THE CROFTER rooted in our community The journal of the Scottish Crofting Foundation, the only member-led organisation dedicated to the promotion of crofting and the largest association of small-scale food producers in the UK SEPTEMBER 2009 Number 84 Investment Commitment of Scottish Government in crofting? called into question by Reform Bill The evidence is clear he question needs to be asked. Why, for the second time around, has this bill been received with so much hostility by crofters? On the surface, the process taken to arrive at this point seems to have been o cultivate the health of crofting T developmentally correct – there was a full inquiry into crofting, into which crofters had ample and to achieve economic and opportunity to contribute; a comprehensive analysis and set of recommendations was produced; social resilience of communities in T the Scottish Government responded to this and drafted a bill. However, if one looks a little rural Highlands and Islands, the Scottish closer it can be seen that flaws in the process – misunderstandings, misinterpretations, lack of Government must invest in crofting. participation – have led to an almost total rejection of the draft bill by the very people who gave The Government claims to be investing evidence to the inquiry, the crofters. The key to good development practice is participation and in crofting but this claim is not adequately this is what has been lacking at various stages of this process. reflected in practice. The following are For example, the Committee of Inquiry on Crofting (CoIoC) were tasked to produce their report some of the investment mechanisms that have been withdrawn, downgraded or Continued on page 3 continue to be mis-targeted over the last five years: Less Favoured Area Support Moving from stick to carrot: Scheme (LFASS) Despite recommendations by the CoIoC and the Royal Society of Edinburgh the Scottish SCF response to the draft Government did not take the opportunity to redistribute funding from standard Crofting Reform Bill consultation to very fragile areas in recent scheme reviews, so farmers in the more favoured he SCF response to the draft Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill consultation focuses on areas receive the highest payments achieving the balance between regulation – a curtailment of individual freedom for the per hectare whilst crofters in the most Tcommon good – and incentive to croft. disadvantaged areas receive the least. It is apparent from the draft bill that the intention of the Scottish Government is to whip crofting Croft Buildings Grant and Loan into shape by cracking down on regulation, imposing burdens and introducing new charges to Scheme (CBGLS) Despite this scheme crofters. Whilst there is widespread agreement that a regulated system needs to be regulated being acknowledged by rural housing effectively, there is also universal acknowledgement that crofting has to be viable (ie not be experts as the most effective way of an economic drain to the crofting family). The principle problem facing crofting is a basic supplying housing to rural areas, after economic one. If crofting doesn’t pay, crofters will not croft – and this will not be rectified by being run down for many years the scheme regulation. This was recognised in the Committee of Inquiry on Crofting final report, and whilst was withdrawn in 2004. The gap between not all the recommendations in the report were the replacement Croft House Grant and welcomed by crofters, it could be conceded real building costs and the lack of a flexible that the Committee of Inquiry strove to get a loan make the scheme unattractive to balance by making firm recommendations for prospective first home builders. Crofters increasing investment in crofting. are also denied access to the higher grant The draft bill, which claims to reflect the percentage available under the Rural findings of the inquiry, is completely out of Home Ownership Scheme. kilter, offering plenty of stick and no carrot. Livestock Improvement Scheme (LIS) The summary of the SCF response reads: Despite it being a very popular scheme • The bill is not well placed in the wider picture and crofters having a recognised, of what is desired for and what is happening important role in supplying hardy, in rural Scotland. It claims to be the result of healthy store and breeding livestock to the CoIoC yet only addresses a handful of the recommendations of the committee. Continued on page 3 • Much of the proposed bill is rejected by our members. A regulated system needs a fair balance between regulation and incentive, reward and responsibilities. This bill is seen to be very heavy on enforcement of regulation, Inside this issue introduction of new restrictive measures and • Crofting reform consultation imposition of charges, with very little in the way of incentive. Indeed existing incentives • Crofting heroes seem under increasing threat. • SCF gathering • The bill seeks to address the decline • On the croft of active crofting through enforcement of • Crofting Resources Programme regulation, whilst ignoring the question of • Crofter’s wife column viability of crofting. Investment in crofting activity that is within the power of the And much more … government such as payment for public goods

Martin Benson Continued on page 3 2 THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 Message from the chair... I would like to thank the the quality and stockmanship working group on behalf of the of crofters, I was particularly membership for the hard work heartened to see young entrants they put into the response in the win prizes. The crofting course in short time allowed, which was in Lionaclete School will surely bring itself inconsiderate and took no its rewards. But sadly, no cattle in cognisance of what is our busiest what is one of the finest environs time of the year. When I think of of cattle rearing, surely a sign of the sterling work put in by Ena the burgeoning paperwork which Macdonald from the Southern seems to have put paid to any Isles in ensuring a response, it enjoyment in showing cattle. reinforces my belief in the depth The buoyant trade at the early lamb and passion we have in crofting. sales is a huge encouragement, but If I could make a plea to the no less than flock-masters deserve Ministers it would be, meet the after some depressed years. It has crofters face to face and not leave been a fairly wet summer as can be it to your civil servants whom seen with a lot of sheep still unshorn many blame for the debacle. at time of writing. Grass although ummer has been a real engendered far more debate than Meanwhile our work on other plentiful is still not cut, but the sight roller coaster ride, a few the Shucksmith inquiry. Obviously fronts still goes on, eg EID, which of stock in excellent condition and Smonths of many meetings people have woken up to what is a nonsense and poses a serious the anticipation of better prices and in-depth debate. poses a threat to a way of life with threat to stock numbers. The bull encourages us. We have been engaging with some of the Scottish Government hire scheme is under review – As we approach the end of Scottish Government, Crofters suggestions being unwanted, thanks to all who have responded the summer season our hope is Commission, local assessors, unworkable and un-costed. They to the questionnaire put out by for a period of calm debate and a grazings clerks, council officials as appear to be universally unpopular. the review group. An equitable resolution by all to work together to well as individual and crofting interest We tasked a working group, LFASS is still being campaigned enable a fit-for-purpose Bill to be groups – all towards our submission ably led by Marina Dennis, for, blue tongue innoculation, presented that will cement crofting to the draft Crofting Reform Bill representative of the vast diverse SRDP applications, unnecessary in its deserved and rightful place. consultation which closed recently. area that constitutes the crofting bureaucracy, the list is endless. My hope is that enhanced prices The media coverage has also counties, to evaluate and prepare I was fortunate to be asked to and the use of the crofting mark been hectic. It has been quite a while a response to the consultation. judge at the South Uist Agricultural will sustain and advance crofting. since crofting has earned so many Their response and conclusions Show where a very impressive Or as we so often reiterate ‘crofting headlines and column inches. It has were succinct and visionary. sheep section was testament to must pay or crofters will not croft’. Scottish Crofting Foundation vision for crofting rofting legislation way as to not alter this fundamental viable is what will attract and potential to cause conflict and bad needs to be seen in right. We made suggestions keep new entrants. feeling if done inappropriately. Ccontext with the wider regarding this in the response. 4 Protection of arable in-bye Using participatory community picture of food production and mapping exercises may bring a 2 Viability Good quality land is a rural development in Scotland. positive benefit to this. Expecting We define this as ‘the well-being scarce and valuable resource It is a system based on the crofters to pay for failure of of family, community and public in much of the crofting areas retention of the indigenous successive governments and assets without financial detriment and the failure of the Scottish population, of small-scale the Crofters Commission to to the individual’. If crofting is not Government to protect this food production and land have a register based on viable crofters will not croft. The resource is lamentable. The management, which is efficient, defined boundaries is completely draft bill does not increase viability Crofters Commission is impotent good for the environment unacceptable. and seeks to address the current whilst the local authority planning and holds rural communities The SCF believes that if these marginal situation with increased departments grant inappropriate together. This type of land-based five conditions are met then regulation. This will not work. planning consent on croft land and culture is advocated by many crofting will prosper. If crofting is to be a regulated the Scottish Land Court (SLC) internationally as the sustainable system for the benefit of the directs the Commission to allow way to produce the world’s food. common good, which we assume serial and multiple de-croftings The SCF believes that crofting is the desire of the Scottish of in-bye. Building developments essentially needs the following: Government, then regulation on in-bye and the associated 1 protected heritable tenure (which on the whole limits an speculation in croft land is seen 2 viability individual’s freedom) needs to be by many to be symptomatic 3 new entrants balanced by public investment of a failing regulatory system. 4 protection of the arable in-bye that non-regulated producers/land Making the Crofting Commission 5 defined boundaries managers do not get. a statutory consultee in planning Our evaluation of the draft crofting 3 New entrants decisions affecting croft land is reform bill used these criteria as essential, but the effectiveness It is accepted by all that the benchmark against which the of this will be compromised new entrants are the future efficacy of the bill was measured. unless local authority planning of crofting and that we need To elaborate on each point: departments and the SLC are more people coming into directed by ministers to operate 1 Protected tenure crofting. Whilst the aims in the a presumption against building The draft bill does not affect draft bill of making more crofts on arable quality in-bye. the protection of tenure afforded available could help this, by existing crofting legislation but available crofts will only be 5 Defined boundaries it does seek to limit heritability. taken up long term if crofting It is accepted that defining croft The rationale of not assigning to is viable. We believe that the boundaries will be a good thing. absentees is acknowledged but provision of incentives and It is important that it is done in

needs to be dealt with in such a payments making crofting a sensitive way as this has the Martin Benson THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 3 CROFTING REFORM Investment in Commitment of Scottish Government crofting? The evidence is clear called into question by Reform Bill Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 in final form without consulting crofters on the draft. After releasing the final report the CoIoC mainstream Scottish agriculture, this was disbanded before it had the chance to ask crofters what they thought of it. Furthermore, it scheme was withdrawn in 2004. is our understanding that the former members of the CoIoC were not consulted by the Scottish The replacement Croft Cattle Quality Government in the drafting of the bill, which appears strange given the depth of current knowledge Improvement Scheme, after repeated of crofting the (ex) committee possesses. And the SCF has on many occasions offered to try molesting by the Scottish Government, out proposals for legislative reform on its members prior to them becoming a draft bill, but these was withdrawn in 2009 (to be then offers were not taken up. reinstated for a limited period whilst under Why has this happened again, through two different governments? The constant in both review). The claim that it is expensive cases is the civil service. The SCF has questioned before who runs our government, the elected does not hold up against the revenue politicians or the civil servants (Is the tail wagging the bull? The Crofter issue 82 March 2009) generated from surplus heifer, silage and Have the officials yet again made a mockery of our elected representatives? This begsthe barley sales from the stud the farms and fundamental question – what really is our Scottish Government? lack of investment in the scheme does The SCF has also voiced its concern on many occasions on inexperienced urban-based not reflect the capital generated from officials drawing up legislation and policy that effects rural populations. It is not surprising that the sales of bull stud farmland. As major many crofters conclude that Scottish Government officials think they know best and have the disease problems have demonstrated, arrogance of a ‘top-down’ colonial government. the value of this scheme to national However, SCF believes it is more likely to simply be inexperience in development practice biosecurity is considerable. and a lack of understanding of rural issues. This is not the participatory development advocated Scotland Rural Development by the recent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report and by Programme (SRDP) Despite a recent the CoIoC. It is why, regrettably, the SCF has to conclude that the second attempt at a Crofting review of the programme, it still is Reform Bill has failed the critical test of listening to those who have the right diagnosis of what perceived to offer little to crofters and is wrong. Development, not remote regulation, is the key to the future of crofting and this needs is seen as inaccessible. investment. Crofting Counties Agricultural That was true in 1886 and is just as true today. Grant Scheme (CCAGS) Despite being considered the bedrock of investment in crofting, this scheme has been constantly eroded with the removal of support to replacement infrastructure and Standard Costs. The placement of the scheme within the SRDP makes it time-bound and unlikely to continue beyond 2013. Crofting Communities Development Scheme (CCDS) Despite this scheme being well subscribed and seen as very progressive, it was withdrawn in 2008. Agri-environment schemes (ESA/ RSS) Despite most of the high nature value farming areas of the UK being found in the crofting counties, there

