The Crofter 130

THE CROFTER SCF is dedicated to campaigning for crofters and fighting for the future of crofting AUGUST 2023 Number 130 The scourge Increasingly urban- of bracken based policy making FOR QUITE a number of years, © Martin Benson the Scottish Government has penalised us for having bracken Donald MacKinnon reflects on some of the major When I became chair in January 2021 we on land claimed for the basic payment issues during his time as SCF chair. were still in the middle of a global pandemic, but scheme. It is therefore an irony that the SCF adapted well. With board, council and staff same government has now banned us ON 19 JULY I handed over the reigns spread all over the Highlands and Islands, we from using asulam (Asulox), the most to Johnathan Hedges. It has been were already used to remote working practices. It effective selective herbicide for bracken a privilege to chair the organisation was good to return to internal in-person meetings control. for the last two and half years, through an later that year and even better when we were interesting period for crofting. And it doesn’t once again able to get out and about speaking to We must accept that chemical treatment look like it’s going to get any less interesting! should be a last resort. However a ...Continued on page 2 combination of climate change and poor land management practice means that Crofting ill-suited to the carbon market huge areas of hill ground, and even inbye croft land, are being lost for food production A recent discussion at the Scottish Parliament Cross-Party-Group on Crofting (CPGoC) on crofting and environmental conservation, the latter and carbon demonstrates rapid escalation of the carbon market in Scotland. Already we are seeing because bracken almost always ends up major land-use impacts, says Dr Iain MacKinnon of Camus Cross, Isle of Skye and the University of as a single species desert. Coventry. Read more from page 12 onwards. Within the croft, alternative methods THE SCOTTISH Government strongly carbon emissions. As Alastair McIntosh puts it: of bracken control can be viable. These supports developing the carbon market, “A ton of coal that’s safely locked up carbon in include cutting, flailing and crushing, but but its recent pilot project to draw in £2 the rocks for 300 million years can’t be offset by effective suppression can take many years. billion private investment is widely criticised, planting a tree that may or may not still be there Introduction of pigs can be very effective, including for potentially negative land reform in 100 years’ time.” combined with the above methods, and impacts. worked rotationally with electric fencing. Crofting seems particularly ill-suited to the Carbon offsetting is counterproductive in carbon market. Crofting Commission lawyer Bracken has its uses too, as a valuable reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in the David Findlay’s presentation to the CPGoC compost material when harvested green or timescale required by the climate crisis. It allows exposed the limited nature of crofters’ rights as animal bedding when cut brown and dry. corporations to continue polluting, while using in common grazings, particularly in relation to credits as a way of green-washing their ongoing The huge and worsening bracken ...Continued on page 12 problem is on hill ground, where it’s usually too steep and rocky to permit mechanical control. Many crofters will know that gathering sheep amongst tall bracken is a total nightmare. Added to that is the increasing problem of ticks in many highland and island areas. Bracken litter is a favoured breeding habitat for these creatures with their well-known human health risk. The decision has been taken, so what can be done now? On croft inbye, the government, through the Crofting Commission, needs to ensure active occupation and proper land management (let’s not hold our breath on that). To save the hills, there needs to be an incentive to reintroduce cattle, as the loss of cattle from hill grazing seems to be in proportion to the advance of bracken. INSIDE • Future agricultural • The big issues • Meet our new chair and THIS support • Wool processing new board members ISSUE • Donald’s hortiblog • Crofting and carbon • Grass ceiling feature … and much more

2 THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 Message from the new chair... Jonathan Hedges Our new SCF chair, Jonathan Hedges, introduces the tenancy of a bare land croft in Rogart from a part-time business, often in remote areas. If himself. former SCF chair Alistair Maciver sixteen years crofts have machinery, it tends to be smaller and ago. It was Alistair who first took me along to an older. If something breaks, you will usually mend ITOOK OVER as chair of the SCF at our SCF meeting – a presentation on the Shucksmith it yourself. More work is done by hand, or on foot. board meeting on 19th July. report. I became a member and more involved There might be some inputs, be it feed or fertilizer, I would like to thank Donald, our previous from there. but generally less than a larger agricultural unit. chair, for his an excellent work over the past two and a bit years. He is one of the many people who We arrived as practical people, having lived on There might be a variety of livestock who are volunteer their own time to make the SCF what it the west coast for seven years previously. It was often known by name and maybe some crops is. My thanks to the rest of you as well. amazing to finally get a tenancy and live in an on the better ground. However some ground is active crofting parish. We have ended up with a too rough and might just be grazed occasionally. I am relatively new to crofting, having taken on fairly regular croft, in some ways. We have sheep, produce meat and wool, cut hay, have hens and So a low input, high nature value, high animal have had a few pigs. welfare, resilient agricultural unit, using marginal land whilst retaining rural populations. This is But there are a lot more trees and wildlife here good, because this is what our future support now. Not everywhere, no big tree schemes, just payments will want us to provide. around the edges. With minimal inputs, we’ve done a bit at a time – and there’s always more We are also going to need to make do with less to do. as a society, as we cannot continue to grow the economy forever on a finite planet. Traditionally, After several years in caravan we finally built crofters are used to making do with what they a house, with the aid of the CHGS, thank you. have got. I believe this will serve us well again. My main job is as postie in Rogart and around Sutherland. I also do some bits of contracting, I believe that crofting is fit for the future and it is chainsaw and estate work, as well as being the job of the SCF to represent this. We are also involved with the community council and Rogart here to represent you. Development Trust. So if I have any of this wrong, I am sure you Crofting is a unique regulated system, but will let me know. I look forward to discussing it can seem at odds with the last 40 years of free with you all. Please get in touch and get involved. markets and big business. Changes afoot Crofts may vary in size, but are generally HAVING LED SCF for over two Increasingly urban- years, Donald MacKinnon’s term as the organisation’s chair ended based policy making last month. ...Continued from page 1 Patrick Krause, Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Donald He will continue as a director on the SCF MacKinnon at the Royal Highland Show board and as chair of the our agriculture and crofters, with public meetings from Shetland to environment working group. He will continue Benbecula and many places in between. Meeting With the new agricultural policy still in to represent SCF and crofting on the crofters and learning about the diversity of the development and a crofting bill planned for this Scottish Government’s Agriculture Reform system has been my favourite part of being chair. parliament, it is a critical time for crofters and for Implementation Oversight Board, the crofting. These policy decisions will affect us for Crofting Bill Group and the group monitoring Access to crofts and in particular the price of many years to come and SCF must be there progress of the National Development Plan crofts came to fore in the midst of the pandemic. to guide the policy-makers and make sure that for Crofting, so we haven’t lost his many Obscenely high prices offered for crofts across crofters are listened to. This is no easy task but advocacy talents. the Highlands and Islands meant little chance of it is a challenge that I am confident our excellent young people and new entrants able to compete SCF team of staff, board and council, led by the Jonathan Hedges takes over from for new opportunities. This became a campaigning new chair, will rise to. Donald. Jonathan has been on the SCF issue for SCF, leading to numerous discussions board for four years and knows our business with the Crofting Commission and others. It is I thoroughly enjoyed my time as chair, not well, having been involved in many of our essential for the future of our communities that least that spent with working with Patrick Krause. working groups. He is a great lateral thinker crofting is effectively regulated and speculation Drawing on his wisdom and knowledge was and a strong advocate for crofting and for on croft land is brought to a halt. invaluable. He has given an immense amount to SCF. the organisation and to crofting in his time as chief The climate emergency and biodiversity crisis executive and I wish him very well for the future. After twenty years as chief executive of have dominated public policy in this period. the SCF, Patrick Krause will step down at Rightly so; these priorities are to the fore across the end of October to make more time for all areas of government. But we are increasingly personal interests and work as a freelance, aware of silo thinking in government with a focus aiming to still help in the promotion of on meeting climate and biodiversity targets at all crofting. Recruitment is underway and the costs, without full consideration for the unintended new chief executive will be announced in consequences of policy outcomes. This been at due course. its most stark in rural policy where we are seeing the encouragement of nature-based finance Many of you will have had personal leading to inflation of the land market, the now contact with Sandra Lindsay, our office infamous HPMA proposals and of course in the and membership administrator for the last new agricultural policy. On all of these issues, the seven years. Sandra has recently left SCF importance of SCF providing a strong voice for to care for her mother and we will miss her crofters has been demonstrated. But this trend enthusiasm, dedication, wit and good sense. has shown the value of SCF as a voice for rural and peripheral communities against increasingly Running the office will be the responsibility urban-based policy making. of the very capable Erin Matheson, a crofter from just outside Kyle, who has worked for SCF on membership and finance for four years. Erin will be assisted by a new face, Krystie Wright, a crofter from Lochcarron. More about Krystie on page 26.

THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 3 © 2010 Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Scottish Parliament chamber Scottish Parliament group discusses crofting law reform and learns about carbon trading in a crofting context THE LAST meeting of the Cross-Party commission and another administrative chore streamline the enforcement of duties section in Group on Crofting (CPGoC) was held for crofters. The need for grazings committees the act. in June, looking at carbon credits and to report on crofts will be removed but a report trading (see our focus on pages 12-14) and on grazings will remain. In addition to the 42 issues, the commission is crofting law. to propose additional changes to make crofting Use of common grazings for other regulation less onerous for crofters and the Michael Nugent from the Scottish Government purposes. Section 5C of the act allows a tenant commission. SCF is pushing that these proposals gave an update on crofting law reform. Work to seek landlord consent to do something on the should be beneficial to the crofting system – from the last parliamentary session was brought croft that is not cultivation. If the landlord refuses, closing some of the loopholes exploited to the forward, with 42 issues and proposals to go in a the crofter can ask the commission to decide. detriment of crofting. bill before parliament this session. The bill group It is intended to introduce something similar for reached consensus on 25 of the 42. Seven further common grazings. Section 50B allows crofters Next steps: issues are under consideration, for consensus in to undertake work on common grazings other The remaining issues will be discussed this year the coming months. The remaining ten issues will than agriculture and woodlands. The proposal and consensus sought. There is commitment to be discussed this year. is to amend this, so if shareholders want to do see the bill through in this parliamentary session. something outside the scope of normal activities, The decision when will be taken in the context of Some examples of issues discussed: such as habitat restoration, they can go to the other legislative priorities and announced in the The power to grant owner-occupier status. landlord for consent. If the landlord refuses they programme for government. Under various historical circumstances, some can then go to the commission for a decision. A consultation will focus on the 42 listed issues, croft owners effectively became owners of That decision could be appealed to the Land plus additions raised by the Crofting Commission. vacant crofts, theoretically challengeable by the Court. This would be in line with crofter forestry Timing is yet to be confirmed. Crofters and the Crofting Commission to put a tenant in place. process, where the landlord is involved but does wider public will be informed on the bill group’s There should be a mechanism for landholders/ not necessarily have the final say. position on each issue, before they input to the owner-occupiers to apply to the commission, consultation. who would be given power to correct the status The need for the commission to link a The commission also led discussion on of such crofters, where the necessary evidence decrofting application with adherence to their development team and the Scottish Land is provided, enabling the crofter to be registered crofting duties. This provision needs tightening Matching Service bringing together those with as an owner-occupier crofter. This should assist up to make it easier for the commission to refuse unused crofts and those looking to enter crofting. in encouraging active use of croft land and allow in certain circumstances, such as repeated More on this to follow. many crofters access to grant schemes which applications and breach of one or more duties. Minutes of the meetings can be found on they don’t currently have. the Scottish Parliament website. If you wish to Reporting duties. The annual notice (census) A couple of the issues remaining under attend a CPGoC meeting (which can be accessed to be at least once every three years. An annual consideration include: online) please let HQ know. notice is overly resource-intensive for the A standard security provision to enable security to be granted over a croft tenancy; and www.crofting.org

