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News

Calling Young and Aspiring Crofters

Friday, January 16, 2015

SCF Gathering 2015: A Gathering of Young Crofters

Glencanisp LodgeAs the "Gathering of Young Crofters" was postponed due to a series of setbacks, including floods in Ullapool, we are happy to announce that it will take place in March 2015. It will be held in Glencanisp Lodge on the community-owned Glencanisp Estate in Assynt, from lunchtime Thursday 19th March to lunchtime Saturday 21st March. The event will be hosted by the SCF and Crofting Connections.

This will be the first gathering of young crofters and aspiring young crofters, with the purpose of addressing the question: “What do we want crofting to look like in 2020 and beyond?”

Priority is given to young crofters and aspiring crofters and places will be subsidised, though a small charge will be made. There will also be older crofters attending to bring their experience and wisdom to the deliberations. Officials will be invited to participate as this is an opportunity for young crofters to be able to have discussions with those who formulate policies that affect crofting.

It will not just be a ‘talking-shop’ however; it is expected that all will participate in forming actions to be taken forward from the gathering.

If you are interested in participating in this unique event please send a note of interest to Maria at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). There will be a limit to the number of places we can have so please let us know if you wish to be considered as soon as possible.

Also we need young crofters and aspiring crofters to let us know if you have ideas for what should inform the planning of the event. Subthemes will likely include access to land, affordable homes and creation of employment, and you may have other topics that should be included. We have developed a short online survey; if you are willing to participate please follow this link.

This is the first time young folk that are, or want to be, crofting will gather and form your vision of the future of crofting and plan out the steps you need to take to make that vision reality. Come to Assynt and help to create the future you want to see.

CHGS Review does not go far enough

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

The Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF) has provisionally welcomed a review of the Croft House Grant Scheme (CHGS) as long over-due but questions whether proposals go far enough to restore the scheme to its original efficacy.

SCF Chair Fiona Mandeville said, "We have been pressing for some years for the rates of grant to be reviewed as they have long since fallen well behind actual costs faced by crofters building new homes on their crofts. In the ten years since the current rates were introduced, they have not been raised in line with escalating material costs. This has made it very difficult for many crofters, particularly the younger ones whom we all want to encourage, to have a home on the croft. There also used to be a government loan available which facilitated building. Despite a parliamentary committee recommending the reinstatement of the loan element, Scottish Government has flatly refused to consider it."
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