ALMOST 160,000 acres of land are now owned by community groups across Argyll and Bute and the Highlands.
A total of 201 groups own 158,477 acres - 124 groups for 142,177 acres in the Highlands and 77 groups for 16,300 acres in Argyll and Bute, according to Scottish Government figures.
The groups use the land to create jobs, increase the provision of local housing and improve community facilities. The land is part of almost 563,000 acres owned by 494 community groups across Scotland.