Residents of a Lewis estate have received more than £200,000 from the Scottish Government to help them buy the land they live on.
In February, locals on the Carloway Estate voted for a community buyout.
Now a grant of £207,500 from the Scottish Land Fund has been awarded to help fund the purchase.
The 11,400 acres of land includes the area around the iconic 5,000-year-old Callanish Standing Stones, which are owned by Historic Scotland and not part of the buyout.
The area, home to less than 1,000 people, also includes the famous Dun Carloway, an Iron Age broch.
The estate has an asking price of £180,000. But it is expected that with legal fees and other costs £250,000 will be needed for the buyout.
The bid will be primarily funded through the Scottish Land Fund.
Just over 500 electors on the estate, which is currently owned by the Galloway family, were sent postal ballots in February.
Electors were asked whether they would be in favour of Carloway Estate Trust buying the estate, including the sporting and mineral rights.
In total 254 people were in favour while there were 86 votes against in a turnout of 67.6%. Western Isles Council oversaw the poll.
It was also the first time that 16 and 17 year olds were allowed to vote in a community buyout – mirroring a similar franchise to the Scottish independence referendum.
Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan welcomed the new funding, which was announced by First Minister Alex Salmond yesterday.
Mr Allan said: “This is a very substantial boost for Urras Oighreachd, and all those working hard to ensure that the people on Carloway Estate have control over their own land and future.
“This follows a successful ballot recently in favour of the buyout, and I look forward to working with the community in future to help ensure that their ambitions become a reality.”