are no longer any meaningful agri- Martin Benson environment schemes for crofting. Highlands and Islands Croft Entrant Scheme (HICES) Despite this very Moving from stick to carrot modest scheme being the only explicit support for new entrants to crofting, it Continued from page 1 was closed last year. or increased support to croft housing is absent; • Crofting Register A map-based register is With all these in mind, the question and conversely additional charges to crofters needed and the Scottish Government should has to be asked – what does the are proposed. meet the cost of this. It should be compiled Scottish Government want for crofting? • There is nothing in the bill to encourage using community mapping exercises and be If it genuinely wants crofting to or support new entrants, vital to the kept by the Crofting Commission. fulfil its potential in food production, sustainability of crofting and core to the CoIoC • Support for Croft Housing Using the croft land management and community recommendations. In fact the whole ethos of tenancy as standard security is unacceptable. strengthening, the Government the bill is seen as a deterrent to new entrants. Croft housing needs investment, best achieved must recognise that crofting needs • The bill therefore needs a comprehensive through a re-introduced GBGLS. investment, firm and proportionate overhaul to be acceptable to our members • Occupancy Requirement Using crofting to regulation, stability and equity. Or is the (and, we believe, the wider crofting population) attempt to address the failure of rural housing intention to let crofting wither on the and we suggest amendments where possible, policy is unacceptable and should not feature vine? The logical conclusion from the though only redressing the balance between in this bill. evidence above is that the Government reward and responsibilities will make the bill • Crofting Regulation Treating tenants is not willing to provide the necessary fit for purpose. The SCF believes that a bill and owner-occupiers alike is fair. Tackling incentives and is therefore driving is necessary to achieve some of the desired long-term absenteeism is welcomed but crofting (as we know it) into oblivion. outcomes suggested. discretion is needed as not all absenteeism Is this Scottish Government willing • Governance The Crofting Commission is bad. Subletting needs to be improved. The to be the government that ended should have a majority of elected, area- emphasis should be on dealing with neglect. crofting as a regulated system? based commissioners and should elect its If regulation is desired it should be enforced, own convener. matched by realistic incentives. 4 THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 CROFTING REFORM Developing the The state of crofting – a law of crofting report from one township We asked Derek Flyn, who not the other way about). but common to many? recently became an SCF director, Of course, many crofters remain report launched this month which examines in detail the to write for The Crofter. Derek tenants. They have chosen to retain state of crofting in one small township on the Isle of Skye shows has had a professional interest their landlords, for better or worse, A za high level of failure in the regulatory system. in crofting law for more than and, to many outside observers, The authors of ‘The State of Crofting in Camuscross’, a township forty years. In this article he has it is not clear why they have done in the peninsula of Sleat in the south of the island, say that if their chosen to go ‘back to basics’ so. Some crofters have taken the findings are replicated in other communities the crofting system of in an effort to stimulate further opportunity to rid themselves of their tenure is now in a parlous state. discussion following the recent respective landlords, sometimes with Eighteen months ago crofters from Camuscross asked the regulatory CoIoC (Shucksmith) Report and good reason. body, the Crofters Commission, to take action on absenteeism and the Consultation Paper on the Meanwhile crofting law developed neglect of croft land in their township. Draft Crofting Reform Bill. a second goal. The amount of land This summer, with no sign of action forthcoming from the available for crofting should be rofting law has long Commission, two members of the Camuscross community began preserved and protection is given to been considered too research on the regulatory issues and other challenges facing crofting it against all comers but specifically complicated. in the township – and timed its publication to coincide with consultation C against landlords. Any landlord This has been recognised by into the draft Crofting Reform Bill. wishing to take crofters’ land away lawyers since its inception in 1886. from them must persuade the Land To them crofting law is even messier Court that it is for a reasonable than it looks to a layperson, for it is purpose. The word used for this primarily part of the law of landlord and tenant, which itself by 1886 taking is “resumed”, indicating was already a complex corner the restoration of the land to the of Scots law (involving as it does control of the landowner, free of complementary (or competing) rights crofting restraints. Such restoration in the property of a landowner). is of course frequently fictional, The first goal in 1886 was to the land never having been freely give security to the crofter tenant. in the hands of the landlord or his His dealings with his landlord were predecessors. made to appear relatively simple. Since 1976, again recognising An annual rent is paid. A written the crofter’s strong connection with his land, landlords resuming croft lease is unnecessary. Instead the Productive croft beside absentee croft choked with weeds crofter and his landlord are provided land for their own purposes have with “statutory conditions”, which had to give half its market value The report ‘The State of Crofting in Camuscross’ gives a are now contained in the Crofters to the crofter involved. By another comprehensive description of crofting activity in the township and (Scotland) Act 1993 as updated. process, land could also be lost fulfils, at a local level, a recommendation made by the Shucksmith There need be no agreed plan of to crofting by direction of the Committee that a report on the state of crofting should be produced the land involved and this is still true Crofters Commission, but again by regulators each year. of many croft tenancies. only for a reasonable purpose. Among its findings, the Camuscross report shows that in the 39 More than 120 years from its From 1976 until 2008 no increase croft township: introduction therefore, it can be in the number of crofts was • the owners or tenants of almost one third of the township’s crofts surprising to learn how little we know possible (except by division of are absentees; about the detail of the land affected existing ones). This meant that • three-fifths of the township’s crofts are neglected; by crofting law. Despite legislative the stock of croft land was seen to • slovenly decrofting procedures have left one family without direct attempts in 1911, 1955 and 1961 be continually diminishing. vehicular access to their croft; to have a proper register compiled Crofting law has thus protected • one croft has been absentee occupied for three generations; and maintained, there are still no crofters and croft land since • the Crofters Commission has replaced one absentee tenant in the definitive maps. Crofters frequently 1886. Re-settlement schemes township with another, in spite of local interest in the croft; houses built on apportionments in the township are being used do not know the exact boundaries of earlier last century provided • as holiday homes; their own land or where to get these some additional tenancies. And one absentee, who has never lived in the village and has no family boundaries confirmed. Landlords are there are high hopes that recent • connection to it, has been using a croft as a holiday home business often unwilling or unable to help. Their changes will result in the creation for more than 20 years – making around £50,000 gross a year on it. common response is that any plans of many more crofts. Whilst it is showing the original croft boundaries likely that the tenants of these new have been lost or destroyed many crofts will have only limited rights decades ago, often in what has to purchase, it is to be hoped that been elsewhere described as the their lands will be clearly shown “traditional” estate office fire. on modern plans. Since 1976, in recognition of the The next goal of crofting law permanent nature of their rights in their now presents itself more forcibly land, crofters have been permitted than ever before: that proper use to seek an owner’s title. Those who be made of the land itself. The SCF wish to do so require a plan of their has called for “effective, rigorous land for presentation to their landlord. and fair regulation of tenanted Only then is their landlord put on the and owner-occupied croft land by spot of agreeing boundaries, thus the Crofters Commission, working ignoring the obvious: that it is the from an authoritative map-based landowner who should identify the register”. We must all try to make Planting tatties, Camuscross May 09 land for which he receives rent (and it happen. THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 5 CROFTING REFORM

The state of crofting contd A radical vision One of the report’s authors, Iain MacKinnon, said: “It is a fairly he Committee of Inquiry on have been raised by the prospect dismal catalogue of regulatory failure we’ve found and as we wrote Crofting, chaired by Professor of having to pay a £250 registration up the report we began to wonder if what is going on in our township TMark Shucksmith, outlined a fee to complete the paperwork. reflects the general picture in the crofting counties. If it does, then radical vision which recommended Worse still, the proposal to enable a crofting is in a pretty parlous state. rebalancing individual crofters’ standard security to be taken over a “We hope that by highlighting the scale and range of regulatory interests in favour of the wider croft tenancy to secure a bank loan system failure in Camuscross, we will be able to focus legislators’ interests of crofting to help sustain is viewed in some quarters a direct minds on ensuring that this latest reform bill achieves something rural communities in the Highlands threat to the ethos of security of positive so that active townships will be able to access better and Islands. tenure on which the crofting system This is tricky ground to navigate is founded. in policy terms but the proposals Further proposals relate to contained in the bill indicate that the thorny issue of occupancy the Government appears – on the requirements, recommended surface at least – ready to tackle by the Committee of Inquiry as the elephant on the croft; namely, an antidote to absenteeism and whether crofting’s future is to be second home syndrome by tying dictated by the narrowly defined croft houses to residency. The interests of communities of crofters bill envisages responsibility for or the potentially wider interests of regulating these requirements crofting communities. being held by the local authority Crofting’s demographics in the in the relevant area; a scenario early 21st century are not those unlikely to fill these organisations of 50, 20 or even 10 years ago. with unbridled enthusiasm given its Changes to EU subsidy rules have resource implications and potential obliterated the economic case for Weeds, Japanese knotweed, ragwort, bracken, rushes difficulties in enforcing what some livestock management as a staple are already calling a snoopers’ bureaucratic support to further their potential.” of crofting activity. And in some charter. The proposed option of The report’s co-author, Susan Walker, said that it was not all doom locations crofters are now a minority lifting the occupancy requirement and gloom in Camuscross, but that they needed support to ensure compared to non-crofters in the as a matter of housing and planning that a recent resurgence in crofting can keep growing. community. But it is the removal of She said: “We have become, in recent years, a more active and land from crofting tenure for sale policy would offer local authorities vibrant township again, and there is a good and lively community in on the open market, coupled with a get-out clause but does little to the village. The report reflects that too. It shows the resurgence in absentee crofters not putting their address criticisms of inconsistent livestock keeping, in growing, in communal working and a host of crofts to purposeful use, which has enforcement levelled at the current other activities. But we feel that for our community to fulfil its potential had the most damaging impact on Crofters Commission. in the long term we need, for example, to ensure that more young the cohesion and vitality of crofting As civil servants sift through people are able to get a foothold in the place. communities. Proposals in the bill the consultation responses to “One of the issues that we reflect on in the report is that there are designed to squarely address the Crofting Bill they are likely to are younger people in the community, who want to stay here, some these issues. find crofters implacably opposed of whom actively want to croft but are unable to get access to land. The Crofters Commission, to the majority of its proposals. Meanwhile, there are many empty houses in the place, many crofts which the Committee of Inquiry That’s scarcely surprising at a are rank, and many of the tenants are living far away. recommended for abolition, would time when incentives to croft are “We still hope that the Commission will be able to support our be granted a stay of execution under in steep decline. However, such community. We also hope that the crofting activity that we are the bill’s proposals. Renamed the views shouldn’t obscure the larger achieving in Camuscross, and which we describe in this report, might Crofting Commission, it would have truth that unless the forces of show legislators the potential that there is for crofting if it is given new governance arrangements absenteeism and market-driven appropriate regulatory and development support.” with six area committees, of up to speculation on croft land are SCF chief executive Patrick Krause commented: “The fact that the 12 members each, responsible quelled, crofting’s future looks bleak. report exists is testament to the winds of change and is itself the inspiration. for regulatory decision making in Equally, the Scottish Government’s It is hoped that it will inspire policy makers and regulators to address the their regions. As well as devolving soft-focus rhetoric about the need problems raised, to support crofting with a will. It is also hoped that it will regulatory responsibility from the to preserve a unique crofting way of encourage other townships to do their own ‘state of crofting’ research and current eight commissioners, life should be backed with tangible report. This is a model for other townships, an inspiration.” the area committees would also policy measures adding substance broaden such responsibility, by to warm words. In that respect, including a majority of crofters and the proposed legislation must non-crofters as members. not represent the last stop on the The bill also proposes beefing journey towards crofting reform. up the reconstructed Commission’s This article by Calum Macleod approach to regulation by requiring and Nicole Busby was first published it to take action on absenteeism in The Scotsman. ‘unless there is good reason not to’. Good reason may be something Dr Calum Macleod is Senior of a moveable feast, however. And Research Fellow at the UHI Centre what constitutes acceptable and for Remote and Rural Studies unacceptable absenteeism merits in Inverness (calum.macleod@ further careful consideration. inverness.uhi.ac.uk). Dr Nicole While the bill’s proposal to Busby is Senior Lecturer in Law at establish a new and definitive the University of Stirling (n.e.busby@ Register of Crofts seems a sensible stir.ac.uk). They are currently step in providing legal certainty conducting an independent research regarding the extent and interests project titled ‘Communitariansim and in crofts, the hackles of crofters Sustainable Crofting Communities’. 6 THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 CROFTING REFORM

