Lawyers pay tribute to father of land reform

Mr Fraser, who died on Monday at the age of 60, was legal advisor to many major Highland community land buyouts – from Assynt to Eigg, Knoydart, Bhaltos, Abriachan, Fernaig, Kylesku and Gigha, The Herald reports.

He is credited with assisting in the delivery of over half a million acres of land in Scotland to communities.

Chairman of Community Land Scotland, Lorne MacLeod, said Mr Fraser was a towering figure in his field, adding: “Without the insights, personal commitment and legal work of Simon Fraser the community land ownership movement would not have made the progress it has made to date.

“Simon was behind the development of the legal structures for community ownership, but his insights on the history and issues around land ownership were constant drivers for the changes he so brilliantly supported in many communities across the Highlands and Islands.

“Simon had many, many friends among community land owners.”