The move to take the running of the Crown Estate in Scotland under Scottish control has taken a step forward.
The Scottish Government plans to set up a temporary public body -
The Crown Estate earns £14 million a year from its Scottish assets.
The Smith Commission, set up following the 2014 Scottish referendum, recommended that management of the Crown Estate be further devolved to areas such as the Western Isles.
A consultation on the interim proposals has been launched.
In Scotland, the Crown Estate controls seabed leases out to 12 nautical miles and rights to renewable energy, cables and pipelines on the continental shelf, 37,000 hectares of rural land.
Also under its wing is about half of Scotland's foreshore including 5,000 licensed moorings, 800 aquaculture sites, and salmon fishing rights.
The aim is to complete the full process by the UK Government so Scotland can assume the powers in April 2017.
Crown Estate to come under Scottish control
2 July 2016