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Occupation: Crofter
Looking after the beautiful land I live in and the wild animals occupying this region
A CROFTER'S LIFE
A croft is a unit of land situated in the former crofting counties in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland,
and held subject to the provisions of the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993.
A crofter is normally the tenant of a croft, and pays rent to the landlord of the croft. Rent is paid
for the land only, as any house, agricultural building, fence etc is provided by, and owned by the crofter. A crofter may
own their croft - which remains in crofting tenure
Crofting tenure gives wide-ranging rights to crofting tenants, such as -
- security of tenure,
- fair rents,
- compensation for permanent improvements,
- to pass on their tenancies to members of their families or,
- to pass the tenancy to other third parties (with the approval of the Crofters Commission),
- to purchase either, their house site or, if they wish, their croft as a whole, at a fixed price.
Many mistake crofting for small-scale farming. This is clearly far too narrow a view and understates the immense influence
crofting has on the everyday lives of people in communities in crofting areas. While agriculture has its place generally crofters
either obtain the bulk of their income from other full-time or part-time employment or are retired
Crofting has also helped sustain the culture of the Highlands and Islands. The Gaelic language is strongest in many of
the crofting areas, and communities throughout Shetland and Orkney retain their Norse links.
Croft land also provides
environmental benefits and a varied habitat for wildlife. Traditionally, crofters use low amounts of chemical fertilizers,
weed killers and insect sprays. As a result the range of plants is much wider than on more intensively managed areas. Many
tourists come to the Highlands & Islands attracted by its natural beauty and the richness of its wildlife. The crofting
system is a key part of this environment. Organisations like Scottish Natural Heritage and the Royal Society for the Protection
of Birds work with crofters to protect these habitats.
Crofting plays a vital role in sustaining fragile rural communities, a unique culture and a richly varied natural environment.
It is a way of life that demonstrates a unique cultural richness and an overall appreciation of the environment
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