Last month, the Scottish Executive "strongarmed" – says one local – the islanders of Gigha into buying their own island. Islanders reluctantly accepted nearly £4 million ($5.8 million) from the Executive and other sources to make them a flagship crofting buyout project. At 3,400 acres, Britain's largest privately-owned island lies off the Mull of Kintyre in Argyll.

Gigha islanders had been told to find the bulk of the money themselves. By the Sunday before the sale deadline, however, they had raised just £4,000 ($5,800). There was a vote at a meeting of Gigha islanders held in August in the island's Community Hall. Just 14 said they wished to buy with 29 against the purchase. After the vote, one of the islanders commented: 'Now we only want to be left alone to get on with our lives'.

The obstinate march of the legislation through the Scottish Parliament has created a climate of fear in the Highlands. Many landowners and crofters are scared of making public statements about the Bill in case they find themselves its first target.

'Don't go quoting names,' said one landowner. 'Nobody can afford to be seen to be putting their head above the parapet.'