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On 10th March, the Scottish Government announced this extra money to enable crofters to build and maintain their homes this making crofting more viable. Crofters have to live in their land unlike the gentleman farmers further south.
Why is it so important to invest in Scotland’s crofting sector? Here’s what Ullapool crofter, Fiona MacDonald said in The Scottish Farmer last November:
‘Crofting facilitates a lot of Scotland’s agriculture, especially small scale agriculture that is managed by people who wouldn’t be able to afford it otherwise; without it, the land would fall into disuse.’
According to Fergus Ewing, SNP Rural Economy Secretary:
‘The Croft House Grant scheme will receive the extra funding in 2017/18, taking the total allocation to £2 million. Mr Ewing also announced a review of the Croft House Grant scheme requirements to ensure there are no unnecessary barriers and the grant continues to target support at those most in need.’
If control of funding for rural and farming affairs is returned from the EU to Westminster and no longer devolved, as Ruth Davidson has agreed makes sense (to her), to Westminster, can we imagine such knowledge or empathy for crofters from the current UK Minister, Andrea Leadsom?
http://news.gov.scot/news/croft-house-grant-increase
http://www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk/news/14841808.Crofters_look_to_the_future/
Talking-up Scotland 