Village will find funds to purchase ‘The Field’

Kinlochard residents aim to buy the 27 acre piece of land

- STUART MCFARLANE

Community leaders in a Stirlingshire village have launched a desperate fundraising bid to secure support in purchasing an area of neglected local land with big plans.

Residents in Kinlochard have developed a wide-reaching vision for the 27 acre piece ofland-named locally as 'The Field' - including helping with the growing of food locally and the encouragement of educational activities in a wild natural environment.

However, despite attempts to raise money to purchase the plot valued at £225,000 from the landowner, they have been forced to turn to a crowdfunding effort amid concerns over possible depopulation and decline if the land falls into alternative hands.

The efforts to purchase the land have been led by the Kinlochard Community Residents Association (KCRA), who fear it could be sold to a developer "within the next few months" if the funds aren't secured.