Voting is now under way to nominate six new commissioners for the Crofting Commission.
Crofters have until March 16 to vote to elect new representatives for the board of the government agency with responsibility for crofting.
A total of 16 candidates are standing for election – three in the east Highlands region, five in the south-west Highlands, four in the west Highlands and two in the Western Isles.
The Caithness and Orkney, and Shetland, regions will not require elections as only one candidate is forward for each constituency.
This means the commissioner for Caithness and Orkney will be Cyril Annal of South Ronaldsay. The commissioner for Shetland will be Andy Holt of Papa Stour.
The Scottish Crofting Federation praised the high number of nominations and said it was a “very positive sign for crofting”.
The federation’s chairman, Russell Smith, said: “The number of people willing to stand as candidates for the forthcoming Crofting Commission elections is very heartening.
“It shows that crofters care about the survival of crofting and the Crofting Commission. There is a resilience within the crofting community and the will to move on.
“We now need a good turnout to vote on March 16, and await the Scottish Government to make the remaining appointment.”
The candidates for the east Highlands region are: Rod Mackenzie of Beauly; Archie Macnab of Orsay, Blairninich; and John McMorran of Balnacoil, Brora.
Candidates for the south-west Highlands are: Ronnie Campbell of Bohuntin, Lochaber; Colin Kennedy of the Isle of Coll; Catherine Mackinnon of Bohuntin; Billy Neilson of Taynault; and Uilleam Smith of Inverness.
Those standing for election in the west Highlands are: Jonathan James Hedges or Rossal, Rogart; Stephen William Love of Laide, Wester Ross; Mairi Mackenzie of Lochbroom, Ullapool; and Peter Donnelly of Portree, Isle of Skye.
The two Western Isles candidates are Alasdair Maceachen of Balivanich, Benbecula, and Iain Maciver of Laxay, Isle of Lewis.
