A community hoping to stage a buyout of a small island has been awarded up to £4.4 million funding to help them make an offer.

North West Mull Community Woodland Company (NWMCWC) hopes to buy the Ulva Estate, valued at £4.2million, which spans 2,000 hectares and includes the Isle of Ulva as well as some land on nearby Mull.

If it also wishes to buy Ardulum House on Ulva the cost would be around £4.5 million.

The Scottish Land Fund (SLF) has announced an award of up to £4,415,200 to enable the community to open negotiations for the purchase.

The community has said its main priority is to attract new residents to the island, where only six people currently live.

NWMCWC, the first group to register interest in an island under the Scottish Government's Community Right to Buy legislation, now has until June 9 to agree terms with the current owner and complete the sale.

Colin Morrison, chairman of NWMCWC, said: "Our top priority is to renovate the existing buildings and provide secure leases for present and new residents and businesses.

"We aim to have 20 or more people living on Ulva within two or three years, rising to as many as 50 or more in time as new houses are built. Social and economic development of Ulva will bring benefits to the neighbouring communities on Mull."

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: "If the purchase is successful, then I'm sure that the people of Ulva, and its surrounding area, will reap the benefits of community ownership for years to come."

Highlands and Island Enterprise, previously awarded NWMCWC £23,363 to investigate the purchase and advised them on their SLF application.