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The Isle of Harris could become a National Park

Residents on the island have been handed ballot papers to decide whether they would like the region to be given National Park Status.

An island committee is urging people to say ‘yes’ because it believes it will help create jobs, increase population, conserve the Gaelic culture and protect the island’s wild environment.

The population of Harris is a great concern. Numbers have dropped by around a quarter in the last 20 years.

Harris, which is joined to the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, is renowned for having beautiful hills and white sandy beaches.

A ‘yes’ vote would give the committee, called the Isle of Harris National Park Study Group, impetus to take its argument to the Scottish parliament.

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We’ll keep you posted with developments on this story.