4 THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 Fairer payment system for crofters and other small producers IN JUNE, The Land Worker’s Alliance (LWA), © Martin Benson hosted a webinar on a fairer payment system for crofters and other small producers top to free up budget to reinvest in smaller units. how crofters access support at the moment and in Scotland, organised by the Scottish Ruth Alston-Shaw spoke about her some of the flaws in the current system. He Agroecology Action Group (SAAG), of which explained that crofters have many of the same SCF is a member. experiences of trying to navigate the agricultural fixed costs as larger farms but get significantly payments system as a new-entrant small farmer. less support. Addressing this will be key to the LWA’s Tara Wright chaired the meeting, with She found the system to be stacked against units future viability of many crofting businesses and invited speakers including agricultural consultant of her type, with schemes not taking account redistribution could help achieve it. and good friend of crofting, Gwyn Jones, Ruth of diversified business models and being far Alston-Shaw, a regenerative farmer from too rigid. She explained how getting into the It seems that support for redistribution is Dumfries and Galloway and SCF chair Donald agricultural environment climate scheme was increasing and SCF will continue to push for MacKinnon. transformational for her businesses. this as the new agricultural policy is developed. The focus was that redistributive payments Finally, Donald spoke about the crofting context, should be included in tier 1 of the new agricultural payments system. SAAG has been making the case for support for small producers and calling for 30% of the direct payment budget to be used to increase the payment for the first hectares, through a flat-rate uplift. Increasing the payment rate on the first hectares claimed would better realise the needs of crofters and other small producers. One of the arguments for the introduction of redistribution is the Scottish Government’s stated commitment to EU alignment, with redistribution now mandatory under the new CAP. In his presentation, Gwyn Jones explored the European context and how the new CAP is supporting smaller producers. Gwyn explained the various tools that are being used, picking up on front loading of payments in some Irish examples. This pointed towards redistributive measures being best placed to deliver meaningful results in Scotland, including the use of degressive payments and capping at the 10% diQsucootVeualid“nuCnttrilo3o1fstntO1oc”toubfreor r220x232 chill unit Game Cooling System UK Ltd For the best  
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THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 5 Crofting brings significant benefits THE DIVERSITY of Scottish agriculture under a new agriculture© Martin Benson policy and legal reforms bill. We emphasised the importance relevant to crofting peat, but did emphasise – for future reforms – of crofting for areas of HNV value was evident this spring, as recognition of the importance of domestic use and for crofter-led development of a SCF responded to a series for heating, due to the high levels of fuel poverty future HNV scheme. SCF has been of consultations, including on in parts of the crofting counties. invited to meet the cabinet secretary highly protected marine areas, in September to discuss our proposals community wealth building, future The full responses to the consultations can be for HNV. grant support for forestry and found on our website. ending the sale of peat. SCF was asked to provide written SCF supported the cross-party group on evidence to Scottish Parliament’s SCF’s responses benefited from crofting view on common grazings under the new rural affairs and islands committee the wide expertise of our agriculture agriculture bill. We emphasised the importance of on the wildlife management and and environment working group. common grazings in delivering for nature, climate muirburn bill. The absence of crofting Although consultation topics were and social outcomes, but raised concerns on the from key documents that underpin the varied, common messages across lack of Scottish Government consideration of how new legislation has been a significant consultations were clear. Crofting proposed measures like enhanced conditionality concern for SCF and we emphasised brings significant community benefits, will work for common grazings. We called for a co- the need for designing and implementing produces local and sustainable food, design strategy specifically for common grazings, new regulations with crofting in mind. fuel and fibre; and preserves cultural to involve grazings committees and shareholders Proposals to introduce licensing requirements heritage and traditional skills including through across the crofting counties. for muirburn – which would include any use cooperative work. of fire to control vegetation apart from stubble Additionally, SCF wrote to the cabinet secretary burning – could disproportionally impact crofters. We also highlighted the increasing disconnect to call for support for High Nature Value (HNV) SCF supports mandatory training as a way to between environmental and social policy ensure best practice and protect biodiversity and outcomes and the undervalued potential of mitigate climate risks, but opposes licensing. We small-scale land use to deliver for nature, climate cited research that such requirements have not and community. SCF emphasised the need led to better compliance in other countries. We for supporting diversified land tenure and the also called for a funded muirburn alternatives opportunity to bring the Crofting Commission into programme to better support other land a community wealth framework to better regulate management approaches such as grazing. SCF crofts for their community benefits. is working with a researcher to better understand fire use in the crofting counties and crofters’ views Our response on future forestry grant support on the regulatory proposals. addressed the specific needs of small-scale and This autumn and next spring, we are also part-time foresters and the need for minimum hoping to run outreach events on muirburn and payments and greater flexibility in eligibility for changes in the legislation, in cooperation with the capital items, review of threshold for usage and Scottish Wildfire Forum. a focus on local processing. SCF did not oppose restrictions on selling Redistributive payments It’s time to catch up with the EU Wales was one of ten EU © Mara Morris and Wales, writes Gwyn Jones of administrations which decided The European Forum on Nature to use this mechanism back in Some of Gwyn’s cattle implementation would rather focus Conservation and Pastoralism, a 2014-20, when it was a voluntary resources on the smallest holdings, Europe-wide network which raises measure; Scotland decided not have chosen to increase only up to by paying high rates on the first awareness of the importance of low- to use it despite the superficial the 30ha and by a relatively trivial hectare, for example. intensity farming. recognition of crofting in every policy amount. statement. CRISS rules allow for just that UNLIKE SCOTLAND, Wales, When it comes to the real approach: the payment can be which voted for Brexit, isn’t Since Brexit, the EU has diseconomies of scale, treating delivered in bands, with rates trying to follow EU rules as embarked on a new CAP – the one everyone up to 30ha (or 54ha) as differing between each in any way part of a plan to get back in easily that Scotland claims to be following – if they have the same challenges which the member state can justify. when the opportunity arises. and in that one the Complementary is a nonsense, while the marginal Redistributive Income Support for difference between 30 and 31 or 54 So, Scotland – get complying! But in one aspect at least, Wales’s Sustainability (CRISS) is mandatory and 55 ha is trivial. [email protected] agricultural payments are more as a default. aligned with the EU’s than Scotland; A really crofter-friendly and that’s when it comes to CRISS must be given to the first a redistributive element in 30ha, but can also be made the direct payments. available up to the average farm size. The size of the Your correspondent not CRISS payment is up to only gets the universal the member state, but it BPS rate of £123 on each must justify its decisions in of his nine point something the light of CAP objectives hectares, but also another etc in its strategic plan. £112 from the redistributive Member states can element, a top up available choose to implement a on the first 54 ha of any claim (54 ha being the average claimed harder or softer version. Wales area in Wales when the rules were chose to increase payments for established). everyone up to the average, and by quite a lot, but it could equally

6 THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 Outcome-based approaches SCF’s policy coordinator Miranda Geelhoed other words, nature and climate become part eg wood areas. reports on a visit to the west coast of Ireland. of a producer’s economic equation. There are “POBAS has been a fascinating learning important lessons from Ireland and it is crucial OUTCOME-BASED approaches to agri- that Scottish Government takes note of what is journey,” she said. “We gained a deeper cultural payments reward producers done elsewhere. appreciation of what goes on beneath our feet on for outcomes they achieve on their the croft, from identifying wild thyme and St John’s land. SCF has been engaging with NatureScot’s Wort to taking heed of encroaching thistles from a work on POBAS, Piloting an Outcomes Based neighbouring croft. It taught us to look down and In Ireland, ten different scorecards rate the Approach in Scotland, although government’s identify what we saw. Another plus is working with condition of a variety of habitats such as peatland, focus has shifted to a biodiversity audit app. At a people who have in-depth knowledge of ecology grassland and rough grazings. Criteria include the recent NatureScot farm visit, SCF emphasised and nature. We are huddling over cow pats ecological and hydrological integrity of the field the need for outcome-based approaches to be looking for and identifying dung beetles (three (eg vegetation structure, positive indicators) and an integral part of a new agricultural framework different varieties) with a NatureScot botanist/ evidence of threats (eg erosion and bracken). and to actively explore what is required to make ecologist. I told a crofter neighbour what we had Producers can claim up to €7,000 based on a outcome-based payments a reality for crofters been doing, poking about cow pats, and said result-based score and €3,500 for non-productive and farmers in Scotland, taking lessons from work anyone passing would think we had gone mad. investments and landscape actions that could in Ireland, but also from POBAS pilots in Lewis, His retort, with a big grin, was ‘They wouldn’t be allow them to improve their score in the next Harris and Skye. far wrong.’ scoring round. SCF board member Yvonne White’s croft “There were also frustrating times when the It was incredibly insightful to see outcome- in north east Skye has been part of the pilot app did not completely live up to its potential. based approaches in action. This type of POBAS initiative for three years, now developed Once fully developed, I believe that the app will support could give crofters more autonomy into the biodiversity audit pilot. The first stage prove invaluable in the new agricultural reform, to make land management decisions with is primarily about testing the scoring app and where biodiversity audits are one of many local nature and climate-outcomes in mind. In scoring the condition of different croft habitats, prerequisites to get support payments.” SCF takes crofting to the Royal Highland Show Beth Rose, Scottish Crofting Produce project officer, at the SCF stand THE SCF stand at the Royal on what budget is available, how • a whole farm plan will include Scottish Government’s Route Map Highland Show had huge mechanisms will be tailored for soil testing, animal health contains more information on what numbers visiting – crofters, smaller producers and how crofters, and welfare, carbon audits, will change from 2025. officials, politicians, our friends who manage huge areas of high biodiversity audits and in other rural organisations nature value agricultural land, will be supported business planning; We were very happy that and people supporting crofting supported to deliver public goods. Scottish Forestry is to introduce values. The tide is turning and • protections for peatlands and new measures to its Forestry everyone knows that a more The new conditions are said wetlands to help farmers restore Grant Scheme, aimed at boosting sustainable way of using our land to be aimed at helping more of these vital habitats to sequester agroforestry in Scotland. The action and producing our food has to be Scotland’s farmers and crofters cut more carbon; is a direct result of joint working with taken; it is the time for crofting. emissions and help tackle climate agricultural stakeholders, including change. The criteria will also support • new conditions to the Scottish SCF, on the Trees on Farms The announcement given by rural farmers and crofters to meet more Suckler Beef Support Scheme group. It looks like the scheme affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon of our food needs sustainably and to help cut emissions intensity will entertain projects integrating on the new conditions for farming protect nature. From 2025 farmers and make beef production more livestock with trees, something we support payments, to be introduced and crofters will be required to adopt efficient. have campaigned on for a long time. from 2025, fell short of any detail the following practices to qualify: Whilst it also does not have details, an updated version of the

THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 7 THE BIG ISSUES The final solution to address such issues. For instance, the claim that tenants and owner-occupier crofters are now John Toal reflects on a major issue that has never had reckoned that its proposals, and the rigorous treated the same under crofting legislation is not been addressed in previous crofting legislation enforcement of the requirement to reside on and true. There is no regulatory scrutiny of the transfer and how it is shaping up to be “resolved” this time. work crofts, should make many more crofts of owned crofts. That could be remedied. The available for new entrants at realistic prices. If status of owner-occupier crofter could be subject IT WAS 15 years in May since the the alternative to this has worked, the evidence to the same requirements as the assignation of a publication of the Committee of Inquiry on should now be apparent. croft tenancy. Anyone can buy a croft, but it could Crofting (Shucksmith) Report. Following be a requirement to apply for owner-occupier comprehensive consultation, the report The Crofting Commission introduced the duties status either in advance of or after purchase. If it provided an unchallenged analysis of the legislation in 2015 along with the annual notice is not obtained, then the croft should be let. This crofting situation in the first decade of the 21st that all croft tenants and owner-occupier crofters would make a difference and ensure meaningful century. are obliged to return. Noticeably, less than 60% regulation. returned the most recent one. Unfortunately, some of the issues identified As the commission itself highlighted in its remain pertinent and unresolved today. In Retired crofting lawyer Derek Flyn commented 2022 policy plan, there are criteria that it must particular, the report noted: “Sales of crofts and that the commission immediately softened the take account of beyond ensuring that a croft will croft tenancies was the second most popular area process by calling it a census. And far from be occupied and worked when assessing croft identified for greater regulation in our survey, with any rigorous enforcement of the legislative assignation applications. Among others, these two-thirds of crofters feeling that there should framework, it was worked around, as is evident include the interests of the crofting community be restrictions on sales or transfers of crofts.” from the dearth of relevant actions recorded in the and its sustainable development. The commission While not accepting the radical but controversial commission’s annual reports. If these proposals advised that in doing so it would be considering Shucksmith proposals, the government had any chance of working in theory, they were the bigger picture. Asked earlier this year what essentially side-stepped this issue and provided given little chance in practice. measures were being used to achieve this, the no meaningful alternative in its 2010 Crofting responses appeared vague. Reform Act. The owner-occupier crofter status itself has created more problems than it has resolved. For A more recent commission board paper Instead the proper-occupier proposal ejected instance, it is now possible for an estate to buy makes reference to the board having separately from the 2005-06 bill was dressed up and re- back crofts that have previously been purchased indicated it is dubious of the merits of regulating presented as that of owner-occupier crofter. from it and, if the conditions of owner-occupier assignations. Given the regulator’s apparent Tenants and owner-occupier crofters would have crofter are fulfilled, there is no obligation to let the reluctance to regulate what the current act the same crofting duties, which the commission crofts. They can be retained in-hand and used requires of it, there is little confidence in it seeing would have to enforce. The Shucksmith Report along with other farmland. any bigger picture and promoting regulation of owner-occupier crofter transfers. A proposed crofting bill provides the opportunity Contrastingly, consideration of standard securities that would allow for borrowing on croft tenancies continues to be a possibility. This was a Shucksmith recommendation to prevent the need to decroft for borrowing. Proposed in 2009, it was concluded that there was little demand for the provision. In the 2017 proposals it was considered the lowest priority by consultation respondents. Despite this it has been worked up by the Scottish Government, although the primary purpose now appears to be to enable prospective new entrants to borrow to purchase a tenancy rather than to prevent decrofting. That may be considered helpful, and could be within a controlled market, but within an open market it is unlikely to make a difference. It does, however, offer a simple solution to the issue of sales or transfers of crofts. It can/will be argued that aspirant crofters within crofting localities will have the opportunity to secure borrowing on the croft tenancy and the issue of croft sales and transfers can finally be put to bed. This will further embed the open market within the crofting system and crofting within the overall property market. In reality the cheque book will become the real crofting regulator, if it is not already. When the impact of an unfettered free market was raised during the progress of the 2005 crofting bill, Professor Jim Hunter made the point to the parliamentary committee that, left to its own devices, it would eventually be hugely destructive to the crofting system. He stated that the point of having that system is to provide social goods for society, but if identical forces operating outside the crofting system are simply allowed to operate in it, there is not much point in having a crofting system. Has crofting just gone round in a vicious circle over this period of time, to end up where some wanted it to be all along and moving towards a deregulated future?

8 THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 I would like the gentleman As featured on BBC Alba, who was very kind to me Reporting Scotland and Sunday Politics Scotland on the Sunday afternoon of 01599 230 300 the Royal Highland Show [email protected] croftinglaw.com to please contact me. inksters.com Virginia (07748092607) RHODA GRANT MSP ,ŝŐŚůĂŶĚƐΘ/ƐůĂŶĚƐZĞŐŝŽŶĂůD^W;^ĐŽƫƐŚ>ĂďŽƵƌͿ ConƐƟƚƵĞnƚƐ͛TĞůĞƉŚonĞ^ƵrŐĞry ;ƵƌŝŶŐWĂƌůŝĂŵĞŶƚĂƌLJ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶƐͿ tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJϭ͘ϯϬƉŵͲϮ͘ϯϬƉŵ 0131 348 5766 ƌŚŽĚĂ͘ŐƌĂŶƚ͘ŵƐƉΛƉĂƌůŝĂŵĞŶƚ͘ƐĐŽƚ WKŽdžϱϳϭϳ͕/ŶǀĞƌŶĞƐƐ/sϭϭzd ǁǁǁ͘ƌŚŽĚĂŐƌĂŶƚ͘ŽƌŐ͘ƵŬ

THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 9 © Martin Benson Letter to Deemed crofts explained the Editor Brian Inkster of Inksters Solicitors explains a the croft has been transferred to. Dear Madam complex subject. An owner/occupied croft can be held in two or I’m wriƟng to correct an impression that THE CROFTING Federation often receives more names whereas a deemed croft cannot. may inadvertently have been conveyed by queries about deemed crofts. So that often means if, say, spouses own a croft the sentence “CriƟcally for this case, there Comments include: “Deemed crofts are jointly only one of them can be elected to hold the is no Ɵme limit during which the interest very misunderstood or not understood at all in right to the deemed croft. must be transferred,” appearing in Brian general and it is a bit of a legal minefield.” “It is Inkster’s arƟcle Succession to croŌs and the over-complication of crofting that is hard for Purchasing a deemed croft Ɵme limits revisited in the April ediƟon people.” of The CroŌer, that the Ɵme limits to be If your deemed croft is an apportionment and observed following the death of a croŌing This article will try to explain in simple, and you have not yet purchased your croft tenancy tenant no longer apply in consequence of a hopefully understandable, terms what a deemed from the landlord, then you only have the right to recent court case. croft is and the various issues that arise from purchase that deemed croft at the same time as having one. There has been a dramatic increase purchasing the croft tenancy if the apportionment The two-year deadline from the death to in recent years in the number of crofts listed on is contiguous or adjacent to the croft. complete the formaliƟes of transfer of a the Register of Crofts due to that register now tenancy to a successor absolutely does sƟll including deemed crofts. If you are purchasing your croft tenancy for apply. the first time, you can request that the landlord Deemed crofts are, essentially, simply conveys the grazing shares to you as a heritable Failure to observe it could result in the shares in the common grazing which in certain right. If they agree, then no deemed croft will be tenancy being lost despite the security of circumstances, to manage their legal status, created, but the grazing shares will instead form tenure normally enjoyed by croŌing. become deemed crofts. a heritable part and pertinent to your croft title. The recent Paƫnson v Matheson case, it When is it a deemed croft and when is it not? This practice is common in Shetland but very is true, throws a lifeline to croŌing tenants uncommon elsewhere in the crofting counties. who may have missed the deadline in Whilst you hold your croft in tenancy, with There is no obligation for landlords to agree and certain (but not all) circumstances. But associated shares in a common grazing, there you cannot compel them. If they refuse you can don’t let yourself get in to the situaƟon of is no deemed croft involved. only purchase the croft, whilst the grazing shares having to reach for lifelines! will become a deemed croft with a rent attributed If however you apportion your shares in to it. The advice remains the same as it always the common grazing then your apportionment was – aŌer the death of a croŌing tenant, becomes a deemed croft. If you purchase your If you have already purchased your croft and his/her family should seek legal advice croft from the landlord but the grazing shares are the grazing shares and/or apportionment(s) are about how to protect the tenancy without not included as a heritable right, which is more held as deemed croft(s) then there is no right delay. That is true even if the deceased often than not the case, then your right in the to purchase those deemed croft(s) unless the tenant had no other assets requiring legal common grazings becomes a deemed croft. landlord agrees. input to pass on. Consequences of creating a deemed croft Crofting law reform and deemed crofts Yours sincerely The deemed croft on a subsequent sale of your Some concern has been expressed about the Neil King owner/occupied croft then requires an assignation fact that if common grazing shares have been ReƟred solicitor (with the consent of the Crofting Commission) to separated from the croft and became a deemed the purchaser. croft then they can be transferred independently of the croft. The Scottish Government’s Crofting As the deemed croft has, in effect, been Law Bill Group is currently exploring those separated legally from the croft as a separate concerns. The question of whether such shares entity, it can also be dealt with separately and should and can attach permanently to the croft is transferred to a different person from the one that under consideration.

