Mr Lyon, who was elected last month as the Liberal Democrats' sole MEP for Scotland, will be vacating the Kildavannan, Achavoulaig and Little Kilmory farms by the end of November after he accepted an offer from Bute Estates back in April to relinquish his tenancies.

The news, however, came as a surprise to his tenants at Kildavannan, overlooking Ettrick Bay, who were informed of his decision just over three weeks ago - as was Brian McClymont, who managed the farm during Mr Lyon's absence and has been working for him for almost ten years.

"I have no idea what will happen," Mr McClymont told The Buteman. "I was told about three weeks ago and it was a surprise to me.

"I thought he was never going to give it up. I thought I was safe. But at the end of the day it's his decision."

A second generation farmer, Mr Lyon had been keen to buy the farm - and refused a number of offers before accepting their last one.

"Giving up my farms here on Bute is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever taken," Mr Lyon said in a press release issued jointly with Bute Estate.

"As there was little prospect of ever gaining ownership of my farms here on the island, this deal opened up the only opportunity to become an owner-occupier elsewhere in my own right.

"My father, brother and I have, over two generations, put years of hard work and investment into improvements on the farms, and that has been fully reflected in the agreement I have reached with the Estate."

Despite relinquishing the tenancies, Mr Lyon wil continue to keep his home on Bute at Kildavannan Cottage.

"The decision to sell the farm had been taken before the European elections," Mr Lyon told The Buteman.

"It gave me an option - if I didn't get in to Europe then I could set up a farm elsewhere.

"I'd always wanted to become the owner/occupier - but it just didn't work out on Bute. I have secured an extra length of time for the tenants to stay on in the farm, and offered personally to help them in any way I can if they wish to go for the farm.

"I wish to thank my staff for their outstanding loyalty, dedication and hard work over the years and wish them well in the future."

Mr Lyon currently receives a Single Farm Payment (SFP) subsidy from the EU, which in Scotland is allocated to individual farmers and not to the farm.

When we asked him what he was planning on doing with the subsidy Mr Lyon said he intended either to transfer it to a new property or sell it onto another farmer.

Local SNP councillor and farmer Robert Macintyre believes changes should be made to the current legislation regarding SFPs.

"It has come as a bit of a surprise to me that George has given up being a farmer on the Isle of Bute," Cllr Macintyre said.

"George was one of the architects of the land reform bill that was put through Scottish Parliament several years ago, and this legislation was the factor in the Mount Stuart Trust not re-letting viable units that have become vacant since then.

"A factor which will have to be taken into account is that in all probability the three farmers who are vacating these farms will be taking their Single Farm Payments with them.

"The legislation that allowed farmers leaving the industry to pocket the Single Farm Payments - which are a considerable part of a farmer's yearly income - is wrong.

"These SFPs should have been kept with farms and enabled incoming farmers to utilise it."