Stay-away crofters lose homes

Skye, the area with the largest number of absentees

Nearly 200 more absentee crofters have lost their homes in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland as part of a drive to bring new life to the area.

The Crofters Commission has tracked down the absentees, some as far afield as Australia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.

Hundreds of people are on a waiting list, hoping to be given a croft in the Highlands and Islands so they can live their lives from the land.

The commission has powers to investigate absenteeism if a crofter lives more than 10 miles from his or her home and is not playing an active role in the community.

Initially, the commission will try to persuade absentees to release land

Commission policy

The Prince of Wales has championed crofting as a way of keeping young people in rural areas.

Skye, Lewis and Harris have the largest numbers of stay-away crofters.

Chairman Iain MacAskill said: "The commission is taking a proactive role, using its powers and resources to identify and serve the needs of the crofting communities it serves.

"Among younger people, there is increasing demand for the crofting way of life."

According to its annual report, the commission took back 187 more crofts from absentees, taking to more than 500 the total removed since the crackdown was launched.

Generation gap

So far, more than 2,000 of Scotland's 17,720 crofts have been investigated. About 10% are held by absentees.

It found that some of those living abroad were second and third generation absentees.

In some cases, public grants and loans of up to £29,000 have been awarded to people to build their rural homes.

The Crofters Commission policy states: "Initially, the commission will try to persuade absentees to release land but, failing that, termination of the tenancy may be necessary."