A new three-year-fund designed to help rural communities buy land starts taking applications today.

Stewart Stevenson, Scotland's environment minister, announced the £6m Scottish Land Fund on Friday in the hope communities would "take control of their own destinies".

The Minister announced the opening date for the fund – which will be delivered by Big Lottery Fund Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise - during a visit to locally-owned Crossgates Community Woodland.

Crossgates was the first community in Scotland to successfully purchase land through the community right to buy provisions in May 2005.

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Since the successful purchase, Crossgates Community Woodland has planted more than 7,000 trees, built a play park and created about a mile of pathways and tracks.

And now about 500,000 acres of Scottish land are community owned – more than is owned by the John Muir Trust, the RSPB and the National Trust for Scotland combined.

Mr Stevenson said: "Crossgates Community Woodland is an excellent example of what can be achieved when a local community, with a clear idea of how best to develop land for the benefit of its community, is supported to buy land. And today is an historic day for community land ownership in Scotland. This fund will help more of our rural areas to take control of their own destinies and build the successful, flourishing communities of tomorrow."

Sandra Holmes, Head of Community Assets at HIE, said community buyouts were "an effective and proven rural regeneration model."

To apply, call 0300 123 7110 or email [email protected].

(NE)