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Scottish Crofting Federation THE CROFTER rooted in our communities The journal of the Scottish Crofting Federation, the only member-led organisation dedicated to the promotion of crofting and the largest association of small-scale food producers in the UK DECEMBER 2012 Number 97

If centralising Equity in area payments abattoirs has for common graziers? It’s CAP reform time again, comments Gwyn ago is nonsense, this should be good news failed, it’s time to Jones. for marginal areas. The crofters’ case is a S ALWAYS crofters have a lot to good one. go back to local fi ght for and seldom have the winds There is one fl y in the ointment which is Aof change been so strong – a real potentially a big problem for some claimants. provision challenge and opportunity for SCF. The It’s an issue which is very diffi cult to solve main change in this reform is in the direct and which, perhaps for that reason, perhaps T’S NOT SO VERY LONG AGO that payments – today’s single payment, to be for others, is receiving almost no attention. every small town in Scotland had its renamed the basic payment – which will The affected producers are those who are Islaughterhouse and most livestock and move to a uniform regional payment rate. shareholders on common grazings where mixed farms had their own slaughtering I was going to say “rather like LFA”, but not all the shares are used for claiming facilities for supplying the local market and “as LFA is meant to be” would be more direct payments. home consumption. appropriate in a Scottish context. These claimants in effect manage the Scotland has followed a policy, as with the For the fi rst time ever, the basic payment whole area of the grazings and would be UK, to centralise meat processing, with fewer rate will be formally complemented by judged on the agricultural and environmental and larger plants scattered over Scotland. new payments in the LFA – now also to be condition of the whole area, but are only paid But that model appears to be failing, with renamed Areas with Natural Constraints on the basis of their shareholdings plus any abattoirs closing or planned large-scale (ANC). Since even in the department the shares temporarily reallocated to them by plants not even being opened. The time has mood seems to be that linking rates of subletting or by the grazings committee. This come to re-assess the situation. support to claims or activity twelve years Continued on page 2 The number of abattoirs in the UK has been gradually declining for many years, from 1,900 in 1972 to 290 in 2007. In March 2012 the Food Standard Agency listed 32 licensed red meat abattoirs in Scotland plus two micro on-farm facilities. Having few, large-scale slaughterhouses hasn’t been satisfactory for the smaller producer in particular, for many reasons. Here are three for starters. First, having slaughtering facilities spread widely across rural areas means that the transport times for animals are unreasonably long. For example the Skye and Lochalsh area has been without an abattoir for over twenty years, resulting in animals being transported for up to three and a half hours to Dingwall or a two hour ferry crossing to Lochmaddy. Second, fewer abattoirs means less competition – which results in a consequent attitude towards service. Some companies scorn the small producer and offer a poor

Continued on page 7 Martin Benson ©

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Crofting – the next generation · New Crofting Commission convener Our next project. by demand for building plots, puts them out of · Croft house grants debate For now we are calling it Crofting – the reach of young, aspiring crofters, except where · Membership feature Next Generation. there is the opportunity of family assignation. The age profi le of crofters and their SCF’s innovative new project will focus · Crofting register communities is a real concern. As SCF is on ways to attract and retain new, younger · Wwoofi ng constantly emphasising, for crofting and crofters through access to land, affordable · Public liability on the croft crofting communities to survive and prosper housing, support networks and sustainable there needs to be a strategy to attract and income streams. · Bringing unused ground back into use retain new, younger crofters. A summary of the achievements of the SCF’s In most of the crofting areas the infl ated price Crofting Resources Programme, which recently and much more... of crofts (tenancy or owner-occupation), driven reached its conclusion, can be found on page 5. 2 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 3

Message from the chair... Derek Flyn Steady as she goes Looking to the future Susan Walker has been appointed a director of the Camuscross and crofting communities to recognise Parting words from Crofting That’s why a strong, effective convenor from amongst the new Duisdale initiative, she understands the multiple benefi ts that can be Commission chief executive representative and lobbying with the Crofting commissioners. Susan is known well the need for action. So, with its had from sitting down together. Nick Reiter organisation is so essential. It may to us as an active crofter; but enhanced powers and duties and I am pleased that our own future seem odd for a government agency HEN I WAS appointed Commission convener more than that, she is an activist, with its new leader, we are already is now more secure. There are now to stress that. Of course there to the Crofters previously lauded for being the co- seeing the Commission tackle four new members on the SCF have been differences of views Commission in 2007, I T SEEMED LIKE a long wait “The fi rst nine months in the life author (with Iain MacKinnon) of The absenteeism and dealing with the board, namely Roddy MacDonald W between the Commission and the was told that it had gone through but at the end of September of the new Commission have been State of Crofting in Camuscross in neglect and misuse of crofts. from South Uist, Iain Keith from SCF – which incidentally changed a lot of changes and now needed Iminister for the environment a whirlwind of activity, centred on August 2009. This remarkable and It was heartening to fi nd at the Caithness, David Smith from its name during my fi ve years – not a period of “steady as she goes” and climate change, Paul regulatory decision-making, building timely piece of work focused on September Crofting Law Group Shetland and Finlay Matheson even that was a constant. But far consolidation. It did not take long Wheelhouse, announced the contacts with other organisations the problems of her own crofting conference in Portree that SCF’s from Strathcarron. They bring more often we have agreed on the for me to realise that the changes appointment of the fi rst convener and the preparation of a plan, which township and informed the Scottish activity towards community with them an enormous amount of needs of crofting in the 21st century; had only just begun. of The Crofting Commission. will guide us through the coming Parliament during the later stages mapping was held in such high knowledge and experience and I and there is I believe an improved As I take retirement some Based on Skye, Susan Walker years and expresses our aspirations HIS HAS BEEN a season of the law reform process. Indeed regard. It is a pity that our efforts look forward to working with them. understanding of our different roles. fi ve years later, we have two has been an active crofter for and ambitions for crofting. The plan for adjustment. one suspects that it could have are not being properly funded. We Fiona Mandeville (vice-chair), On a personal level I have always new Crofting Acts in operation; thirty years and is honoured sets out how we will make decisions After fi ve years as been the reason for the duty to learnt that the national Crofting Paddy Zakaria and Norman Leask found all the representatives of T a new, mostly elected Crofting to be leading the organisation in line with the legislation and chief executive of the Crofters report now on the statute book. Register will open on time on 30 make up the remainder of what I the SCF courteous, helpful and Commission; a new statutory plan, at a time of accelerating explains the benefi ts when crofting Commission, the retiral of Nick Reiter SCF members should be sure to November and how it will collect believe to be a strong team. enthusiastic and I’d like to express hopefully approved by the new change. Susan commented: is consistently and fairly regulated in feels like the loss of a friend. Certainly read the Camuscross report to map-based information on every The real strength of our my gratitude for that. minister by the time you read this; “We have a formidable team of line with government policies. he has been a friend to crofting understand where Susan is coming croft and every common grazing. organisation is in its members. It’s tempting for a departing even a new HQ location. I would commissioners and we have a “One of the provisions in the during a period when crofting has from, in more ways than one. But we at SCF have been hoping The board is keen to encourage chief executive to leave some say to my successor, whomever real opportunity to help shape Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act, been preparing for change. In the face of reports of active for more. When crofters set out area and branch activities and parting words of deep wisdom and that will be, that what is needed the future of the Commission passed in 2010, which we know Following the creation of the crofting being in decline, parts of to map their land it can be the will respond positively to any insight. I have none to offer. But now is a period of “steady as and crofting. We work as a team is causing concern, is the new new Crofting Commission in April the Sleat peninsula in the south of starting point for community invitation to travel to meet and to one thing is clear to me: crofting she goes” consolidation – but because by doing so we bring a statutory duty placed on the and the delay in fi nding the correct Skye seem to be bucking the trend. asset-planning, working towards a hear how we can help those who continues to punch above its I know that would be a gross wealth of talents, knowledge and Crofting Commission to seek procedure, we are pleased that Susan has been part of that and, as brighter future. We are encouraging have joined our cause. weight politically and socially. That misrepresentation. understanding of the different certain information from individual is evidence that it is valued not just However, there have been crofting counties. crofters every year and from by the people actively involved in some constants. The very real “I am delighted that on 2nd grazing committees every fi ve it, but by Scotland as a whole. The commitment to the wellbeing November commissioners voted years. We are aware that this is Crofting Commission, the SCF, Equity in area payments of crofting among the staff and to appoint a vice-convener, with generating disquiet among grazing United other representative bodies and the commissioners here has been Colin Kennedy of Coll winning the committees and clerks. media all have their part to play. But for common graziers? unwavering and it’s fair to say that vote. Colin has an unusually deep “I would like to reassure everyone front that enviable position has been hard Continued from page 1 at times we have all felt frustrated understanding of both practical and that we will be consulting you to won mostly by crofters themselves that we cannot do more. But the legal crofting issues which is very devise a method for reporting. has been the case since area payments were so-called Scottish clause inserted to prevent and I fi rmly believe it is mostly in needed Commission was and remains fi rst valuable. At the same meeting, we To this end, we are working with introduced, but for SPS it matters little, since large unfarmed estates from putting in claims. their hands that it remains. and foremost a regulator. also appointed Murdo MacLennan others, such as grazing committees, on EID the payment rate is individually calculated on It would not seem to be beyond the wit from the Western Isles as our assessors and the SCF to devise a a historic basis. But with a uniform payment of man for the regulations to be amended, Gaelic spokesman, an important reporting form. HE SCF HAS RENEWED its call rate it really makes a difference. either with a specifi c derogation for common role, with almost 50% of all crofts “Through this consultation to sort out the impracticability and On average about a third of all the forage grazings or with a more general ‘at the in the Gaelic-speaking areas of the process we can devise a injustice of individual electronic Land Reform Review Group T on grazings which are used in part to support discretion of member states’ wording. But Western Isles. form which everyone will feel identifi cation of sheep (EID). SPS claims is not declared. That means that that requires political will, and I see little HE Land Reform Review • assist with the acquisition and “Crofting is unique, something comfortable with but which will Returning from Brussels where he took the claiming producers, though managing the sign of it and not many shouting for it either. Group is an independent we all cherish and, while respecting also allow crofting communities part in a series of meetings discussing EID, whole grazings, would get a third less than they Which baffl es me, frankly. management of land (and also group set up by the the past, our focus is on using the to report problems to us where SCF parliamentary spokesman Norman would otherwise receive. That’s the average, Civil T land assets) by communities, to What alternatives might there be? regulatory system to help build a they choose to do so. This will Leask said “EID was a hot topic at the Scottish Government to develop but there are many cases which are much servants in the department seem to think make stronger, more resilient and sustainable future for crofting, in encourage grazing committees sheep and goat meat advisory group I was innovative and radical proposals worse. I found one where 95% of the grazings one is keeping the national reserve open independent communities which which the benefi ts can be seen far and individuals to move towards attending. It was the main topic again at the that will contribute to Scotland’s is unclaimed by the sole active grazier. each year, not just in 2014. But while this have an even greater stake in beyond the crofting counties. greater self-regulation, by German shepherds’ meeting, who are taking future success. What is the solution? What indeed! It would mean that new claims from previously their development; allowing them to make their the European Commission to the court of The relationship between the is an extremely intractable problem and I am inactive shareholders are possible, it does • generate, support, promote, own assessments of the state of human rights in Strasbourg, over EID. This is struggling with it myself. nothing to address the bigger problem for the land and the people of Scotland their croft or of crofting in their not something that will just go away”. and deliver new relationships The fi rst challenge is to get people to think existing claimants in the interim. is fundamental. The structure of townships and think carefully “I was also part of the delegation between land, people, economy it is a problem and one worth tackling. That What else might be possible? Agri- land ownership is a defi ning factor about the impact this has on their meeting with DG Agri, organised by Alyn and environment in Scotland. means civil servants of course. I heard one environment is out, because the lost payment in that relationship: it can facilitate community. Smith MEP, presenting fi ndings of a The review group is chaired by say words to the effect, “Why would I pay a is for the cost of meeting the minimum activity, and promote development, but it “With this approach, there is survey of Shetland sheep producers. The Dr Alison Elliot. Its vice-chairs are crofter more for something he is willing to do not for going beyond it. can also hinder it. an opportunity for us to work Commission require evidence before they for half as much?” But also politicians and, Perhaps the next best solution might be In recent years, various Dr Sarah Skerratt and Professor together to gather the information will revisit the EID legislation so thank you sadly, crofters themselves. the new ANC payments (replacing LFASS). approaches to land reform, not James Hunter. we need to enable us to raise the to all Shetland crofters who participated.” What possible answers suggest They have the benefi t of being claimed every least community ownership, have profi le of crofting with ministers The two main areas that SCF is pressing themselves? To me the obvious ones are: year, so the amount claimed can vary as long contributed positively to a more Give Feedback and the Scottish Parliament and for change to the legislation are: • make the grazings committee eligible for as something is claimed for the fi rst fi ve years successful Scotland by assisting To allow the Land Reform to present a clear picture of the 1. that animals six months after entering the national reserve; after the initial claim. in the reduction of barriers to state of crofting: its value and a fl ock are considered part of that fl ock and Review Group to explore and • for each committee to submit an application It would be possible, perhaps, to have a sustainable development, by contribution to life in Scotland and no longer require special recording; and analyse evidence and to enable on the basis of all the unused shares in the special ANC rate, equal to the sum of basic strengthening communities and the threats and problems it faces.” 2. that animals only require EID when they the group to identify key themes fi rst year; payment and normal ANC rates for that parish, by giving them a greater stake in leave the jurisdiction of the keeper at birth. for further exploration, responses • for the regulations to be amended if and specifi c interpretations of the activity rules their future. Norman continued: “Both these positions are invited by 11 January 2013. necessary to ensure that any shareholders for common grazings committee applicants. The Land Reform Review are accepted as not harming traceability Electronic responses should be subsequently submitting a new claim receive These are just my ideas. It is essential that Group has been appointed by so they would be possible if we can gather the appropriate number of entitlements from the real experts get their heads round the emailed to landreformreview@ the evidence to persuade the European Scottish ministers to identify how the committee. issue. So far they have at best been coming land reform will: scotland.gsi.gov.uk and hard Commission to re-visit this ill-conceived The main objection to this seemingly simple up with additional problems – now it’s time for copies should be sent to: go online at legislation. A united front and lots of • enable more people in solution (though one which needs all grazings some solutions. rural and urban Scotland to Dave Thomson evidence is required and only the crofters to be regulated and have committees in offi ce) have a stake in the ownership, Land Reform Review, E1 Spur and the sheep farmers who are being is based on the active farmer rules in the new Gwyn Jones, EFNCP www.crofting.org governance, management and Saughton House, Broomhouse severely penalised can supply this”. draft EU regulations, including, ironically, the [email protected] use of land; Drive, Edinburgh EH11 3XD 4 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 5

