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PODCAST

Crofting Matters

Farm Advisory Service

More than 750, 000 hectares of land in Scotland is in crofting tenure. In this Crofting Matters series, hosted by Siobhan Macdonald, we will explore all aspects of crofting. Covering seasonal and topical issues, crofting agriculture, regulation, wildlife, support and other associated businesses. Producer Ashleigh Forster, Editor Ross Mackenzie , Executive Producer Kerry Hammond. In association with The Scottish Government. Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service is funded by the Scottish Government

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All Episodes

39:19

Covering the Croft and Common

Crofting Matters ·

2025/10/29

Insurance for Crofters and Common Grazings. Welcome back to Crofting Matters! In this episode, Siobhan is joined by Jonathan Hogg, a rural insurance expert from NFU Mutual’s Dingwall branch. Johnny has an agricultural background, works in a crofting area and understands the issues that crofters and grazing committees face with access, theft and weather-related incidents. We remove the ambiguity surrounding the need for Public and Employer’s liability cover, and what to do if the bull can outrun

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36:47

Starting up in Crofting

Crofting Matters ·

2025/09/24

Welcome back to Crofting Matters. On today’s episode, Siobhan is joined by Graham Fraser (SAC Lerwick) to discuss an often asked question – how to start up a croft, smallholding or farming business. The Farm Advisory Service has an Advice Line – free to call or email for advice. Every year the team receives lots of questions about starting up a farming business. It can be tricky to get a croft, but tenancies and purchases do come up so if you are looking for an opportunity, then this will help you

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19:16

Breaking the Grass Ceiling - Women in Crofting

Crofting Matters ·

2025/08/29

Please note: We recorded this episode while out at an event, therefore the audio quality varies throughout.Interviewees:Prof Sally ShorthallKaris BeattieHaley ShepherdThe Grass Ceiling is an EU-funded project that helps rural women become leaders in innovation—especially in farming and sustainable rural development. It runs from 2023 to 2025 and supports women across Europe through ‘Living Labs’ where they test ideas, get training, and connect with others.The aim is to help women to drive real

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49:12

Croft Diversification - New Enterprises in Uist

Crofting Matters ·

2025/07/30

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 runs Balranald Campsite, the Dunes Cabin, a catering business, a new self-service vending machine with fresh veg and fish, and a

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38:21

FFIS, CAGS, WFP and Greening for Crofting

Crofting Matters ·

2025/06/27

The Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) grant scheme is a new scheme in 2025, allowing crofters and farmers to invest to improve business efficiency, nature and climate friendly farming. The FFIS offers flexible capital grants to support investments with tiered levels of funding available. There are other changes affecting crofters, such as a simplified Crofting Agricultural Grants Scheme, which offers grants towards infrastructure; and changes to Greening rules which will affect crofters with

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26:18

Changes to Improve Welfare of Lambs

Crofting Matters ·

2025/05/28

A game changer for sheep on hill grazings?It’s very tricky to castrate and tail lambs within 7 days unless lambs are born inbye. Could two new techniques, that allow castration and tailing up to 3 months of age, not only reduce pain levels in lambs, but allow better and easier management on commons and hills?The all-important intake of colostrum and bonding of ewe and lamb can be disrupted by tailing and castrating. Changing timings, so that one or other is carried out when the lamb is older,

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38:30

Matchmaking New and Retiring Crofters (Updated)

Crofting Matters ·

2024/11/01

Many aspire to having and working a croft, however crofts are difficult to obtain, at least in the more productive and scenic areas. At the same time, retiring crofters sometimes find it hard to give up their business, their source of income and home. The Scottish Land Matching Service is designed to help aspiring new producers, whether crofters or farmers, with advice, guidance, and a database of opportunities. Ian Davidson joins us today to discuss the SLMS role in helping crofts to remain in

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39:35

Subsidy and Support Changes for Crofting

Crofting Matters ·

2024/09/25

Support is changing, and although not all details are clear, crofters claiming subsidy need to have specific items and plans in place by next spring. Listen in to hear the essential information you need for next year’s Basic Payment Scheme claim.We simplify one aspect of the new system, which is called the Whole Farm Plan. The WFP is actually made up of 5 different parts, of which 2 need to be in place next year, by the 15th May 2025. We discuss the most sensible and easiest routes for crofters to

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47:44

Livestock Disease Risks on Crofts

Crofting Matters ·

2024/08/28

Disease risk in livestock, and biosecurity is something we perhaps don’t consider as much in crofting areas as farmers might in more intensive systems. Crofting tends to be more extensive, with lower densities of stock, but we often share bulls, and graze on common ground. In this episode I’m joined by Kythe MacKenzie, who is a vet with SRUC, and Kate Lamont, who is a researcher, to discuss the practicalities of managing disease risk.Linked FAS ResourcesCrofting Discussion Groups | Helping farmers

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41:13

Routes to Crofting

Crofting Matters ·

2024/07/31

This episode hears from 2 crofters with two different routes into crofting. In this episode we discuss how they gained their croft, what they found were barriers, and hints and tips for aspiring or new crofters. I’m delighted to be joined by Derek Dick, who is a relatively new crofter in Berneray, and Angus Ferguson, who is an experienced crofter in North Uist.Linked FAS resources:Crofting Discussion Groups | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)Succession Planning –