Act 2006 to much of England and Wales. The details are different but the issues have much Far-reaching Land tenure in common. Success in the legislation depends on adapting and improving it to fit the diverse Andrew Humphries, chairman of the range of practical circumstances of which implications Foundation for Common Land, comments on practical farmers have a unique experience and the importance of land tenure roposals contained in understanding. Intelligent partnership demands the Draft Crofting Reform Bill he current debate on the Crofting that we see the opportunities that change offers, Pinclude a Register of Crofts to be Reform Bill in Scotland may seem like provided we can be an influence. Looking at the maintained by the Register of Scotland. Tyet another example of the relentless horizon is sometimes better than simply putting As the land register provides legal certainty torrent of legislative and regulatory changes your head down and working harder. over titles, the proposed new register will that pervade agriculture. Leadership is a key to influencing change by provide the same guarantees over the Seeming to divert our attention from what we linking an understanding of grassroots practice extent and interests in crofts allowing for regard as our primary aims, energy is dissipated and concerns, with an equal understanding of standard security to be recorded against the in argument. Yet our memories reveal that external stakeholder interests. Through SCF, tenancy in a similar way to the land register. neither the state nor the market alone is other regional groups and umbrella support The proposals, if accepted after consultation, capable of enabling farmers to sustain the long- networks like the Foundation for Common will trigger registration of the land when any term productive use of land. Communities have Land, the complexities of practice can be changes are made to the title of the croft or successively developed their own organisations used to foster mutuality. From this knowledge, the area of the croft. The triggers include to optimise and sustain resource use in ways understanding can develop the wisdom to creation of a new croft, enlargement or division that are more appropriate. recognise that reciprocity and respect are the of a croft, change of ownership through assignation, bequest or tenure, also if crofts become vacant, are decrofted or resumed. The legislation will also allow for voluntary registration of land by croft tenants, owner occupier or landowners. Registration will secure the legal extents of the croft and also it is proposed that the electoral roll for area committee elections will be taken from the crofting register and only those on the roll will be able to stand for election or vote in elections. The assumption must be that if these proposals are accepted the maps that need Claire Nicolson to be supplied with the application for first registration will be of a similar standard to that Land tenure, the basis on which property glue that will sustain agriculture as a worthwhile currently demanded by the land registry and is held is central to progress. The dramatic activity in difficult environments. by the Crofters Commission when applying to changes in Scottish tenure that accompanied The Foundation has already benefited decroft land. This is Ordnance Survey based the emergence of modern crofting put in place from the experience of SCF, encouraging us showing the areas involved and other important a new form of tenure that in itself provided some to hope that we can continue to build a wider features along with grid references and scales. community of experience and understanding. security, but did little to develop prosperity or These proposals make knowing the Our aim is not to respond to change but to sustain communities and their resources in the accurate area and having an up to date influence and shape it. Vision, leadership longer term. Elsewhere in Britain the impact map of your croft in a format that is and a willingness to participate in adapting of enclosure legislation had direct and long- acceptable to Register of Scotland essential. tenure to changing circumstances are the lasting effects. Only when the experience Landmaps have been at theforefront of essential elements that should characterise and understanding of practical people the use of GPS (global positioning system) the aspirations of all those interested in those demonstrated that the extension of leases in land surveys and have a wide experience who sustain unique farming systems strongly brought greater security of tenure – a basis for ranging from IACS mapping, forestry maps investment and improved productivity – did the influenced by land tenure. situation improve. Land reform through tenure Continued on next page presents a crucial challenge in sustainable agriculture worldwide. I recently visited the Scottish Parliament, which strengthened my impression that your relationship with the executive is more open and engaged than in England in particular. The potential to learn from your experience is one that I hope can be achieved since our situations have much in common. The diversity that common grazings embrace is a strength that demonstrates that through local custom and practice, farming communities have adapted to local circumstances in ways that agencies cannot hope to replicate, but need to understand. External influences must respect and learn from those who deliver. Policy makers and agency staff are surrounded by an ethos of changing farms rather than changing farmers and have little training in dealing with communities. At the grassroots bodies like SCF and the Foundation for Common Land with their unique understanding and experience of their own environments can make a real difference. The Crofting Reform Bill is particular to Scotland and The Commons THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 7 CROFTING REFORM Far-reaching Changing face of the Commission implications by Nick Reiter, chief executive, entails, but it is already clear that position in turn will always run the contd Crofters Commission it will provide the opportunity for risk of the organisation becoming crofting to be taken more fully into over-cautious and unwilling to and quarry plans to title deed N OCTOBER 2008 the account during the preparation try new approaches. I would like plans, golf courses plans, wind Government published its and consultation on local authority to pay tribute to our staff and farm and land use surveys. iresponse to the findings of development plans. With this in commissioners, who in a time of Accurate GPS allows Landmaps Professor Shucksmith’s committee mind the Commission will only so much change and uncertainty to record points, for example of inquiry on crofting. become involved in specifics have been ready to adapt and to boundary fence lines, on the Some of the Government’s of individual applications under look at how we can make better use ground and show these points proposals have resulted in further exceptional circumstance. of our existing powers and duties; in the correct location in relation public consultation on a draft Bill, but crofting regulation itself how we can further improve our to ordnance Survey data. This several measures began to be put in changed considerably with the communications and relationships accuracy has been essential in place during 2008-09 which impacted introduction of the crofting Reform with crofters and other key producing maps for title deeds to significantly on the Commission. etc Act 2007. Apart from decrofting, partners, without ever forgetting a standard required by the land Chief among these was the decision crofter forestry and apportionment, that first and foremost comes the registry. GPS also allows Landmaps to focus the commission’s efforts all other application types are need to deliver fair, effective and to place with accuracy boundaries firmly on its regulatory role. This led now subject to new rules. The active regulation that is legislatively where there are perhaps no fences to the transfer of our development Commission previously had to sound. No doubt there are many or there are disputed boundaries. role to Hie and in the coming months actively consider each application more changes ahead, but i feel It is proposed only to allow our grant scheme administration to on its merits but now if the confident the Commission will rise challenges to croft boundaries SGRPiD (Scottish Government). application does not result in local to the challenges. at first registration. Therefore To meet the increased emphasis objections or invokes the newly I would also like to mention two if agreements can be reached on using our powers and duties to specified criteria for Commission members of staff who retire this between neighbours and any other best effect, staff resources freed intervention, it gains approval. The year. Keith Aitchison who will be interested party as to the extent of up by the transfer of other roles other major change has been the known to many readers, retired at the croft and location of boundaries have allowed us to establish a extension to parties with an interest the end of June after 17 years with this must help smooth the passage Strengthening crofting team. The in an application of a right of appeal the Commission. Keith’s profound to registration. If several adjacent team will work with communities to the Scottish land court against knowledge of crofting legislation crofts were to be surveyed and and key partners to increase the the commission’s decision on an was an invaluable asset to the mapped together this would contribution crofting makes to rural application. As well as providing Commission. He was always willing to make the maps more accurate communities. a key element of this a further recourse for those who take time to explain the finer detailed by eliminating possible gaps team’s work will be to increase have legitimate objections to a aspects of casework both to staff between boundaries and enables croft occupancy and use of the commission decision, the court and commissioners. Also Penelope costs to be shared and reduced. land with a view to helping promote findings will create precedents to Hamilton will leave us at the end of The proposals for the crofting sustainable rural communities. guide future decisions on similar October. Penelope played a key part register have far-reaching In April this year the Commission, applications. in developing the Commission’s role implications for crofters, owner among other bodies, became The crofters commission has in Planting to Plate, predecessor occupiers and landlords. The a “Key Agency” for planning always been primarily a regulatory to crofting connections, and our practical application of the purposes. We are working closely body, a reality of which is that press forthcoming Gaelic plan. We wish proposed system depends on with the planning authorities to attention focuses on unpopular both Keith and Penelope a long and good quality mapping to allow first determine what this new duty decisions or a mistake. This happy retirement. registration to proceed as smoothly as possible. Landmaps can help by providing GPS surveys, Càite bheil an taisbeanadh? Ordnance Survey mapping, aerial Ha THìDe aig na croitearan ualach a ghabhail airson an cùisean fhein. photography and experience in Tha h-uile coltas nach soirbhich leis a’ Bhille ùr. Tha sin a’ fàgail na ceistean – de tha croitearan ag iarraidh rural mapping and surveying. Tagus de tha Riaghaltas ag iarraidh air croitearachd? Tha aon rud cinnteach, chaneil croitearachd mar a bha e. Contact Archie Stewart ’N uair a bha mise fàs suas, bha croitearachd na bhuannachd. Bha h-uile croitear a dh’aithnichinn ag obair air rud Landmaps Ltd eigin eile - an iasgach, air a’ chlò, a’s na muilnean, aig a’ chounty agus an uairsin aig a’ chomhairle, no feadhainn [email protected] aca bha nan tidsearan. Bha tuarasdal a’ tighinn a-steach a bhiodh air an teaghlach a chumail, ach bha croitearachd a’ toirt dhuinn rud eigin a bharrachd. Nam biodh prìs math air na h-uain ’s air na muilt, bhiodh airgiod a bharrachd againn. Bha sinn a cumhnadh airgiod cuideachd leis na bha sinn a’ cuir do bhuntata agus lusan eile, agus na bha sinn a’ buain do mhòine. Nise, chaneil ach gle bheag, mu tha duin’ idir, a’ deanamh uighir do dh’airgiod a croitearachd an diugh, agus g’eil iad an urra ri croitearachd gu h-iomlan. Mar sin dheth, tha e fhathast na rud eigin a bharrachd. Dhan an fheadhainn a tha dichiollach, tha e toirt cosnadh math a-steach, ach ’s e gle bheag a tha’n urra ri croitearachd a-mhàin. Tha feadhainn a’ deanamh airgiod mòr a bhith reic pìosan fearainn, agus tha’m buaireadh mu Bhille na croitearachd a’ nochdadh nach eil croitearan ag iarraidh an cothrom sin a chall. Tha tòrr air a radha mu chroitean bàn agus tighean falamh agus tighean airson saor-laithean. ach chaneil a sin ach toradh nach eil cosnaidhean eile ann a chumas na daoine bu choir a bhith furachd a’s na tighean sin. chaneil fiughs tòrr dhan an fheadhainn a tha furachd annta ag obrachadh an fhearainn a chionns nach eil teachd a-steach ri dheanamh as, agus tha’d air fàs ro chleachdta ri obraichean eile agus dìomhanas, no gnothaichean eile a’s na feasgair. Mar sin dheth, de tha croitearan ag iarraidh? Tha tòrr dha radha mu theàrainteachd a’ bhidhe, ’s g’eil barrachd dhaoine nise cuir ’s ag àrach am biadh fhein. Nan deadh airgiod a chuir ri goireasan geamhrachaidh bheathaichean, agus giollachd bàrr is feol ann a sgìrean iomallach, co-chomuinn airson cosgaisean a’ ghearradh, agus marcaidean ionadail a bhrosnachadh, ’s tocha gun tilleadh daoine gu obrachadh an fhearainn. ach ro na sin, feumar cosnaidhean maireannach, agus sin far am biodh cumhachd ath-nuadhachail, air a dheagh stiùireadh, feumail. a-thaobh tighean agus croitean falamh, ’s e cheud rud bu choir fheuchainn, toirt air daoine leigeil dha nabaidhean feum a dheanamh dhan an fhearann, biodh na tighean mar a bhitheas iad. Ach tha eagal orm gur e gle bheag do dh’oigridh an diugh a tha dha rìreabh am beachd croitean obrachadh. Tha’n obair ro chruaidh agus tha biadh na butha ro fhurusd’ fhaighinn. Mu tha’d ag iarraidh làrach tighe, ghabhadh sin a dheanamh air dòighean eile. De mu dheidhinn coinneamh a chuir air dòigh, te a’s am biodh e na chumhnant bho thoiseach gun tigeadh molaidhean cruaidh aiste? Dheadh cuireadh a chuir gu oifigich Choimision na h-Eòrpa, Westminster agus Dhun Eideann, a chùl air riochdairean ughdarrais ionadail na sgìrean croitearachd, a h-uile clàrc baile, agus luchd-leasachaidh. Dheadh co-dhunaidhean na coinneamh a chuir gun a croitearan gu leir le trì miosan airson beachdachadh orra, agus rùm molaidhean eadar-dhealaichte thighinn as gach sgìre. Dheadh na riochdairean a ghairm comhla trì miosan as deidh sin, dheadh ionmhas aontachadh, agus thoisicheadh na molaidhean dhan cuir an gniomh an ceann trì miosan eile. A bheil sinn mòr gu leor airson an ualach a ghabhail? aonghas Domhnullach 8 THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 CROFTING RESOURCES PROGRAMME Introducing the Crofting Resources Programme cottish Crofting and community capacity amongst working. The programme will also township assets Foundation’s new initiative, crofters as well as an appreciation assist crofting communities to make Assist a number of townships to Sthe Crofting Resources of the quality of what they actually, best use of the resources available to identify and develop the resources Programme, is now underway. and potentially can, produce. them in order to sustain the cultural available to them. heritage of crofting, its people and The programme is a natural Store livestock is, and • Assistance in food chain issues successor to the Sustainable will continue to be, the most practices, and the rich environment affecting croft produce Crofting Land Use Programme economically significant output and cultural landscape derived from Investigate and mitigate where which ran for the three years ending from crofts, so the programme will low-intensity crofting land use. possible issues constraining June 2008. That programme promote collaborative working and The specific aims of the croft-based production, such as highlighted the opportunities for added-value activity in this sector programme will be: abattoir provision. sustainable exploitation of the also, drawing on best practice from • Development of standards and • Advice provision for innovative phenomenal land resource that existing producer and marketing implementation mechanisms producers exists in crofting tenure – 25% of groups, and seeking to form links Research quality assurance, Provide reactive advice and all agricultural land in the Highlands between producers and purchasers environmental and welfare guidance to innovative producers. and Islands. As well as promoting of store and breeding stock. standards and consider applicability The Crofting Resources the most economically significant In a feasibility study for the to crofting. Produce summary of Programme will employ an output from crofts, store and programme carried out by food possible standards and consult equivalent of two full time staff breeding livestock, the programme marketing specialist David Lamb of with a view to adopting criteria for divided amongst a number of part- drew attention to alternative income Scottish Agricultural College, market Scottish Crofting Produce mark. timers. The programme manager streams for crofters such as forestry research gave a favourable response • Awareness raising of qualities of will be Gwyn Jones, the well-known (and woodland crofts), horticulture to the principle of developing croft-based production former SAC consultant at Portree. and tourism. A very successful crofting products. A high incidence Design and write consumer Crofter and former SCF employee strand of the Land Use Programme of retailers, hotels and restaurants education material and develop links Donald Murdie returns as project was development of and support as well as producers indicated that with journalists, food writers etc. co-ordinator. They will be assisted for crofting producer groups. they felt a collaborative venture Formation of and support for by four highly experienced field The development of the new could be successful. As crofters • new producer groups workers; Sue White in Shetland, programme is in tune with current are geographically fragmented, Yvonne Richardson in the Outer Support for existing producer trends in niche marketing of a network of crofting producer • Hebrides; Ann MacKay will cover groups food, emphasising local/regional, groups will be built up to develop the the north mainland and Orkney, natural, low input, low food miles potential for collaboration. Assess and address training and Alan Boulton the south and sustainability. The local Crofter-led producer groups have and development needs. Organise mainland plus Argyll Islands. food sector in the Highlands and considerable capacity to contribute training and information events. The Crofting Resources Islands alone is worth £200m to the aims of Scottish Government Provide general advice on SRDP Programme is funded by the annually. An important effect of the food policy. The Crofting Resources for producer groups. Scottish Rural Development development of crofting producer Programme will continue the theme • Produce and publish Programme, the Esmée Fairbairn groups and resultant co-operative of developing and supporting horticultural manual for crofters Foundation and Highlands and working is the raising of self esteem producer groups and collaborative • Promote best use of Islands Enterprise.

