Almost 11,000 hectares of land in the Outer Hebrides will move into community ownership following funding from the Scottish Land Fund.
Bays of Harris Community Estate Limited has been given £1,082,680 to buy a 10,927 hectare crofting estate from a private seller.
The funding will help address long-standing housing and population issues in a fragile and dispersed community. It is one of six awards announced. A total of £2,197,924 will go to communities across Scotland.
Morvern Community Woodlands received £459,650 in funding. The group will buy 94 hectares of land next to the village of Lochaline on the Morvern Peninsula. The group will develop woodland crofts, self-build plots, a community woodlot and a recreation space.
Loch Ewe Community Enterprise received £345,663 in funding. The group will buy the Bac Dubh industrial site in Poolewe for a multi-use community business park.
Voe Community Development Association has received £106,780 in funding to buy the B-listed Sail Loft in Lower Voe, Shetland.
Quarter Community Hub in South Lanarkshire received £93,406 in funding. The group will buy the B-listed Quarter Parish Church and it’s land from the Church of Scotland.
North Sutherland Community Forestry Trust received £109,745 in funding. The group will buy a log cabin in Borgie Forest, 0.8 hectares of the surrounding land, and the foundations of another log cabin it uses.