Holyrood committee to ‘get to the heart’ of issues facing crofters on Skye trip

MSPs say they will “get to the heart of the issues facing the crofting community” during an island visit this weekend.

Members of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee are heading to Skye, where they will visit four crofts.

The trip comes as the committee scrutinises a Scottish Government Bill which was introduced as part of a commitment to simplify crofting laws.

The Crofting and Scotland Land Court Bill sets out to correct a number of known issues in the existing legislation – though ministers have acknowledged further changes may be needed.

The Bill, if passed, seeks to help more people take up crofting, and to support the existing crofting community.

It would also streamline the processes of the Crofting Commission – which regulates crofting in Scotland – with revised powers also planned for it.

Speaking ahead of their visit, committee convener Finlay Carson said: “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 and what measures they believe should be put in place to provide their sector with a sustainable future.

“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 that protects and enables an active crofting sector.”

Mr Carson will travel to Skye along with fellow committee members Alasdair Allan, from the SNP, Green MSP Ariane Burgess and Labour’s Rhoda Grant.