Alan Boulton grew up in Sue White spent several years Yvonne Richardson Ann MacKay was born and grew highland Perthshire, and after working as a field archaeologist then comes from an agricultural up in Caithness on the family farm agricultural college moved north to researched the impact of grazing background. She has been an just outside Kiess, then Murkle. work in areas such as Balmacara, on maritime heath and the Scottish active crofter in Lewis, keeping She has worked in various roles Achnasheen and Spean Bridge. primrose and worked on botanical cattle and sheep, and has from marine biologist in Alaska and He worked variously as a and ornithological projects. In been active in local producer in the north of Scotland followed gamekeeper, stalker, shepherd Shetland she worked with Historic groups for a number of years, by FWAG in Perthshire, followed and estate manager before taking Scotland advising farmers and including working as the co- by Highland Council countryside a tenancy at Achnasaul on the crofters on management of ancient ordinator for the Lewis and ranger, community forestry facilitator Lochiel estate where he farmed monuments. She joined Shetland Harris cattle producers group. for Highland Birchwoods, primary sheep and cattle for 13 years. He Crofting Farming and Wildlife She also has experience teacher and self-employed ecologist moved into advisory work with Advisory Group in 2002 and while of agri-food marketing and doing CPS, RSS and SRDP Farming and Wildlife Advisory there she widened its scope to quality assurance schemes in applications and carrying out wildlife Group (FWAG) seven years include rural development projects. the food sector and currently surveys. Ann has always kept in ago, and since the demise of the The Farmers 4 Nature project works as an auditor/advisor touch with farming people and work, organisation in Scotland in March encouraged farmers and crofters for farm assurance, SALSA doing lambings every year and has run an environment and land keeping traditional breeds of cattle, and BRC standards. sheep work as and when needed use advisory service under the researched the biodiversity benefits Until last year she was and working on the hill for a couple name of Huntaway Consulting of cattle and gave local farmers and the Crofters Commission of summers gathering and trying to from his home in Torlundy outside crofters the chance to take part in development manager for work various sheep dogs of her own! Fort William. trans-national meetings. Lewis and Harris. Ann lives in Altass, Sutherland. THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 9 ON THE CROFT Preparing your rams for mating Shetland Cattle nder natural mating cords should be free from nodular pasteurellosis and louping ill is conditions, achieving a defects or hard swellings. Most required, the introduced rams Usatisfactory fertilization mature rams should have a scrotal should also be included in these from Shetland rate depends on good ram circumference at its widest point vaccination programmes. management and breeding between 30 and 40cm. Studies Nutrition Breeders Group soundness. have shown that rams with large Rams often lose about 0.5 units Preparing rams for the breeding symmetrical scrotal contents free of he breeders of Shetland of body condition per week during season should take place at least defects are likely to produce large Cattle in Shetland have for the mating period, so must be in two months in advance and should quantities of good-quality semen, Tsome time been working to body condition score 3.5-4 (on a take into account nutrition, general while those with small soft testes or ensure that Shetland cattle never scale of 1 to 5) at joining. It is also physical soundness and disease other palpable defects are likely to again come near to extinction. important that they are in good prevention measures. produce poor-quality semen. Rams In February 2005, therefore, this body condition and free of disease which are identified as being of former loose working relationship Ram Breeding Soundness for at least two months before questionable breeding soundness among interested parties was A useful preliminary assessment mating, during which time sperm may be further investigated by the formally constituted as a charity. of the breeding soundness of production occurs. Nutritional collection and evaluation of semen Since then the group have otherwise healthy rams can be preparation for the mating season samples. taken this commitment forward by made by palpating the scrotal requires long-term planning and organising a fact-finding mission Management of Purchased Rams simply turning the rams away to a to increase their knowledge Replacement rams should be bare field outwith the mating period and understanding of small Diagramme of scrotum and contents acquired at least eight weeks is usually inadequate. Care should rural businesses in Orkney and before the start of the breeding also be taken to ensure that rams northern Scotland, investigating season, to allow them to adapt do not become excessively fat as best practices which would to their new environment and rams with body condition scores subsequently be useful to their spermatic cord diet. Introduced rams should be greater than 4 (on a scale of 1 to members and their businesses. dosed with a combination of a 5) have reduced libido. This fact-finding mission was yellow (levamisole) drench and Moredun runs a membership jointly funded by Go4Volunteering and the Crofters Commission head of epydidymus a clear (ivermectin/doramectin/ scheme which aims to keep moxidectin) drench on arrival and farmers and their vets up to date and, as a byproduct, resulted in a housed or placed in an area not with the latest developments in lot of interest in the cattle with our intended for subsequent grazing animal health research. If you would members subsequently selling 17 for 48 hours, to reduce the risk like a copy of the full eight page pure-bred animals to new breeders. of introduction of anthelmintic- newssheet on this subject, or are With the centenary of the testicle resistant nematode parasites. interested in becoming a member Shetland Cattle Herd Book Introduced rams may require of the Moredun Foundation, please Society coming in 2010, the further treatment for sheep contact Maggie Bennett on 0131 group decided to produce and scab. If rams are bought in 445 5111 or margaret.bennett@ publish a memorial book to from potential fluke areas, they moredun.org.uk. More information celebrate this occasion. The A4 book, “A Pictorial Daander Trowe tail of epydidymus should be treated with a flukicide can also be found on our website at to remove adult and immature www.moredun.org.uk Shetland’s Crofting Culture”, will be launched in September. ‘Daander scrotal sac flukes. Ideally, introduced rams should be separated from the Trowe’ means wander through. main flock for about four weeks, This 230 page edition includes the during which period they should history of the society and the cattle be closely monitored for signs and shows how pivotal this living contents. Sound rams during the of disease. Problems such as heritage was to the very existence breeding season have two large, lameness and skin diseases of the Shetland people. From the firm, freely mobile testes, which should be managed during title you will realize that there are are similar in size and feel neither this period to avoid spread many photographs illustrating soft nor hard on palpation. The to the main flock. Introduced traditional crofting life which are tails of the epididymes should animals should be vaccinated not only relevant to Shetland be firm and smooth and heads against clostridial disease. but all the crofting counties. of the epididymes and spermatic Where flock vaccination against Lorgbaw indexed tup This group is presently chaired by Mrs Eleanor Arthur from Whalsay who joined Late payments the SCF board at the AGM. Am I the only one to be caught in a SGRPID trap, asks Russell Smith • In December 08 we were notified that there were some overlaps between the land declared on our IACS forms and our neighbour’s so the SFP and LFASS payments for the disputed areas would be withheld. • In January 09 I was told by our local office that details were just about to be issued. • In April 09 maps showing the overlaps were actually issued and we were instructed in bold type to answer within 21 days – after they had sat on the information for three months (and they sent the letters out to coincide with the start of lambing). • I replied at the end of April 09 showing our actual boundaries marked on maps. • In June 09 I received notification that the areas had been agreed. • In July 09 I queried payment of the outstanding amounts and was told “at the moment we don’t have the software to do this. Once the programme has been written your SAF and LFASS payments will be made.” This is six months after it was known that there would be a need for late payments. The more cynical amongst us may think this is a deliberate attempt to delay payments but is more likely to be “cock-up” than “conspiracy”. If there are lots of us in this position, we should be pushing for interest to be added to payments plus a fine for late payment – or is this a precedent that I can quote when I pay my income tax late!

Shetland kye 10 THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 ON THE CROFT Working together brings success Home slaughtering o-operation is not something working on the supply side. that crofters do, according to their While on the subject of co-operation we must Cstereotyped image. not overlook the many sheep and cattle stock – is it legal? “They can’t even agree the date of the fank.” was clubs that operate successfully throughout the Russell Smith explains a cynical response heard from some quarters to crofting areas. These have generally been more early crofting community buyout proposals. Where successful in maintaining stock on the hills and are he Food Standards Agency crofters do co-operate, and form themselves into better placed to take advantage of such measures Scotland has recently brought out production, marketing or purchasing groups, or as Land Managers’ Options for summer cattle Tguidance on home slaughtering of manage their land as a community, the results grazing, moorland management, animal health livestock. You can contact them on can be impressive – individual crofters’ incomes and welfare, and skills development. 01224 285164 or www.food.gov.uk are increased, capacity and confidence are built, So co-operation will be a strong theme of But here is summary for sheep and cattle local demand for such produce as lamb, beef Scottish Crofting Foundation’s new Crofting as I understand it. and vegetables starts to be met and financial Resources Programme. We will assist where You can slaughter livestock yourself on assistance for crofting and community projects required existing crofting producer groups with your own premises if it is for the consumption becomes more accessible. their training and development needs and help of yourself and your immediate family living in We are currently aware of fifteen producer to set up new collaborative groupings of crofters the same household – because you are not groups in the crofting areas from Shetland to where there is a demand. We will work with a placing the meat on the market. You cannot resell the meat or use it in a B&B or similar. Nor, it appears, can you give it to your family or others who do not live with you. The traditional itinerant slaughterman who kills and dresses carcases is illegal. It may be lawful to have someone kill the animal for you if you dress and butcher it yourself. The guidance says “the issue is far from clear” – if you want to risk going down this road. Killing must be humane, of course, according to the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations. You don’t need to be licensed if it is for your own consumption. The Humane Slaughter Society website www.hsa.org.uk has details. Sending your own animals to an approved slaughterhouse and getting the carcases back for butchering at home is legal but the slaughterhouse must be approved. Getting them killed anywhere else is illegal. Only meat from an approved slaughterhouse can be sold on the market. Under the BSE regulations specified risk material from sheep, cattle and goats must be stained and disposed of. For all sheep this is the spleen and ileum along with the skull, tonsils and spinal cord of animals over 12 Lifting golden wonders at Camuscross, Isle of Skye months. For cattle it is the tonsils and intestines Lochaber that are either crofter-led or have a number of townships to form development plans for all animals plus the skull and spinal cord if over 12 months and a whole lot more if over 30 substantial membership of crofters. These groups and publicise examples of the best co-operative months (check the regulations in detail). Cattle have brought such benefits to their members practice in crofting. over 48 months must be tested for BSE. as training, marketing, mutual assistance, bulk We would like to hear from existing crofting Poultry and rabbits can be lawfully killed at purchasing, machinery sharing, publicity and groups and from those seeking to establish home and placed on the market “under some insurance. For example, it is thanks to the collaborative groups of crofters whether circumstances” so selling oven-ready turkeys sheep producers group in Lewis and Harris that for production, marketing or supply. Please and geese at Christmas appears to be OK. lamb from those islands is available in the Co- contact SCF Head Office or email Donald Good luck op supermarket in Stornoway as well as being Murdie [email protected]. marketed on the internet. In Shetland, breeders of the islands’ native cattle are working together to safeguard and Lewis And Harris Sheep Producers promote the breed and also to secure much- needed abattoir facilities for cattle. A successful crofters’ group The local meat supply group in Skye and Lochalsh has formed a trading relationship For a number of years Lewis and Harris Sheep Producers have supplied lambs to the with a local butcher ensuring supplies of locally Co-op supermarket in Stornoway under the Heather Isle Meats brand. The quality of lamb produced lamb and beef in Portree and Kyle. The and mutton form the Outer Hebrides has long been recognised, but the market and subsidy group is actively seeking ways of re-establishing regimes had developed in such a way that the vast majority of island-produced lambs went to the mainland as stores or into the southern European light lamb trade. an abattoir in the area. At the same time, butchers on the island were buying in supplies from mainland These are just a few examples of successful wholesalers. The Co-op contract makes available local lamb for local consumers while co-operative working amongst crofters. assuring a fair-trade return for the producer. It also raises welfare standards by avoiding Elsewhere in this issue is an article on that unnecessary transport of animals, reduces food miles and provides work for the excellent excellent co-operative institution, Lewis Crofters Stornoway abattoir. Ltd, which for over half a century has been Last year the producer group started direct marketing though their website meeting the needs of the crofters of Lewis and www.heatherislemeats.com and now supplies customers throughout the UK. Harris, highlighting the benefits of collaborative THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 11 ON THE CROFT Electronic Identification New sheep ID, unfortunately, is I must encourage you all to use put pressure on our politicians to ® still on the cards, writes SCF your common grazings or have continue making sure that people Autotagger Eparliamentary spokesman someone else use them for you can make a living on the periphery. Norman Leask, but there have been otherwise your Single Farm Payment When negotiating with Europe from Ritchey Tags some significant interpretations and Less Favoured Area Support it was a bad mistake for our of the legislation that mean we Scheme payments are seriously representatives to say that Scotland itchey, leading are not up against a brick wall on under threat. would stop keeping sheep if, on top manufacturer and zsupplier December 31st this year. Electronic I do not think that the Government of all other regulations, EID was put Rvof products to the tagging looks very serious for the realised when they started the SFP in place. EU farmers thought that agricultural, equine and pet market, sheep industry in the Highlands and LFASS review that it would was good as they would therefore has launched a new automatic and Islands. probably move money from the make more money from their stock. tagger for sheep to trade customers. At this stage it appears that nothing Highlands and Islands to the lusher We should have fought on the The Ritchey Autotagger® that is staying on my croft will be more productive parts of Scotland environmental fact that sheep coming takes 10 tags at once, which required to be electronically tagged, but that is certainly what will happen off the hills would cause severe reduces tagging time considerably even those born into 2010, as all if we stop using our common grazing depredation to the environment which when compared with a standard lambs intended for slaughter within shares. We must hang in there and in turn would mean that the population applicator, explains Ritchey of the Highlands and Islands would marketing manager, Pat Mangion. decrease, leaving it a less desirable The Autotagger® applicator uses a place for holidays and destroying staple gun action, which eliminates the fragile eco system that has been the need for a blade. This system developed over the centuries. is less stressful for livestock, and It should also have been explained reduces the risk of operator injury. to the environment committee in The product has been launched to Brussels that if the price of sheep trade customers, and will be on sale meat goes up then Lowland farmers to farmers from 19th October 2009. will increase their sheep and instead “The Autotagger® has performed of the 70% produced in the hills they exceptionally well in practical trials,” would produce 200% lambing. The says Mrs Mangion, who is based at Scottish sheep meat sector would Ritchey’s head office in Masham, not necessarily be less, however North Yorkshire. “Feedback from the hills and the communities built farmers who have tried and tested around them will be decimated. the product has been very positive. Use all your grazing rights and There have been few innovations in sheep tagging since it became

Claire Nicolson persevere as we are fighting on. compulsory. The vast majority of one year of their birth will not require the 25 million plus ministry tags electronic tagging. If the Brussels purchased each year are put in bureaucrats are still in the mind set using a manual applicator. that they are now in, come April 2011 “A great deal of resource I will have to see what is left of the has been put into the design 2010 crop of lambs and the females and development of the will then have to be electronically Autotagger®, with particular tagged for my replacements. emphasis on speed and ease of We have an agreement that loading,” she adds. there will be a re-examination of Although Ritchey has always the legislation for 2012 so by April been opposed to compulsory 2011 we may well have at least the sheep EID, the company is minimum acceptable move that only committed to assisting farmers electronic tagging as they leave wherever possible. Therefore, the croft is obtained. So I am very in order to comply with new EID hopeful that my 2010 crop of lambs tagging regulations effective will not need electronic tagging until from 1st January 2010, a version they leave the croft. of the Autotagger® that can Much has been made of the handle electronic identification derogations we are fighting for. It (EID) is under development. is correct that all the membership “Compulsory EID will create organisations are all trying to do more red tape, and increase the their best for the Scottish industry financial burden on sheep farmers, as a whole but the only concession who are already struggling to received so far really only helps the cope after a sustained period of marts and slaughter houses and little poor profitability. It is important or nothing has been gained long term for us to develop a system that for store producers on the hills. is easy to use, as well as one I have asked the Cabinet Secretary that is priced as realistically as to chair a meeting with all Scottish possible to the end user,” says MEPs along with representatives Mrs Mangion. from SCF and the two other To find out more about the main membership organisations Autotagger® get in touch with representing the sheep sector, so your local agricultural merchant for that we can all pull together to help more details. Alternatively, Ritchey those in the hills. At the time of can be contacted direct on 01765 writing I still await a reply from the 689541 or through the website, Cabinet Secretary. www.ritchey.co.uk 12 THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 strath print