ALBA AIR ENERGY SLASH HEATING BILLS Support for croft housing under threat Cross-party OVERNMENT SUPPORT which must have had their effect Mark Shucksmith to research its group on ACROSS THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS for croft housing has been on fuel bills. economic effects. The research Looking to diversify part of Garound for a long time. In 1986, when CBGLS was revealed that the grant and loan From the 1920s onwards, the in its heyday, the Scottish covered, on average, 82 per cent crofting Alba Air Energy delivers energy efficient heang Board of Agriculture for Scotland of total building costs. At that your farm or croft? Crofters Union commissioned HE SCF is the secretariat subsidised the construction of the time the cost to the public purse soluons at an affordable rate across the Highlands and for the cross-party group typical two-up, two-down, storm- over forty years of a council Why not consider woodland planting? on crofting held in the Islands, from Islay to South Uist, Tarbert to windowed croft houses that sit house in the Western Isles was T Scottish Parliament every six solidly and harmoniously in the £41,713. The cost for a new Aberdeen, the borders to Caithness and all points in The benefits: weeks. We instigated the group crofting landscape. These usually croft house of similar size was at the outset of the Scottish between. • Regular annual income were built with thick stone walls, £12,289; therefore the scheme Parliament to keep crofting to but could be of poured concrete was excellent value for public the fore with MSPs. Using air source heat pump technology eliminates the • Improved shelter in areas where aggregates were money. It also provided a stream The group meetings are a plentiful. of work for small contractors need for expensive ground works as the units are • Use for unproductive land forum for those involved in Other designs also attracted in the crofting areas, retaining crofting to present issues to self-contained. Installaon typically takes less than a day • Conservation and biodiversity. assistance, such as the single- income and skilled workers in the MSPs and to gain support. It local community. to complete, with minimal disrupon to the property. All storey dwellings with stone is chaired by Jamie McGrigor Grants are available now for: Then the rot set in. CBGLS gables and timber-frame MSP and has vice-chairs Rhoda at an affordable cost of around £3000 including lost its value relative to infl ation construction clad with corrugated Grant MSP and Jean Urquhart • Stock, rabbit and deer fencing and, in 2004, the loan was installaon. iron, intended to be built quickly MSP. The cross party group abolished. It was argued that • Gates in areas of land resettlement such may send letters to cabinet commercial mortgages could be The good news is that energy savings can be as high as as at Portnalong and Fiscavaig secretaries or ministers urging

Martin Benson had more cheaply, but the credit • Initial planting and protection in Skye. Following World War II, action on certain issues. As - © crunch soon proved the folly of 80% heang your home for approximately £200 per crofters were encouraged to build the name implies, MSPs from • Annual maintenance 5 years that. Commercial loans almost annum. Alba is currently working on projects in all areas very substantial, state-of-the-art all parties attend which gives invariably led to the house site • Farmland premium 15 years. homes. These bungalows can still weight to any communications being decrofted, and assistance of Scotland. Please ask for a FREE survey. be seen throughout the Highlands that come from the group. for access roads and water Installaon references are available on request. For more details and a no obligation visit, please and Islands with their hipped Recent meetings have had supplies was removed also. The contact our Inverness office and ask to speak to roofs and tall chimney stacks. presentations and discussions grant was increased to its current They have three bedrooms (two on direct payments and common For further informaon, contact Bill Hall on 01320 366 808 one of our woodland managers. level but, by 2008, was reckoned with fi replaces!) and a bathroom, grazings, crofting in education, only to cover 14 per cent of the or email [email protected] and were being built at a time protection of native Scottish Tel: 01463 234633 when very many crofters still lived average cost of a very modest seeds, planning on crofting Email: [email protected] UPM TILHILL in blackhouses. house in the islands and remote land, SRDP agri-environment www.albaairenergy.co.uk mainland areas. It does, however, From the 1960s onwards, Martin Benson schemes and common grazings, the Department of Agriculture © remain a very valued support for the crofting register, crofts being developed seven styles of young crofters and new entrants valued for care home charges,
Dunlop T ractor  Spares   bungalow which crofters could starting out. as well as regular updates on When administration of the Rob Gibson MSP A WIDE RANGE OF
 PARTS  STOCKED   FOR FERGUSON, MASSEY build with the assistance of the CAP reform and implementation FERGUSON, FORDSON DEXTA AND MAJOR, FORD, FORD Crofter Building Grant and Loan Croft House Grant Scheme of the 2010 Crofting Act. These FERGUSON,

 DAVID BROWN   AND  INTERNA TIONAL. Scheme (CBGLS). The thirty (CHGS) was devolved to an have, usually, resulted in Caithness, Sutherland and Ross Send stamped  addressed 
 envelope, 47p,  for price list. years that followed brought about offi ce in Tiree, we looked forward letters to appropriate cabinet to a service more responsive 67a Crankill  Road, Ballymena,  Co.!"#  Antrim, $%& N. 'Ireland#  %( BT43"% 5NN a huge leap forward in the quality secretaries and ministers. Welcomes All Enquiries of rural housing in the crofting to crofters’ needs. Very sadly, Paul Wheelhouse, minister T: 028 2565 2560  F: 028  2565   2563 M: 07834    455 082  or 07834  455 083 counties. The houses were bright this has not proved to be the for environment – who has the [email protected] !" #$ %&'&  & % ()$ %*%++*+% %'  %' and spacious with three or four case. SCF now receives regular remit for crofting – attended the Constuency Office: )www*%+.dunloptractorspares.co.uk))),"#  (#   (#,- bedrooms and a very large, complaints of CHGS applications meeting in September. %"+ * %.,"#  (#   (#,- convertible loft space. being refused, sometimes on the There have also been 4 Grant Street This generous accommodation grounds of the croft not being a several working groups set up Wick, KW1 5AY allowed for large families, elderly viable unit. Many of these refusals out of discussions – including relatives, or bed and breakfast are reversed on appeal, but who, one on a sub-programme Tel: 01955 605016 businesses. By today’s standards we wonder, is determining what within the SRDP to specifi cally Lewis Crofters Ltd they were not energy effi cient, constitutes a viable unit? We support crofting and one on Email: Rob.Gibson.msp@scosh.parliament.uk with large, single-glazed, steel- know of many very small crofts CAP support to common Martin Benson that are highly productive and grazings. The working group on

