Crofters get government payout to build new homes

The Scottish government has issued grant payments worth £289,000 to nine crofters in a bid to bolster remote rural communities. 

Officials in Scotland said the Croft House Grant scheme aimed to retain and attract people to rural communities by supporting improvements to existing housing or new construction costs.

Since the scheme was launched in 2007, more than £21.8m has been awarded to 1,023 crofters.

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The latest average payout was £32,000 to the nine successful applicants.

Funding can be used for:

• Major repairs
• Internal improvements
• Rebuilding work
• New builds.

Funding levels differ according to government targets, with higher payments made to bolster particularly fragile communities.

High-priority area payments of 40% of building costs can be up to £38,000 in any 10-year period.

Standard priority areas can receive £28,000 – 40% of costs – to fund improvements or new builds. 

Rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing said: “We need to ensure the continued availability of good-quality housing to help attract and retain more people to these areas. 

“I have seen first-hand the effect the Croft House Grant has had across rural Scotland, and I am glad we can continue to provide this support.”

He added: “I am determined to continue helping people in crofting areas, which the scheme has a proven track record of doing.”

Further information

The Croft House Grant Guide is available on the Rural Payments Scotland website.