Crofts and Small Farms
Crofting Matters – Crofting Through the Seasons : Autumn & Winter
In this special two-part edition of Crofting Matters, “Crofting Through the Seasons”, we take you back to Autumn & Winter last year, where Kieron Sim visited both the Isle of Skye and the Shetland Isles, to speak with four local crofters about their enterprises, the challenges and benefits of Island Living, and how Seasonality uniquely…
Crofting Matters – Crofting Through the Seasons: Spring & Summer
In this special two-part edition of Crofting Matters, “Crofting Through the Seasons”, we take you back to Spring/Summer last year, where Ross Mackenzie visited the Staffin Sheepdog Trials, a hugely popular event in Trotternish, on the Isle of Skye. Sheepdog trials are deeply rooted in crofting culture, normally held during the summer months, these trials…
Rural Roundup – Spotlight: Crofting Through The Seasons – Spring & Summer
In this special two-part edition of Crofting Matters, “Crofting Through the Seasons”, we take you back to Spring/Summer last year, where Ross Mackenzie visited the Staffin Sheepdog Trials, a hugely popular event in Trotternish, on the Isle of Skye. Sheepdog trials are deeply rooted in crofting culture, normally held during the summer months, these trials…
West Coast Calves – Key Facts and Figures
Calves born and bred on the West Coast of Scotland play a hugely important role in contributing to maintaining Scotland’s critical herd mass. Suckler herds on the Western Isles contribute significantly to biodiversity, where extensive cattle grazing systems provide habitats for some of the UK’s rarest species including Pipistrelle bats, dung beetles, Great Yellow Bumblebee…
Managing Corncrake Cover – Get Advice on your Smartphone
In Scotland, particularly in the islands and some mainland areas, corncrakes are an iconic species. Their distinctive “crex-crex” call is woven into the cultural history of crofting and traditional farming landscapes. If you’d like support with helping corncrake, you can request a free virtual consultation with a corncrake advisor through the Corncrake Cover Advice service….
Agri Culture – Barbara McLeod: Cruciferous Croft
You are listening to Agri Culture, a podcast that aims to explore the stories of the people that make up our agricultural industry and culture of farming, in Scotland and beyond. On today’s episode Mary-Jane is joined by Barbara McLeod. Barbara owns and runs Cruciferous Croft in the Lochinver area of North West Scotland. She…
FAS Woodland Tool Helps Skye Crofter Plant 45,000 Trees
This case study highlights how crofters can benefit from the free FAS woodland tool to explore woodland establishment and management options on their croft. The case study explores Mr MacAskills experience using the woodland tool. Click Here for the Woodland Tool About the Croft Located in Drynoch on the Isle of Skye, Alasdair’s 1200ha croft…
Croft Case Study – Woodland Advice
This case study highlights how crofters can make use of the free FAS woodland tool to identify opportunities and utilisation for woodland on their land. The case study explores the MacGillivray’s experience using the FAS woodland tool. Click Here for the Woodland Tool ”I don’t think any of us appreciated the special nature of the…
Crofting Matters – Croft Diversification: New Enterprises in Uist
Thinking of diversification projects on the croft? Hear from two entrepreneurs who have set up shops, campsites and tours in Uist, and are managing to bring in tourists and have a healthy footfall. They discuss the issues with funding on croftland, ferries, finishing animals, abattoirs, Instagram posts, Scottish Agritourism, and Enterprise agency support. Anne MacLellan…
Calving Intervals and Small Herds
Calving Intervals are one of many Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that can be used in any suckler herd to assess how a herd is performing. Although some consideration is needed when applying these to small herds (see Performance Targets for Small Herds). Calving Intervals now have implications for support payments for all herd sizes. This…