The Scottish Crofting Foundation urge this inquiry to consider the Scottish uplands and islands in a global context.
Our recent submission to the Shucksmith Committee dealt with many specific issues that crofting faces at the moment and may be of use to members of your committee. However, there has been a growth in systems thinking in policy making (specifically the growing importance of work being done by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) which recognises the interconnected nature of policy and of global resource use. This makes it essential that your committee consider how aspects of globalisation may benefit or threaten Scotland’s hill and island areas.