Croft house grants

CROFTERS are being encouraged to apply for a Scottish Government grant to improve housing or build new homes.

In the latest round of awards, 21 crofters will share just over £700,000, the Scottish government confirmed on Thursday.

The fund, which was launched in 2007, aims to help crofters improve or build homes in the hope of encouraging people to stay in outlying regions of Scotland, or to attract incomers to move to them.

Since 1 April, the scheme has been altered to allow individual grants to increase, with some crofters able to receive £38,000.

Cabinet secretary for rural economy Fergus Ewing said quality housing is “essential” for crofters.

“We need to draw people to Scotland’s most remote and rural communities and the Croft House Grant can do that,” he said.

“Upgrading or building new properties can help crofters fulfil their duty to live on or close to their croft and can help them undertake additional agricultural activity.”