framed windows, and deep, © large ones that produce very little. uninsulated sub-fl oor voids, a crofting sub-programme will Which would be deemed to be the be meeting as this issue of The viable unit? Crofter goes to press so will be We need to hear from the reported on in the next issue. RURAL GIS Scottish Government how it Survey & Mapping Services SHEEP FEED CATTLE FOOD views the future of CHGS. What criteria do the administrators of Needing a map for your croft or township? DRENCHES VACCINES the scheme use to determine eligibility? Who is handling Rural GIS offers a comprehensive range of FERTILISERS HARDWARE SEEDSCLOTHING appeals? Why, when the budget is services including: underspent, is refusal seemingly  Croft registration, township and IACS maps FENCING TRACTOR PARTS the default position?  Land use & environmental surveys & audits FOOTWEAR CAR TRAILERS We all know that what crofting  Development feasibility studies needs above all is young people. If we are to attract these people  Estate Management Plans Lewis Crofters Ltd they will need affordable housing.  Community consultation & planning Island Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Surely now is the worst possible Contact: Rural GIS, Lochalsh House, Balmacara, Kyle, Ross-shire, IV40 8DN Telephone 01851 702350 Fax: 01851 703077 time to be killing off croft housing support after ninety years of Email: [email protected] Tel.: 01599 566332 or 07733 674947 www.lewiscrofters.co.uk Martin Benson Patrick Krause, Norman Leask and John © progressive intervention? MacKintosh at the Scottish Parliament. 6 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 7 If centralising A rural assembly for Scotland N INITIATIVE TO SET UP a Scottish policy-based outcomes relevant to the abattoirs has rural parliament has been launched challenges and opportunities facing rural AIand two exploratory workshops have people. These outcomes are monitored and failed, it’s time to already taken place. further developed in the period between rural The following article is taken from the assemblies. go back to local background briefi ng to the workshops. Scottish rural assembly should be: The name has been changed to Scottish • open to and inclusive of all who live and provision rural assembly, as it was felt at the second work in rural Scotland; workshop that this would be a more suitable • led by rural communities in co-operation Continued from page 1 title should the initiative go ahead. If you have with government; service with the arrogance of being the only any thoughts on the idea of a rural assembly • a forum for those who live and work in place local producers can reasonably go. please write in. rural Scotland to discuss and debate issues of After our call for evidence to our members, The creation of a rural assembly for common concern and to share good practice, examples of mistreatment of crofters at Scotland is a unique opportunity to enable a knowledge and inspiration; Highland abattoirs and butcheries and stories stronger, more coherent voice for Scotland’s • an opportunity to celebrate and showcase of unfair, and possibly illegal, practices have rural communities. It is inspired by the success the richness, diversity and success of of rural parliaments in other European nations. begun to stream in. Evidence is beginning to Scotland’s rural communities; stack up which suggests systemic problems A successful Scottish rural assembly • identifying and promoting changes in with the conduct of Highland slaughterhouses must be fi rmly rooted in Scotland’s rural policy and practice that will benefi t Scotland’s and cutting rooms – particularly towards communities, developed by and for the people rural communities and achieving a coherent smaller producers. Claims have been made who live and work in rural Scotland. and infl uential rural voice; of missing meat and missing carcasses, of It is supported by the Scottish Government • part of a continuing process of engagement carcasses being switched, of lack of proper to enable more effective engagement with hanging time, as well as allegations of poor Scotland’s rural communities. between Scotland’s rural communities. hygiene practices and poor service. A rural assembly or rural parliament is Why do we need it? Third, we are seeing a growing movement not a formal part of government, nor is it There are few opportunities for the collective of consumers who want to know where their a parliament in the sense of a legislative interests of rural communities to be raised, food comes from. More small producers or decision-making body. It is a bottom-up debated and communicated to government. are selling direct to customers and need process of involvement and debate between The lack of such a mechanism often to be able to provide total traceability. The the people of rural Scotland and policy makers results in issues being addressed sectorally SCF’s Scottish Crofting Produce mark to enable better understanding, improved or geographically, with no clear process for allows the customer to know exactly who policy and action to address rural issues. gaining a comprehensive, grass-roots view produced meat bearing the mark. This of A process takes place over a two-year of rural issues. Evidence from other parts of course necessitates that abattoirs have period, culminating in a high profi le event – Europe has revealed the benefi ts to rural areas a strict tracking regime in the plant and the rural assembly – which brings together all of their rural parliaments in achieving this. can guarantee that the producer gets the sectors of rural society to highlight rural issues All rural communities face similar challenges carcasses back from the animals he/she put and to discuss rural priorities with each other and opportunities and the rural assembly will in. This is proving to be woefully inadequate, and with government. provide the opportunity for communities across with producers knowing that they are not It is focused on achieving practical and Scotland to come together for mutual benefi t. ALLANS OF Angus MacNeil MP getting their animals back and abattoirs refusing to give any assurances. Constituency Office Decentralisation and localisation have GILLOCK LTD been identifi ed as central to sustainable food 31 Bayhead Street systems and Scotland has to make up its GILLOCK52 SEAFIELD MAINS, ROAD GILLOCK, , Stornoway mind whether to continue to follow a failing WICK, CAITHNESS. KW1 5UR centralised model or to follow the European INVERNESS, IV1 1SG Isle of Lewis HS1 2DU trend. The Austrian government took a TEL: 0195501463 66121 7132701 decision many years ago to support its small- scale food producers. With a population of YOUR LOCAL BUILDERS & AGRICULTURAL MERCHANTS Tel no 70 2272 about 8.5 million, it has 3,800 abattoirs – some 2,300 of which are on-farm facilities. stockists of E-Mail [email protected] In stark contrast, Scotland, with a population Enquiries welcome – office open Monday-Friday of around 5.5 million, has 32 licensed , only two of which are on-farm. abattoirs The tide is turning though. With FENCING MATERIALS Scottish Government help, the SCF has commissioned SAC consultants to carry Martin Benson © out a feasibility study on the possibility of a and GATES community-run small-scale meat processing facility in the Skye and Lochalsh area. If this proves workable it could be a model for other Future CAP milestones areas. As cabinet secretary for rural affairs HE EC IS AIMING for the new Possible timeline: SHEEP and CATTLE Richard Lochhead said when announcing Direct Payments (DP) and Rural European budget (including CAP budget) a government grant to help with provision T Development (RD) regimes to begin agreed – spring 2013 of a small-scale abattoir in Dalbeattie. “As on 1 Jan 2014. Most observers, however, Main CAP reform regulations fi nalised – HANDLING and well as savings on haulage costs, there will expect the timetable to slip and think summer 2013 also be environmental benefi ts thanks to the January 2015 is a more realistic start Commission tables proposed implementing reduction in food miles. Local abattoirs play date. The new RD programme may start regulations – summer 2013 FEEDING EQUIPMENT an important part in the food chain and this even later. Negotiation phase/Scottish Government grant clearly demonstrates our commitment Member states have been pressing the consults stakeholders – autumn/winter 2013 that animals should be slaughtered as close EC to set out plans to avoid any funding EU and national implementing rules adopted to where they are reared as possible. This gap, especially for RD, if the start of the – spring 2014 CAITHNESS, ORKNEY, SHETLAND, INVERNESS investment will provide an excellent boost Tel: 01955 661211 • 01856 761594 • 01950 460417 • 01463 713270 new CAP regime is delayed. There has Scottish Government fi nalises new IT for Scotland’s red meat sector as well as Fax: 01955 661244 • 01856 761709 • 01950 460013 • 01463 713393 been some progress and discussions are payment systems and trains staff consumers in Dumfries and Galloway.” on-going. New CAP regime begins January 2015 8 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 9 Crofting law The Crofting Register Registers of Scotland explain the new fund a 20% reduction in registration fees where seminar requirements registration is applied for more than one croft from the same crofting township at the same EASY BREATHER Martin Minton, Inksters Solicitors, reports HE NEW Crofting Register commenced time. Helps reduce coughing and respiratory irritation on 30 November 2012. After the fi rst year, a number of trigger HE THEME of Crofting Law Group’s T In time it will provide a defi nitive record events requiring fi rst registration of croft land, or annual crofting law conference, this of the extent of, and interests in, land within amendment to croft land already entered on the “We have seen a 90-95% Tyear held on the Isle of Skye, was the crofting tenure in Scotland. Not only will the Crofting Register, will come into force. These reduction in the usage of new map-based crofting register. register show crofts, it will also include common trigger events are set out in sections 4 and 5 of the antibiotics… therefore Easy Sheriff Roddy John Macleod’s comments grazings and land held runrig. The register 2010 Act and mainly relate to actions requiring a at the start of the day neatly summarised the Breather has become a derives from the crofting reforms introduced regulatory application to the Crofting Commission potential issues ahead. Deputy chairman of by the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010. for approval to change some aspect of the croft fundamental management the Scottish Land Court and a native of Skye That act brought about a clear demarcation land (such as an application to assign or divide tool to our young stock rearing who is from a crofting background, he pointed between the regulation of crofting, which is the a croft). Any regulatory application after the fi rst programme” out that the mapping exercise that is about to responsibility of the Crofting Commission, and year must be accompanied by an application to commence could bring to a head disputes that the registration of crofts which now falls to the register or update the croft land in the Crofting (Richard(Ri( chacard Bownwnn,, RichavenRRicchavava ene Holsteins)Hollsteinss ) had been hidden or dormant for some time. Keeper of the Registers of Scotland. Register. The application for registration will, in the A comprehensive mapping/land survey service Like the Land Register, the Crofting Register is fi rst instance, be made to the Crofting Commission for all crofting matters including: map-based. It will show defi ned extents of crofts, who, if satisfi ed that basic information required common grazings and land held runrig against for registration has been met, will forward the ‡ Plans for the new Crofting Register the backdrop of the ordnance survey map. In application to RoS. The person responsible for ‡ Scanning and digitising of old croft maps / common grazings addition to showing the boundaries of such land submitting a registration application is set out in against the OS map, the register will also contain Schedule 2 to the 2010 Act. ‡ Land surveys for boundaries not shown on Ordnance Survey information on the tenant or owner-occupier There is often limited documentary evidence Helpspg Reduce Coughingg or complex boundary issues crofter on the land as well as the landlord and/or supporting the extent of and interests in a croft, and Respiratory Irritation the landowner of the registered land. The register common grazings or land held runrig. The ‡ Decrofting plans Aids and Maintains a Strong is free to view online and can be accessed direct 2010 Act therefore provides for a nine-month Healthy Immune System Ordnance Survey Licensed Partner on www.crofts.ros.gov.uk/register or via a link on challenge period following the initial registration. For more information call the Caltech Helpline: either the Registers of Scotland www.ros.gov. Challenges are made not to RoS, but to the 016973 32592 uk or the Crofting Commission web-site www. Scottish Land Court and the register may be email: iif@[email protected] crofting.scotland.gov.uk. amended to refl ect a successful challenge. www.caltech-crystalyx.co.uk Registration is voluntary for the fi rst year after Guidance on the application forms, fees, and 01343 890400 commencement. The Scottish Government criteria for submitting plans will be available on Yamaha Quad Bike worth £5000 with EASY BREATHER is keen to encourage groups of crofters to the RoS website prior to commencement. WIN!!! Contact your local merchant for details on how to enter [email protected] After the seminar a group of elegates visited work together to submit applications for croft For further information contact Hugh Welsh Ben Aketil wind farm, built on croft land. registration and has set aside £100,000 to – 0141 306 1513 or [email protected] SCF calls for more support for crofting community mapping T THE Crofting Law Group conference pilot project on community asset-mapping SCF chair Derek Flyn was invited has been undertaken which will not only Ato address delegates on crofting assist crofters to comply with the new legal community mapping which the Federation is requirements on croft mapping but will promoting as being more accurate, effi cient provide townships with a development toolkit. and likely to result in fewer disputes. Whilst SCF continues to seek support He said that when the process is explained and funding for community based mapping to crofting communities, they are keen to projects, we have encouraged some be involved, not only because of costs townships to fi nd local funding, such as from saved but because the exercise provides an adjacent wind farm community benefi t an opportunity for gathering information scheme. With the assistance of Registers that can go on to be used for community of Scotland, we have been able to supply development. several crofting townships with base maps So far, steps have been taken by SCF to to enable community mapping to proceed; encourage crofting townships to map their and we hosted an on-croft meeting with RoS own boundaries and to consider how best offi cials to demonstrate some of the issues to use the assets of their community in the which arise with mapping croft boundaries. At future. These include: a meeting of the cross-party group on crofting • hosting a crofting community mapping working at Holyrood, Russell Smith gave an update group, which includes landowners (through on the community mapping project and on Scottish Land and Estates) and meetings have the pilot in Badrallach. been held with Registers of Scotland and with the Derek raised the concern that many crofters Crofting Commission; do not have the information required to • providing rules of procedure for crofting register their land and that it is diffi cult for them community mapping, which were approved by to obtain this information. He said, “It would the SCF board as long ago as 31st August 2011; be wholly unreasonable for any application • producing helpful notes on the sources of for fi rst registration to be refused or blocked boundaries; by the Crofting Commission because the • preparation of a community mapping pack applicant has not completed the form when he for aspiring townships with clear guidance on has had no access to the information sought producing a robust community map. about neighbouring land.” Despite lack of funding, Derek reported Nonetheless, SCF considers that the that we have made good progress with a Crofting Register will be a valuable aid to