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GFBBESPOKE BUILDINGS Quality Storage, Stables, Workshops, Garages & NOW FIELD SHELTERS! rooted in our community www.gfbbuildings.co.uk Our mission is 01290 332057 / 07784 062896 to safeguard and promote the rights, livelihoods find us on-line at and culture of crofters and www.crofting.org their communities dunlop tractors 88x40 28/5/07 11:39 Page 1 CROFTING LAW ADVICE for advice on Crofting and Agricultural Law call David Findlay or Eilidh Ross DDunlopunlop TTractorractor Spares Spares from our Rural Land Department a wiDe range ofFERGI, parTS 35/65, STockeD DEXTA, for MAJOR ferguSon, MaSSeY 01463 239393 ferguSon, forDSon DexTa anD Major, forD, forD ferguSon,NEW AND DaviD USED Brown PARTS, anD BADGES, inTernaTional. ETC. www.macandmac.co.uk Send stampedOVER addressed 1800 DIFFERENT envelope, 47p, PARTS for price list. 67a crankillSend stamped road, Ballymena,addressed envelope,A4 co. antrim, size, n. ireland for price BT43 list. 5nn T: 028 256567 2560 Crankill f: 028 Road, 2565 Ballymena, 2563 M: 07834 N. Ireland 455 082 BT43 or 078345NN 455 083 [email protected] Tel/Fax: 028 2565 2560 Mobile: 07710 994 190 or 07834 455083 website:www.dunloptractorspares.co.uk www.dunloptractorspares.co.uk email: [email protected] 28 QUEENSGATE INVERNESS IV1 1YN • T: 01463 239393 F: 01463 222879 • E: [email protected] THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 13 ON THE CROFT Lewis Crofters Lewis Crofters Ltd a crofters’ co-operative, serving the community Kenny MacLennan recognises the islands’ MP, saluted the work and celebrates 50 years of of the pioneers who had the SHEEP FEED CATTLE FOOD successful co-operation vision to set up the business in Stornoway. Although dealing with DRENCHES VACCINES ewis Crofters has the rural areas, it would have a been nothing short of a FERTILISERS HARDWARE huge impact on the town. The SEEDS CLOTHING Lsuccess story and the last official opening must have been 50 years have seen the venture a very interesting evening. Mr FENCING TRACTOR PARTS develop from an idea to a vision, Cadzow of SAOS thanked the FOOTWEAR CAR TRAILERS to an achievable target and then “doubters and debunkers” whose into a flourishing business vital to opposition had spurred on the the crofting community in Lewis backers. In any business there Lewis Crofters Ltd and Harris. will be doubters and debunkers, Island Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis In February 1955 a small but Lewis Crofters has risen Telephone 01851 702350 Fax: 01851 703077 group of men met in Stornoway above these. We are confident to discuss the idea of setting up and positive that what we do is www.lewiscrofters.co.uk a co-operative that would supply right and to the benefit of the and shoes, tools, hardware, investment in the business for the materials and animal feed to greater community. household, gardening and a lot benefit of its customers. crofters. We must never forget In the past Lewis Crofters more. The company has adopted Last year at Lewis Crofters these men of vision and purpose have been blessed with strong- a bi-lingual signage policy within Ltd’s 50th Anniversary chairman that we should try and emulate willed, purposeful, and optimistic the store and supports 11 full-time- Kenny Maclennan looked to the today. Their initial idea was to set chairmen like Donald Murray of equivalent staff. Lewis Crofters future and stated: “We look back up an egg packing station and the Shawbost, Colin F MacDonald has also achieved Investor In with thankfulness on where we co-operative would deal in eggs. of Barvas, Dr Alasdair Fraser A second meeting was held of Breasclete, Angus “Ease” People status. have come from, where we now in September 1955 where MacLeod of Calabost and In 2007 the AGM reported a find ourselves and we must now representatives from the Scottish Murdo MacDonald of Back. The turnover figure of £1.95m and look forward with optimism to the Agricultural Organisation Society present chairman is Kenny John forecasts for the current year show future. We are the custodians (SAOS) were present who gave an Maclennan of Callanish. that the business may break the of an inheritance that has been extremely positive perspective on In June 2004 the management magic £2m mark. This is a huge generated through genuine hard the benefits of such a co-operative. committee of Lewis Crofters achievement for a company which work and we must pass it on to The meeting closed without decided to make major started from humble beginnings, our successors in a better way being able to elect a chairman, refurbishments to the store and but with a genuine desire to than we received it. We have to but did propose to commence yard. The bagging plant was succeed. That desire which was continue to promote and progress operations in the spring of 1956. removed to create additional present in 1955 is still evident with this company to even greater It wasn’t until January 1958 that storage during the winter feeding this vibrant company. There is a heights and promote the ethos the final funding package was season and an area for a wider passion and enthusiasm around of the company by re-investing in place and subsequently the gardening section during the the board table and a policy of any profit into the improvement of company came into being and summer months. The shop was expansion, improvement and services for our customers”. was registered on July 11, 1958 totally refurbished; its size nearby – over 50 years ago. doubled to give greater display Aldersyde The first company premises space and a new counter and Lodge Road were officially opened at Inaclete office area with new toilets and Inverness IV2 4NS Road in 1959 by the then staff facilities. The yard was also A chàirdean Agriculture Minister, Matthew resurfaced in asphalt giving a clean Harry Ferguson Campbell. He was visiting the workable area for staff, delivery I am working on a Gaelic television documentary programme on the islands to inspect reseeding vehicles and customers. The life of Harry Ferguson, the inventor of the famous Ferguson System – schemes and he stated that high overall cost of these renovations but maybe best remembered for the TE20 “little grey Fergie”. freight charges should encourage was £100k and has proved to be The tractor is well known and loved by agriculturalists (and collectors) more local production. This was money very well spent. all over the world, but the man responsible for the ingenuity of the echoed by Angus MacDonald of In 2006 Lewis Crofters invention is perhaps less well known. We intend to put this right in the Bernera, chairman of the Lewis purchased the hydraulic and production of this programme, and we hope your readers will be among District Council. He said: “There bearings business of HEB many who will enjoy watching it. should be more effort to produce Engineering which has proved to The grey Fergie will obviously feature strongly in the programme carrots and potatoes for the be a most worthwhile acquisition. and we are keen to find anecdotes, film or pictures which demonstrate Stornoway market from the sandy This provides a much-needed the extraordinary affection so many families had for the tractor and the soils of Uig and Ness, which service to crofters, contractors and extent to which it became a multi-purpose part of life. are comparable with anything in the wider community. In 2007 the Was the Fergie part of your family? What was it used for over and Ayrshire”. equestrian equipment business of above farm work? Was it used for social transport to dances, weddings, Charles Macleod of Boots and Saddles was acquired shopping, or even going to church? Anecdotes don’t have to be Ballantrushal said that the and is now in a position to serve in Gaelic, although I will be particularly pleased to hear from Gaelic premises were too small, and on an ever-increasing equestrian speakers. the opening day there were 200 need. The shop, which at one I look forward to hearing from anyone who can help us and assure tonnes of fertilizer in the yard. time only sold animal feeding you that all photographs etc will be treated carefully and returned. In 1959, the highly respected stuff, now caters for a wide range Donald Stewart, provost of of goods covering animal health, Mòran taing Allan Campbell [email protected] Stornoway and later to become outdoor clothing, camping, boots 14 THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 ON THE CROFT Side effects of Blue Tongue Crofting Supplies Government announced that stablished earlier this supply and erect fencing and vaccination limited modification of the year, Crofting Supplies made-to-measure gates and will Alasdair MacMhaoirn seeks more vaccination rules came into force Eaims to provide a one- happily advise on and undertake information on 07 August 2009. These are: stop shop for all your crofting tree and hedge planting. rom time to time there are 1 Provision has been made needs. We offer a comprehensive reports in the news about to permit lambs on the islands The business was developed groundwork services including Falleged side effects related which are being moved to the when we first moved to our croft access roads, site clearance GB mainland via a communal to the Blue Tongue vaccine. in Caithness and had difficulty and building foundations. Land collection point to be vaccinated In all cases these have been accessing services such as drainage and ditch clearance at the collection point, rather than discounted by authorities, but still agricultural contracting, fencers, services are available too. before leaving their holdings of the stories persist. Any perusal of origin. This has been permitted feed supplies, planning advice Crofting Supplies stocks a the internet will lead to numerous because of the minimal impact etc.We therefore came up with wide range of livestock feeds and examples and one site in particular, in disease risk caused by a the idea of creating Crofting supplements, including a traditional www.campaignforliberty.com, few hours delay in vaccination Supplies to cover all these needs range of Marriages livestock feed has some very interesting points; when compared to the practical under one roof. and an organic range of nutrient- among them that our own midges advantages of bringing animals With our eyes ever on the rich seaweed-based feeds, may be different from foreign ones together in a controlled situation environment we try to source fertilisers and plant feeds. and our native breeds may have a where vaccination may be carried products that are made from Our new Grazing Finding resistance. Apparently all cases so out more effectively. It remains sustainable or recycled means Service is now up and running… far have involved imported animals. the responsibility of each keeper wherever possible. For example, If you have a plot of land that you My own interest began when I to ensure that their animals are a 100% recycled plastic material would be happy to be grazed or if was speaking to a fellow Highland vaccinated before departure from that we have acquired has you are looking for grazing land, breeder who, for the first time, the islands. been developed into a range of why not register with us? We aim experienced unusual problems. 2 Sheep or cattle that are being products which includes sheep to match your requirements with As he told me, he has been raising kept for the purpose of scientific and calf pens, hen houses and land available and hopefully get research where vaccination of cattle for years in the same area, pig arks. more livestock living on the land. those animals would interfere Easter Ross, and this past calving On the construction front, And if all that isn’t enough with that research may be was the first time he encountered Crofting Supplies can supply Crofting Supplies can even come two unusual problems. exempted from vaccination. Such exemptions can be applied for deliver and erect a wide range of and shear your sheep! The first problem was that one by writing to Animal Health and agricultural buildings from small As the business develops we of his calves had a malformation Welfare Division at the address field shelters and sheds to timber hope to widen the range of in its jaw. The breeder said he below, and will be granted on a frame outbuildings, stables and services that we offer. If you had never seen this before in case by case basis. steel framed buildings. All can feel that you have a product his stock, so it is natural that he The updated vaccination be designed to suit your specific or service that would benefit wondered why. The other problem declaration, which sets out all the requirements and we’ll even help crofters please let us know he called “brittle hoofs”. It was as requirements and exemptions, you with your planning application! and we will be happy to add it if the calf’s hoofs were too delicate is attached below. It will shortly Around the croft we can to our range. to walk on. be available on the Scottish Again, he had never encountered Government website at: www. this problem before and wondered scotland.gov.uk/BTVvaccination. why it should suddenly arise. In The compulsory vaccination both cases, the only new factor campaign against BTV8 has been Crofting was the administration of the Blue a great achievement. As we may Tongue vaccination. now be in the period of highest I mentioned the problems risk, we should remind livestock Supplies to a local vet who discounted keepers to: them immediately. However, it a keep up with vaccination occurred to me that if possible of young stock. The main Established to provide for all your indications of problems are requirements are that all lambs and calves (except those on Shetland) crofting needs. ignored in the first instance, then must be fully vaccinated by the there will never be an accurate We can supply and deliver the following:- age of 6 months if remaining on record of possible side effects the holding of origin. If a lamb or A range of poultry housing and field shelters which may then be investigated. calf over the age of three months constructed using recycled and sustainable materials For example, I believe that it is is moved off its holding of birth, it acknowledged that GPs under- must be fully vaccinated before Sheds and timber framed outbuildings report drug reactions within their this is done. (However, if they Stables yellow card system. are going directly to slaughter or Steel framed agricultural buildings designed to your Consequently, I thought it might to slaughter via a market at less be interesting to invite readers to than six months of age, then specifications contact me if they suspect that vaccination is not required). In Livestock Feed the vaccine may be causing addition, any unvaccinated animal We also offer a full agricultural contracting service problems. I’ll collate whatever over three months of age brought responses I get and see what can into Scotland should receive a full For a full list of services we provide be made of them. Names need course of BTV8 vaccine within two not be mentioned if preferred. weeks of their arrival. please visit our website at b source animals responsibly. It Please let me know if you remains vital that care is taken when www.croftingsupplies.com suspect any problems at: sourcing animals. For further information please contact us [email protected] c any suspicion of notifiable disease or post to Alternatives to the local divisional veterinary on 07779 908486 or 39 High Street, Tain, IV19 1AE. manager for investigation. email: [email protected] Meanwhile, the Scottish THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 15 ON THE CROFT It’s all in the genes Four members of the North perform as mothers – something as a forager to convert grass into Country Cheviot Sheep Society in that is impossible to assess by meat (or fat). All this data is sent Lewis set up a group last year to his appearance. How often some to Signet Breeding Services who develop and encourage the use have been caught out by a ram put it into a computer and an index of performance recorded North that has been well fed and not is produced for each lamb and for Country Cheviot sheep, both well bred! He looked big and each trait. locally and nationally. They have strong in the show and sale ring, What is an index? called themselves The Lewis but his daughters can’t raise a An index is a statistical estimation Recorded Cheviot Group (LRCG) lamb because they have no milk. of how each animal is likely to A group of Torravig sheep and were successful in applying Of course by this time, the ram is perform for each trait based on its on a typically wet day in Lewis to the Macaulay Institute’s Lewis either sold, or more likely dead, parentage and of its own growth Endowment Fund for funding and you are left with the legacy of measurements and those of its to assist them in their aims. poor milking ewes for many years siblings and wider family, whether Chairman of the group, Calum to come. And milking ability is one in your flock or in another’s. Each Macleod, gave us this report. of the most heritable traits that a trait is given a value, with some ave you ever questioned ram will pass on to his daughters. being more important than others why it is that some of your What is measured? and each lamb is awarded an Hsheep seem to produce Several physical traits are estimated breeding value (EBV). good lambs year on year despite measured and presented as an The calculation to make an EBV their being relatively small and poor index. This helps you to pick and is done using the co-efficient of themselves; while others may be choose what you want from your sire heritability for each particular trait big and heavy but can’t leave you a according to your particular need. plus its economic importance. decent lamb, or perhaps no lamb at For example, you may want lambs Thank goodness for computers! Willie Wilson scanning a lamb to all? Let me try to explain. that are early finishers, with lots of Does it work? measure loin muscle and fat depth It’s because there are some muscle and little fat for the butcher. It most certainly does! The “givers” and some “takers”. You can aim to get ewe lambs that Scottish Sheep Strategy, overseen There are some that put all their will become milky mothers (who by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), resources into their lamb, while doesn’t?) that will have more twins has been carrying out trials over others are greedy and keep it all to – or singles if you prefer. Or maybe several years with different breeds themselves and let the lamb suffer. you’re getting on a bit and you don’t and farms with some astonishing But how can you predict which want ewes that will be too big and results – up to £20.49 per ewe ones will be so? Which sheep heavy when mature. difference between high and low are you going to have to feed Lambs are tagged and weighed index sires on the same farm. expensive concentrates to, to get at birth and their parentage is Some benefits have already a decent lamb? The answer is to recorded, together with date of been realised by LRCG members Three Generations record their performance because birth, sex and if single, twin etc. with average lamb weights up by (ewe, lamb and gimmer) it’s all in the genes. It takes about a minute and a half as much as 5 kg and much meatier at Water’s Edge So, what is performance recording? to do. This identifies the lamb (with less fat) carcases. This has The fact is that you are probably and its family tree. It’s also used been achieved by early culling of non- already doing this subconsciously, to calculate the litter size index. productive stock that might otherwise in some measure, if you know each They are then weighed again at have been retained and retention individual sheep in your flock. No about eight weeks of age. This and purchase of high EBV rams. doubt you will have observed that gives an indication of the milking But do they look right? a sheep that came from a good ability of the ewe as the lamb is You bet! Members of the group mother came herself from a good almost solely dependent on her are regular exhibitors at agricultural mother and so it goes on down up to this age. Yes, the mother is shows, even the Royal Highland, Habost flock the family line. So you keep them just as important as the ram! And and frequently feature in the top because of that. That’s because a ram from a milky mother is likely prizes. these traits are genetic. And so we to have milky daughters. At about Where can you purchase have the adage: keep the best and 20 weeks the lambs are again performance recorded stock? sell the rest. But you don’t always weighed and also scanned with You can purchase them from remember who’s who and some an ultrasound scanner by a trained many flocks from Shetland to the poor ewes slip through the net. technician who will measure how Borders and beyond but, as far as Performance recording is a much muscle and fat the lamb we are aware, we are the only flocks management tool that helps has. doing performance recording in the sheep breeders select sheep with The only other way to measure Western Isles and Skye. LRCG the best breeding potential, and this is on a carcase, by which members will have performance thereby produce more lambs of time you cannot breed from this recorded rams for sale this year at the quality required by the market. animal any more! You will always Stornoway and Uist. We believe it’s More scanning Essentially, it strips away the find that some have a propensity only a matter of time before rams environmental and management to lay down fat, while others at least, and possibly breeding influences on an animal and looks lay down muscle. Again, this is females too, will be selling almost at their physical traits. This gives genetic. The 20 week weight and on their performance figures alone. a purchaser an indication of how, scan measurements will give an for example, a ram’s daughters will indication of how the lamb itself is www.lewisrecordedcheviots.com