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39:48

Lessons from Ireland

Crofting Matters ·

2024/06/28

In this episode we look at what we can learn from the Irish system, where farms are similar to our crofts. A group of crofters are just home from a study tour to Ireland, and we hear from Derek Jamieson who crofts in Unst, Shetland, what he took from this exchange of knowledge. We also hear from Keith Fahy, advisor with Teagasc, explaining the Irish subsidy system and improvements being made to their national flock and herd.Ireland Study Tour with CroftersCrofting in UnstTypical Irish farmsCroft

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40:38

Crofting Commission Chief Executive

Crofting Matters ·

2024/05/31

Gary Campbell is our guest this week. Gary is the new Chief Executive of the Crofting Commission, having just started his role in January this year. With a background working in both the public and private sectors he talks us through his previous roles, his own family crofting story, what he is planning to achieve in his new CE role and his vision for the Crofting Commission.Related FAS Resources:Crofting & Smallholders Guide to OrganisationsSuccession Planning – Crofting | Helping farmers in

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39:47

Common Grazing Finances: Common Issues

Crofting Matters ·

2023/10/31

We are at Dornie hall, talking to clerks and committee members about the issues they face when trying to run the common grazing, especially when it comes to finances. Firstly, we talk with Finlay Beaton from the Crofting Commission, about the problems that they deal with and the solutions for clerks. Finlay also has the advantage of having worked with RPID, so also understands the grant and subsidy systems. Arthur Macdonald adds his take from years of running finance training, working with landlords

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31:28

Subsidy Future & Current Schemes

Crofting Matters ·

2023/09/29

Don’t miss out on the current schemes which boost income and improve animal and soil health! We discuss the PSF scheme, the future of subsidy, recent changes to the Croft House Grant and what we should all do now to prepare for the 2025 change.We cover:What the term ‘conditionality’ means PSF Animal Health & Welfare EligibilityHow to carry out and how to claimBenefits of animal healthSoil sampling Carbon auditsWhat do we know so far What is Just Transition What are the Tiers BPSWhole Farm

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50:24

Succession

Crofting Matters ·

2023/08/31

Crofting legislation is fairly complicated and its no different when it comes to succession! Brian Inkster, well-known crofting law specialist, takes us through different scenarios and highlights what to watch out for when it comes to passing on a croft.We cover:Terminology such as Executor, Testate and IntestateWills and witness signaturesProcedure for a Straightforward tenancy with a will in placeMoveable itemsConfirmationDocketSplitting a croft to leave to different peopleOwner occupied

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43:56

Tax & VAT for Crofters

Crofting Matters ·

2023/07/31

It might not sound that interesting, but, especially these days, understanding what you can and should be doing with accounts and tax is important to save unnecessary expense and keep within the law. Margi Campbell, an expert in tax and vat, gives some insight into what crofters can do to improve their finances. It’s a confusing topic, but in this podcast we chat about the different terms, and what they mean in practice for crofters who are self-employed or employed, or vat registered or not.In this

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20:16

Crofting Commission Online Applications

Crofting Matters ·

2023/06/30

The Crofting Commission has recently started accepting online applications through their website for some of their crofting regulatory applications. In this episode, Siobhan Macdonald and Graham Fraser discuss which applications can now be completed online, how to go about completing them, what the benefits are of doing applications online over paper forms, and where you can access help.Linked FAS resources:https://www.fas.scot/rural-business/crofts-small-farms/crofting-legislation/Crofting

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35:02

Obtaining a Croft

Crofting Matters ·

2023/05/31

Getting a croft isn't easy, whether you are new to agriculture or have been working in crofting all your days. In this episode, Siobhan Macdonald and Graham Fraser discuss how to get a croft, types of tenure, what to be aware of and how to keep a croft.  We cover: How much does a croft cost? What is the difference between assignation of a tenancy and buying an owner occupied croft? Financing the purchaseResponsibilities and duties of a crofterAvoiding becoming landlord of a vacant croftLets of

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22:59

Selling Stock

Crofting Matters ·

2022/10/31

Selling livestock this autumn and winter? We have some wise words from Sarah Balfour on what to think about and how to navigate the auction mart system. This is the time of year for sales of breeding and store cattle and sheep.Sarah and Siobhan discuss the current beef and sheep markets and tips on presentation. Siobhan also speaks to John William Gillies of the North Rasaay Sheep Stock Club, who discusses how they batch lambs at the mart, and the popular Portree sale of store calves.For further

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27:42

Buying Stock

Crofting Matters ·

2022/09/30

If you are a new crofter, or new to buying livestock, we have some wise words from Sarah Balfour on what to think about and how to navigate the auction mart system. This is the time of year for sales of breeding cattle and sheep. Sarah and Siobhan discuss disease risk, how to bid, different terms used, buying in guineas, how the auction mart works, and how to prepare.Linked FAS resources:New Entrants Guide to Buying and Selling at the Mart Practical Guide -

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24 results

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