A new £25m fund will help build 500 new affordable homes in rural Scotland, according to the Scottish Government.

The Rural Housing Fund is designed to increase the number of affordable houses north of the border by 2019.

It was created as part of the Scottish Government's pledge to build 50,000 new homes over the next five years.

A £4m loan fund offering finance to people who want to build a house in the Highlands was also launched on Friday.

SNP MP Margaret Burgess said: "I’m delighted to announce this new fund today, enabling up to an estimated 500 new homes to be built or refurbished in rural areas.

"Good quality, affordable housing is essential to help attract and retain people in Scotland’s remote and rural communities.

“We are committed to improving lives across all areas of Scotland by making sure homes are affordable, attractive, and warm.

“We know building affordable housing in rural areas presents different challenges compared to urban areas which is why we are ensuring this fund is open to rural interests, including community bodies, private landlords and landowners.”