small number of townships. An innovative safeguard the future of crofting. Martin Benson © 10 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 11 Scottish Crofting Federation Product Discount Scheme MEMBERSHIP FEATURE 15% off Bulbs from Up to 20% off 10-15% off items Meet the new SCF directors Evelix Daffodils products from from Hamilton Bros Finlay J Matheson Roddy MacDonald Details: Breeder of novelty, Highland Services Engineering Ltd The SCF is a different animal I am from Lochboisdale in South Uist. I exhibition and garden varieties of to the union I joined on its took early retirement from Comhairle nan Narcissi Building Materials Ltd Details: Agricultural, plant and inauguration in 1986. There’s Eilean just over a year ago after working for ground care works and service Contact: been scepticism since about its the Economic Development department for Details: Builders merchants providing (machinery) survival. It has come a long way. 34 years. Evelix Daffodils for all your needs from foundations to Contact: I have attended two board During my time with the Comhairle I Tel: 01862810715 décor. meetings, initially as an observer. was involved in many aspects of crofting E: [email protected] Hamilton Bros Engineering Ltd Contact: I am learning about this different development including the Integrated Airdasig, Evelix, Dornoch, Sutherland Tel: 0156553031 organisation and coming to Development Programme for the Western Highland Services Building Materials Ltd IV25 3NG E: [email protected] terms with changes. From union, Isles, construction of the two livestock markets in the Uists, slaughtering Tel: 01688302296 Roading Garage, through foundation, the federation became an integral part of the facilities, environmental schemes, CAP reforms, greylag goose E: [email protected] Web: www.hamiltonbros.co.uk Scottish agricultural community scene. Media until recently consulted problems as well as the setting up of The Scottish Crofters Union in Baliscate, Tobermory, Isle of Mull Campbeltown, Argyll PA28 6LU the NFU and farmers; now it is farmers, crofters and their organisations. the eighties. PA75 6QA That is to the credit of those contributors to these crofting movements. I am an active crofter with a small sheep fl ock and take part in communal The croft I tenant at Strathcarron, Wester Ross was assigned me by a late crofting activities in the area. I also assist with the management and cousin. We maintain its cattle stock and, since 1978, I am the sole owner of running of the livestock auction market at Lochboisdale. the former club’s stock of blackface ewes, utilising common grazings. My previous involvement in the Federation of Crofters Unions and From 1990-1993 I worked on the Rural Enterprise Programme in then with the Scottish Crofters Union has made me aware of the Wester Ross under the late Mike Burnett. Subsequently, I became a problems which affect crofting as well as the importance of a strong 10% off print and design jobs under £1000 in value, business adviser with Ross and Cromarty Enterprise and project offi cer membership organisation to represent crofters locally, nationally and with the Croft Entrant Scheme. Now down to six cows and a reduced within the EC. 15% off jobs under £500 fl ock, I am dedicated to perfecting a route to retirement. I hope that my past experience and knowledge will help the Scottish In 1978 I became a community councillor. I still sit on various Crofting Federation to provide such a service to the membership in the future. Printers and graphic design community committees. I was a Crofters Commission assessor and am Invoices, time sheets, business cards, letterheads, B&B/self catering leafl ets, raffl e tickets, etc now an assessor with the Crofting Commission. David Smith It’s early days for me on the SCF board. I anticipate learning more Strath Print Ltd, Unit 1A Broadford Industrial Estate, Broadford, Isle of Skye IV49 9AP about the modern organisation and putting in my tuppenceworth. I live with my wife and family in the 01471 822 555 [email protected] www.strathprint.co.uk South Mainland of Shetland. My croft land is a combination of Iain Keith tenanted and short-term lease and extends to just over 50 hectares. I After being born half a century ago, I was produce Suffolk cross lambs for the store brought up on the family croft at Gartymore market and have an SRDP introduction of Helmsdale, which makes me one of that cattle scheme which means I also have rare breed, the indigenous crofter. a couple of Shetland cows. I produce SAC Consulting I then moved a bit further north to silage and attempt to grow some barley for winter feed. Within the last See our website: www.sac.co.uk become an apprentice with the UKAEA at few weeks I have begun the installation of a wind turbine which will Dounreay. Meeting my future wife here, I hopefully produce an income as well generate electricity for the croft. have stayed in Reay ever since. Between I have been a crofter all my adult life. I also spent many years running us and our two daughters we manage, just my own business. When my son was born, nearly ten years ago, I was SAC Consulting provides leading edge, independent and impartial advice about, our croft on which we run Aberdeen lucky enough to be able to become a stay-at-home crofter dad. After throughout the crofting and rural communities. Angus cattle, pedigree Shetland cows, the last Scottish elections I started working as a part-time constituency Our consultants combine local knowledge with extensive experience and Cheviot and Shetland ewes. On the croft we have undertaken LMOs, assistant to Jean Urquhart MSP and recently I accepted a part-time role are supported by our team of renowned specialists. farm woodland, SRDP and RSS activities. working for Scottish Water. In the past I have been a member of the local community council, I have a particular interest in the policy work which the Federation Among the services we can provide are chairman of the Caithness branch of the Crofters Union and I am a undertakes and I believe this must underpin everything which we, as an UNITE representative in my day job. organisation, should be doing to benefi t our members. Agricultural and rural business advice Comprehensive assistance with IACS, SRDP and CCAGS Introduction to Crofting package Sheep and cattle record keeping How you can help us Fertiliser, reseed and crop recommendations Members have a vital role in the SCF. How can you help us? a 20% discount on their following year’s Horticultural advice We pride ourselves on being a • encourage non-members to join; subscription. Please contact HQ for more  Studies and development of renewable energy projects member-led organisation dedicated • help promote the organisation and our details about the new incentive. Enterprise planning to promoting crofting. As members activities; Enclosed in this edition of The Crofter you Completion of Assignations, Decrofting and Sublet applications you should be willing to get involved, • volunteer to organise local meetings, or will also fi nd a small poster which we are contribute your views, tell others of the help those doing this; encouraging members to put up in public  Croft maps. benefits of membership and express • attend local meetings; places. This could be the local shop, mart, your opinion on our activities – to help • stand for election as an offi cial and ensure village notice board and even the local Contact your local SAC Office us achieve our mission to safeguard and your opinions are heard; surgery – anywhere that will help promote promote the rights and livelihoods and • become a crofting mentor. the organisation, our activities and get the Balivanich 01870 602336 Oban 01631 563093 culture of crofters and their communities. Of course you do not need to do all of message out about the work that we are doing. Campbeltown 01586 552502 Portree 01478 612993 By doing any of these things, you will these all of the time, but the more involvement By representing the SCF in these Inverness 01463 233266 Stornow ay 01851 703103 help the organisation to be better and as a member that you have, the better the ways you are helping the organisation Kirkwall 01856 872698 Thurs o 01847 892602 stronger and so have a stronger voice for organisation will be. have a stronger voice for crofting. If there Lerwick 01595 639520 you and your communities. Membership To help you recruit new members we have is anything else that you feel you can of the SCF is an investment in the future introduced a new incentive. Any member contribute to our work we would be very SAC is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC003712 of crofting. introducing a new member will be entitled to happy to hear from you. 12 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 13 MEMBERSHIP FEATURE MEMBERSHIP FEATURE Crofting Resources Programme concludes Putting it in perspective If you have a problem... HE PROGRAMME was about helping more attractive to sell lambs and calves as store During the course of the programme we EMBERSHIP of the SCF • Crofting Connections, which F NO ONE ELSE can help and subject and who – if possible – crofters make the most of their resources rather than move up the production chain to direct attended sixteen agricultural shows and trade for an individual costs 90 works with schools across the if you can fi nd them, maybe is geographically close to you. of land and people. marketing. This effort will, however, continue. We events and the programme also funded one T pence a week – just £47 Highlands and Islands to educate you can hire the A-Team. Topics covered in the past are: This was delivered by working with townships, have set up a trading company, Scottish Crofting quarter of journal. The Crofting M I The Crofter a year. our children about crofting; But if your problem is about starting a market garden, keeping crofting producer groups and individual crofters. Enterprise Ltd which is intended as a web- Resources Programme was funded by the That modest investment brings • advice and assistance with crofting then it might be better to poultry and what sort of tourist Five new producer groups were formed with based marketing tool for members’ produce and Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands you many benefi ts and enables community mapping and how to deal phone the SCF team. And we are businesses would work in a given our assistance. Nineteen groups were helped ancillary businesses, such as tourism and crafts. Enterprise and Esmeé Fairbairn Foundation. the Federation to promote and with the taxing process of entering easy to fi nd! location. But you could also ask with development projects, fi fteen with training, We became more than ever conscious of Conclusions from the programme protect the interests of crofters. crofts on the new Crofting Register; The mentoring scheme was about native cattle, shearing and seven with SRDP applications. Twenty four the need for abattoir facilities in the islands Store livestock remains and will continue to be No other organisation has this • information on diversifi cation reported in the last edition of courses, keeping bees, planting townships were advised on development and and remote mainland areas to improve the largest output from crofts, the reason being single, specifi c purpose. The and developing your croft The Crofter. This is really just woodland or almost anything. access to support schemes. One provided the animal welfare, traceability and economic that crofters are very good at it. Well-established SCF is the only member-led business; formalising what has been done The mentoring scheme focuses pilot study for the crofting community mapping opportunities. This is particularly the case in the marketing routes and infrastructure are in place organisation dedicated to the • a crofters insurance package on an ad hoc basis for years as on skills and is about helping project. Sixty-one individual new producers Skye and Lochalsh area and a spin-off from the for store livestock sales, whereas direct marketing promotion of crofting and the developed for us by the NFU Mutual a service to members. The SCF members develop their business. were assisted, and this led to the setting up of programme has been a study, currently being requires long-term investment and commitment largest association of small-scale Insurance Society which covers has established a network of SCF will also advise members on SCF’s crofter mentoring scheme (see article done by SAC with SRDP funding, into options by individual businesses. We hope that our food producers in the UK. all your croft and home insurance experienced crofters who have case work dealing with crofting elsewhere in this issue). We ran 25 training and for small-scale slaughter facilities. horticulture handbook and abattoir project will be What does the SCF really do for needs in a tailored package; agreed to be available to members regulation, legal matters and information events as part of the programme, Another output of the programme was the valuable resources for the versatile and diverse crofters? Read on and you’ll fi nd out • local events and problem who want to discuss a particular grant schemes but only on the attended by a total of 399 crofters. Our SRDP study of crofters’ stock clubs. crofting communities of the future. Taking Stock the extent of the work done by a few solving; topic. This may just involve a basis of layperson’s advice. The advice helped approximately one hundred This was seen as particularly important given The township assets strand of the committed people on your behalf. • spreading good ideas telephone call or an exchange mentoring scheme and casework crofters to access support. the loss of stock from the hills and disuse of programme, while successful, again In addition to our work at and information through The of emails but could mean a visit are not a substitute for proper We made a major effort during the programme common grazings. The well-proven stock club highlighted the need for an integrated national, UK and EU government Crofter, by email and updates to to your croft for a more in depth legal or veterinary advice: advice to promote Scottish Crofting Produce by raising model has succeeded in going against this programme of development for the vast levels to keep crofting to the members; site investigation. It is a way for is given in good faith to the best the media profi le, offering tastings at agricultural trend. The report on the study can be found at and underused land resource that exists in forefront, as reported in various • a register of interest in crofts people to access the cumulative of our ability by people who have shows and developing a new product, The www.crofting.org/uploads/consultations/ crofting, especially our common grazings. articles throughout The Crofter, which puts members looking for a experience of our membership been there and done that. Crofters’ Mutton Pie. The intention was to recruit stockclubs.pdf. At the end of any project on a crofting theme, and innovative projects to croft in touch with those who wish and may be especially relevant if If this takes up a lot of time more of our members into the scheme, but the Our publication one invariably arrives at the conclusion that, Horticulture: a Handbook for enhance crofting incomes, your to dispose of a holding; there is no-one in your area you or travel then the mentor may result has been very disappointing. There are a was produced as part of the programme for the system and the land and communities Crofters subscription brings you help when • crofters who wish to pass on can discuss it with. ask for their expenses to be number of reasons for this. One is the general and has proved very popular. This 175-page it embraces to prosper, the absolute priority you need it – their crofts are also able to use If you are a member then reimbursed; but generally one or economic situation which has made it diffi cult book can be obtained from SCF head offi ce. We is to attract and retain new, younger crofters, • advice and advocacy; this service; you can phone up HQ (01599 two conversations may provide for producers to achieve a premium price for also produced a printed version of hence our proposed follow-on project, Managing Crofting • a listening ear and pointers • useful publications such as 530005) and tell them what you that bit of encouragement and local produce. Another is that store livestock Small Woodlands in the Highlands and Islands, – the Next Generation, as introduced on the towards solutions when you have the recent Horticulture Handbook want advice on. HQ will then reassurance that will get you prices have been relatively buoyant, making it a guide for crofters and small landholders. front page of this issue. tried all other avenues; for Crofters and Managing Small put you in touch with someone moving on the new venture that • representations on your behalf Woodlands in the Highlands and who is experienced in that you always meant to get going with. when you have been refused that Islands. grant you were depending on; • training and mentoring; All of this and much more is • the opportunity to market your achieved on your behalf by a small croft produce through the SCF team of staff working from the SCF’s Crofting Mark; HQ in Kyle of Lochalsh, supported • a discount scheme by a community of volunteers • the SCF Croft Holidays across the Highlands and Islands, scheme which helps promote headed by the SCF board. your tourism business All of this costs you only 90p • a network of contacts to share a week. The same cost as the experiences and resources; Stornoway Gazette. Less than the • local branches and cost of one loaf of bread a week, individuals who provide a catalyst not much more than a pint of milk for community events and a week and about the same as development; two bottles of malt whisky a year. Where else can you fi nd such