10 THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 T: 01806 335577 EILIDH ROSS E: [email protected] Crofting Law Specialist www.polycrub.co.uk Developed 13 years ago. Experienced advice and assistance on all matters of crofting law. Great for growing, storage Complex and/or contentious matters welcome. For crofters, prospective crofters, law firms, grazings or small livestock. committees, sheep stock clubs, private companies and others. CAGS compliant. visit www.camus.scot ůĂƐĚĂŝƌůůĂŶD^W E: [email protected] T: 07876 513404 All enquiries welcome Camus Consulting, c/o Auction Mart ŽŶƐƟƚƵĞŶĐLJKĸĐĞ͗ Humberston, Bailechaul Road. Dingwall, Ross-shire. IV15 9TP 20 Kenneth Street, Stornoway Isle of Lewis HS1 2DR KĸĐĞŽƉĞŶ͗Mon, Wed, Fri 10am-3pm E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 01851 700357 ǁǁǁ͘ĂůĂƐĚĂŝƌĂůůĂŶ͘ƐĐŽƚ IMPROVE FLOCK PERFORMANCE WITH OUR 3 STEP SHEEP BUCKETS BOOSTS SCANNING SUPPORTS FORAGE REDUCES THE RISK OF PERCENTAGES DIGESTION TWIN LAMB DISEASE IMPROVES FOOT HELPS RETAIN HEALTH HELPS LAMBS STAND POSITIVE BODY CONDITION AND SUCKLE QUICKER SUPPORTS EARLY IMPROVES COLOSTRUM EPIGENETIC EFFECT FOETAL GROWTH AND LAMB GROWTH Speak to your Harbro specialist or [email protected] harbro.co.uk visit your local Harbro Country Store

THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 11 Crofting Commission Area Representatives THE CROFTING Commission’s as- Argyll Rhona Robinson Shetland Johnina Henderson sessors have played an important role East Mainland Richard Macdonald between the commission and local Lewis & Harris Donnie MacDonald Shetland Leonard Wishart crofting since 1955. During this time the role Lewis & Harris John MacAulay changed significantly, so the role title has Lewis & Harris James Macarthur Skye Ian G MacDonald been changed to Crofting Commission Area Lewis & Harris John Murdo Matheson Representatives (CCAR), to better reflect its Lewis & Harris Kevin Adams Skye Charles Culbertson function. Lewis & Harris Norman Macdonald Shetland Andy Holt Uist & Barra Seonag MacRury On 1st June the Commission appointed 19 Shetland Edwin Gifford representatives on a three-year term. They have West Mainland Alison Beaton experience of active crofting, good knowledge of crofting and its associated issues and live West Mainland Andrew Hunter in the crofting counties. It is intended that they will provide a valuable link between the West Mainland Cara Cameron commission and crofting communities, sharing information locally and signposting crofters to the West Mainland Jerry Purvis commission’s and other services. To find out more information about the role of CCAR please visit the commission website ww.crofting.scotland.gov.uk To contact your area representative please email: [email protected]. Digital application system launch THE CROFTING COMMISSION recently HPMA proposals scrapped announced the launch of its digital application after strong opposition system for a range of its application types, after a period of testing and evaluation. SCF TOOK a firm stance against back generations. Scottish Government proposals to The proposals failed to take into account Crofters and their agents can now apply online digitally restrict almost all types of human for assignations, decroftings, sublets and divisions. The activities in 10% of Scottish seas and potential knock-on effects including impacts process has been designed to be simple, efficient and emphasised the importance of low-impact on crofting’s potential to deliver many rural inclusive. With more application types moving to a digital fishing and seaweed harvesting for policy outcomes such as population retention, version over the coming months, it is the best way to make crofters in coastal and island communities. language and cultural heritage, local food a crofting regulatory application. production and the environment. The At the end of June Màiri McAllan, cabinet proposals failed to recognise that humans The system allows completion of an application, at an secretary for net zero and just transition, make up a key part of these ecosystems and applicant’s own pace, from almost any internet-connected announced that plans for designating Highly are part of the solution. device. The intuitive wizard makes sure crofters or their Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) in Scottish agents get the correct form for what they want to do every seas have been scrapped. The government’s move to scrap the time and never have to worry about an application being HPMA proposals shows what can happen rejected. The built-in validation makes sure that no vital With crofting essentially a part-time when rural communities come together. SCF information is missed, which can lead to lengthy delays activity, and households relying on income values the fact that Ms McAllan listened to when using traditional paper forms. The system is being derived in many cases from complementary those living on islands and in coastal areas, improved all the time with new features, such as the marine-based employment in sectors such but the proposals should never have got to ability to view the real-time progress of any submitted as fishing and aquaculture, a loss of local this point in the first place. application form, which is coming soon. employment opportunities would have a devastating impact on crofting communities. Involving local people through community- If applicants prefer to fill in a paper form, or have led conservation should now be the priority already started one, they can upload this and submit it to The direct link between small-scale and and sustainable use should be actively the commission digitally, to take advantage of the instant, low-impact activities on land and sea goes encouraged and supported. guaranteed receipt. The commission encourages all crofters or their agents to apply via the Crofting Commission website to complete their digital applications, to ensure the fastest, most secure application and to minimise the risk of any unnecessary delays.

12 THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 CROFTING AND CARBON Crofting ill-suited to the carbon market ...Continued from page 1 “three biggest losers in the solutions geared for powerful actors already Scottish carbon market – heavily implicated in creating the climate crisis. peatland projects. A landlord is already seeking rural communities, tenants Instead, as Andy Wightman argued, governments legal opinion as to whether grazings can be could use a range of policy instruments to compel resumed for carbon developments. and crofters” urgent remedial action. Professor Mark Reed identified three biggest losers, but are nevertheless sold as necessary Perhaps the work of the losers in this lucrative losers in the Scottish carbon market – rural for the great transition. The part of policy is to market is not to jostle for a better position, but to communities, tenants and crofters. However, if mitigate harmful effects. question whether the whole net-zero economic the market is as ineffective in sequestering carbon stable requires a thorough clear-out. as academic studies suggest, we might be adding Scotland seems to be offering attractive, another big loser: planet earth and its ecological arguably ineffective, market-based policy The legal requirement, that carbon systems. developments must be permanent, locks future generations into the decisions of individual The carbon market has been embraced landowners of this generation. Once again, politically, despite its questionable effectiveness. crofting finds itself shoe-horned into a world view In this new order, seismic rural, social and land that threatens its relationship to the land and its use shocks may be painful and unfair for the underlying dùthchas. Carbon credits in the crofting context Peatland restoration is being engineered to turn a profit through the mechanism of carbon credits. Ewan Jenkins, a research fellow at the School of Sustainable Development and Geography at the University of St Andrews, looks at the issues for crofters. REGISTERING peatlands with the © Martin Benson Peatland Code involves calculating carbon emissions both pre-restoration • whether shareholders in the common And that’s just for starters. and post-restoration across a specified site. grazings are entitled to 50% of the revenue Answers are needed before any changes in the The differences between these two totals (if restoration is a form of development); current financial structures of restoration delivery. are the avoided emissions the restoration It’s time to get honest about carbon credits in the accomplishes, represented by a quantity • whether they are responsible for the crofting context – and explore alternative ways of 1tCO2e – a tonne of carbon dioxide management of what has become a of delivering peatland restoration at a scale equivalent – which is awarded as Pending generational financial commitment; that could deliver on land reform, build on the Issuance Units (PIUs). A PIU is the promise strengths of crofting and offer a just transition for to deliver a Peatland Carbon Unit (PCU). A • whether resumption is necessary for a viable people and planet. certain quantity of PIUs turn into PCUs when code project, in terms of investor interest and an independent verifier visits your peatland to controlling land-use; This article represents the personal views of the ensure restoration is meeting its targets. The author and is unaffiliated with any institution. landowner is awarded with a carbon credit • whether the Land Court will allow resumption For further questions and inquiries: (a security in financial parlance) which they for restoration on these grounds; [email protected]. can sell to those looking to offset their own emissions; or use to report on their own net- • how peatland credit prices will fare, zero targets, called insetting. particularly past 2050, when theoretically net-zero targets are met. What we know: • By law, carbon credits are owned by the landowner. • The minimum project length of a Peatland Code project is 30 years; median length 88 years. • Sound financial governance is necessary to maintain the peatland asset over the full project timescale – when to sell, where to sell, how to market what is sold. • The peatland must stay restored on sale of credits over the project timescale to avoid liability claims. Climate shocks, wildfires and land-use must all be anticipated and factored into the long-term viability of the project. • There is no price floor and no insurance for peatland credits at present. What we don’t know: • how common grazing rights compare in a court of law to the contracts between investor, carbon buyer and landowner;

THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 13 CROFTING AND CARBON Can crofters benefit from carbon markets? Professor Mark Reed considers the opportunities, deliver and/or maintain peatland restoration when prices are attractive and there are funds to if any, for crofters. works to revenue-sharing agreements based on support long-term management of the site. payments for carbon. CARBON MARKETS are big business If you are also producing food, buyers are and they are ramping up in Scotland, Although risks will need to be shared, new increasingly looking to source from net zero but how can crofters share the benefits? blended-finance mechanisms designed to de- suppliers, so don’t sell your carbon without first Crofters may feel they are already losing out, risk peatland carbon are being developed by the taking steps to reduce emissions. while their landlords and advisors benefit from Scottish Government, so projects can benefit these new markets. Of particular concern is from rising markets whilst being protected from If you are concerned about who might be the impact of woodland carbon on land prices, any future crash. These would suit crofters who allowed to buy the carbon, make sure your leading to increased rents. While crofters are want to demonstrate active use of their land by advisors or partners tell you who the buyers are, protected from the evictions reported by tenant managing carbon alongside other enterprises. so you can choose whether to sell to them. A farmers, there is a stand-off between many Depending on the location and type of croft, key principle of carbon markets is that companies crofters and their landlords over who owns there will soon be opportunities for crofters to investing in offsets should do everything possible the rights to peatland carbon, given that one collaborate with neighbours and landowners to reduce their emissions at source and are has peat cutting rights and the other owns the on projects that increase, restore or create new only offsetting their residual emissions. In the mineral rights. Clarity is needed from the Scottish wildlife habitats, provide clean drinking water, or future, it is likely there will be mandatory ethical Government or Land Court before either party lock up carbon in arable or grassland soils or buyer checks, which will only allow businesses will feel comfortable proceeding with peatland hedgerows. complying with this test to buy offsets. carbon projects. It is important to take professional advice when Mark Reed is professor of rural entrepreneurship In the meantime, benefit-sharing contracts are, entering into contracts to deliver carbon. At this and co-director of the Thriving Natural Capital in theory, already possible between landowners stage in market development, it is advisable Challenge Centre at SRUC. He also holds and crofters. These range from contracts to to retain as much of your carbon as possible many other complimentary roles in carbon and (rather than forward selling it) so it can be sold ecosystem research. Who owns the carbon and who is responsible for growing the trees? ©. WT Victoria Chesterton James McDougall, carbon manager on the block – carbon. There are two the woodland until the trees reach other NGOs and are in dialogue with for Woodland Trust Scotland, looks established codes covering carbon: maturity. the Crofting Commission, Scottish at the issue of planting trees for the Peatland Carbon Code and Crofting Federation and the Scottish carbon on croft land. the longer-established Woodland But things are not straightforward Government Carbon Code. for tenant crofters, which poses PLANTING TREES can obvious problems if you are a tenant It’s important to remember that bring many benefits. The As a landowner, the Woodland or grazing committee. Who owns just under 10% of croft land is right trees planted in the Trust has used both codes to the carbon and who is responsible owned by Scottish ministers and right places can provide shelter, generate carbon income, but it’s for growing the trees? Woodland as a crofting landlord the Scottish amenity, increased biodiversity under the Woodland Carbon Code Trust Scotland is exploring ways to Government should assist the and income. There are even that we operate a carbon offer for unlock this question. development of a clear mechanism grants to help you. If you own third parties. We currently have that will enable croft tenants to your land this is relatively several schemes with croft owner- The single biggest challenge is access funding from carbon. straightforward, but for tenants it occupiers. that carbon simply isn’t recognized is more complex. in the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993. Woodland Trust Scotland can If we are dealing with someone This should be addressed as the act assist with planting on your croft The Croft Forestry (Scotland) who owns the land, we can is reviewed and updated. Woodland through the ever-popular Croft Act 1991 sought to make it easier simply buy the carbon and have Trust Scotland is committed to Woodland Project. to plant on croft land; and to an a security on the registered title of finding a way forward by urging an Email [email protected] extent it has. But there is a new kid the planted land. This ensures the update of current legislation and or call 01738 635544 for more owner establishes and maintains policy. We are also working with information.

14 THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 CROFTING AND CARBON © Martin Benson Carbon and crofting: a burnt-out case? Crofters Commission solicitor David Findlay units under a carbon contract. The minimum a possibility in some cases, but agreements considers how crofting law applies. project duration for peatland restoration is 30 would have to be reached with every individual years, during which there are ongoing onerous crofter. THE RELATIVELY recent support for, obligations including further restoration of the and commercialisation of, peatland peatland in the event of fire or disease. A question arises as to whether a peatland restoration has caused many crofters restoration is a development? Peatland and grazings committees to ask whether they The Peatland Code is also available for restoration involves several interventions on have rights to the carbon stored in blanket tenants, who must obtain the agreement of the land, including blocking drains to raise the bogs and peatland. their landlord. However, in Ross v Graesser water table, building dams and small reservoirs, 1962 SC 66, the Inner House held that a right covering bare peat with vegetation including However, the recent case of Sandwickhill in pasture or grazing over common grazings is sphagnum mosses, managing the hydrology North Street, Melbost and Brahahuie, Sandwick an incorporeal right, not a real right in and to of the land. and Sandwick East Street and Aignish v the land, such as is created by a lease. Crofters Crofting Commission and Stornoway Trust sharing in a common grazing have no rights of It may seem unlikely that a landowner [2020] CSIH 49 underlined that crofters have tenancy over the common grazing and so the could enter onto the land to carry out at least little by the way of legal right to use the common parts of the Peatland Code applying to tenants some of these activities without applying to grazings for non-agricultural purposes. This are not relevant to common grazings. resume the land or seeking approval for a short article will not consider whether crofters scheme for development, because some can carry out peatland restoration on common Are crofters sharing in a common grazings of these activities could interfere with the grazings themselves, but whether they can entitled to any of the sale proceeds of carbon crofters’ rights of grazing. It may appear even benefit commercially when such schemes are units in respect of a restoration project on that less likely that the ongoing responsibilities taken forward, for example by the landowner. common grazings? The answer to this question for any peatland project, spanning several is likely no, unless the crofters have negotiated decades, as set out in the Peatland Code, Crofters have the right to share in the an agreement with the landowner. could easily be complied with whilst crofters development value of any development on have unrestricted grazing rights in terms of croft land and common grazings. Crofters How could crofters negotiate such an their individual soumings. also have the right to use common grazings agreement? Although the rights of crofters in for forestry purposes, subject to statutory a common grazings are limited, the landowner If this is the case, it is possible that any consents. Questions arise not so much as to or landlord (the owner of the common grazings landowner wishing to verify and validate a who “owns” carbon rights, but as to whether will not always be the crofters’ landlord) can project under the Peatland Code, with a view a landowner can engage in certain activities only carry out a development on common to selling carbon units, would be well-advised such as peatland restoration without reference grazings if he or she makes a resumption to enter into discussions and negotiations with to the statutory rights of crofters sharing in the application or a section 19A scheme for the crofters sharing in the common grazings. common grazings. development application to the Land Court. An exception is where any development relates The crofters sharing in the common grazing Where peatland is restored as part of a project to any of the rights of the landlord set out in would be equally well-advised to seek specialist that is verified and validated under the IUCN’s the statutory conditions (para 11, schedule 2, independent advice as to their options and voluntary Peatland Code, the landowner can Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993). Other routes the type of agreement they might be able commercialise the restoration by selling carbon such as section 5(3) of the 1993 Act could be to negotiate with a landlord who wishes to commercialise a peatland restoration project.

THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 15 Growing capacity for woodland creation in Shetland As we’ve come to the end of another busy planting season, writes Gordon Cumming, croft woodlands adviser for the Northern Isles, the Croft Woodland Project (CWP) has been gathering data on areas planted and reviewing progress. ONE AREA showing a surprising From left: Hazel Sutherland (SAT CEO); Solene Giraudea-Potel, Paul Goddard, Alison Moncrieff (SAT chair) increase in projects is the Shetland and Georgia Smith Isles. The CWP’s work in Shetland is delivered in carbon miles and risk of delays. applications. They’ve just had their first partnership with the Shetland Amenity Trust Paul Goddard and Georgia Smith, who application approved and have four more in the (SAT). Their woodlands section, established in pipeline. 1985, has accumulated a wealth of specialist manage the tree nursery, are always welcoming. experience and resources for the conservation As part of their work with the CWP, they have There is a long way to go and Shetland will of relict woodland and the establishment of new some time allocated to visit crofters and no doubt remain an open landscape for the woodland in Shetland’s challenging climate. provide practical guidance on tree planting and foreseeable future, but we are working towards grants. This year they have started helping a day when Shetland will no longer be referred Earlier this year Gordon made the trip north clients complete their Forestry Grant Scheme to as a treeless landscape. to attend the Shetland conservation conference, to fly the flag for woodland habitats and meet representatives responsible for conservation management in Shetland. High on the agenda were plans for tackling the biodiversity crisis and the new planning requirement for developments to include biodiversity enhancement. The conference was followed by a tour of SAT’s recently expanded tree nursery. This expansion was funded by the Shetland Community Benefit Fund, Forestry Grant Scheme and Woodland Trust Scotland. The tree nursery is located on the outskirts of Lerwick and now has the capacity to produce 45,000 saplings a year. Importantly, these trees are all propagated from locally- sourced seed. They are either native to Shetland or non-native species adapted to a cool maritime climate, originally sourced from Alaska, Iceland and the Faroes. The nursery became fully accredited in 2022, so stock is guaranteed UK-sourced and grown and is supplied with the certification required for projects funded by the Forestry Grant Scheme and Woodland Trust Scotland. Having this nursery is going to make a real difference to woodland creation projects on Shetland – a reliable supply of healthy, locally-produced trees ready for collection when they are needed, rather than imported from the mainland with associated © Martin BensonImproving croft house energy efficiency CROFTERS WILL get help with high energy costs to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Through a modification to the Scottish Government’s croft house grant, crofters can now apply for grants of up to £38,000 towards the costs of home improvements which will help them save energy, such as loft or wall insulation, new zero direct emissions heating systems or upgraded windows and doors. This is something that SCF has been advocating for many years. The crofting areas have the highest rates of fuel poverty and the most extreme weather in the UK, combined with the highest energy and material costs. Although the grant is not additional funding, merely already-existing croft house grant funds opened up to include energy conservation measures, it is a welcome inclusion.

16 THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023

THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 17 © Bruce Farquharson Crofting and fire This is because fire effects are also affect crofters. Among other very specific to given places things, this new law is expected Fire is intimately connected to these laws were often broken. and conditions, depending, for to introduce a licensing system for culture in the Highlands and New fire uses emerged in example, on terrain, weather, all forms of vegetation burning and Islands of Scotland, observes Dr vegetation and burning techniques. to outlaw burning on peat deeper Cathy Smith from Royal Holloway Scotland post-clearances. than 40cm. University of London. Commercial sheep farmers used Where it relates to the benefits fire extensively. Gamekeepers of burning for people, debate In this context, I am planning PEOPLE HAVE practised burned to create habitat and forage tends to focus on grouse moor research to explore the links falasgair – burning of for grouse. Crofters continued the management. The connection between fire and crofting. I want to moorland – to manage upland tradition of burning to manage between fire and crofting, and the understand how and why crofters common grazing areas since at least common grazing areas, though fire long-term roots of this relationship, use fire today, how and why this has the Bronze Age. This longstanding knowledge has been declining. is rarely considered in national changed in living memory and with practice has also been regulated debates. In response to calls what implications. It is important for a long time, since 1401, under Today there is heated political for tighter regulation of grouse that the needs and perspectives Robert III. He and subsequent debate over fire use in Scotland. shooting, new legislation is being of crofters are considered, as Scottish kings restricted burning to Many assume that fire is bad for drafted in parliament. The Wildlife the new muirburn legislation is certain times of the year to protect the environment. In fact, research Management and Muirburn designed and introduced. game and timber for the crown. examining the effects of burning on (Scotland) Bill will, among other If you want to get in touch to Local court records suggest that the ecology and climate provides things, tighten regulatory control discuss any of these questions us with no simple conclusions over burning. with me, I’d love to talk to about fire being bad or good. you. Please contact me at Designed with grouse moor [email protected]. management in mind, the bill will Grass Ceiling: supporting GRASS CEILING (Gender Equality women innovators in the in Rural and Agricultural Innovation crofting counties Systems) is a multi-actor three-year project, funded by the EU and the UKRI. SCF member Rhoda Meek with her Tiree Tea The project aims to empower rural women and increase the number of socio-ecological innovations led by women in agriculture, the rural economy and rural communities. The project will contribute to advancing the UN’s goals on gender parity, realise the EU gender equality strategy and achieve the goals of the Green Deal, the Farm to Fork strategy, the Long- Term Vision for Rural Areas and the European Pillar of Social Rights. The UK component will take place in the crofting counties. At the Highland Show, George Burgess, director of agriculture and rural economy, introduced the project and outlined the Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to this vital work with rural women. Professor Sally Shortall from Newcastle University gave a very interesting account of how women’s involvement in rural enterprise – including farming and crofting – can be misrepresented by statistics. She emphasised the project’s size – 25 partners in nine countries – with UK represented by women innovators in the crofting areas and organised by a collaboration of SCF and Newcastle University.

