The latest round of the Scottish government’s Croft House Grant scheme has provided a total of £229,120 in funding between eight crofters.
The Croft House Grant scheme supports crofters with measures to improve their homes, or build new ones with the aim of allowing them to maximise the full potential of their crofts and to live and work in remote and rural areas.
The government said that, over the past 35 years, crofters and their families have received grant funding totalling over £1 million to build and improve their homes.
In 2023 the Scottish government increased the grant rate for house improvements, from 40% to 60% of costs, up to a maximum £38,000.
Energy efficiency measures were also introduced as part of the grant scheme, helping crofters improve the energy efficiency of their croft house and contribute to energy cost savings.
Minister for energy and the environment, Gillian Martin, said:
“Helping retain and attract people to remote and rural communities is a priority for this government – and this vital support is helping more and more crofters across Scotland improve their housing.
“Since January 2007, the Scottish government has approved Croft House Grant payments of over £24.8 million helping to build and improve over 1,125 croft homes. And I’ve seen first-hand how this funding is changing people’s lives for the better.
“That’s why in the past year we increased croft housing grants, and we will continue to target support at those most in need.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the scheme continue to help more crofters to thrive and would encourage people to apply for the next round in 2024.”
