Members of the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee will visit the Isle of Skye this weekend as part of their scrutiny of a new Bill that could shape the future of crofting for years to come.
The visit is focused on hearing directly from crofters about how the proposed Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill could affect their livelihoods, land, and communities.
Over two days, MSPs will meet a cross-section of Skye’s crofting community, from livestock producers to woodland managers, and from long-established families to young crofters just starting out.
Leading the visit is Committee Convener Finlay Carson MSP, joined by fellow members Alasdair Allan MSP, Ariane Burgess MSP, and Rhoda Grant MSP.
“For us to truly get to the heart of the issues facing the crofting community, it’s important that we get out and see how crofters’ lives are being affected by the status quo,” said Carson ahead of the trip.
“We recognise that more fundamental reform of crofting law may be required in the future, but nonetheless, the proposals set out in this Bill must effect positive change.”
The Scottish Government has described this legislation as a first step in modernising and simplifying crofting law, with a future phase of more sweeping reform still under consideration.
Key proposals in the Bill include:
- Making it easier for more people to become crofters and better support those already active.
- Allowing more diverse use of common grazings, including for environmental purposes like peatland restoration.
- Strengthening the Crofting Commission’s ability to tackle breaches of duty.
- Speeding up regulatory decisions through revised powers.
- Merging the Scottish Land Court with the Lands Tribunal for Scotland.
Over the summer, the Committee issued a call for views, gathering a broad range of responses from individuals and organisations involved in crofting.
These are now published on the Scottish Parliament website.
Formal evidence sessions will begin on 24 September, starting with the Crofting Commission.
The Committee hopes to conclude its scrutiny of the Bill by the end of November, with a report to Parliament expected before the year ends.
The visit to Skye is part of a growing effort to ensure that policy affecting rural and island communities is informed by those who live and work there.
