Hi All

I have just discovered this forum and hope that someone may be able to help.

To cut a long story short, I am now fed up of the rat race and have decided that now is the time to move to Lewis (a life long dream - not a whim)

I have been looking for property for several years now, and have offered on several places but to no avail.

Anyway, the plan always was to be self sufficient, to an extent, and running a croft seems to be the way to go.

What I’d like to know, though, is how much you can diversify from the normal sheep/cattle farming or veg producing on a croft? For example, is it acceptable to set up a small campsite on part of the land (subject to planning of course) and can the croft house be used as a B&B;. Also, I would dearly love a small tearoom on top of this. Would this be acceptable too? I should point out that this would in addition to running the traditional croft.

I’d be grateful for any advice from anyone. Indeed, if someone out there has done a similar thing I’d be glad to hear your story.

Thanks in advance

Michael