Lewis Recorded Cheviots Group Two Torravig gimmers Breeders of registered and performance recorded North Country Cheviots with twin lambs at foot

Bred in the harsh Hebridean environment so that you know what you’re buying will meet your expectations. Rams and selected females available. Contact: Angus and Christina Maclean (Habost, NC 818) Tel. 01851 810232 Neil Macleod (Torravig, NC 875) Tel. 01851 702673 Kenneth Maclean (Swainbost, NC 953) Tel. 01851 810 242 Calum Macleod (Water’s Edge, NC 956) Tel. 01851 701310 w ww.lewisrecordedcheviots.com 16 THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 ON THE CROFT Proven genetic potential is the key to quality Rod MacKenzie of the Scottish Sheep for over 40 years scientists and geneticists low index rams and also against rams Strategy explains have been working with the sheep industry which were bought by the participating worldwide to identify and measure the farmers in the traditional manner. The trial is hen the Government decided to traits of economic importance. looking at those rams as sires of slaughter scrap the Crofter’s Commission This is known as performance recording lambs initially, but also as sires of flock Wram scheme, many people in the and it enables commercial producers replacements. The results from part one of more remote areas found it increasingly to select rams which have the proven the trial are most encouraging, showing an difficult to source good quality rams to help genetic potential to do what is required in average increase in output per ewe mated improve their stock. Distance from the main the flock. of £9.16 over low index rams and an even markets is proving to be a major problem The Scottish Sheep Strategy is a more pleasing average increase of £4.88 for people, particularly if they have other Quality Meat Scotland initiative which was over the rams selected in the traditional way. paid employment. set up to help sheep farmers and crofters These figures have come from averaging the Many people do not feel confident about to understand how using figures can help results of over 1000 ewes over two years on going to ram sales and deciding which ram them select suitable sires. the six farms. would best suit their needs. It is a difficult job The strategy has many approaches to The breeds used in this trial are pure to envisage how a ram will perform when you fulfil its remit but two of the most important Blackfaces on two farms, pure Lyens on one get him home. The overall look of a ram at a are the focus farm trial and the running of farm, pure North Country Cheviots on one farm, sale can tell you some things about him, but training workshops. and Texels on mule-type ewes on two farms. you must ask yourself if these attributes you The focus farm work has been well The training workshops which we run take see are the ones which will help your flock. documented and it is now half way through. place in August and September each year, By looking you can tell if he has been well We are comparing high index rams against prior to the main tup sales. looked after, is free from structural faults, eg Each year we try to go to different areas mouth, skin and legs and you can tell if you to enable as many people as possible to like his general appearance. get the opportunity to attend. We have held What you cannot tell, however, is whether workshops in Unst, Orkney, Islay, Melvich, his offspring will grow quickly, how big they Tighnabruich and Tiree as well as many of will eventually become, will they have too more accessible areas on the mainland much fat and not enough muscle, will his These workshops are held on an evening or daughters produce a good number of lambs on some occasions on a Saturday afternoon. and if they will have enough milk to rear If you require more information about those lambs. any of the work undertaken by the Scottish Unfortunately the traits you cannot identify Sheep Strategy, please feel free to contact by visual appraisal are the ones which me, Rod McKenzie, on 01463811804 or visit affect the profitability of your sheep our website enterprise. All these traits are genetic and therefore The six rams used at Rotmell Farm, Pitlochry www.scottishsheepstrategy.org.uk Crofter’s wife column ell, my inaugural column in than I would ever have been able to give it. In Autumn is on the horizon now, the soup the last issue prompted no went the potatoes, three types of cabbage and a and porridge pots already back in daily use Wcomplaints so here I am, back couple dozen leeks, lettuces, spinach. It looked and a fire has burned on more than one cool with the editor’s blessing! fabulous! All straight(ish) lines, varying shades of evening. Hay lies in the byre, while the Crofter It’s been a very busy summer here. I green foliage and patches of dark earth. And not a makes the most of the evening light – while it suppose it wouldn’t be a true crofting life if weed in sight. The Crofter (who is rather prone to lasts: fencing, walking out to the hill, all the I wasn’t able to say how busy things have exaggeration) issued a gloomy warning that the time planning what he’ll put to the sale, what been. I often think that the image of life whole place was teeming with rabbits. We have he’ll bring home from the sale, where he’ll here in the islands is one of a slower pace this “discussion” regularly. Last year, I saw ONE winter the sheep, which cows to bring inside. but between crofting, a young family and rabbit on the back lawn, this year none. Nothing Not to mention wondering how on earth does running a business (not to mention a new would last, he predicted. He was wrong. he go about training a young sheep dog! puppy) I seem to be forever chasing my tail The days passed. Things grew. Life carried Our eldest now spends his days at the and wondering where on earth the day, week, on, busier than ever once the school holidays high school. I can hardly believe he’s of that month, or season went! kicked in. I admired it daily in passing until age, while the baby continues to grow and Take this year’s vegetable plot for example: one day I realised with horror that, despite my smile and delight us. And me? Well, I’m now in late spring I opted for the patch in front of the good intentions, the weeds were determinedly eyeing up the rowan berries and brambles house – with easy access and within sight of my advancing. It was time to rope our eldest lad in and wondering where on earth I put my desk I’d never forget or neglect it … I got the as Chief Weeder. Grandma’s jelly pan at the end of last year’s Crofter to plough it for me and my visiting father So, all was well… until the day the renegade jam season... then kindly took over, broke it up and prepared wedder got into the garden and ate my prize The Crofter’s Wife it for planting with far more care and attention lettuce! After a few years of growing salad leaves, I had decided to go for “proper” lettuce and was pleased at how things were progressing. Complaining to the Crofter got me nowhere: “It won’t have harmed him,” he laughed. I’m sure you can imagine the thinly disguised threat which my retort carried... Elsewhere, the strawberries and blackcurrants provided colourful and tasty harvests and the raspberry bushes that I lifted and replanted in the spring came through their trauma relatively unscathed Claire Nicolson and produced a modest, but welcome, crop. Claire Nicolson THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 17 ON THE CROFT Bull Hire Scheme Review The right tool Update by Sarah Allen, chair of group, comments: “It is really Bull Hire Review Group Bull Hire Review Group important that crofters for the job return these forms as it The group is chaired by Sarah ccasionally we arlier this year, Minister Allen, who is an agricultural at SCF get accused of for the Environment will indicate the interest adviser and former member of Owanting to go back to ERoseanna Cunningham in any future scheme. the Crofters Commission. Its the times when crofting was MSP appointed an independent We have a lot of skills underlying aim is to examine equated with backbreaking review group to look at practical and knowledge within the best way crofters can work and poverty. So what options to encourage crofters work together to keep quality follows might be risking such a to keep cattle and to consider the review group, but livestock in Scotland’s remoter response, but bear with me… what type of public support we need to know what rural areas. Like many other crofters, would be best from the resources The terms of reference of the I have a scythe hanging in available. is happening on the ground. If you haven’t group are: the shed, a position it has The review group met for the occupied for the last twenty- To investigate practical first time in May when we were returned your form yet • odd years. The implement options to encourage crofters presented with a history of the bull itself is at least ninety years please try and do so. The to work together to keep quality scheme, information about state aid old and was acquired when I more information we can cattle of high health status in rules and findings of the most recent was working on the railways remote rural Scotland. scheme review. We discussed how collect, the better our in the east of England in the we would conduct the review and assessment and advice • To identify those parts of the 1970s. Gangs of track workers what information we would gather to the Minister.” country where crofting communities used to keep the line sides, and examine. This was followed would be unable without support to cuttings and embankments cut The review group also decided by a visit to the stud farms on the secure the fertilisation of cows at short throughout the summer, that it would like to compare the outskirts of Inverness. equitable cost. which is hard to believe when value of progeny of scheme bulls To consider what type of you look at the unkempt state with the value of calves from non- • public support would best help to of so much of Network Rail’s scheme users – to provide evidence overcome such disadvantage. property these days. Anyway, of market differences accrued the scythe was a redundant • To define the outcomes by scheme bulls. Whilst this sort asset and I purchased it from of comparison is fraught with all which any such support should be designed to achieve. my employers for 50p. I knew it sorts of other factors that influence would come in handy eventually calf sales, with the assistance of • To consider whether, in – and so it did. review group member Ian Tolmie order to achieve the desired We recently took over a croft from Dingwall and Highland Marts, outcomes, support is best with a large area of bracken we are looking into how best to provided in cash (by grant coverage too steep for any compare market data. to crofting groups) and/or in The review group decided that sort of machine access. After We are also looking at the kind (for example, through the spending some hours working an essential part of the review costs of operating a scheme, and supply of bulls or semen). at this infestation with a powerful would be to seek the views of will be comparing a Government- • To recommend options to strimmer fitted with a metal disc potential users of any future run facility with other options. I Scottish Ministers by November cutter I was pretty fed up and scheme and with this in mind a look forward to discussing the 2009 to achieve best value almost deaf – and very little survey was issued in July to all review with as many crofters as from the resources devoted to impression had been made. It crofters who keep breeding cows possible as I visit some areas in the interim bull hire scheme. was then that the scythe was (around 1700). the coming weeks. I shall also extricated from the shed; blunt, The survey seeks views on why be presenting the survey results rusty and missing a hand grip. cattle are kept; whether a bull is and discussing the future of the An hour or so had the antiquity cleaned, sharpened, oiled and fitted hired, borrowed or owned; whether scheme at the SCF gathering in with an improvised hand grip. The results have been spectacular. The AI is used or if cows are moved to a Grantown in September and the scythe is not only quicker than the strimmer but is quieter and less tiring. bull. It also asks about overwintering Crofters Commission assessors Technical advice on bracken control suggests cutting twice in the first bulls on the croft or locally. The conference in November. year, and once a year for the following five, so I need to repeat the survey results should enable the The review group is due to report to exercise, and exercise it is indeed, in September. review group to determine demand the Minister in November so we have So, I hear you say, “How am I supposed to get the time to cut bracken for any future scheme and help in a busy time ahead. In the meantime, with a scythe, what with two full-time jobs, the clipping and silage to do defining its purpose. if anyone would like to take part in and a B&B to run?” Well, you know when the family comes home for By the beginning of August the survey and has not received a the holidays they always offer to help with the toughest jobs on the croft. Well they do, don’t they? around 50% of the survey forms had survey form please contact Lynda Introduce them to the scythe, been returned. Marina Dennis, who Marshall on 0131 244 6604 or email give them a quick health and safety represents the SCF on the review [email protected] briefing and set them to work. When they get fed up, you just remind them that, incredible as it may be, people in the city pay lots of good money to go to the gym for far less beneficial exercise, and without the good fresh air and the lovely view! Donald Murdie Bracken Control – A Guide to Best Practice is a very useful booklet obtainable from local SGRPID offices or on the Scottish Government website. 18 THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 on the croft

the partnership will take a strategic approach to co-ordinating collaboration between townships EU funding boost for machair or individuals adopting corncrake management opes are high for a new and spin-off benefits are anticipated, in terms of a options. It will advise on the best combination of rewarding collaboration between higher public profile for machair and increased options for the suite of species present (not just Hcrofters, agencies and wildlife tourism. corncrakes); integration with other management conservationists. On the machair, the coastal environment, on the croft and, where desirable, opportunities for The European Commission confirmed this the culture, wildlife and agriculture combine additional management that may further enhance week that a funding bid for the conservation of to create a uniquely appealing and valuable the status of an application. All of the above will Scottish machair, submitted by RSPB Scotland asset. This new money from Europe gives us raise the standard of an application and maximise and supported by SNH, Comhairle nan Eilean an exciting opportunity to promote machair its assessment rating to increase its chances of Siar and the SCF, has been successful. The management that retains this value and keeps success in the highly competitive SRDP scheme. EU LIFE+ Nature scheme will fund 50% of the crofting at the heart of the landscape. At the same time, the process will ensure that £2 million project. we do the best we can for corncrake and other The remaining 50% funding will need to be wildlife – and all at no extra cost to the crofter. met by partners. Discussions are ongoing, The scheme contains four key management with final decisions on financial contributions options aimed at addressing the corncrake’s due over the next few weeks. It is anticipated habitat requirements, although others may that the project will go ahead, starting in also be of benefit if used in combination with January 2010, running for four years on the these. Since corncrakes need tall vegetation Western Isles and Argyll Islands, and creating to hide in when they return from Africa in three new jobs on the islands. April/early May and after grass crops are LIFE+ is the EU funding stream dedicated cut in late summer, the scheme provides an to the conservation of the most important early and late cover management option for species, habitats and sites in Europe. Scottish a payment of £162/ha for fields between 0.15 machair is a unique environmental asset, hectares and one hectare in size. Where it combining all three of these. The extraordinary is necessary to create early/late vegetation wildlife value of crofted machair – the breeding cover, this option attracts a payment of £800/ waders at higher densities than anywhere, the ha. For the adjacent mown grasslands, stock arable wildflowers now vanished from much must be excluded from 15th May until after of Europe, the rare birds and insects like the cutting, with the payment rate ranging from great yellow bumble bee – is recognised in £271/ha for 1st August cutting to £691/ha for the designation of a network of machair sites 1st September cutting. Fields managed by under EU wildlife law as Special Protection grazing (between 15th July and 1st March)

