aTHE Hebridean Trust has completed the acquisition of the Treshnish Isles, the uninhabited archipelago of five islands to the west of Mull, writes David Ross, Highland Correspondent.
The purchase has been made possible by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund of #213,500, but the final price paid was #247,500.
The trustees of Sir Alex Rankin, whose family had bought the islands as part of the Treshnish Estate on Mull in 1938, had put the islands on the market last year with an asking price of #400,000.
The five main islands are Lunga, Fladda, the Dutchman's Cap, Cairn na Burghe More, and Cairn na Burghe Beg.
Professor Ian Boyd, a member of the Hebridean Trust Council, said: ''I am delighted we have been able to secure the future of the rich wildlife communities of these islands. The Treshnish Isles are gems within the spectacular landscape of the Hebrides and it is vital they are conserved to delight future generations.''
He said the islands' cliffs abounded with shags, guillemots, razorbills, and puffins. The islands were recognised as one of the most important breeding locations in Europe for storm petrels and, in winter, they provided grazing for barnacle geese.
They were also rich in archaeological remains including the Iron Age fort of Dun Cruit, whilst the castle of Cairnburgh first appeared in records in 1249 and was occupied until the middle of the eighteenth century.
Mr Mike Stanfield, chairman of the Hebridean Trust, said: ''We intend managing these islands in co-operation with the National Trust for Scotland and other conservation bodies. We will encourage and assist the local boat operators who already take groups to visit these islands.''
He said that the mission of the Hebridean Trust was to support, stimulate and develop the economies of island communities, to restore and maintain buildings of outstanding architectural work, to protect and preserve the natural environment and to educate the public.
The Hebridean Trust is already working in partnership with the National Trust for Scotland on the island of Canna where the conversion of St Edward's Church as a visitor centre is almost complete. The trust also owns two visitor centres on Tiree.
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