• a developing young crofters Martin Benson excellent value for money? network; © SCF membership categories OUR MEMBERSHIP is an investment in will receive the same benefi ts as an individual If you would like more information about our the future of crofting, and your support will member but the second member will receive a associate membership please get in touch with Ystrengthen the voice of crofters, crofting 50% discount on his or her annual membership. HQ. As an associate member you will still have communities and the crofting way of life. Associate membership access to our vast network of experience and Did you know that we have four different This is available for organisations, charities and knowledge and you can enjoy the discount membership categories? Whether you are an now also grazings committees. scheme offered by various suppliers in the individual, couple or company we have something Associate membership of the SCF crofting areas. suitable for you. demonstrates your commitment to sustainable Life membership Individual membership agriculture and that you are in sympathy with the The fi nal category, life membership, is for An individual membership is available to all SCF’s work. It will help you raise your own profi le, anyone who wishes to support the organisation in crofters and non-crofters alike and this is what the enhance your reputation and strengthen the the long term. If you are interested in this type of majority of our members have. Take a look at the awareness of your organisation. We can also help support please contact HQ for more information. list of membership benefi ts to make sure you are develop communications between organisations Honorary life membership has also been getting the most from your subscription. and strengthen networks. You receive four copies awarded to a number of outstanding members Joint membership of The Crofter and promotion on our website, as who have contributed greatly to the organisation A joint membership is available to two members well as receiving discounted corporate rates to over many years in recognition of their continued who stay at the same residence. Both members our gatherings, training days and seminars. volunteering and support. 14 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 15 MEMBERSHIP FEATURE MEMBERSHIP FEATURE Membership Inroads to crofting through the News from SCF’s Tiree branch Winter meetings Alex MacArthur, branch secretary, reports on offi ce established on Tiree and if need be we programme case work register of interest recent activities must put up a fi ght to retain it. SCF HQ had been contacted in relation to S WE WENT TO PRINT two branch CCASIONALLY we outline INCE THE REGISTER of interest was have heard about our register while attending N COMPARISON to mainland Scotland the delay by government in consolidating the and area meetings had taken place in anonymous examples of case work created we have been inundated with our training courses, on-line or through the Tiree basked in sunshine and dry weather 1993 and 2010 Crofting Acts. Crofters felt November. We hope that everyone in in where members have A O The Crofter, Scalls, emails and letters from people who Crofting Commission. Ithis summer, with crofters remarking on they would need to engage the services of a the vicinity managed to attend. requested assistance. want to get their foot in the door to crofting. We are informed about available crofts in the good ground condition and the crop of lawyer in many instances in order to decipher The Lochcarron and Applecross branch Recently more and more members If you are not aware of our register of interest different ways – from landlords, estate agents excellent silage. the contents of both in tandem; whereas if hosted an evening in the local community hall are asking for help in all sorts of matters already, it is a service available to members and the Crofting Commission. We then give Were it not for the damage infl icted by all the information was absorbed in the one to hear about SCF’s community mapping pilot, from assignations to zealous landlords or who are looking for a croft. The active register this information to people on our register so wild geese, the yield would have been much document it would be a lot easier to follow. which took place in Badrallach; and also the neighbours (often not good ones!) will ensure that you are informed about any they can assess the suitability of the croft for higher. Many have now ceased to plant RET withdrawal on HGVs continues to be a new crofting register. crofts that become available in your chosen their needs and make direct contact with the potatoes for this reason. In March this year big issue. In a letter from Transport Scotland’s Eilidh Ross was the guest speaker at the What can we do to help? area(s). We are also tracking the number of appropriate person. 7500 geese were counted on Tiree, on an policy offi cer Colin Grieve, the UK Government Inverness and East Highland Area meeting Get in touch with HQ. Simple enquiries enquiries that we have received. This will be We also give advice to people on the register island approximately 12 miles long by 3 miles is blamed for the cuts imposed on the Scottish in Inverness. She gave an update on crofting might be answerable straight away over the used as evidence of the demand for crofts on the process of getting a croft, planning and wide. 40 years ago the winter population was Government’s budget. The letter goes on to legislation in 2012, covered succession, phone. For slightly more complex cases you and will hopefully lead to the creation of decrofting a house site, if necessary, as well around 120 birds. The branch has kept in state that Edinburgh is to give an extra £2.5M access and the right to buy as well as may be asked to put the issue in writing and more crofts as outlined in the SCF’s strategy as providing sign-posting to information about regular contact with RSPB, SNH and others next year to support commercial vehicles participating in a question and answer session state how you hope the SCF can help. This proposal in 2011. available grants and other services available in an effort to see a reduction in the numbers. using the Tiree, Coll and Western Isles routes. along with Patrick Krause and Derek Flyn. will help staff to assess how we can assist. Those on the register range from people to people who are just starting out in crofting. RSPB Scotland responded that it shared Scottish Power Renewables (SPR), led on A number of other meetings are in the process Your case will be dealt with sympathetically. who have been actively crofting land that is If you would like more information about the our concern and actively sought and obtained Tiree by former SCU branch chairman Donnie of being arranged, including the Lochaber area Your branch or area representative may also not their own to potential new entrants who register of interest please contact Karen at HQ. funding to continue the island’s goose Campbell, is to build a massive offshore wind meeting mid-January and a meeting in Lismore be able to assist, or another local member management scheme. Neverthless, the farm 5km off the west coast of Tiree. The also mid-January. Please be sure to check the who may have been in a similar situation. We presence of birds saw three of four crofters’ project will have a generating capacity of insert page for more information as well as our now have a list of mentors who can help with planning applications for wind turbines unable website and Facebook page. more practical issues. The HQ team should be to proceed. 1.800MW, delivered through up to 500 able to help you locate the best person. SNH also responded to crofters’ complaints turbines which could annually provide power Please bear in mind however, that as much on damage caused by ravens and hooded to the equivalent of over one million homes. as we do try to help, SCF staff and volunteers crows to wrapped silage bales. Among a Crofters were concerned that an overland More roots and are not qualifi ed to give legal advice, so in number of suggestions was that bales should power cable from the wind farm would some cases we may be not be able to give be stored on their ends and a large eye involve digging through fi elds and disturbing branches the necessary advice and will recommend painted on the top. underground stone drains. Members felt that EADERS MAY RECALL the article on contacting an accredited crofting lawyer, for The branch received an assurance that the SPR should, as a token of goodwill, resurface the above in the last issue outlining the which we can provide a contacts list. Croft House Grant Scheme administrative all the island's roads – 60 miles in all. SPR said proposal to restructure our branches and offi ce on the island is not to close. This followed they will consider the branch’s suggestion. R areas. This is a brief update on progress and speculation in a Highland newspaper that the In the interim SPR have set up a RESET fund, to refer members to the loose page insert with offi ce was to move to Oban. Members felt which is an initiative to better enable people with New legal this issue, showing the proposed geographical that such a proposal would result in six good Tiree connections to gain skills from employment spread of both branches and areas throughout superannuated posts leaving the island. One in the renewable energy industry. It is hoped the newly enlarged crofting areas. advice service member said we had lobbied long and hard crofters’ families will be able to avail themselves The philosophy behind what is now with the Scottish Government to have the of this worthwhile scheme. A new legal advisory scheme proposed is to create fewer but larger branches for members is being developed. to maximise the important role our volunteer supporters provide for the SCF. We believe Details will be announced in that the present number of so many small Martin Benson

due course. © branches will, over time, have a tendency to diminish and undervalue the efforts made by local representatives. Dear Sirs this was not an option for us. The one hectare It is the view of the membership working group that we have (be it small) has not been that, before this begins to happen, the Federation Predator debate We would like to thank you for writing obtained easily! After we further broke down must fi nd enough dedicated members to about our case in the last issue of our business plans into cold hard fi gures The help lead these newly-created branches and There is a keen debate over in the article Help for our members. and provided CHGS with letters of support Crofter become, as it were, the SCF’s eyes and ears at predator attacks on stock, such James and I were more than grateful from prospective customers we were fi nally grass roots level. Local contacts are vital to the as lamb losses due to increasing for the help the Crofting Federation gave awarded the grant. It was a great day for us function of this organisation. us with our appeal. The letter written for and we both felt a huge sense of relief. populations of sea eagles. Without relevant local information on a our appeal by Donald Murdie provided us We have to thank Donald Murdie and In the last issue of The Crofter we whole host of current crofting topics, our with hope and confi dence which made us also Billy Neilson, who showed enthusiasm invited members to email or post us representatives are effectively hamstrung keep pushing our case to the Croft House for our plans and kept us focused at a time details of incidents which would help and lack the necessary authority to make a Grant Scheme, even after our appeal was when we were close to giving up. written case or speak at the many face-to- us make a case to take to government. rejected! We were shown great support by We have now managed to decroft our face consultation opportunities we have with To date we have only received a few him in emails which often provided light at house site and are hopefully going to get a Baling on Alex's croft, mid August. Note geese at right of picture. government, EU and numerous agencies. responses – not enough to make a the end of a very dark tunnel. self-build mortgage sorted out very soon. The paper insert with this issue is intended convincing argument. It had been suggested to to show you the working group’s proposals us by CHGS offi cals that if we simply obtained THANK YOU If this is something that affects and we ask members to study this in the light more land then we would be given the grant, you we need to hear from you Help us keep you informed of their own situation and against their own as our croft would be more viable. However James, Hilary and Connie IN WRITING. post-code sector and tell us if we have got this We invite members who have not already done so to give us their email addresses right or wholly wrong. Please call or preferably to add to our contacts list. email HQ with your views. This way we can Simply sending an email to [email protected], with your membership number, revisit, review and adjust, if necessary, before enables us to add you to our contacts list so that we can send relevant news updates Are you considering moving out of crofting? the proposals are fi nally set down. Your help in as they occur. Many members already benefi t from this service. this exercise will be most appreciated. If you have a croft you no longer use and wish to make it available to someone else, please get in touch with SCF HQ. We can help We will not bombard you with spam! you fi nd the right person to take it over. John Bannister Company secretary 16 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 17 MEMBERSHIP FEATURE ON THE CROFT SCF helps with new crofts on Rum HAVE YOUR SAY Seven steps to bring abandoned croft-land back Vikki Trelfer, development offi cer on the legislation frankly confusing – a small piece Bordans, Clashnessie, Assynt island, explains of land surrounded by legislation seemed a into production very apt description. All we wanted was to Dear editor Does the croft have important habitats that sheds to fi nd out what works well and HREE NEW CROFTS were created on the make some land available to people who Janette Sutherland from SAC Portree advises should be protected both for their agricultural what they would change. Of ever-growing Isle of Rum as part of the handover of land would then be able to access grants and Owner-occupiers of crofts (unless only ANY PEOPLE are keen to bring benefi ts or environmental importance? For importance is to ensure that the building’s and assets from Scottish Natural Heritage make a wee bit of a living from the land. interested in making house sites, as raised T abandoned or little-used croft land example, woodland can offer excellent shelter location and design does not produce to the Rum Community in 2009 and 2010. The SCF offered a beacon of light in a murky in your June column) will be interested to back into use. for livestock and provide habitat for birds. excessive amounts of diffuse pollution. If you Crofting was seen as a good way of attracting ocean of confusion! We became associate hear about the Land Court’s recent decision M The work required will depend on intended Are there habitats that could earn an have a fi eld midden from livestock bedding new people to the island and enabling some of members and they offered advice and even in case SLC 121/11, in response to the use. If you are a new entrant to crofting and income under an agri-environment scheme, you should ensure that it is 10m from any our current residents to enter the crofting way came over to the island to help us interview Crofters Commission series of questions of 17 have decided to take on an abandoned croft, such as species rich meadows or wetlands? ditches or watercourses and 50m from any of life. It was hoped that the Croft House Grant our prospective crofters. They gave us hope February 2011, especially where the decision here are some general practical steps to It is important you check if your croft is in an springs or boreholes. Scheme would help create new housing in a that the apparently impossible ground we’d confi rms a break in future between owner- help get you started. Financial assistance area of environmental designation. Check on: When planning animal livestock buildings community with big aspirations for growth but been given for crofts was not in fact as bad as occupied crofts and grazing shares. That is, may be available through CCAGS and is http://gateway.snh.gov.uk/sitelink. make sure you consider animal welfare. Poor little in the way of accommodation for those we thought. Donald bounded gleefully across shares are not pertinents of such crofts, able outlined below. ventilation can increase pneumonia risk. wishing to join us in our journey. what we’d assumed was a useless piece of to travel automatically with them when crofts 2. Boundaries It is your responsibility to ensure your croft Also remember human health and safety The Isle of Rum Community Trust boggy land, exclaiming “This is fi ne ground for change hands. 1. Work out what is on the ground at present It is important that you walk the ground is stock-proof both to other crofts, common in relation to pen design; even the quietest employs a local development offi cer a croft, better than some I’ve seen!” In this situation it seems ironical that at a and take note of what is already there and its grazings and apportionments. Neighbours animals can become agitated when injured supported by the Highlands and Islands We love reading and it’s time when the Crofting Reform (Scotland) The Crofter condition. For example: are jointly responsible for some boundaries and your safety should be paramount. Enterprise community account management reassuring to have the wealth of knowledge Act 2010 has brought owner-occupancy Are there any existing improvements and you will need to ask your neighbours Taking on abandoned croft land is a programme and it was at a CAM event in and experience provided by the SCF behind substantially into line with tenancy in respect of including stone dykes, fences, handling or grazing clerk for more information. Good major project. However your local SAC the autumn of 2011 that I heard about the us. All three of our crofts are now let, and residence requirements and a burden of croft facilities or agricultural buildings? If so, do fencing is the key to happy neighbours and office is there to advise and help at every Scottish Crofting Federation. Neither I nor we’re even considering creating a woodland care, the assignation of shares will continue they require any repairs or replacement? support is available under CCAGS (operation step of the process. any of the trust directors had any experience croft – we’ll no doubt be back on the phone for to be scrutinised by local opinion, which can 7). When fencing boundaries could you plant of crofting and all of us found crofting help with that in due course! be highly hostile to applications for the benefi t of individuals who are not in favour with the a shelter-belt to provide long-term shelter on incumbent grazings committee. your croft? This has one interesting implication that is 3. Drainage not addressed in the Crofting Commission’s The fi rst step is to assess all drains/open draft plan, where it aspires to increase ditches and check they are running well and the number of individuals willing and able clear them if required. If you have wet areas to be involved with grazings committees or patches of standing water, this will require (paragraph 32). It may be helpful to remind further investigation to either fi x an existing the Commission that for this to take effect, the drainage scheme or consider putting in a eager, new individuals who are being sought new one. Help is available with the cost of drainage works through CCAGS (operation have to become share-holders in the fi rst Active crofting in action. Do you need to consider drainage 4). Livestock, especially cattle, crossing place, so that they can at least attend election and reseeding to regenerate fi elds to achieve this? meetings and either volunteer to join the ditches can often lead to erosion of ditch walls committee or nominate someone else. and diffuse pollution, so consider fencing off In short, the aspect of existing legislation ditches wherever practical. which specifi es the interests of the community 4. Access as a criterion for assignations can be positively Many croft access tracks were made when poisonous in this connection. all croft work was carried out by hand or with On top of this, the Commission has been very small tractors. Do you need to consider operating a procedure that I have not found improving access tracks onto the croft for in any of the Crofting Acts, to offer its own modern tractors or ATVs? CCAGS grant is hearings even before an intervention – that available for this (operation 10). is, a decision by the Commission to sustain 5. Soil sampling objections to an application for assignation All crofting agriculture, whether it is under Crofting Reform etc Act 2007 Section 3 Fences important for livestock management livestock or horticulture, is dependent on Crofts with incorporated shelter from trees. well-managed soil. Sampling your soil to New croft on Rum (the section that revises the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993 by adding a Section 58A (6)). fi nd out the current pH, phosphorus and And notwithstanding that since 2007 the potassium status is essential to plan a Commission has had a formal monopoly of programme for managing and enhancing the consent, it has certainly listened to landlord agricultural yields from the ground. Consult representations to a degree verging on your local SAC offi ce for suggestions of abdication, where the land-owner has been specifi c tests for certain vegetable crops etc. under effective control by grazing committees. CCAGS funding is available for grassland A group of Crofters Commissioners were only improvement and restoration works shocked, in 2011, when it appeared to them (operation 3). If the ground has not been that on one such estate, administration was worked for a long time you should apply for more centralised and remote from the grass- an environmental impact assessment before roots even than this. starting any reseeding works. Also of interest is whether in certain 6. Liming townships the Commission’s recent steps If your soils have low pH and require towards registering common grazings – in lime, consider working in collaboration with the fi rst stage, confi rmation of boundaries – neighbours to share bringing in a load of lime Coming soon to a croft on Rum? will result in error being enshrined over the and the hire of equipment to spread it. This boundaries between grazings and contiguous can save signifi cant amounts of money. crofts, to the detriment of crofters who, as non- 7. Buildings shareholders, were left out of the consultation Buildings are the biggest capital item on find us online at www.crofting.org conducted by their grazing clerk. most crofts; therefore they should be carefully planned. It is well worth visiting other crofters’ Roger Kershaw Good drains are vital. Active grassland management 18 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 19 ON THE CROFT LANDMAPS Ready for winter? Liver fl uke – be on The Scottish Government has published a document called Safer your guard this year! Scotland – Getting Ready for Winter and a health and safety information note. Both can be obtained from the local SGRPD offi ce. Local SAC offi ces are also handing out the health and safety note. Dr Philip Skuce from Moredun be considered. Inksters can provide you with Research Institute provides some Triclabendazole- (unless timely advice there is confi rmed/suspected Landmaps provide accurate maps that are suitable for all aspects of specialist advice on all aspects resistance), closantel- or land management from buying or selling land, to farm and forestry IVER FLUKE is a highly nitroxynil-based products would management. We can define croft boundaries for land registry purposes of crofting law throughout the and provide Ordnance Survey maps, aerial photos and land use maps. pathogenic fl atworm be good options for autumn-winter Crofting Counties from our offices Lparasite of sheep and cattle treatments as the fl uke present All types of area measurements in Inverness and Glasgow. and the potential losses caused are likely to be young/immature. Ordnance Survey maps can be very high. In late spring/summer, fl ukicides Land use surveys Livestock become infected by that kill adult stages would be De-crofting plans ingesting liver fl uke cysts, shed preferred, with the intention of Property sale plans and land registry maps Glasgow Croft, farm and estate management maps Brian Inkster by infected mud snails, while stopping the adult fl uke from Maps for SRDP applications Solicitor + Notary Public grazing on pasture. laying eggs and contaminating Maps for planning applications Liver fl uke is very much pasture but also to help take the 0141 229 0880 affected by temperature and pressure off the aforementioned [email protected] rainfall as it spends much of its products. life-cycle outside the host. As a Further Advice LANDMAPS result of the very wet summer When devising a control Inverness most of the UK has experienced strategy it is important to consider KELSO Eilidh Ross this year, the industry-led SCOPS your croft’s fl uke history and the TD5 7QE (Sustainable Control of Parasites implications of regional weather 01573 225 028 Solicitor + Notary Public 07789 220 469 01463 210 333 in Sheep) initiative has launched patterns. Detection and early [email protected] [email protected] a liver fl uke alert (see www. diagnosis of fl uke, either by post- www.landmaps.co.uk scops.org.uk for details) to raise mortem examination, abattoir awareness and to provide advice returns, or from faecal egg counts, as we enter peak fl uke season, is vital to help minimize losses. croftinglaw.com from October onwards. Management options such as fencing and drainage should also Action to protect Treatment of liver fl uke be considered, where practicable, infections to help reduce exposure of stock Liver fl uke control still relies to potential snail habitats. ash trees heavily on the use of fl ukicidal In all cases, it is advisable to

