The future of land management throughout Scotland has received a massive boost with the recruitment of three specialists to the Community Land Unit of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

The appointments, which come in a climate of land reform in the country, have also proven a major boost in bringing welcome employment to Skye and Lochalsh, with all three recruits being posted to the unit's base at Auchtertyre.

Nuala McKay, 27, takes her expertise from the Eilean Ban Trust in Lochalsh to become a land advisor (an existing post) with the Community Land Unit.

Among her many qualities Nuala, who has a degree in Environmental Science, has extensive experience in business management and environmental education.

Munro Gauld, 36, and Donnie Mackay, 39, have also been appointed aftercare officers, two brand new posts, within the unit.

Munro, an associate member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, has a wealth of forestry experience.

He has worked as a development officer for the Reforesting Scotland charity as well as being a woodland officer to the Woodland Trust.  His skills include land law, project management and promoting community ownership of woodlands.

Donnie, a crofter from Elgol in Skye has a degree in archaeology and is a member of the Institute of Field Archaeologists.

He worked for the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments for 15 years, initially as a surveyor and latterly as the enquiry and research services manager.

The Community Land Unit, which has been running for four years, now employs 12 people to assist communities to plan for and also acquire land and land assets.

Scottish Land Fund manager Neil Ross believes the three new recruits will help play a major role within the current political climate of land reform.

He said: "We are delighted to have Nuala, Munro and Donnie on board. They bring with them a vast wealth of experience to benefit community land initiatives.

"Nuala will help bring forward new projects in Skye and Lochalsh, Lochaber, and Tayside, and will also assist communities to apply for funding and assess applications.

"Munro and Donnie are in new roles as after care officers.  They will be involved in the process once land acquisition has been made, assisting communities in areas such as training needs assessment, capacity building, management planning and development projects.  They also have responsibility for monitoring and evaluation of Community Land Unit cases.

"A core aim of the after care process is to facilitate the achievement of long term sustainability for community land initiatives."

Robert Muir, chief executive of Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise, said: "We are delighted that these jobs are being placed in our area.

"It is great news to see professional public service jobs coming to Lochalsh. The appointments also give us a chance to reinforce the message on community land initiatives."