NFU Scotland is urging its 850 crofting members to get involved in the debate on crofting law reform, sparked by the recent publication of the Scottish Government’s consultation.

NFU Scotland welcomed the publication of the consultation after working closely with the Crofting Bill Group to develop the proposals.

It is also urging members to participate in the series of public meetings with Scottish Government officials from the Crofting Bill team to support the consultation. These commence in Inverness tomorrow (July 3) followed by Thurso on Thursday, July 4, with a further 13 meetings to be held throughout the summer.

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Chair of NFU Scotland’s Crofting, Highlands and Islands Committee (CHIC), Arthur Macdonald, said: “This is an important piece of legislation for our crofting members, and our committee will be working closely on this consultation, in collaboration with the wider crofting membership, to ensure member views are fully represented.

“I would encourage our crofter members to take a look at the proposals and think about how the changes may make it easier to be an active crofter and a little tougher to be an inactive one. I would also encourage members to attend one of the many roadshows organised to discuss the Bill.

“Amending crofting legislation will help but we know that the agencies who are responsible for delivering it need to be able to do so, and resources are an issue that we will be considering as part of our response