The new Scottish Land Commission — a crucial part of the controversial Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 — is to be based in Inverness, the Scottish Government announced.

The Land Commission will include five Land Commissioners and a Tenant Farming Commissioner and support staff.

Hilary Pearce has been appointed interim Chief Executive Officer and she will work to establish the Commission until the summer of 2017.

The Commission will review law and policy, and “make recommendations to the Scottish Government on matters relating to Scotland’s land.”

Cunningham said: “Land reform is a journey and we are determined to ensure all of the people of Scotland can benefit from our land.

“The Land Reform Scotland (Act) was a significant milestone and delivered a number of important changes.

“The legislation paved the way for setting up a new Scottish Land Commission which will help to ensure that we continue to progress with land reform and I am delighted to confirm it will be based in Inverness.

“This will provide approximately 20 new jobs in the area while providing a base that is easily accessible for all parts of Scotland.

“The city location symbolises that land reform is no longer an exclusively rural issue – we want to see people in our towns and cities reap the benefits of land reform too.

“The Commission will have an important role reviewing policy and legislation, help to influence future developments relating the ownership of Scotland’s land and how we ensure communities across Scotland realise their potential.”