (and strictly as a last resort) the community can use the provisions of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.  This gives communities in crofting areas the right to apply for Scottish Executive approval to purchase croft land, including salmon, sporting and mineral rights, whether the land is for sale or not.  The purchase has to be in the public interest and a fair price has to be paid. 
What are the implications of a buyout on crofters' rights?
None whatsoever.  Crofters' rights are protected under the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993, and these rights will continue if Skerray is transferred to community ownership.  From a tenant crofter's perspective, a buyout will simply mean a change of landlord.
Who will have a vote in the community right to buy?
The Land Reform Act specifies that only full time residents of the Skerray community are eligible to vote in the ballot.  All members of the community must be given the opportunity to vote in the ballot, whether or not they have chosen to become a member of the Trust. 
Can a buyout proceed against the will of the croft tenants?
No.  A single ballot is organised, but to proceed with a Crofting Community Right to Buy application there must be a majority vote on two separate counts.  The first is a simple majority of all those who voted (crofter and resident votes counted together).  The second count is a simple majority of croft tenant votes only.  Thus, croft tenants effectively have a right of veto over the application.
Why do we need to form a new community organisation?
The Steering Group was formed as a time-limited group to investigate the potential and viability of a community buyout of Skerray.  The feasibility study has been completed and the once results have been fully refined and consulted upon, a formal ballot will be organised to ascertain if the community wishes to proceed with a buyout.  To fulfil the requirements of the Land Reform Act it is necessary to form a new community organisation - a Company Limited by Guarantee - prior to the ballot.
Who can be a member of the Skerray Community Ownership Trust?
All those over 18 years of age who are either full time residents within Skerray or are actively working on a croft that is registered with the Crofters Commission within Skerray.
Who can be a member of Skerray Community Ownership Trust's Board of Directors?
The Board shall consist of not more than twelve Directors, up to ten of whom shall be drawn from the Trust's membership and democratically elected by the members.  A third of the elected Directors will retire by rotation each year.  The Board can co-opt up to three Directors from outwith the membership.  Co-opted Directors usually have specialist skills or experience deemed beneficial to the Trust and serve for a time-limited period.
Is there provision for Associates of Skerray Community Ownership Trust?
Yes.  The Board shall have powers to admit individuals, charitable bodies and other organisations as Associates.  Associates may attend General Meetings but as they are not members of the Trust, they are not eligible to vote or stand for election as a Director.  For example, the Board could invite owners of second homes within Skerray to become associates.