The Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF) has highlighted the need for better provision to create new crofts in its submission on the recently published Land Reform Bill.
Russell Smith, a vice-
He pointed out vast tracts of rural land no longer have a resident community, having been cleared centuries ago.
Mr Smith said it is time the land went back to supporting many families rather than the few.
The SCF wants neglected land on private estates to be restore to community benefit.
Mr Smith said: “The creation of small units to maximise community numbers and use would be highly recommended.
“We would, naturally, suggest that these units come under crofting legislation as this has evolved, and is evolving, as a framework of rights and responsibilities envied by many outwith Scotland.
He pointed out crofters are required to live near their croft and ensure it is put to purposeful use.
Yet a landlord of an estate of thousands of hectares is "permitted to hide ownership, reside abroad and not put the land to purposeful use."
Call to create new crofts from neglected estates
24 August 2015