Twenty-four community projects across Scotland are sharing £3,010,576 from the Scottish Land Fund as it celebrates its 25th anniversary with its largest funding round to date.

The projects include a heritage centre on Colonsay, a community estate purchase in Shetland and land for a museum expansion on Lewis.

Colonsay and Oronsay Heritage Trust plans to convert a business unit in Scalasaig into a centre for local history and culture, with a gallery, visitor centre and retail space.

Muckle Roe Community Enterprise has received £293,340 to purchase a crofting estate in Shetland. On Lewis, Comunn Eachdraidh Nis, also known as Ness Historical Society, has been awarded £12,592 to buy four parcels of land so its museum can expand to meet growing demand from residents and visitors.

Since 2001, the fund has invested more than £138m in 955 projects across Scotland, using Scottish Government and National Lottery funding. It has supported the transfer of 853 assets into community ownership, covering 213,803 hectares of land and buildings.

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The assets range from village shops, community centres and crofts to woodlands, pubs, cinemas, historic sites and land for affordable housing. They include the 5,000-year-old Tomb of the Eagles, bought by South Ronaldsay and Burray Development Trust in 2025 with a £357,705 grant.

The fund is financed by the Scottish Government and delivered jointly by The National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs, said: "For 25 years the Scottish Land Fund has helped communities realise their ambitions in providing vital services, protecting treasured landmarks and building sustainability into villages, towns and cities. This round, like so many before it, shows the breadth of ways this can be done – whether through providing much-needed housing, looking after people's wellbeing or creating a focal point to the community.

"It is incredible to see how the fund has supported real change for so many people across Scotland and I look forward to seeing these projects develop and serve their communities. The Scottish Government has provided a total budget of £111m to the Scottish Land Fund since 2012. A huge thank you must also go to staff at the National Lottery Community Fund and HIE, which has administered the fund and worked closely with community groups, helping to ensure it is a success."

Roddy John Campbell, chairperson of Comunn Eachdraidh Nis, said: "The board of Comunn Eachdraidh Nis wish to express their gratitude to the Scottish Land Fund for this award. This will enable us to further develop the centre, ensuring it meets the future needs of the community and visitors to the area."

Sandra Holmes, head of community assets at HIE, said: "The 25th anniversary of the Scottish Land Fund is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the difference community ownership makes across Scotland. Over the years, it has helped communities create jobs, provide affordable housing, safeguard vital local services, and develop new facilities, bringing lasting benefits to people and places."