Ambitious £40 million plans to build a new village beside Skye's Gaelic college have taken a major step forward with confirmation of a £3m grant from the Scottish Government.

Additional funding of £1m is also being made available for local authorities through the Gaelic Schools Capital Fund to support new or expanded Gaelic-medium education.

The Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (SMO) Gaelic College has been awarded the money to help secure its long-term future and develop the new village of Kilbeg.

The Kilbeg proposals, which include 93 homes, four offices, a shop, cafe-bar and sports pavilion, were given outline planning permission in April 2011.

One of the main aims is to link SMO's two campuses, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands.