Crofting Commission convener has resigned

Stepping down from his role as convener and as commissioner for the East Highlands, Mr MacKenzie cited his reason as ‘ongoing issues which he was not personally comfortable with’.

A life-long crofter from Beauly, Mr MacKenzie was appointed four years ago after being elected as one of the commissioners from across the Highlands and Islands. He also worked as an auctioneer and is a long time member of NFU Scotland.

When appointed to the post in 2017, he said: "I'm delighted to have been selected to be the new convener of the Crofting Commission. Though based in Beauly, my role with the auction marts has taken me to many more remote crofting communities, particularly in the Northern Isles, so I know that crofting is a jigsaw made up of many different pieces.

"Somehow, as the regulator for the whole of crofting, the commission has to make the pieces fit together and administer fairly and openly and within the constraints placed on us a public regulator. We must continue promoting the interests of crofting, to help sustain this unique land management system for future generations.”

The appointment of a convener is the responsibility of Scottish Government ministers.

The Board had a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary, Ms Gougeon and her officials , and await Scottish Ministers appointment of a new convener.

Mairi Mackenzie, vice convener of the commission, commented: “The Board thanks Rod for all that he has done in his role, he has been an excellent convener. As an active crofter, his vast knowledge and understanding of crofting, along with his leadership qualities has helped lead a very cohesive board. In response to Rod’s resignation, the Board acknowledges the issues and are developing an action plan with a strict timeline to address them. The Board knows Rod will continue to support crofters in his professional career as an auctioneer with Dingwall Mart.”

Commenting on his hopes for his successor, and the future of the Crofting Commission, Mr Mackenzie said: “My hope is that the Commission continues working on becoming more approachable and forward thinking in order to support Scotland’s crofters.

"Like any regulator, the Commission has its critics,” he noted; “however, it’s a vital organisation for upholding the crofters’ role in managing large swathes of Scotland’s land for food production and biodiversity, as well as being at the heart of our rural and remote communities.”

Chair of NFU Scotland’s Crofting, Highlands & Islands Committee, Barney MacAskill added: “We thank Rod for his service to crofting in his role as commission convener.  We always found him approachable in his role and thank him for the way in which he was always willing to listen to members’ concerns and engage with our Crofting Highlands & Islands Committee.

“He made a very positive contribution to crofting in his time as convenor, championing its role in food production, sensitive land management and the rural economy in many of Scotland’s fragile rural areas," he continued.

“NFU Scotland will be looking to the Scottish Government to arrange for the appointment of a new convenor quickly and we look forward to working with the new appointee on behalf of the Union’s growing crofting membership.” 

The commission is made up of six elected commissioners representing different regions – other than Mr MacKenzie and Mrs MacKenzie, then others are Andy Holt, Cyril Annal, Iain MacIver and Billy Neilson – and three Scottish Government appointees – David Campbell, Malcolm Mathieson and James Scott.