18 THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 MAKING GOOD USE OF WOOL Uist Wool: adding value to local wool Dana Macphee explains how they did it on Uist. potential for creating characterful knitting and Hebridean. Uist Wool also takes coloured breed weaving yarns. Land on Grimsay was identified wool and fibre for blending from Skye, the THE FIRST conversation about setting as a good location for the mill and construction Highlands and Aberdeenshire. up a wool spinning mill in Uist happened of the production floor was completed in 2013. in 2008, when Libby Mills from the The machinery was sourced with the services of The most important starting point is the fleece. Green Mountain Spinnery, USA saw the same a specialist engineer and the decision was made Mill staff take great care in selecting and grading problems facing crofters and the low value of to acquire heritage equipment that in part dated wool before it gets washed and processed, but wool faced by farmers in Vermont in the early back to the 19th century. at all stages there is attention to detail. The final 1970s. product is testament to the fine quality of wool After considerable effort by mill trainees, the available in the Islands, Highlands and Scotland. A small band of volunteers set up a wool carding set and Platt spinning frame were brought development group. Following research, back to life, ready for the first test run of yarn One of the main objectives of Uist Wool community consultation and feasibility studies, in 2014. Following another round of fundraising, as a not-for-profit enterprise was to pass Uist Wool was legally formed in 2011 as a Scottish Phase 2 saw the wool centre added to the mill on the benefit to crofters by paying a better charity and community benefit society – and the building in late 2016, to coincide with the official price for their wool. This is just a small serious business of fundraising got underway. commercial launch of Uist Wool yarns. step towards recognising the value of local fleece and turning the tide on the widely- Phase 1 of setting up Uist Wool was building All wool spun at the mill is undyed/ held perception that native wool is coarse with the mill, sourcing and refurbishing machinery, naturally coloured and the bulk of fleece is sourced no practical purpose. The mill staff and the loyal training and examining local wool and its from local island crofts, largely Cheviot and customers of Uist Wool will beg to differ! Scottish Crofting Produce Project officer Beth Rose reports. productively. The location map we Beth teaching Donald to spin have for the shows worked really well THE SCOTTISH Crofting last year and we have been working Produce (SCP) project has on an online one for the website. been slowly evolving to ensure it achieves its aims. Another adaptation for the market place is a main picture for each As we have made changes, we producer, to convey more about each have looked for feedback. One croft, its story and produce, with up aspect has been the application to five pictures once people click form and joining criteria. The general through to the bio section. concensus is that to encourage crofting producers, crofting in itself SCP producers help showcase and all its benefits needs to be crofting’s valuable assets. a real driver. To enable this, the application form has been changed, The Royal Highland Show in so the only requirements to join Edinburgh started off the summer’s are that a producer has to be from show events. Our SCF stall was a croft registered with the Crofting very busy with a lot of really good Commission and a member of SCF. questions about crofting and crofting produce. The updated application form can be found on our website, www. It was a great opportunity to crofting.org/product-category/crofting- highlight our SCP producers. One produce. particular attraction was the spinning wheel. Many people wanted to see it Another recent focus has been working and find out more about wool. to add a location map to the SCF website, reordering how produce is It was good to see so many folk displayed, and adding several filters at the shows: members and people to help people search the site more interested in crofting. We hope to see you there next year!

THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 19 MAKING GOOD USE OF WOOL Highland Wool – birth of a mini-mill Highland Wool aims to support small-scale producers Donna Gillies, with some of her Hebridean sheep Donald Gillies, the project’s technician Rosemary Champion outlines the project. sustainable practices – old and new – to bring the Work is underway on a six-month pilot project family farm back from 30 years of neglect. that will initially take fleece to carded batts, WHEN Donna Gillies found it difficult allowing Donna to gather information about the to get the fleece from her Hebridean But it’s wool that’s taking centre stage at The proposed processing methods, water recycling, sheep processed (and impossible Hirsel now. Along with three other directors, all energy use and capacity, as well as building to get it processed locally), she didn’t just sit bringing skills and knowledge to the table, Donna skills and support; and putting the business plan and moan about it – she decided to set up has started to bring her project to life. together. a fleece processing mini-mill at the croft she shares with her husband Donald, near Ardgay Highland Wool CIC was formed as a community Alterations to buildings and the purchase and in Sutherland. interest company to help support a sustainable installation of equipment are underway – with wool industry in Scotland. Although there are Donald, an experienced engineer, learning the Donna’s not a lifetime farmer, having had a around seven million sheep in Scotland, there technical aspects of the operation. Donna hopes successful career in the arts – and she’s used to are very few vertical (fleece to fibre) wool mills. to be able to take small commissions towards making things happen. the end of 2023. Highland Wool is about creating infrastructure, You can follow the progress of the project at www. The Hirsel, home now of Highland Wool CIC, is but also about building a community linking farmers highlandwool.scot/ and life at The Hirsel at a family smallholding where, as well as Hebridean and crofters with artists, crafters and manufacturers https://thehirsel.com. sheep, Donald and Donna raise rare-breed pigs and, importantly, supporting the developments and Scots Dumpy poultry using regenerative and of sustainable wool products that can boast a provenance of 100% Made in Scotland. Bunloit Woolery Shetlands, Jacobs and Ryeland fleeces looking for a home, so Bunloit Woolery is situated at Fergus and their Gotland sheep Alison on one of her spinning wheels a range of the softest ones with Balbeg in Bunloit, just above Loch good crimp is usually available. Ness. Fergus Mould and Alison to solid traddies. Customers are as possible, producing fruit, Underrated Ryeland spins into Strange are members of SCF’s more aware and appreciative vegetables, eggs, lamb, wine, surprisingly soft bouncy yarn. Scottish Crofting Produce (SCP) of provenance, increasingly midges and firewood. Water is project. Beth Rose, SCP project co- choosing locally-produced items. from a spring, although due to Initially Alison and Fergus ordinator, reports on this small wool increasingly frequent droughts (the specialised in prepared fleece processing croft business. Spinning classes are held, from spring essentially dried the last three and spun yarns, then diversified to the basics to more advanced summers) a borehole was installed. include knitted textiles, their own A PART-TIME shop at techniques. Visitors can browse a A reliable supply is needed to water range of wool-preparation and yarn- Bunloit Woolery has small library of spinning, weaving, crops and for fleece washing. production equipment, plus spinning yarns and equipment knitting and dyeing books. Following wheel refurbishment and bespoke which also goes to shows and complete renovation, one barn is A small flock of Gotland and items such as inkle and weighted exhibitions, with a variety of dedicated to fleece preparation, Shetland ewes are hand-sheared. warp looms and spinning chairs, spinning wheels, from double or drum-carding and some dyeing. Some, particularly the Gotland, can often produced from local holly, oak, single treadle, modern uprights Spinning, hand-frame knitting and become cotted during the winter. ash and hazel. needle felting takes place in the These make felted rugs, while the steading. very soft lambswool is a dream to The Woolery sells aran-weight spin. Neighbours in the glen have yarns from New Lanark Mills, with The croft is as self-sufficient a stunning range of colours. There is steady interest in spinning and fleece preparation workshops and they are part of a local craft trail based in Drumnadrochit on the Great Glen Way, with trade from passing tourists. With limited access to grazing land and insufficient to produce winter feed, it annoys Alison and Fergus to see good fields abandoned, lost to bracken and gorse or tree planting. A machinery pool/co-operative would be a boon, along with a mobile abattoir.