Areas and Special Areas of Conservation. Species-rich grassland that contain a high proportion of vegetation These land designations mean that the area suitable for cover in the spring may be entered qualifies for the LIFE+ funding scheme. into the Management of Grazed Grassland A number of previous Scottish conservation for Corncrakes option, for a payment of £313/ projects have started very successfully with an A welcome boost ha. All in all, this could make a significant injection of LIFE+ funding: peatland restoration contribution to the management of a croft over in Caithness and Sutherland, for example. the five year period of the contract. Machair is remarkable, however, in that the for RDC applicants At the launch of the partnership in July, Donald MacDonald, SCF board member from habitat is created and maintained by crofting Skye, warmly welcomed the new initiative agriculture. As crofting and the methods used on the Isle of Skye saying, “It is a good example of how crofters change, so does the wildlife. and a conservation body can work together to The LIFE+ project will focus on working very little helps when it comes to their mutual advantage. Crofters, whether as a closely with farmers and crofters to develop, accruing points towards entry into the township or as individuals, can benefit from an implement and promote machair agriculture ESRDP Rural Development Contract enhanced possibility of an SRDP application that is financially viable, practical for the crofters programme, the government’s latest agri- being successful, while the RSPB benefits and simultaneously secures the wildlife in the environment scheme that replaces the Rural from the managed habitat for the corncrake.” long term. Involvement from crofters will be Stewardship Scheme. Establishment of the partnership is, in voluntary and the project will work alongside The new Skye Crofting and Corncrake itself, recognition of the concern for the future the SRDP and help to develop new measures Partnership launched in Waternish at the start of crofting and corncrakes on Skye and the to be integrated with government schemes in of July 2009 should provide a welcome boost desire to ensure that high conservation value the longer term. for applications sympathetic to the plight of farming attracts the support and financial For example, the project will aim to the vulnerable corncrake. By combining the rewards it deserves. increase the area of machair arable crops knowledge and experience of participating crofters and the partnership organisations (SCF, that is harvested late, rather than as arable Alison MacLennan silage. Late harvesting benefits wildflowers SAC and RSPB), this initiative aims to enhance applications, co-ordinate delivery and maximise RSPB Conservation Officer Wester Ross, as they set seed before being gathered and Skye and Lochalsh seed-eating birds like the corn bunting, which the benefits of SRDP funds on the island. prefer to eat ripe seeds. To achieve this, the Once common throughout Skye and Wester factors that encourage early harvest will Ross, the corncrake has become almost as need to be addressed. In some areas this scarce as hen’s teeth on Skye and it is seldom will include goose impacts – so the project heard on the mainland. It is not surprising will extend funding for goose management therefore that it has been identified as a priority under the local goose management schemes. species for targeted action within the Rural In other places availability of contractors and Development Contract programme. However, machinery will be issues, so the project will to ensure that an application is successful and employ agricultural staff and will purchase that management will provide habitats that machinery for crofters or contractors to use. attract corncrake, an approach that is both An agricultural advisor will also be employed collaborative and strategic is essential. to help co-ordinate implementation and share Concentrating initially on the Waternish techniques and good practice. Moreover, and Trotternish peninsulas, (although outlying areas with calling birds will also be considered), THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 19 Scottish Cr ofting P r o d u c e M a r k – the next steps he Scottish Crofting Produce Mark, officially Tlaunched by the Minister in Vatersay last year, currently has thirty four members. Staff resources are now in place to develop, publicise and promote the mark and to increase membership. The working group mark will be contacted during the will be re-established in order autumn and will be fully consulted to review the operation of the on any proposed changes to the scheme, review existing criteria scheme. for joining, and set new criteria for produce not already covered. Anyone interested in The SCF web pages relating joining the SCP mark to the mark will be expanded and working group, or with updated and publicity material will any questions about be built around case studies on the scheme, should SCP mark members. contact Donald Murdie, [email protected], All existing members of the or SCF head office.

Às a’ chroit anns a’ Ghàidhealtachd ‘s na h-Eileanan

SAC Consulting SAC

SAC Consulting provides leading edge, independent and impartial advice throughout the crofting counties. Our consultants combine local knowledge with extensive experience and are supported by our team of renowned specialists. Among the services we can provide are • general agricultural and business advice • assistance with IACS, SRDP and CCAGS • soil and fodder analysis • small-scale renewable energy studies • livestock enterprise planning.

Contact your local SAC offi ce: Lerwick 01595 693520 Balivanich 01870 602336 Oban 01631 563093 Campbeltown 01586 552502 Portree 01478 612993 Inverness 01463 233266 Stornoway 01851 703103 Kirkwall 01856 872698 Thurso 01847 892719 See our website www.sac.co.uk SAC is a charity registered in Scotland, No. SC003712 20 THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 MEMBERS’ PAGES SCF AGM 2009 SCF HQ staff change ur membership he eighth SCF annual year had a shown an overspend general meeting was held on the Croft Land Use Programme administrator Marion Tin Dingwall Auction Mart which reduced reserves but new OMacLeod, who many of you on 23rd June 2009. There was funding for SCF development work will have got to know over the past a very good turnout and lively had been secured and will enable a few years, has left to take up a post discussion, particularly in the full programme to be implemented. with Community Energy Scotland afternoon session on the draft All funders were acknowledged. as the Community Power Down Crofting Reform Bill consultation. The SCF Board and Council officer for the Orcadian island of SCF Chair Neil Macleod recommended that Eleanor Arthur Stronsay. Our best wishes. presented his report and opened and Derek Flynn be appointed as Our new membership by paying tribute to all those directors and that John Macleod be administrator is Karen Campbell involved in the Scottish Crofting re-appointed as a director and this who lives in Dornie, Lochalsh. Foundation from the chief was unanimously agreed. Karen hails from Ratagan, further down the glen and graduated last year from Aberdeen University with an honours degree in animal science. Since then she has worked in Dornoch for the meat time positions whilst studying and processor Dunbia and has taken various voluntary placements. the opportunity to come back to Karen is also a silver medal winner her home area to settle. She has in the Scottish University boxing gained work experience from part- championships. Welcome Karen. Foundation for Common Land Gwyn Jones reports on progress have agreed to fund a small pilot project to carry out the work of s reported in a developing the main proposal. previous issue of The This will include consulting A Crofter, SCF is involved in crofters on how the interests of taking an active part in the setting common graziers could be best executive down to each individual The following special resolution, up of a new organisation to raise addressed and supported. member. He referred briefly to the in accordance with Section77 (1) awareness of various types Shadow board chairman crofting reform discussions and (a) of the Companies Act 2006, of common land at a UK and Andrew Humphries will be looked forward to the opportunities was adopted unanimously by international scale and to bring speaking at the SCF conference for members to contribute to the members present: “That the name common graziers together to in Grantown, giving us a vision debate following the Government of the company be changed to share their concerns and helpful of what the foundation could response to the Shucksmith Scottish Crofting Federation with experiences. be and providing members report, urging members to make effect from the date on which the Since then, a shadow board an opportunity to discuss this sure that their voice was heard. new certificate of incorporation is directly with him. Neil commented on the issued.” The chief executive was has been constituted to bridge Further details about the heartening news from John therefore actioned to implement the gap between the idea and method of consultation, which Bannister and Calina Macdonald procedures to enable a name the eventual incorporation of the will take place in October, will on the SCF training programme, change to take place. new organisation. For the time also be available then. noting with some satisfaction the The formal meeting closed being Scottish interests are being Scotland has about one third increasing number of young people and a presentation on the draft represented by Patrick Krause of the common pasture in the participating in and expressing an Crofting Reform Bill consultation and myself. interest in the training courses run by Iain Dewar, Scottish The shadow board is now trying UK and a quarter of the total in by the SCF. Government, was followed by to draw up a proposal for funding Britain and Ireland. We have a lot SCF chief executive Patrick a wide ranging discussion and the start-up of the new foundation to teach and to learn from other Krause presented a summary of the questions being taken by Iain. and our plan is to do this through graziers and our combined voice accounts and reminded members Opinions of members were noted Leader, with match-funding from can really make a difference at that a full copy of the accounts for incorporation in the SCF other sources. UK and EU level. could be obtained from HQ. The response to the consultation. The Leader group in Cumbria [email protected] Gwyn Jones THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 21 MEMBERS’ PAGES Chance of a lifetime Can RSABI help you? ould you like to have some help on your croft next summer, get some new blood into your community and give a young Can you help RSABI? person the chance to learn about Scotland and about the W SABI is the Scottish charity helping people who have depended crofting way of life? on land-based occupations and who now face hardship. Are you a young crofter who would like the chance to go to America Many will recognise the name RSABI, previously known as to learn about life in the rural Midwest? Xchange Scotland in conjunction R the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution, but most will with the Scottish Crofting Foundation and the 4H programme of West probably think that the charity is only there to help retired farmers. Virginia in the United States are looking for a family to host a young RSABI does indeed help retired farmers, but the charity can also volunteer from America for 2/3 months in summer 2010 and also a young help anyone who has worked on the land, as well as their dependants. person (18-25) from a crofting background to send the other way! This includes stalkers, gamekeepers, ghillies and crofters, along Xchange Scotland is a registered Scottish charity that sends and hosts with farm workers, forestry workers and estate-workers, plus a volunteers on any one of thousands of international volunteer projects and range of people who supply services to such trades. The majority of exchanges across the world. Last year we sent and received over 100 beneficiaries are elderly and include many widows, but the charity volunteers including bringing almost 50 to become involved in community also supports a significant number who, through illness, accident or activities across Scotland. For our latest venture we are proud to link up disability, are unable to work to normal retiring age. with the SCF and the well-established, America-wide 4H programme. RSABI offers financial and practical support, in confidence, 4H takes youngsters from an agricultural background and gives them to anyone who has worked for more than ten years in a land- the chance to play a fuller part in their community by involving them in based occupation in Scotland. Each year RSABI helps some 600 a host of activities such as summer camps, state fairs or international individuals around Scotland, tailoring its assistance, financial or exchanges and other voluntary activities. The young volunteer would otherwise, to make as meaningful a difference as possible to spend 2/3 months leading Xchange Scotland summer projects as well as someone’s quality of life. This may mean providing regular long- 2/3 months working on your croft in return for board and lodgings. As they term payments to those on limited incomes or making single grants are from a farming background they should be well used to rural life and to help individuals meet a particular crisis in their lives. One-off also to hard graft and as well as receiving the experience of a life time, payments typically help with home repairs and modifications, will really be able to help round the croft. The same will be expected of the essential transport costs, television licenses or even respite young Scot that will lead summer camps for 4H in West Virginia before holiday breaks, and the charity also operates a fuel poverty fund to helping out on a Midwest farm. help those experiencing hardship heating their homes. For more information about Xchange Scotland or West Virginia 4h As well as charity support, RSABI welfare staff ensure that please see www.xchangescotland.org or http://www.wvu.edu/~exten/ individuals receive their full entitlements to any other benefits due depts/famyou/4h.htm or if you are interested or have any questions to them and will help and advise with other difficulties such as care contact either martin@xchangescotland or [email protected] services, housing or other such matters. In two cases recently, Don’t miss out on the chance of a lifetime!!! individuals’ incomes have almost doubled as a result of RSABI identifying their eligibility for additional benefits. Too many of those who the charity may be able to help are either unaware of RSABI or are perhaps too proud to ask for help. RSABI Woodland creation: treats everyone applying for assistance in total confidence, so there’s no one need to worry about others finding out. go native If you would like to help the charity in some way, or if you or f you’re thinking about planting a native woodland but haven’t someone you know needs a little help, please contact RSABI got the time or not sure where to start – then Woodland Trust (telephone 0131 472 4166) or visit the website www.rsabi.org.uk. IScotland can help with MOREwoods. Further information: Rosemary Walker, Playfair Walker PR, 0131 MOREwoods is a simple scheme to help you create beautiful new 445 5570 or Maurice Hankey, RSABI, 0131 472 4166 native woodland with free advice and help from the Woodland Trust Scotland, part of the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. pollution control, reduce soil erosion and make an important contribution Native woods and trees are important for an increasingly wide range to addressing the challenges of land management in the face of climate of reasons. Almost 50% of all native woodland that was left in Scotland change. in the 1900s has been destroyed or damaged; now only 4% of land area MOREwoods – How it works is covered by native woodland. The trust wants to work with individuals MOREwoods has been designed to be simple with minimal paperwork or groups who wish to plant more native woodland. Imagine, in around and bureaucracy. The trust wants to help as many people as possible to 12-15 years, you could be walking under the canopy of your own plant new native woodland. flourishing young forest of native trees – oak, ash, hazel and rowan. The trust will offer advice and support to every applicant. For Why Plant? successful applicants the trust will arrange for an agent to visit and Native woods are a haven for wildlife and critical for our own health and well being. In addition they can also provide excellent game cover, advise and agree the design of new woodland, prior to applying for a produce valuable products such as timber and wood fuel, help with woodland creation grant. A contractor will then be employed to plant the trees and maintain them for five years. MOREwoods brings many benefits • It’s simple from the start. Filling in the application form will only take a few minutes. You don’t need any specialist knowledge at this stage and there is no legal commitment. • It stays simple. If the application is successful, the trust will do everything from doing the grant application to planting the trees and maintaining them. • It’s risk free; if for reasons beyond your control the grant application is unsuccessful then, although the planting won’t be able to proceed, it won’t cost you anything in agents’ fees. MOREwoods is available throughout Scotland for those who wish to plant a minimum of one hectare (2.5 acres). The closing date for applications is 31 December 2009. For more details and an application pack you can call the trust on 0845 293 5689

