OVER £948,000 has been awarded to help crofters benefit from better housing, the Scottish Government announced this week.

A total of 29 crofters will share the latest tranche of Croft House Grant funding, enabling them to build or improve homes, towards the overall goal of helping to retain and attract people to rural communities.

Confirming the awards, Fergus Ewing rural economy secretary said: “High quality housing is essential for crofters and this round of awards will make a real difference to the 29 crofters and their families receiving a grant.

"Attracting people, particularly young families, to our most remote and rural communities is essential for their long-term sustainability. I am determined to help people live in crofting areas, where there are often few opportunities and the Croft House Grant has proved successful in doing just that.

“I have already increased the funding available through the grant scheme by £600,000," added Mr Ewing. "These grants enable more crofters to upgrade or build new properties helping them to fulfil their duty to live on or close to their croft. And they also help to boost the wider local economy, creating opportunities for local construction and trade businesses."

Since 2007, over £16 million of grant payments have been awarded to over 800 crofters to build or improve their homes through the scheme.