Rural Community Gateway

The crofting system of land tenure in the Highlands and Islands faces a major shake-up in the wake of a report published this week. The Committee of Inquiry into Crofting, chaired by Professor Mark Shucksmith, has recommended the abolition of the Crofters Commission and a radical overhaul of crofting legislation to create a sustainable future for crofting and crofting communities.

The report’s recommendations include:

• Abolition of the Crofters' Commission and the creation of a new Federation of Local Crofting Boards
• All croft houses are tied to residency
• All sub-lets and tenancies should be approved by the Local Crofting Boards
• Registers of Scotland should be responsible for maintaining the register of crofts
• Reviewing agricultural subsidies including Single Farm Payment, the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme and the Crofting Countries Agricultural Grant Scheme

Minister for Environment Michael Russell welcomed what he described as "the most significant report on crofting for the past half century" and congratulated the Committee on the "radical approach" it has taken in outlining its vision for the future of crofting in 21st century Scotland.

Receiving the report during an event in Stornoway, Mr Russell said:
"The committee was asked to consult widely and to report back to Government with radical ideas on shaping the future of crofting. This is precisely what they have done and I congratulate them for it.

"One of our priorities in Government is to support and develop rural communities. Crofting makes a unique and significant contribution to remote rural areas. Crofting delivers environmental benefits and has a pivotal role in the cultural landscape of the Highlands and Islands that is famous across the world.

"But crofting does not exist in global isolation and in safeguarding this heritage we must also ensure that it offers a viable and fulfilling way of life for future generations. The Government will now consider the recommendations of the report carefully and begin its work on a response. I look forward to debating the issues in Parliament later this week."

The Scottish Crofting Foundation (SCF) also warmly welcomed the report. SCF Chairman Neil MacLeod said, “We have waited a long time for this and it has been well worth the wait. Professor Shucksmith and his Committee are to be congratulated on producing such a thorough and radical report at this crucial time. The report echoes many of the policy initiatives pursued by SCF over the last few years, such as on Less Favoured Area support, crofter housing, assistance for younger new entrants, strengthening and simplifying regulation and democratising the regulatory process. An Inquiry such as this only takes place perhaps once in a generation, so we are very pleased to see that the Committee has fully recognised the social, economic and environmental importance of crofting, and we look forward to legislation being brought forward to enact their proposals.”

You can download a copy of the report or watch a video of the main recommendations presented by Professor Mark Shucksmith here.

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