The Land Reform (Scotland) Act gives crofting communities the right to acquire and control the croft land where they live and work. It decisively changes the balance of power between the crofting community and the landowner. They may also acquire sporting rights, mineral rights and salmon fishing rights.
The major distinguishing feature of the crofting community right to buy is that it is a right which can be exercised at any time. It does not depend on the land being for sale, as under the community right to buy. In effect it is a forced sale and in that respect has something in common with a compulsory purchase.