20 THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 ON THE CROFT Crodh agus carbon toirt aire air falbh bhon phrìomh adhbhar, ‘s e sin losgadh ola. More of Gwyn’s cows © Mara Morris THA CARBON agus glacadh carboin sna naidheachdan cha Tha beagan soilleireachaidh a dhìth an mhòr a h-uile latha. seo. ‘S e an fhìrinn gu bheil methane Gun teagamh sam bith bu chòir dhaibh 28 tursan nas làidir a thaobh teas a a bhith sna naidheachdan, ‘s bochd nach chumail a-staigh na tha CO2 ach chan tug na meadhanan aire dhaibh leth- eil an “leth-bheatha” aig methane ach 8 cheud bliadhna air ais. ‘S e an rud eile a bliadhna, ‘s e sin ri ràdh gu bheil 50% air chluinnear gu tric, gur e beathaichean ath- a bhriseadh sìos gu CO2 taobh a-staigh chagnaidh (no beathaichean a bhios a’ ochd bliadhnaichean. Tha an CO2 sin ga cnàmh an cìr) as coireach airson pàirt mòr shùigheadh le lusan mar phàirt de chuairt den charbon a tha ga leigeil don adhar carboin far a bheil e ga ath-chruthachadh ann an cruth methane, gas a tha mòran gu cellulose agus ga ithe le beothaichean nas cumhachdaich a thaobh teasachadh leithid cruidh. na cruinne na carbon dà-ogsaid. Mar sin, chan eil crodh a’ cur ri Tha aithisgean a’ tighinn bho eadhon a blàthachadh na cruinne, no mar a bhios UN a’ brosnachadh dhaoine gu tionndadh cuid a’ cumail a-mach, ri cron air an air falbh bho mhart-fheòil agus bainne. àraineachd, air a’ chaochladh, tha crodh Tha e fìor gu bheil crodh agus caoraich ag atharrachadh feur agus lusan nam a’ brùchdadh methane ach bha iad monaidhean gu biadh a ghabhas ithe riamh a’ dèanamh sin. Mar eisimpleir le daoine. Agus, nam biodh dòigh ann, anns na Stàitean Aonaichte mun tàinig am brùchdadh methane a lughdachadh na h-Eòrpaich bha 30-60 muillean buffalo - tha deuchainnean a’ dol le feamainn a’ siubhal nan còmhnardan mòra ‘s a’ an-dràsta - dh’fhaodadh crodh am pàirt brùchdadh methane. Chaidh a’ mhòr sa chuairt charboin a lughdachadh agus mhòr chuid a mharbhadh leis an duine mar sin bhiodh barrachd den mhethane geal san 19mh linn, agus an-diugh tha bho na gnìomhachasan ola agus eile car an aon àireamh de mhàrt bainne agus ga tharraing a-staigh do lusan agus an feòla beò nan àite sna Stàitean. Fhad ‘ s talamh. Bhiodh sin na bhuannachd ga- nach eil àireamhan cruidh ag èirigh, chan rìribh! eil iad a’ blàthachadh na cruinne, ged a tha e freagairt air na companaidhean ola Cows and methane – ruminants are not gum biodh daoine den bheachd sin, a’ the cause of global warming, but some measures may counteract methane from other sources. le Gabhan Mac a’ Phearsain FEC Check: understanding roundworm egg count results at a glance Parasitologists at Moredun situations from industry resources is sustainable roundworm control and failure doesn’t always mean have developed a farmer- time consuming. testing have also been included. anthelmintic resistance though, facing, free, online tool which so a reliability checklist of helps with the interpretation FEC Check displays the clinical Regular faecal egg counting administration/testing issues of faecal egg count results for meaning of results visually to assist can target treatments to optimal has been incorporated. roundworms in sheep. Here with decision-making. Users input timepoints or individual animals Dr Lynsey Melville and PhD faecal egg count results and the requiring treatment. Monitoring Testing can highlight the student Eilidh Geddes describe app visualises the results on a mode provides a traffic light visual early stages of anthelmintic its use. graph with a colour gradient which of the results, indicating whether resistance, at which point represents the clinical impact ie treatment should be considered. actions can be taken to slow FAECAL EGG counts green indicates low-level infection, down its development (eg are useful to target not requiring treatment; red indicates It’s important to know that targeting treatments, grazing anthelmintic usage: to that treatment is likely needed. The treatments are working to ensure management and ensuring monitor whether animals require gradient is based on advice from the high animal health and avoid every dose is given accurately). treatment, when to administer industry group Sustainable Control wasting limited resources. Efficacy Where resistance is detected, faecal it and to check whether the Of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS). testing mode indicates the reduction egg counts can be used to identify at treatment was effective. Targeted Links to reliable information on in roundworm eggs after treatment which times of year those products approaches can reduce chemical and what this means. Treatment can still be useful. usage and slow the development Within the app there is also a of anthelmintic resistance decision support tool, designed by whilst providing additional SCOPS, for those with multiple environmental and economic anthelmintic resistance on their benefits. croft or farm, which provides tailored management suggestions to work Faecal egg counts are simple, through with your vet or animal but translating the results into health advisor. management decisions can be challenging, while extracting the FEC Check. information applicable to individual https://app.moredun.org.uk/fec

THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 21 ON THE CROFT Donald’s using two-year-old, bought-in crowns planted at 300mm spacings, Asparagus, a very high-value crowns supplemented with some in a shallow trench about 200mm crop, can produce a lot from a small hortiblog plants grown from seed. However, deep. The fragile roots need to area. Crop protection will be needed we had failed to recognise the be carefully spread out and the in most island and north and west WE’RE FACING up to roots of a highly pernicious weed, trench gently backfilled to create a coastal areas, but outdoor growing replacing our asparagus a woundwort, something we hadn’t low mound. The mound should be should be possible in the eastern bed. seen before which is endemic in this maintained annually by earthing up and central highlands, given a bit It was established fourteen years part of Skye. The bed has cropped to keep the roots well covered. of shelter. ago in a polytunnel, when we first very well despite a perennial battle took over the croft here and we with the weed, but this year the Patience is required. Very gentle The somewhat daunting broke the first rules of asparagus battle is becoming lost and the yield cutting is possible in the second task ahead is to remove the old growing, which is to be patient and is in decline. year after planting. Seed-grown asparagus bed. The root systems prepare carefully. plants will need an extra year. Once will be huge and go down to a depth Asparagus needs advance the plants are established, tender of one to two metres! The bed was created on very planning. The first thing is to source spears can be cut as soon as they good, fertile soil, well-drained, with some one-year or two-year-old emerge, for about six weeks. Then We intend to do this in stages so lots of organic matter incorporated, crowns for planting in early spring, the tall ferns should be left to do their that we still have some crop while then prepare the new bed, which own thing until they die off in winter the new bed gets established. At will need deep, well-manured, well- and get cut down. Careful weeding least it’s an under-cover job for the drained soil with neutral pH. Rows and a seaweed mulch will get things winter months. And next time we’ll should be about a metre apart and started again for the new season. be sure to get rid of all traces of perennial weeds. Asparagus Asparagus ferns growing strongly Tomato seed saving Pour the liquid out carefully. The pulp should flow out first whilst the seeds stay behind. Repeat SCF member Finlay Keiller continues his advice • Slice the tomatoes in half along the equator the process by adding water and carefully pouring on saving tomato seeds. and scoop the seeds and pulp out with a out several times until you have just clear liquid teaspoon. and seeds left. Drain the water and seeds through HOPEFULLY BY now you will have some a kitchen sieve then tip out onto a labelled piece ripe or almost ripe tomatoes ready for • Place the seeds and pulp in a labelled jar or of baking paper or coffee filter. The seeds will eating and saving seeds. glass. Add water to the mixture to ensure it not stick to this. As discussed in the previous edition, you doesn’t dry out. will have chosen a nice open pollinated tomato It is now important to start drying quickly. variety, planted several plants out (away from • Cover your container with a napkin or cloth Arrange the seeds into a single layer and place other tomatoes) and are ready to harvest some so flies can’t get in. in a warm spot out of direct sunlight, with good seeds. ventilation. You could also set up a fan to blow • Leave in a warm spot, out of direct sunlight, over the top of the seeds. Good airflow really Choose your healthiest, best-looking plants for three to five days. helps. Allow at least a week for drying. Check if and pick several ripe fruits from each. It is even If you can, try and stir the mixture a couple the seeds are dry enough by trying to snap one better to pick the fruits when they are slightly with some tweezers. If it snaps, it’s dry enough. overripe. It is easier to process one or two larger of times a day. You want the mixture to ferment If it bends, dry for a little longer. batches of seed rather than lots of smaller ones. so that the germination inhibiting sac around the outside of the seed disappears. Once dry, place the seeds in a labelled packet and store in a cool dry spot, ready for sowing and Mould may appear, but it’s ready when there is sharing next season. a separation in the liquid with the pulp floating to the top and seed sinking to the bottom. [email protected]

22 THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 Ian Blackford MP For all your design and printing needs, call on Member of Parliament for Ross, Skye & Lochaber Ask us today for a free quote Future Surgery dates will be advertised in the local press Tel: 01349 866397 29 High Street Email: [email protected] Dingwall Twitter: @IBlackfordSNPMP Facebook: facebook.com/IanBlackford.SNP IV15 9RU Web: http://ianblackford.scot Angus B MacNeil MP Broadford, Isle of Skye, IV49 9AP Tel: 01471 822 555 Na h-Eileanan an Iar www.strathprint.co.uk Available for surgeries All enquiries welcome Proud printer of The Crofter Constituency Office 31 Bayhead Street, Stornoway Isle of Lewis HS1 2DU Telephone E-Mail 01851 702272 [email protected] Trouble Accessing Self-Build Finance? The Self-Build Loan Fund may be able to help. Loans up to £175,000 available and can be used in conjunction with the Croft House Grant Scheme. Apply before 31 August 2025. Full details available at: www.chtrust.co.uk/self-build-loan-fund or call 01463 572030 Scottish Government Scheme available Scotland wide and administered by Communities Housing Trust. (CHT). CHT is a company limited by guarantee (SC182862) and Scottish Charity (SC027544).

THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 23 Scottish crofters and Brazilian peasants FROM THE Amazon some crofters do not realise rainforest to the vast crofting’s impact and benefits for local food resilience and Highland landscape, environmental sustainability, as theirs is just one small croft. But Scotland and Brazil seem far Brazilian and Scottish producers have considerable capacity in removed. becoming more independent from large-scale food systems. Different continents with In Brazil, peasants have been incomparable ecosystems boast producing food for local markets, donations in solidarity actions distinct cultural traditions, history, and feeding their own families. In Scotland, as became clear during politics, land acquisition and our visits to Skye, there are many examples where crofters produce use. Yet the challenges faced by a variety of vegetables and fruits, not only for their own subsistence small-scale food producers and but for sales through local food markets, honesty boxes, barter their agricultural context have a systems and vegetable box schemes. surprising number of similarities, One significant difference is as shown by a comparative study that whilst crofters enjoy strong legal protection, Brazilian peasants remain on the periphery of between crofting in Scotland and legal action. Changes in public policy in both countries could support this nascent local food peasant agriculture in Brazil. economy and ensure food sovereignty for the local communities. Like Scotland, Brazil struggles Aline Albuquerque (São Paulo State University with concentrated land ownership. and Sao Paulo Research Foundation) and Lin Only 0.7% of rural properties are Batten (University of Strathclyde, Glasgow). over 4,900 acres in size, but these estates occupy almost half of rural land. Brazilian peasants Peasant vegetable production in the settlement Guanabara, Paraná State, Brazil have formed a number of social and safeguarding access to land for future movements demanding land and agrarian reform generations linked to those who were displaced and an independent sovereign future for peasant from their land. agriculture. Crofting and peasant agriculture are the This movement cares about small-scale food foundations of food sovereignty – peoples’ right production, sustainability (in an environmental, to access and produce good-quality, healthy, social, economic sense) and promotion of rights ecologically sustainable food in their territories, and public policies for small food producers. collectively defining their policies, systems for In the context of land concentration, Scottish crofters and Brazil’s peasants are fundamental food production, distribution and consumption. for social justice, diversification of rural space One SCF representative mentioned that Branching out into booze CROFTERS are Photos © Ben Leng Photography inspired meal, with matched encouraged to wild drinks prepared by diversify Rupert ‘the Birch’ and Tom and ‘the Buck’, served in the old croft house. innovate, but the nature This was an initial, of croft land and crofting experimental, very successful harvest event. Future plans lifestyles can make this include the supply of not just twigs, but also sap from Carr difficult. Croft birch trees, as well as other botanicals that grow in Crofters will experiment abundance on the croft. In return, Buck and Birch will with different means of pay for these ingredients and the income generated will be making a living while working used to manage the existing woodland as well as plant on and with the land. At Carr more birch trees. and Wester Keppoch Croft, The project is a great example of a small-scale, croft- set in the mountains between based, low-impact harvest that causes no harm, but creates many Inverinate and Dornie, benefits in terms of croft income, community building, tree planting, SCF members Robin Haig biodiversity management and related carbon sequestration. and Stan Blackley have To find out more about Carr Croft, embarked on a unique contact: [email protected]. To find out more about Buck and project in partnership with Birch and their wilderness refined products, visit: boutique spirits maker Buck www.buckandbirch.com. and Birch. provide, they jumped at the chance. Buck and Birch’s flagship drink Carr Croft covers spread across our landscape. But generating income from trees is Birch – a wild botanical spirit in more than 800 acres of steep needn’t involve industrial-scale which pure spirit is combined with monoculture or clear felling. Of fresh birch sap, seasoned with birch mountainside and holds a mosaic of course, not all crofters have trees botanicals to create an unusual and on their land, and those that do refreshing alternative to gin and diverse habitats that are home to a may take a hands-off approach to vodka. Each bottle contains a birch their management. But when Robin twig. surprising range and abundance of and Stan (whose off-the-croft job is teaching about food at a university) Earlier this year Carr Croft animal and plant species. Over the were offered the opportunity to welcomed a group from the local turn their trees into booze, without community to help harvesting and last three decades, Robin’s father harming the trees or compromising hand-cutting thousands of birch the ecosystem benefits that they twigs for the drink’s next production Niall planted tens of thousands of batch. They were served a birch- trees on the upper part of the croft. What was once bare mountainside is now swathed with areas of well- established, mixed woodland. When we think of trees harvested or utlilised as a crop, we most likely think of large blocks of Sitka Spruce

