Proposals aimed at simplifying crofting regulations and increasing the use of common grazings have received significant backing in a recent consultation.

The Scottish Government has released an independent analysis of responses to its consultation on Crofting Law Reform.

The proposals included potential legislative changes to facilitate access to crofting and clarify its community aspects. Measures to encourage the use of common grazings—particularly for environmental purposes—and to reinforce compliance with crofters’ duties were also part of the consultation.

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According to the analysis, the Scottish Government’s proposals were ‘well supported’ by crofters.

Scotland is home to around 20,000 crofts, primarily in the Highlands, Islands and other designated areas. Approximately 750,000 hectares of land are under crofting tenure, with 33,000 people living in crofting households.

Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture, said: “Most of the government’s proposals were well supported by the consultation responses, though I recognise that some proposals received less strong backing.

"We will give full consideration to all the responses and will discuss key issues further with the Crofting Bill Group."

NFU Scotland expressed broad support for the reforms but urged the legislation to go further to support new entrants to crofting.

Archie Macnab, chair of NFUS’s Crofting Committee, representing 850 crofters, emphasised the importance of ensuring crofting remains successful and profitable: “It is in the best interests of everyone that crofting law is future-proofed, modernised and becomes more flexible to ensure crofting businesses are sustainable and play a full part in the local economy.

“Crofting law must enable crofting to move with the times and any changes that can speed up the Crofting Commission’s processes would be welcome.

“Greater flexibility in crofting law would recognise that ‘one size fits all’ may not always be appropriate and we have made suggestions around regionalisation of some proposals to ensure all aspects of crofting are catered for."

However, he expressed disappointment that the reforms do not adequately address barriers for new entrants, aside from proposed funding to purchase tenancies.

“That, in itself, may exacerbate the worryingly high values already being paid for croft tenancies.” Macnab warned.

“Some of the welcomed elements of the proposals do provide opportunity for crofters to benefit from their common grazings, particularly the proposed changes that would permit shareholders to make use of the common grazings for purposes other than solely for livestock grazing.” he said.