Some 21 crofters from the north of Scotland are to receive the first payout from the revamped croft house grant scheme.
Means testing was introduced in April while grant levels were increased up to a maximum of £38,000 per house.
Over £705,000 has been awarded in the latest tranche of funding to build or improve crofters' homes.
It includes applicants from Lewis and North Uist.
Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy, Fergus Ewing, said: “Good 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.
"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."
He added: "Since 2007 over 800 homes have been improved or built under the scheme. It is great to see how this support can make a difference and I look forward to hearing many more success stories from the latest awards.”
First payments from revamped croft house grant scheme
1 August 2016