Several Scottish councils have launched a new matchmaking service which will see house-hunters introduced to owners of vacant properties.
The Homes Again Matchmaker service is aimed at buyers searching for a renovation project or investment opportunity and helps them get in touch with property owners.
Housing and homeless charity Shelter Scotland said there are currently 23,000 private properties across the country, including retirement homes, which have been empty for months.
The charity runs the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, which is funded by the Scottish Government and will help the councils run the new service.
Local authorities involved in the project include East Lothian, West Lothian, the Scottish Borders and Fife, but the project could be expanded across the whole of Scotland.
Housing minister Keith Brown said: "The Scottish Government is committed to tackling empty homes. That is why we are funding the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership.
"I welcome this new initiative and hope it is successful in helping to bring more empty homes back into use."