24 THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 Trees for Trees are a valuable source of woodfuel and the crofting provide important shelter for your livestock, community crops and buildings. Argyll Small Woods Cooperative 7KH:RRGODQG7UXVWRƺHUVIUHHSODQWLQJDQG woodland management advice to crofters, common grazings and small holders. Find out how useful trees are. Get in touch. Image: 
&/WTML 01738 635544 [email protected] woodlandtrust.org.uk/croft-woodlands

THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 25 Let’s Liberate Diversity forum In Dublin this October YOU ARE invited to join Lets Liberate Diversity (LLD) and Irish Seed Savers Association for a three-day forum focused on cultivated diversity and dynamic seed management. This event will provide an opportunity to gather, exchange ideas and learn together. For additional details, please visit the LLD event page: https://rb.gy/tajrb. If you are interested in participating and have a relevant workshop or presentation idea, please get in touch with Finlay and Haley at [email protected]. A look at crofting from across the pond In summer 2022 Scott Henson surveyed SCF members. Here he reports on his findings. I’VE COLLECTED a trove of Scott and Amy Henson with youngest son, Webb. Shireford Farms in the Great Smoky Mountains, Maryville, Tennessee information, but before sharing a few preliminary results, let support for subsidies and grants. laws and lack of regulations were mentioned more than once) me briefly introduce myself. I In research, we’re interested in enforcement. Diversification, while many lauded ecotourism teach at a college in the US and correlations. The highest was local food awareness and and sustainability as positives for live with my family on a small between feeling well-connected market integration were noted crofting. sheep farm. Though the Scottish to other crofters and a feeling of opportunities. crofting register doesn’t reach satisfaction/relative success. There’s much more to be learned North America, here in the East Trade-offs existed in and shared when the research is Tennessee Highlands we’re Other issues that surfaced environmental issues, as some completed. There’s also a virtual enthusiastic members of SCF included empty crofts, land crofters worried that wildlife event planned for this fall, where I’ll and feel a kinship with crofting. speculation, red tape, lack of conservation could undermine present more findings and answer economic infrastructure, confusing viability (geese and sea eagles questions. The survey was an extension of my academic research and personal interests in crofting, with the hope that it might also be useful to SCF and its members. Let me express my great appreciation to those who took time to complete the survey, although one respondent did complain that too many surveys was a major threat to crofting. I also learned that my spelling needs work, especially using z for s. The survey mostly confirms commonly held views about crofting. Eighty per cent of respondents were over the age of 40, 68% over 60. Eighty per cent derived less than 25% of their income from crofting. Most worked jobs outside of crofting. Seventy five per cent keep livestock, 7% bees, 28% hens, 8% grow herbs and flowers, 30% vegetables, 8% make crafts and 19% offer holiday accommodation. The two most pressing concerns expressed were a need for young new entrants and increased

26 THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 MEMBERS PAGE Meet your new SCF board members Rebecca Robson Pàdruig Morrison Donald Murdie I live on the west side of Lewis I am a musician and crofter from Grimsay in the Outer It’s a great honour to be invited to join the in Lower Shader. We have had a Hebrides. I took over the family croft at a young age and have SCF board, having joined the union, as it was, croft in Shader for the last three continued to develop the croft over that time, including the in 1988. years. Our main interest is in beef making of haylage and the reintroduction of cattle to the croft cattle and we have 13 beasts here after a 50-year absence. I’ve been crofting now for nearly 35 years, just now. We also have sheep and twenty in Lewis and fifteen in Skye. I’m of Lewis hens. I keep small traditional cattle along with pedigree Hebridean and Wester Ross origins and crofting was in my sheep, blackface sheep, hens and ducks – providing meat blood all of my life, going home to Lewis every I was born in Uist and returned and eggs for sale locally. I have a huge passion for traditional summer from Edinburgh, Dundee and London. back to the islands in 2018 after crofting practices, as well as for the Gaelic culture and My grandfather, Sandy Murdie from Lochbroom, studying and living in Glasgow. language. I have been active in campaigning for Gaelic and was one of the very last Highland drovers. We have two young children. I’m housing in the Highlands and Islands. pleased to have involvement in SCF Crofting has been a way of life, providing roots and look forward to meeting you all. I perform as a musician around Scotland and in Europe and in the land and an important income, together have just completed a PhD in composition. with self-employment based on the croft and any other work that was available, including six years SCF Annual General Meeting, 1pm, of project work with SCF. Friday 27 October 2023, Inverness Crofting is the sleeping giant in half the SCF’s AGM will be held on Friday 27 October, to pass the two resolutions below. landmass of Scotland, from the Mull of Kintyre to Muckle Flugga, with the potential to provide The AGM will be followed by speakers Martin Malone of NFU Mutual and and land, homes and jobs for people of working Bill Barron, outgoing CEO of the Crofting Commission. Outgoing SCF CE Patrick age. It could repopulate, revitalise and reinvent Krause will also address members and introduce his successor. communities. It could restore environments, shorten food chains and assist climate change The company business part of the AGM will take place before the speakers. mitigation. After their presentations, there will be the opportunity for an open floor session. It needs a good shaking. • Resolution 1 – To receive company’s accounts and the A welcome for directors’ and auditors’ reports for the last financial year. A summary of the accounts will be available at the meeting and can be provided Krystie in advance on request to the registered office. Krystie Wright, our • Resolution 2 – To appoint auditors proposed by the directors; or to re-appoint new office staff Ritsons Chartered Accountants, as independent examiners of the company member, introduces accounts. herself. If you wish to attend the AGM, you must register with SCF HQ IGREW up on a croft in advance by email, so that we know the number of attendees in Ardgour, Fort expected. William, where my family have a small If you are unable to attend the AGM, a proxy form is enclosed with this issue. herd of commercial For members receiving The Crofter digitally, the proxy form will be emailed to cattle. My daughter them. We encourage members to return their proxy forms by email, as this and I relocated to saves SCF funds and helps keep subscriptions down. Lochcarron in 2021, where I now help my partner on his family croft with a small flock of Cheviot sheep. I am excited starting my new role at SCF and look forward to speaking to members.

THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 27 CROFTERS INSURANCE HELPING YOU WEATHER THE ELEMENTS SINCE 1910 Find out more by contacting your local NFU Mutual branch at nfumutual.co.uk The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited (No. 111982). Registered in England. Registered Office: Tiddington Road, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7BJ. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. A member of the Association of British Insurers. For security and training purposes, telephone calls may be recorded and monitored.

28 THE CROFTER, AUGUST 2023 Crofting is about the people Norman Leask, 2nd May 1946 – 13th May 2023 NORMAN LEASK first joined the board of the Scottish Crofting Federation in 2003, becoming vice-chair then chair of the board. He served on the board again in 2011-2014. He spent long hours travelling regularly to Edinburgh and Brussels to advocate on behalf of crofters and crofting in the reform of crofting law and agriculture policy, the CAP. Norman did much good in political circles in his quiet way, making his points clear without using too many words. He impressed with his straightforward way of saying things and his politeness. Many will remember the catch-phrase he often used, “crofting is about the people”. Born in Aith, Shetland, the youngest of five, Norman went to school in Shetland then to the mainland for work experience, but it wasn’t long before he returned home. He went into the garage business with his Norman and Evelyn with Kayla Robertson brother, marrying Evelyn in 1975, followed in 1976 by their only daughter Martha. and they decided to buy Anderon & Co, a shop Many people knew Norman personally, but more importantly many knew him by name. The family moved to Walls, to the Hogan, dealing in woollen garments, mostly produced by His work and accomplishments, the work he undertook for SCF and crofting, will be where Norman started crofting. This is where his outworkers on their crofts. Norman was known for remembered. passion lay, whether it was Shetland kye, sheep his brightly coloured woollen jumpers and he was This was said after Norman’s passing and it sums up perfectly what kind of a person he or ponies, although pigs weren’t his favourite. He behind the development of the SCF tartan – not was, “He was one of a kind, very hard to explain to someone who never knew him how he was and Evelyn also started a salmon farm, which nearly as bright as he wanted. so effective. He deserves all the respect and affection he got.” proved extremely hard work – but they both Sadly, at this time their daughter Martha EA and PK thrived on that. passed away. The shop and SCF work kept them They bought Snaraness House and started occupied at a very tough time. their B&B. Many people stayed with them and Norman believed in the good in everyone. His their hospitality was renowned, leaving a lasting work ethic, keen mind and striving to help others impression on so many people. made him a great advocate to improve crofting A good time came to sell the salmon farm for young and old. How to contact us Postal address and registered office: Scottish Crofting Federation Headquarters Kyle of Lochalsh IV40 8AX General enquiries The Crofter: Crofting law helpline and membership: Fiona Mandeville, editor for SCF members 01599 230 300 [email protected] fi[email protected] 01599 530 005 01471 822 297 visit www.crofting.org for full contact details Training: Advertising: [email protected] Erin Matheson Company Number SC 218658 [email protected] Charity Number SC 031919 01599 530005 Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information printed in this publication, SCF cannot accept liability for errors or omissions. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the SCF. Produced by Strath Print, Broadford, Isle of Skye︱tel: 01471 822 555︱www.strathprint.co.uk