Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
The new £6 million Scottish Land Fund which will empower communities by helping them acquire land opens for applications on Monday (July 2).
The Minister announced the opening date for the fund – which will be delivered by Big Lottery Fund Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise - during a visit to locally owned Crossgates Community Woodland.
Crossgates was the first community in Scotland to successfully purchase land through the community right to buy provisions in May 2005. It also achieved ownership of the “Taft”, a 15 hectare wooded area, through funding from the first Scottish Land Fund which ran from 2001 to 2006.
Since the successful purchase, Crossgates Community Woodland has secured a number of significant achievements. These have included the planting of over 7,000 trees, the creation of a play park and the creation of around a mile of pathways and tracks.
Mr Stevenson said:
"Crossgates Community Woodland is an excellent example of what can be achieved when a local community, with a clear idea of how best to develop land for the benefit of its community, is supported to buy land.
"And today is an historic day for community land ownership in Scotland - I'm delighted to announce that our Scottish Land Fund, which will empower rural communities to help them acquire land, is now open for applications.
"The Scottish Government fully supports community buy-outs and is committed to building strong and resilient communities throughout Scotland.
"Both Big Lottery Fund Scotland and HIE will ensure the fund makes the best use of existing resources and expertise to maximise the land fund’s potential.
"These are exciting times for Scotland and this fund will help more of our rural areas to take control of their own destinies and build the successful, flourishing communities of tomorrow."
Neil Ritch, Head of Corporate Management, Big Lottery Fund Scotland, said:
"This is a really exciting opportunity to help more communities in rural Scotland own and develop their local land and land assets. We know from our experience delivering the original Scottish Land Fund with our partners at Highlands and Islands Enterprise that communities can achieve great things when they own and manage local land and land assets. I am delighted that we are working in partnership with HIE once more to deliver the new fund.
"The Scottish Government’s new Scottish Land Fund will give communities the tools they need to take greater control of their own futures. We will combine our experience and expertise to give communities practical support in developing their ideas and aspirations and submitting strong applications for funding."
Sandra Holmes, Head of Community Assets at HIE, said:
"HIE is delighted to be involved in the delivery of this next chapter in the history of community land and asset ownership in Scotland. Over the past 20 years we have seen the benefits that ownership of assets brings to our communities. Community buy-outs are no longer experimental projects but an effective and proven rural regeneration model.
"Around 500,000 acres of land are now in community ownership in Scotland – more than the John Muir Trust, the RSPB and the National Trust for Scotland combined. The new Scottish Land Fund will enable us to maintain the momentum and enable communities throughout Scotland to invest in a sustainable future."
The Scottish Land Fund will make available £6 million over the next three financial years – 2012/13 to 2014/15.
Potential applicants should call the enquiries line at BIG Lottery 0300 123 7110 or email enquiries.scotland@biglotteryfund.org.uk