ANDERSON MACARTHUR CONTROL strategy for eradication – which would involve drugs. There are a variety follow best practice when treating Fresh look… Scotland’s ash trees the wholesale destruction of of products on the market. animals and where possible, Solicitors Av threatened with Chalara, mature ash trees and woodlands Some are available as straight ascertain how well any treatment the die-back disease, has been and widespread damage to fl ukicides, others in combination has worked by conducting a post- implemented. the wider ecosystem – is not a with wormers – see www. drench effi cacy test. Simon A. Fraser, OBE, D.L., M.A., N.P. Fresh ideas… Forestry Commission Scotland realistic option. noahcompendium.co.uk and And fi nally, quarantine will: Mature infected ash can www.scops.org.uk for details. It treatment and suitable pasture Duncan M. Burd, LL.B., Dip.L.P., N.P. • provide advice on survive for ten or twenty years is important to remember that management are considered Associate, Margaret Mackay, LLB (Hons)., management of mature infected and some trees may have not all products kill all stages of best practice advice to prevent fl uke. It is therefore vital to ensure bringing fl uke onto your property Dip.LP., N.P. Fresh thinking… ash trees; a genetic resistance to the • identify resistant mature ash disease – a resistance that the correct product is used at the with bought-in stock. Solicitors and Estate Agents which could be used to develop could be propagated in new correct time so that the liver fl uke new resistant strains to restock strains of Chalara-resistant ash stages most likely to be present Dr Philip Skuce is a principal serving the Highlands and Islands woodlands; that can be used to help restock in stock at that moment are killed. research scientist at Moredun Triclabendazole is still the drug Research Institute, near for over 100 years • investigate woodland Scottish woodlands. management techniques to help There is no need to take of choice for treating acute fl uke Edinburgh. If you would more slow down the spread of the immediate remedial action infections because it has the information about controlling liver broadest kill range, from young fl uke in sheep, including a free 12 Old Bank of Scotland Buildings, Stornoway, disease and lessen its impact; because the Chalara infection is • identify isolated locations only transmitted in the summer immature fl uke to adult. However, page newsheet, please contact Isle of Lewis HS1 2BG protected from windborne spread months. Individuals can greatly there are now confi rmed cases of The Moredun Foundation on Tel: 01851 703356 Fax: 01851 702 766 The land, the language, of spores to use as a refuge for assist efforts to slow the spread TCBZ-resistant fl uke in the UK so 0131 445 5111 or log onto their ash; of the disease if they take simple alternative products may need to website www.moredun.org.uk. • develop a feasible and precautions and ensure they do and the people affordable approach to dealing not carry leaves or other plant www.anderson-macarthur.com with infected young ash on newly- matter on their boots or equipment. AWARD-WINNING COMBINATION planted sites; The disease has a widely MacDonald House, Somerled Square, OF OLD AND NEW • continue to survey dispersed range across the surrounding infected sites. country and has been found in Portree, Isle of Skye IV51 9EH The next phase will involve several new planting sites as well Tel: 01478 612197 Fax: 01478 612 451 working closely with all of the land as in mature trees at two sites. managers in Scotland – and the As we went to press, Carrbridge

public – to monitor the disease, was the nearest infected area to R P E PA Simon Fraser is accredited by the Law Every E WS N report it wherever it is found and crofting locations. D N E W -O 2 E 01 YE 2 deal with it and identify resistant O Y E 5 y For more information on Society of Scotland as a specialist in Crofting PL RUAR oll EM B T D R S Y 3 FE PROFIL FI mature trees. Thursday S DA Chalara, how to spot symptoms ’ FRI of UK Dynamic E Law. TH cLeod Ma With the disease now present and who to report concerns to, nvegan No 2075 n Du in the wider environment, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara. Adult fl uke escaping from the bile duct of a sheep at post mortem. 2 e o me 20 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 21 ON THE CROFT

‘Everything for the Crookmaker’ Shetland lamb Back a non-GMO blight- buffalo horn • preformed handles • ferrules & collars repeats success in files & rasps • shanks • adhesives & abrasives • forming jigs beating potato knifemaking • archery & guntrades catered for • finished hornware Great Taste awards NORTH WALES potato though there are already non- Largest diverse horn, bone and antler stockholding in Europe breeder is raising backing GM alternatives out in the fi eld. OR THE SECOND year Marketing Group, who run the Free printed catalogue on request. Av on the internet for a Literally. What is more, they do Complete up to date catalogue at www.highlandhorn.com running Briggs’ Shetland abattoir in Shetland. Without promising line of non-GM blight- not depend on chemical sprays to Hard stag antler / tup horn bought for top cash rates FLamb has been awarded a this facility I would not have a resistant potatoes. keep blight at bay. gold two star award. Over 8,000 business.” The Sárvári Research Trust’s Given the loading of crop Warehouse premises Alness. Visitors by appointment food products were judged in Briggs’ Shetland Lamb sells rugged Sárpo line already has treatments used on intensive The Highland Horn Company Ltd 2012 and a gold two star award lambs straight off the pasture nationally-listed varieties, but the crops, Shaw describes industrial Taigh na Corrach, Knockmuir, Avoch IV9 8RD puts Shetland seaweed lamb in where they were raised. Tel: 01381 622488 Mob: 0774 810 5415 costs of testing for a further listing potatoes as a “dirty crop.” He [email protected] the top 10 per cent. The quality of the meat can is daunting. “Plant breeders are explains that the modern potato Harbro Country Layers Pellets Commenting on his award, be attributed to the natural paying, paying, paying,” Sárvári varieties found in supermarkets Richard Briggs said: “This is a environment and traditional croft Trust’s David Shaw explained, owe their visual appeal to high Health and performance great boost for native shetland husbandry of native breed of “even though a commercial launch chemical inputs. Strong egg shells lamb. For this particular entry sheep in Shetland. The French is still years away. Wheat or barley “Blight is still evolving,” he I must give credit to my friend have a word for this, terrior. breeders can get hundreds of warns, adding that fresh varieties Rich yolk colour and mentor Agnes Leask from Native Shetland Lamb is seeds when multiplying, but with are needed for low-input holdings Selenium and vitamin E whose flock the entry was available for delivery to Shetland potatoes, you get back six or where chemical treatments add sourced. I would also like to and UK mainland postcodes from Vitamins and minerals seven useable seed potatoes for to the expense of growing a thank the Shetland Livestock www.briggs-shetlandlamb.co.uk. every tuber you plant.” staple crop. Available from your local Harbro Country Store The current Sárpo lines are Visit the website at http:// Regulating to promote active crofting, to help sustain the Staneyhill, Lerwick Tel: 01595 693744 successfully grown in North sarvari-trust.org/ wellbeing of rural communities. Harbour Road, Inverness Tel: 01463 701999 Wales. They are deep-rooting, Top up the crowd-funding Annat, Corpach Tel: 01397 772434 have high yields and do not need at https://www.buzzbnk.org/ refrigerated storage. ProjectDetails.aspx?projectId=84 Riaghladh airson croitearachd gnìomhach adhartachadh gus Struan Road, Portree Tel: 01478 612212 Kilmory Ind. Est., Lochgilphead Tel: 01546 603804 By the end of October, cuideachadh le mathas nan coimhearsnachdan dùthchail more than £5,000 had been *http://www.gmwatch.org/latest- Harbro Stockists a chumail suas. pledged online. Unlike biotech listing/51-2012/14196-non-gm- J & W Tait, Kirkwall Tel: 01856 873003 Great Glen House, Leachkin Road development projects, there are blight-resistant-spuds-in-danger Inverness, IV3 8NW. Lewis Crofters, Stornoway Tel: 01851 702350 T: 01463 663 439 no government handouts. E: [email protected] www.harbrocountrystores.co.uk According to GMWatch*, the Peter Crosskey, UK web John Innes Centre has secured correspondent £1.7 million in public funding The Agricultural and Rural for a GM potato project, even Convention CROFT MAPPING Micro Hydro Renewable Mapping and surveying services for: Energy Systems Driving forward

