Meeting of the Parliament 13 January 2026
I put on the record my thanks to those who engaged with the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee on the bill. We heard from a huge number of stakeholders, from organisations to individual crofters, and I am grateful to them for putting so much time and energy into the committee’s work on the bill.
Crofting is important to Scotland’s heritage and to our rural communities and economies today. It contributes a great deal to vibrant and thriving communities, with 30,000 people living in crofting households. Ensuring that crofting is well managed and that legislation allows crofts and the communities around them to thrive has knock-on positive effects. The Scottish Crofting Federation has set out that
“crofting has a proven track record of maintaining population and economic activity in remote rural areas.”
The proposed changes that are set out in the bill are widely supported, but it is important to ensure that they will work for crofters. As we heard in evidence, the activities of crofters and grazings committees are wide and varied, which is to be celebrated and supported. Enforcement of crofters’ duties was widely discussed, and I note that crofters want more effective enforcement. Previous legislation has created a complex system, and we heard from the Crofting Commission that much capacity is diverted to deal with the complications. Crofters shared concerns about a lack of enforcement.
The bill will go some way in streamlining and freeing up Crofting Commission capacity. Provisions in the bill set out greater flexibility for the commission, such as allowing it to make use of digital communication. Use of a wider variety of communication options is to be welcomed, although the committee notes that not all crofters have access to the internet or a reliable connection. Homes in rural Scotland are much more likely to rely on slower forms of internet such as digital subscriber lines. We expect that the commission will anticipate that and continue to offer effective physical communication, but it feels important to note that point.
Over the course of evidence taking, the commission also acknowledged the significant issues around its digital capacity and current website. I am interested in hearing how the commission will be supported to develop its digital capacity.
Although the changes that are set out in the bill are likely to streamline administration for both the commission and crofters, there is, as we have heard, a wide appetite for more fundamental change. I was glad to hear the minister confirm that this is the first step and foundation for wider change. I and many others would welcome more detail on what that might look like.
It is vital that crofting is fairly regulated and well enforced, without undue burdens on crofters. The committee supports the bill at stage 1 and looks forward to further changes in the future.