Arran, Bute, Greater and Little Cumbrae, Moray and the parts of Highland not already within the Crofting Counties are to be designated as new crofting areas.

The move follows a public consultation which gave resounding support for the plan.

Speaking at the Highlands and Islands Convention, Environment Minister Michael Russell said:

"Crofting has a real role to play in not only maintaining vibrant populations and thriving communities in Scotland's less accessible areas but enabling them to grow and prosper.

"We want to see inclusive and dynamic crofting communities and the designation of new crofting areas will aid the sustainable economic growth of these areas.

"The consultation provoked a number of responses but it's fair to say that a strong majority were favourable.

"We will now look at extending the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme (CCAGS) to the whole of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Area to ensure crofters in the new area can fully benefit from this funding."

Section 3A(1) of the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993 (inserted by the 2007 Act) allows Scottish Ministers to designate new areas in Scotland where crofts can be created, with the approval of the Crofters Commission. Landowners can apply to the Commission to create new crofts. Tenants under Small Landholders Act leases can apply for conversion of their smallholding to crofting tenure. A Scottish Statutory Instrument proposing the extension of crofting areas will be laid before Parliament shortly.