Some 510 people took up crofting in the year to March 2023.
The figures mark a five-year high and highlights the appeal of the sector, particularly among younger generations.
46% of the new entrants were women while 29% were under the age of 41.
Environment minister, Gillian Martin, welcomed the numbers.
She said: “Attracting and providing opportunities for new crofters is critical to its future.
“It is encouraging to see such a healthy number of new people embracing crofting. This is testament to the vibrancy and potential of this sector, and I am particularly pleased to see more women and young people getting involved.”
Malcolm Matheson, Convenor of the Crofting Commission, commented: “These figures are not just encouraging, they represent a shot in the arm for rural communities facing depopulation challenges.
“It’s clear that crofting continues to offer exciting opportunities for people seeking a rewarding and sustainable lifestyle.”
The Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF) said the figures demonstrate “significant demand” for crofts.
It urged more action to new entrants to access croft land.
SCF chair, Jonathan Hedges, said: “The fact that 29% of these are young crofters is very positive news but there is still much more work to do to increase the availability of crofts to this age group, as well as keeping them affordable, allowing young families to continue to live and work in rural communities.
“We call on the Scottish Government to consider what else can be done to support this progress.”
Growing interest in crofting with over
500 new entrants
8 February 2024