• Decrofting applications Domestic Crof ts Estates Community Groups Richard and Agnes working sheep at Cott woodland crofts • Croft divisions HREE community-based to many of the pressing rural • Registration Proterra Energy is based in the Highlands, Dates for your diary organisations have problems of the 21st century. • Planning applications designing and installing micro hydro systems Tjoined forces in a new Three knowledge-share • Deed plans EEP YOUR FARMING farmed (as at 1 January 2013) push to promote and develop events took place over the to provide affordable calendar up to date with must be entered on the inventory woodland crofts. autumn as we went to press, Years of experience, reasonable rates and based in Kour guide below, put form and returned in the pre-paid The SCF, the Community each hosted by one of the renewable energy across Scotland together in partnership with envelope no later than 1 February Dingwall so easy access to most of the Highlands Woodlands Association and the project partners and highlighting Scotland’s Environmental and 2013. Completion of the annual Highlands Small Communities a particular woodland crofts Rural Services. inventory is a legal requirement. Housing Trust plan a number theme. The next issue of The Call: 0791-2217232 • e-mail: [email protected] • www.highlandgeomatics.co.uk [email protected] These are some of the Any sheep or goat keepers of measures over the coming Crofter will report on these. key dates and deadlines for who did not receive an inventory months. 01456 459 157 application forms, licences etc. form should contact their local These include a woodland The list is not exhaustive, and SGRPID area offi ce and request crofts register of interest, to Dave Thompson MSP Feasibility Study & Site Survey some dates may change. Keep in a blank form for completion. match up those who wish to touch with your local department On 31 January 2013 the obtain a woodland croft with Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency (SNP) for the latest information. Scottish Government will publish those who have them to offer Scottish Crofting Federation An t-Eilean Sgitheanach Loch Abar agus Bàideanach Applications & Detailed Design Census forms for the annual the 2012 Farm Income Estimate, – or plan to develop them. The Constituency includes Dingwall, the Black Isle, Aird and Loch Ness December survey of main including 2012 Total Income From expectation is that the evidence Construction & Commissioning agricultural holdings were issued Farming (TIFF) estimates and I hold regular surgeries. provided by the register will help Our mission is on 23 November. The deadline results of Farm Business Income stimulate the creation of new I am always happy to hear from you. for completion and return is 17 (FBI) from the 2011/12 Farm woodland crofts. to safeguard No matter how small the problem is, December. Accounts Survey. A dedicated website for and promote the I always do my very best to help. Forms for the annual survey Further to last year’s woodland crofts – www. rights, livelihoods of tenanted land have also now announcement payment woodlandcrofts.org – will Constituency Office, Thorfin House, been issued, with a deadline for information can also now be Bridgend Business Park, Dingwall, IV15 9SL cover not just the legalities and culture of Phone: 01349 864701 Fax: 01349 866327 completion and return of 11 January. viewed online for the Less and practicalities of woodland crofters and their Email: [email protected] The annual sheep and goat Favoured Area Support Scheme crofts but also the philosophy: www.davethompsonmsp.org inventory form is posted out to and Land Managers Options. why small-scale, holistic communities keepers in December. The stock For more information on SEARS management of woodland under A’ seasamh nan còraichean agadsa – standing up for you present on each of the holdings visit www.sears.scotland.gov.uk crofting tenure can be an answer 22 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 23 Mary’s memories Sguaban arbhair HESE TWO little books by Mary Keith, read. As district nurse, Mary was on call 24 the advent of a small milking machine. There HON A CHAIDH dealbh mun cuairt air an rud air fad. Bha luaidh air a bhleith. Chì sinn ge-tà cultarach a bhith ann gus na subtitled Nursing in Jura 1963-1993 hours a day, every day of the week. In addition to is an amusing tale of Mary’s mother having to de sguaban arbhair a e mar sin rudeigin seasmhach corra chroitear a’ cur agus a’ buain cleachdannan tradaiseanta ath- Tand Living and crofting at Keils, Jura, midwife services, she provided the “last offi ces”. wear Mary’s coat before one cow would let her Bchur ri taobh an artagail an aghaidh na gaoithe, agus le taic-airgid bho na sgeimichean bheothachadh? An uair sin an dèidh present an entertaining reminder of life in a Mary’s crofting recollections in the second milk down to the unaccustomed milkmaid. mu dheireadh agam, bha mi ghabhadh a chur ann an toitean àrainneachd, ach sin gus na h-eòin bualaidh is bleith, ghabhadh aran- west-coast island crofting community in the book start in the days before electricity, The eternal cycle of the crofting year is smaointinn gun sgrìobhainn air (huts) nuair a bha e gu ìre mhòr leithid nan gealagan buachair a coirce agus aran eòrna dèanamh. second half of the last century. phones or many cars on Jura. Some homes detailed, with neighbours helping each other arbhair an turas seo! air tiormachadh. Sheasadh an bhrosnachadh. An àite sgeime Beò shlàinte do chroitearan a The author was a key fi gure in Jura during had no running water inside. at lambing, planting and lifting tatties, peat Nach e rud samhlachail a tha arbhar mar sin gus am biodh e uile àrainneachd, nach biodh e na bu bharrachd air na h-eòin! her thirty years as district nurse and midwife, Every day she hand milked four cows, before cutting, hay making – fi rst with a horse-drawn san arbhar? Mar a thuirt an sean gu lèir tioram agus a ghabhadh fhreagarraich sgeime taic-airgid Gabhan Mac a'Phearsain a period in which the NHS was changing, as cutter which was later converted to be pulled fhacal: ‘S e an t-ullachadh a nì cruachan a dhèanadh dheth was the island itself. When Mary fi rst started behind a tractor. buileachadh, à treabhadh thig a bhiodh dìonach an aghaidh nursing there were 31 children from babies to The book ends with a collection of humorous na sguaban, à sguaban thig na stoirmean a gheamhraidh. school age. After eleven years that number sayings of local character Donald Black. h-adagan, à adagan na cruachan. ‘S fhada bho bha daoine had declined to just a few. Mary herself had Even those who do not know the Isle of Jura Sin prìomh obair an àiteachais, a’ bleith an t-sil airson min, to travel to Glasgow to give birth by boat, will fi nd much to love in these books. They will siol a chur airson arbhar a bhuain agus mar sin chan fhaca mise bus, then train. When the seas were rough a make an ideal Christmas stocking present san fhoghar. Tha mi an-diugh a’ arbhar ga bhualadh ach a lifeboat was used. for anyone interested in the Highlands and faireachdainn fortanach gu bheil mhàin le muilnean mòra agus Mary Keith’s modest recounting of her Islands and crofting, and are available for £6 cuimhne agam air an obair sin na h-innealan buana “combine” sometimes hair-raising adventures and each directly from Mary Keith at: fhaicinn san dòigh tradaiseanta, a chì thu sna h-achaidhean achievements around the island and trips to the Braigh Bhaille arbhair ga bhuain le binder no eòrna an taobh an ear Alba. mainland, plus the pictures she paints of local 6, Keills, Craighouse eadhon le speal, no le inneal- A rèir Osgood MacCoinnich, characters and their foibles, makes a fascinating Isle of Jura Tel: 01496 820 214 geàrraidh corragach nuair a a’ sgrìobhadh aig toiseach bha thu am feum na sguaban a na fi cheadamh linn, bha an cheangail le bann de sràbhan. cleachdadh air dol à bith ann Crofting Connections: the Kenyan connection Bha thu an uair sin a’ cur sia an Geàrrloch – “‘s gann gu bheil no uaireannan ochd sguaban bolla mine ga bhleith air croit Pam Rodway reports communities across Kenya. The gardens also Both Crofting Connections and the NECOFA suas an aghaidh a chèile nan sam bith an-diugh agus tha na act as demonstration and seed multiplication school gardens initiative work with schools adag, agus nuair a bha mise ga muilnean a’ tuiteam as a chèile”. UGHIE DONALDSON, Karen centres for the entire community, thus in remote rural areas, where agriculture and dhèanamh ann an Eilean Idhe ‘S gann gu bheil sìol coirce MacRae and Maria Scholten contributing towards food security and horticulture, including small-scale subsistence comhla ri fear Jimmy Beaton no eòrna ga chur idir sa Hrepresented SCF at Salone del biodiversity conservation. The project was farming and crofting, account for a large part bhitheamaid a’ cur bann eile Ghaidhealtachd an-diugh gun Gusto/Terra Madre this October. initiated by NECOFA in collaboration with the of the local economy. The two projects have The spectacular global exhibition Slow Food central rift convivium and the Slow several aims in common. showcased some of the world’s best foods Food foundation for biodiversity in 2005. The schools partnership will enable pupils saved by Slow Food through the Ark of Taste In Kenya agriculture contributes about 40% in both projects to link their local community New shoots essential to sustainable development and the Presidia. to GDP and provides employment to over 70% involvement with wider global issues, The highlight of the SCF stand was a display of the national workforce. However, it is not including the challenges of climate change ECLAIM THE STREETS youth activists biodiversity. The third priority in the proposed through SCF with the Skills Development and tasting of four Ark of Taste products with given suffi cient emphasis in school curriculum; and to generate international understanding. in urban areas campaign for collective reform of the CAP is about supporting young Scheme, Crofting Resources Programme and crofting roots – beremeal bannocks, Shetland and over 50% of the youth leaving schools Schools have already started to make links Rownership of public spaces. Across and fi rst-time farmers with access to land. Crofting Connections. Point 16 proposes a reestit mutton, Shetland cabbage and without continuing in further education end with each other online and we hope to arrange Europe, Reclaim the Fields is emerging as a Meanwhile the European Parliament farm corps gap year for young people not in Shetland black tatties. up in rural areas unprepared for a career as exchange teacher visits, starting in 2013. constellation of young people and collective published a paper this September looking at education, employment or training; and point We were delighted to renew our contact small-scale farmers. Students are encouraged So, at Terra Madre 2012, Hughie Donaldson projects willing to go back to the land and EU measures to encourage and support new 13 – new food indicators – includes the idea with Samuel Muhunyu, leader of the Kenyan to replicate the school garden activities at and I met with members of the Kenyan reassume control over food production. entrants. There is an acknowledgement that delegation and head of NECOFA (Network home, bringing benefi ts of increased food delegation – Samuel Muhunyu, Jane Karanja, of progress marked by the number of new At the European Coordination Via current support structures have not worked farmers. for Ecological Farming in Africa), who had security to the entire community. Kenyan school gardens project coordinator, Campesina (ECVC) youth meeting in and new thinking is needed. Facilitating a met Norman Leask and Neil MacLeod at Maasai chief Samuel Sekeu from Baringo, To that end we must increase targeted, Strasbourg last November a presenter young rural ecology that retains young people responsive, support to young people who Terra Madre 2008. Samuel was looking for Agnes Salim from the remote Mau forest explained a proposal that eliminated all youth in rural areas must go beyond short-term have a desire to make a life and a living in a project with which to link the NECOFA community and Amos Gachuki, one of the unemployment with a swift and thorough schemes or a focus on land. There needs rural areas. This of course includes opening school gardens initiative, so we told him about head teachers, to discuss the next steps. We transformation of EU agriculture policy to to be real distribution of decision-making, a up access to land – SCF’s 10,000 new Crofting Connections. In November 2010, enjoyed the Shetland Ark of Taste products, support food sovereignty. So what is getting in diversifying of stereotypes, as well as strategic crofts by 2020 strategy is a fi ne start – and Samuel visited Crofting Connections schools with Hibernator Ale from Black Isle Brewery, the way of young people’s desires to achieve and infrastructure development. in the Highlands and Orkney and attended the reaching across the world in a gesture of affordable homes, as well as trailing an ever sensible policy outcomes? Access, cost, The Fife diet food manifesto for Scotland Crofting Connections reception in the Scottish hospitality to ensure that a new generation of increasing diversity of agri-ecology. But it also graft, return and perception! brings the ECVC struggles to life – connecting Parliament. young people can face the challenges of the In January 2010 ECVC published its vision our food production to climate change; means listening to young people, urban and The school gardens in Kenya initiative 21st century in rural communities. for the CAP post 2013: Towards a Common environmental issues to health and well-being; rural, about the desires they have to be part of aims to encourage positive attitudes to Ark of Taste – www.slowfood.org.uk/ark_ Agriculture and Food Policy 2013, within a and underpinning it with shared values. Point a new food economy. food, agriculture and the environment and a areas/ark-scotland food sovereignty framework including three 2, the right to grow, is a call for making vacant greater understanding of the connection of Salone del Gusto/Terra Madre see http:// broad areas for redesigning agriculture: land available for food production a focus in Susan Garde Pettie all three among the nation’s youth. It teaches salonedelgustoterramadre.slowfood.com 1) Ensure access to food for all people; policies – what then of good croft land going Fhaoilinn Croft sustainable agriculture and food nutrition as NECOFA Kenya – http://necofakenya. 2) Respond to the challenge of employment; to housing? Point 14 is farm apprenticeships; Glenelg, IV40 8JZ the basis for creating stable livelihoods in wordpress.com/about and 3) Reduce global warming and save point 15 is school farms; both areas addressed 0794 88 33 008