Woodland Trust Woodland or visit woodlandtrust.org.uk/MOREwoods-scotland. 22 THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 crofting heroes John Murdo Kerr he village of Barvas, on the west which John Murdo most certainly did. the limelight or the media spotlight, but it would side of Lewis, encompasses some of He instinctively knew his business and it be hard to come across any other individual Tthe most fertile land on the island, with a would be hard to come across any individual who has done more at a very practical level to hefty bank of rolling machair-land running from more knowledgeable on livestock rearing in this help his fellow crofters. the main road down to the sea’s edge about a part of the world. The bedrock of his 40-strong He was a founding member of Lewis kilometre away. herd of cattle were hardy Aberdeen Angus, Livestock, the local branch of Highlands and This was the domain of one John Murdo who could easily survive the windswept winters Islands Livestock Limited, who up until last Kerr, whose name needs little introduction of the Atlantic coast. They were crossed to a year operated a collection of lambs from village fanks. Only now when the firm has stopped trading does their real worth become clear. Many years ago, John Murdo and a few faithful friends gathered in his living room to thrash out the formation of Lewis Livestock and so began a long association with that particular organisation which lasted up until his untimely death. He was the last chairman of the organisation. And he was involved in much more besides. He was chairman of the Lewis and Harris Cattle Producers’ Group, a director of Lewis Crofters Limited and one of the founding members of the Lewis and Harris Sheep Producers’ Association. When it came to initiatives to help the world of crofting and crofters John Murdo was more often than not found in the driving seat and at the same time quite content to let others bask in any limelight. Very often when an individual is at the centre of a lot of the type of organisations mentioned it can attract the derision of other less proactive individuals. But no-one ever had a bad word to say about John Murdo. He was revered, respected and held in high regard wherever he went. No-one knew the real worth of John Murdo more than his fellow crofters and neighbours on the west side of Lewis. In times of crisis, he was the go-to guy, whether it be a problematic lambing to the crofting fraternity of Lewis and, Charolais bull and the store calves annually or calving. It didn’t matter what time of day or night, indeed, way beyond. sent over to Thainstone where they attracted a he was always more than willing to lend his expert John Murdo passed away suddenly last premium price, even when going head-to-head hand in his usual modest and graceful manner. year at the age of 68 and the sense of loss, against stock from arable-rich Aberdeenshire. John Murdo is sorely missed by the entire particularly as you drive through that part of In addition to this, he had a flock of some crofting community, but no more so than by those the world and glance at the sizeable steading 200 sheep, mainly Blackface, but also a who knew him best and, in particular, his family. and beautifully manicured fields which were his number Cheviot crosses put to a terminal To end on a more uplifting note, it looks very personal hallmark, is still acute. sire to try and tap into the fat-lamb trade. much as if his legacy will live on, in the form He had access to good land, certainly, but the So not only was he a renowned cattle-man, of sons Alan and Norman who have inherited quality of his livestock, both sheep and cattle, when it came to sheep he more knew his both their father’s work ethic and aptitude for was exemplary and proved that it is still possible stuff as well. livestock rearing – no doubt from learning at for the crofting counties to compete with anyone However, what really made John Murdo first-hand from the great man himself. – as long as you focus your energies in the right stand out against his peers was his unselfish direction. And you are prepared to work hard, attitude and modesty. He was not interested in Our thanks to Murray MacLeod for this article.

Dave Thompson ROB GIBSON MSP MSP for Highlands and Islands for Highlands and Islands Welcomes All Enquiries Regional Office WICK OFFICE Thorfin House Bridgend Business Park 4 Grant Street, Dingwall Wick, KW1 5AY IV15 9SL Tel: 01955 605016 Tel: 01349 864 701 Fax: 01955 604963 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] THEcrofter CROFTER,88x130 090227 SEPTEMBER 27/02/2009 16:00 2009 Page 1 23

ANOTHER AWARD-WINNING YEAR

HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS MEDIA AWARDS

Keith MacKenzie Sports Writer of the Year UPM Tilhill for tree planting on Murray MacLeod common grazing Feature Writer of the Year and highly commended in the Bord na Gaidhlig Award Willie Urquhart highly commended in the Photographer of the Year award Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul Bord na Gaidhlig Award improved planting grants plus annual payments for 2009 18 years experience implementing Crofters planting schemes from application to completion, we guide you through every stage The newspaper of the locally based forest managers, free no obligation initial visit land, the language, To find out how we can help please call John McGlade on 01463 234633 or 07831 608537 the people www.upm-tilhill.com UPM Tilhill 24 THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 Emergency Medical Retrieval Service he Emergency patient. One of the service aims is Medical Retrieval ‘optimal triage’, to try and transfer TService (EMRS) the patient directly to the most has recently completed the first appropriate hospital and avoid year of an 18-month pilot service the need for later transfers on covering an area which includes a to another hospital (eg serious large part of the crofting regions. head injuries will go directly to a Based in Glasgow, the service hospital with a neurosurgical unit). currently covers remote and rural EMRS consultants have areas of western Scotland from been involved in a number of Stranraer to Stornoway. Coverage teaching programmes across of other remote areas including rural areas, standard hospital Sutherland, Caithness and the based-resuscitation courses (such Northern Isles is to be considered as advanced life support ALS), as part of the appraisal of the teaching on courses run by BASICS pilot project. EMRS uses the Scotland (www.basics-scotland.org. Scottish Ambulance Service uk) and EMRS has run a number (SAS) helicopter and plane based of ‘Working with the retrieval team’ in Glasgow with air paramedics courses in hospitals throughout the an integral part of the team. On catchment area to introduce the role RETIRED FARMER occasion the service may use the and practicalities of the service. & FAMILY Royal Navy sea king helicopter The service began as a based at Prestwick. voluntary rota in 2004 when ten urgently seek EMRS seeks to improve equity consultants from the Southern CROFT of access to critical care services General Hospital, Glasgow and for patients in remote and rural the Royal Alexandra Hospital, for purchase or rent areas. EMRS has a rota of 14 NHS Paisley sought to improve the consultants from intensive care or resuscitation and transfer of emergency medicine available critically ill patients from remote Requirements: 24 hours a day to support health areas of Argyll and Bute. Several • Direct access to sea preferably but would consider services in remote and rural areas of the staff had previously worked in dealing with critically ill patients. in other medical retrieval services large loch/deep river The four pillars of the service are: eg in Adelaide, Queensland or telephone advice, air transfer, London (HEMS). The service • Within 12 mile radius of a town/village education and the website. initially covered six community • 4 bedroom house and outbuilding The service provides advice hospitals in Argyll and Bute and to rural health staff regarding the continued on a largely voluntary (or 3 bedrooms with OPP for extending) basis until June 2008. resuscitation and management • House should be in moderate condition of critically ill patients and the From June 2008 the service need for urgent air transfers. For began an 18-month pilot, funded (no demolition required) patients requiring transfer, whilst by the Scottish Government 90% can be transferred perfectly and covering an extended area • Mainland location – flexible in terms of county well by ambulance paramedics, including three rural general the 10% who are critically ill can hospitals (Oban, Fort William and benefit from the additional skills Stornoway), twelve community We will work the croft! and interventions of a critical hospitals and seventeen remote care consultant. EMRS is aware general practices. Appraisal of Send details to: of the pressures on colleagues the pilot service will determine B. C. Lloyd-Briden, 1 Cumbrian Close, Worthing, in rural areas when dealing whether the service is able to with an emergency case, and continue to offer aeromedical West Sussex, BN13 2JF for critically ill cases once the critical care support to remote and Email: [email protected] EMRS is contacted the service rural Scotland. will make the necessary further For further information and contact arrangements for transport and details for EMRS please see the NO TIME-WASTERS PLEASE agree the destination for the website www.emrs.scot.nhs.uk

LORGBAW CROFT, ISLE OF ISLAY Angus MacNeil MP

Constituency Office 31 Bayhead Street Stornoway Isle of Lewis HS1 2DU

Tel no 70 2272 www.lorgbawcroft.com E-Mail [email protected] Island Bred, Signet Performance Recorded Shearlings Enquiries welcome – office open Monday-Friday Tel. Kevin Wiggins 01496 850111 Angus MacNeil MP [email protected] Constituency office 31 Bayhead Street Stornoway Isle of Lewis HS1 2DU Tel no 70 2272 E-Mail [email protected] Enquiries welcome Office open Monday-Friday THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 25 Crofting Connections – Ceanglaichean Croitearachd Lillian Kelly, development modelled on a highly successful pilot relationships are key themes. Young the memories and stories of older officer with Soil Association to celebrate crofting in the Year of people will learn traditional skills generations. Records will be made Scotland, reports on an Highland Culture 2007. A report of from crofters to create lazy-beds/ available to the public through innovative new project. the pilot by Health Promoting Schools rigs, grow and harvest heritage crops an interactive website, and local (now part of Learning and Teaching such as bere and Scots kale, learn museums and heritage centres. rofting Connections Scotland) demonstrated that in how to cook recipes that were once Through Crofting Connections, is a ground-breaking new learning from crofters, young people the mainstay of a crofter’s diet and young people will learn about the Cproject that will inspire over developed a sense of belonging to share them with the community at influence of crofting in sustaining 1,000 young people aged 5-16 the land and the community, whilst harvest celebrations. They will also their heritage, which is reflected living in communities throughout in a rich legacy of music, song, the Highlands and Islands about dance, poetry, storytelling and crofting past, present and future. literature. They will learn traditional skills A unique aspect of Crofting

from crofters, create their own older people enjoyed passing on try out traditional crafts such as Connections is that its programme of climate-friendly food-growing their knowledge and skills. weaving, boat building and fiddle- activities directly link to the Curriculum projects and help safeguard Young people also grew making with local craftsmen and for Excellence, and will contribute to the history, culture and enthusiastic about the food production learn more about the history, culture a range of environmental, cultural heritage associated with their skills and traditions associated with and geography of their local area, and social objectives. crofting communities. crofting, and became more confident as well as the enviornmental and SCF chief executive Patrick The aim of Crofting individuals with increased knowledge health benefits of crofting. Krause commented: “We Connections is to encourage and pride in their heritage. Many also Safeguarding the history, culture are delighted to be able, young people to sustain a way expressed an intention to live and and heritage special to local crofting in conjunction with our of life that promotes shared work in their communities when they communities is a key outcome. colleagues, to be launching environmental, economic and completed their education. As part of Crofting Connections, this new project. Crofting social goals, vital for sustaining Involving the community and schools will undertake local history makes a major contribution to vibrant and healthy rural promoting inter-generational and oral tradition projects to record healthy communities and the communities in the 21st century. environment – and our young To date over 30 schools people have a great deal to and communities have signed offer. We need to invest in them up to participate in Crofting for the future of crofting.” Connections. The project is led by Hugh Raven, director of the Scottish Crofting Foundation the Soil Association Scotland and Soil Association Scotland said: “Set against the twin with the support of the Heritage challenges of climate change Lottery Fund, Scottish Natural and peak oil, crofting with its Heritage, LEADER, Argyll and low-input, low-impact farming Bute Council, Cairngorm National practices and strong cultural Park Authority, Comhairle nan identity has a unique role Eilean Siar, Highland Council, to play in inspiring today’s Orkney Islands Council and younger generation about the Shetland Islands Council. environment and the need for Crofting Connections is sustainable lifestyles.”

a range of homes combining rural tradition, modern living and the latest technology to set a new standard in kit house design

T: 01471 820410 I: www.hebrideanhomes.com MODERN HOMES FOR RURAL LIVING 26 THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009

Scottish Crofting Foundation

W Smith, Massey Harris at the shows 2009

Rory Macleod Tangy Engine 1910

Vintage day See farming over the last

hundred years – binding, Rosanna Cunningham placates vicious thrashing, trailing ploughs, SCF guard dog scything, hand sowing, stoking, horses working etc.

19th September at Daviot Farm, Inverness admission £5 children and parking free

SCF political spokesman Norman Leask on the job

Dave Thomson, Abernethy Shadow minister for Environment Sarah Boyack and SCF director Eleanor Arthur THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 27 The Crofter - Protection#1FEA25 28/3/06 2:09 pm Page 1

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NFU Mutual is The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited (No 111982). Registered in England. Registered Office: Tiddington Road, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7BJ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. A member of the Association of British Insurers. For security and training purposes, telephone calls may be recorded and monitored. 28 THE CROFTER, SEPTEMBER 2009 SCF GATHERING 2009 SCF at the shows Small farmers: backbone of rural development or barrier to efficiency? re small and part-time farmers Is their mix of agriculture and non- inefficient peasants whose land agricultural activity a rational and Azshould be amalgamated into desirable policy goal or just a way larger businesses or multi-tasking of making them subsidise their own entrepreneurs who are the future of most management of the land that is the start of the EU’s countryside? of the slippery slope to abandonment? As the new CAP is being discussed in the corridors of power, the SCF’s gathering focuses on the role of the small farmer in the agriculture of the future. The conference, with a very European feel, takes place on September 28-30 in Grantown on Spey and has been supported by DG Minister for Environment Rosanna Agriculture of the European Commission and Cunningham and Patrick Krause Highland and Islands Enterprise. With a mix of speakers from Scotland and a range of European countries, the event will focus on the role of small farmers as actors in the rural economy, as stewards of the countryside and natural and cultural heritage and as providers of quality, healthy food. Discussions will consider how small farmers might orientate themselves in order to benefit from changes introduced to the Common Agricultural Policy from 2013 and explore the rural development mechanisms best able to assist in this process. Highlights of the gathering will be: • Keynote Speaker Rosanna Cunningham, Minister for Environment Gwyn Jones • Sessions on: • CAP outlook post-2013 Romania Small farms dominate both the • opportunities for small farms SCF member and Shetland kye rancher Romanian mountains and the crofting areas. • small farms in rural development Paddy Zacharia, Westminster candidate Is that a problem or a strength? • small farms and quality products Alasdair Stephen, Patrick Krause, • land management study visits Dave Thompson MSP • quality products study visits Now a popular feature of the SCF’s gathering, the Angus MacRae Memorial Debate will also consider the issue “Small farms are the backbone of rural development”. Don’t miss this important event for some though-provoking discussions combined with the usual good craic. Get in touch with SCF HQ for more details and a booking form or go to www.crofting.org This event has been supported by the European Commission DG Agriculture and Rural Development, Highland and Islands Enterprise and Cairngorm National Park Authority.

Busy SCF stand

How to contact us [email protected] 01599 566 365 SCF HQ, Lochalsh Business Park, Auchtertyre, Kyle IV40 8EG Crofter editor – Fiona Mandeville [email protected] SCF policy spokesman Norman Leask To advertise in The Crofter contact Claire Nicolson on with Soil Association and SCF Crofting [email protected] 01471 833239 Connections project manager Pam Rodway www.crofting.org

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