WE CAN DESIGN CUSTOM MADE GRAPHICS AND LOGOS TO HELP GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PRINT SERVICES PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS OR Broadford, Isle of Skye IV49 9AP [email protected] Maasai chief Samuel Sekeu, project coordinator Jane Kenyan head teacher Amos Gachuki and project leader ORGANISATION. Karanja and project leader Samuel Muhunyu enjoying Samuel Muhunyu enjoying crofting hospitlity at Terra Terra Madre 2012 - Shetland reestit mutton, Shetland 01471 822 555 www.strathprint.co.uk crofting hospitality at Terra Madre 2012 Madre 2012 cabbage and beremeal bannocks from the Ark of Taste 24 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 25 Worldwide workers on organic farms A wwoofer’s experience many of the neighbouring farms of the farm assorted dogs, Geordie neighbours and an Rewarding help on the croft as it depends on the work we Gav and Laura Copland describe their need done. We include them in wwoofi ng adventures. where I worked were facing a yearly battle opera-loving cat. We’ve worked alongside to meet their rents and an unsecure future, hosts who have really gone the extra mile Christine Martin describes the our family activities so that they o someone who lives and works in the despite the recent rallying in the lamb and for us – teaching us, amongst other things, benefits of using wwoofers on have had a real sample of life on Highlands or on the Western Isles, it’s wool markets. butchery, dry-stane dyking, how to fence her family croft in Breakish, Isle a croft on Skye. not hard to explain what drove us to We weren’t sure where our future lay, when the water table is only a foot below of Skye. Most want to learn and will T work alongside you but we have leave our jobs and come wwoofi ng up north; but by chance I heard about the SCF’s the surface, a smattering of Gaelic and E HAVE FRIENDS who had a few who have been very every crofter we’ve stayed with and worked for introduction to crofting course in March important lessons about the history of the take in wwoofers on the skilled and saved us a lot of has known exactly why we came here. 2012 and signed up to it. It was a superb places we’ve stayed. Weast coast and when we money. One was a trained fi tter. When we tried to explain to folk back home weekend, where I learnt a terrifi c amount On our days off we’ve walked in the Cuillins were talking to them about the He was interested in mending most of them would roll their eyes and make about traditional and modern aspects of on Skye, had moving visits to the remains of amount of work we had to do on and servicing any machinery some crass comment about “the good life”, but crofting and met some really inspirational villages demolished by the clearances, sat in our croft they told us how helpful on the croft and in building jobs. they have not seen the Highlands yet. They people – some already crofting and some in wonder amidst the frenetic Gaelic chatter at it was to have wwoofers. He rebuilt a greenhouse we had haven’t begun to understand the quiet dignity a position similar to our own. Stornoway lamb sales and helped round up The wwoof philosophy of been given in a dismantled state. of the men and women we’ve met, who work We didn’t look back after that, and planned the Department Bull. sharing skills and lifestyles is In no time he had the whole 16ft their crofts where the mountain touches the a year of wwoofi ng on crofts in the Highlands Most of all though, we’ve been enthused very important. This made it work x12ft greenhouse up and ready to ocean. Many work land their families have and Western Isles, which began in August. and encouraged at every step to join the well for us and is what the wwoof use for autumn planting. worked but many, as we hope to be, have Our criteria for choosing our hosts were fairly crofting community. We don’t yet know organisation promotes for hosts If you feel you need help on been more recent additions to the story of simple. We wanted a good geographical where we’ll settle. I think we’ve left every and participants. Wwoof does the croft, then being a wwoof crofting. Work being the operative word here, spread so we could see as many of the village we’ve stayed in a little bit in love with not discriminate between those host could be for you. They are mind. The crofting we have experienced has crofting counties as possible. We wanted to it, but I have no doubt that our future lies in who are farming organically for short of hosts on the west coast defi nitely not been an antiquated oddity – fi nd a good mix of small-scale pastoral and the crofting tradition, amongst the men and sale and those who are farming and we can really recommend neither a part of the heritage industry nor an arable activities to learn from; to visit active women of mountain, glen and ocean. ecologically for self suffi ciency them. Apart from all the help unproductive lifestyle choice. crofting communities – and we wanted to stay If we stay on a croft near you, do come and In addition to our music we received, we met interesting The jobs we had been doing in our old with families to see how crofters balanced the say hello! publishing business, on our croft young people and learned a lot lives no longer felt quite enough for us, but demands of the land, their children and often we have two cows with followers, about other cultures. it seemed the only way my wife and I could other employment. Stop press: The Isle of Rum Community fi ve beehives and hens. We have If you’d like to know more have stayed at home and worked on the land Our travels so far have taken us to Rum, Trust have offered us the tenancy of a croft on an extensive vegetable and fruit about our experiences, please would have been to apply for the tenancy to Lewis and to Skye and up and down the Rum! I didn't think our wwoofi ng adventures garden with two polytunnels contact SCF HQ, who can email of one of the 200-acres-plus estate farms. coast of Sutherland. We have stayed with would be coming to a close so quickly, but and two greenhouses as well you some extra information I The days of long-term tenancy farming some fantastic people and made many we're very excited to be able to crack on with as outside beds and we sell have put together. seem to be drawing to a close though, and friends – including not a few pet lambs, our own croft now. vegetables in the summer. Sometimes we also have a pig to www.wwoof.org.uk rear for meat and we also fatten up a stirk every second year for our own beef. We also have trees that need thinning and brashing and wood to chop from the thinned trees. We have fences to mend and peats to cut as well as buildings to maintain. We duly signed up as wwoof hosts for a £30 fee. The participants also pay £20 to join. Wwoofers expect good food and accommodation and they tend to eat a lot as they are young and expend a lot of energy on your croft! But for this they will work between four and six hours a day for fi ve days a week free. Our fi rst wwoofer had a chainsaw licence. He brashed and thinned all our trees and then  1 : JV 1Q`@ HQJJVH 1J$ `:`IV`5 $`Q1V` tidied up and chopped our logs :JR I:CC.QCRV` 11 . 0QC%J VV` 1.Q 1:J Q for our 2010 winter wood supply. CV:`J :GQ% CQ1R1I]:H 5 VC`R%``1H1VJ :JR Q`$:J1H During the spring/summer of 2010 we had another seven wwoofers C101J$ `1` R.:JR8 to stay at different times. This RQC%J VV` .VC] .Q  1J `V %`J `Q` `QQR5 year, 2012, we had 15 wwoofers. The wwoof handbook has :HHQIIQR: 1QJ5 @JQ1CVR$V :JR .:JRRQJ a profi le of our interests and V6]V`1VJHV lifestyle. We have found our RQ $V Q IVV C1@VRI1JRVR ]VQ]CV ``QI working guests very compatible, interesting and hardworking :`Q%JR .V 1Q`CR :JR $:1J 0:C%:GCV V6 `: .VC] QJ young people from many .V C:JR countries, who are using wwoof as a way to travel and experience life in other European countries. Q` IQ`V 1J`Q`I: 1QJ :JR Q Sometimes we speak to them =Q1J : : .Q Q` 0QC%J VV` 011 on the phone fi rst, though these days visits are usually arranged 111811QQ`8Q`$8%@ by email. We have not taken on all those who requested to come, 26 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 27

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Agent of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited. We do right by you

The deer code F YOU OWN OR MANAGE land where This deer code came into effect on 1st The code sets out what those with deer on there are deer, or manage wild deer on January 2012. It is a statutory code, which their land must, should and could do. Isomeone else’s land, the deer code applies means it’s not an offence to breach the “Musts” set out the legal obligations. to you. code. However your application of the deer Everyone is responsible, irrespective of the The code applies to all species of deer in code will be taken into account if regulation scale of their involvement, to be familiar and all habitats. becomes necessary. comply with these. An example of a “must” The deer code applies to any crofter who is that to shoot deer out of season you must shoots deer on land they own or manage – apply for an out-of-season authorisation. for example, marauding deer on farmland and “Shoulds” set out what needs to be done to crops. avoid the risk of regulation – for example, Responsibilities come with the right to work with others to reduce road safety shoot, control and manage deer. These risks. “Coulds” set out good practice in deer include: management – for example, promoting • deer welfare; venison to local schools. • to consider your neighbours’ Actions relevant to crofters include: responsibilities; ‘Take account of other economic • to collaborate with your neighbours to activities when managing wild deer’ and develop a joint plan. ‘Take account of the impacts of your The extent to which the deer code applies management activities on welfare of deer’. Find out more by contacting to you depends on the number of deer and All of these actions have been taken from what they are doing, how frequently and Scotland’s Wild Deer: A National Approach your local NFU Mutual branch when. The code is there to give you guidance www.snh.gov.uk/land-and-sea/managing- and support. wildlife/managing-deer/wdna/. at www.nfumtual.co.uk We do right by you It supports the voluntary approach to Wild deer best practice guides: the sustainable deer management by setting out: deer code points to relevant guides for • how to work together; detailed practical and technical advice. NFU Mutual is The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited (No. 111982). Registered in England. Registered Office: • an overview of everyone’s responsibilities www.bestpracticeguides.org.uk. Tiddington Road, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7BJ. For security and training purposes, telephone calls may be recorded to deer and their management; For further information on the deer and monitored. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. A member of the Association of British Insurers. • actions which must, should and could be code: www.snh.gov.uk/deercode or contact followed; [email protected]. • where to fi nd further practical guidance For details on authorisations: www.snh. and advice; gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/species- • how and when SNH can become involved licensing/deer/authorisations, or contact in deer management, including regulation. [email protected]. 28 THE CROFTER, DECEMBER 2012 The ideal Christmas present Horticulture northern and western seaboard availability of grant schemes; Available to SCF members of the mainland, as well as and forming groups for mutual for £10 and non-members for – a handbook for crofters central highland areas with their support. There is guidance on £15, plus postage if necessary. high altitudes and long, bitter specifi c crops and case studies Please contact SCF HQ to order RITTEN BY experienced winters. Taking into account soil on established growers. your copy. growers, three of them and climatic conditions across “We hope to prove beyond Wpracticing crofters, the entire crofting area, the book doubt the case for crofting Horticulture – a handbook for the handbook presents all the advises on appropriate sowing horticulture and help to bring crofters forms a major part of information required by new and and planting times. about a step change in local the SCF’s Crofting Resources experienced growers. Beautifully Building and maintaining soil food production,” one of Programme, funded by the illustrated, the book comes in fertility and methods to control the authors states. “In the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, a convenient loose-leaf style in pests and diseases are all economic and environmental The Scottish Government, The a ring binder with space for you covered, favouring low-input circumstances we face, the European Union and Highlands to add your own pages of notes, and sustainable, if not actually sustainability of island and and Islands Enterprise. cropping plans etc. organic, methods. Machinery is remote mainland communities The handbook provides a guide discussed; polytunnels and other will more and more depend on for growers in the challenging structures for protected growing; self-sufficiency in goods and conditions of the islands and the marketing and adding value; services, especially food.”

Horticulture: a Handbook for Crofters .u k .strathprint.co

Produce Scottish Crofting Federation Highlands and Islands Croft Origin Toradh Croitearachd na h-Alba rooted in our communities Às a’ chroit anns a’ Ghàidhealtachd ‘s na h-Eileanan How to contact us

Postal address and registered offi ce 01471 822 555 www Scottish Crofting Federation Head Offi ce e tel : Kyle of Lochalsh IV40 8AX General enquiries & membership: [email protected] Isle of Sky

Tel: 01599 530 005 Fax: 01599 618 038 d, Training: [email protected] oadfor

The Crofter: fi [email protected] Br Fiona Mandeville Advertising: [email protected] Get rid of it Sarah Macrae, Tel: 01599 530 005 Time for a clear-out? visit www.crofting.org for full contact details Members can take out classifi ed ads at 30p per Company Number SC 218658 Charity Number SC 031919 word, with a minimum charge £6. Just send Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information your adverts to [email protected]. 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. Print and design by Strath Print,