Murchison Law

14/03/2026

A great event for those new to crofting.

10/02/2026

Happening this evening, Tuesday 10th February

📢 Dingwall! Get Ready for a Crofting Catch-up! 🚜🐑
Hey everyone in Dingwall and surrounding areas! 👋

Guess what? Our fantastic Commissioners, Fiona Mcleman and Rod Mackenzie, are coming to town! They'll be hosting a public meeting at the Dingwall Mart on Tuesday, 10th February at 7:00pm.

This is your chance to chat directly with them about all things crofting. Got questions? Ideas? Just fancy a natter about what's happening in our crofting communities? This is the place to be! 🗣️💡

No need to book, just pop along for what promises to be an engaging and friendly evening. Everyone is welcome – whether you're a seasoned crofter or just keen to learn more!

📍 Dingwall Mart 📅 Tues 10th Feb ⏰ 7:00 PM

Come along and have your say! We can't wait to see you there! 😊

04/02/2026

Crofting Bill

The stage 2 debate of the current crofting bill in the Scottish Parliament is happening this morning. It can be watched live or later using the address below which you might need to copy and paste to your web browser.

https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/rural-affairs-and-islands-committee-february-4-2026

It will be interesting to see what is decided today. Particularly interested to note Rhoda Grant’s amendment to remove the right to buy a Croft. This will at least cause some discussion!

To share or download a clip: Set the start of the clip by seeking the video, then click Set start point. Repeat for the End point.

19/01/2026

As you may know, January 2026 will see the Annual Notice being issued by the Crofting Commission.

The Commission are being clear they are going to be taking a more proactive approach in terms of dealing with non-returners so we would urge crofters and fellow members to complete it when it arrives. It only takes a couple of minutes and is a legal requirement.

If you are not currently complying with your crofting duties to be ordinarily resident and to cultivate and maintain your croft for a variety of reasons, there are solutions, and completing the annual notice could initiate a conversation with the Commission about the best options for your situation.

Alternatively, if any members want to discuss their situation informally with SCF in the first instance, please do reach out to us by email at [email protected] and we will do our best to help.

UPDATE: Over the next six weeks, a series of public meetings will be held across the Highlands and Islands to highlight the Annual Notice Campaign and the new focus on duties enforcement.

All meetings are hosted by Andrew Thin of the Crofting Commission, run from 7–9pm, and are open to everyone crofters and non-crofters alike. If you have an interest in crofting regulation, responsibilities, or how enforcement is changing, you’re very welcome to come along.

• Fort William – Nevis Centre – 20 January
• Oban – Corran Halls – 21 January
• Mallaig – Community Centre – 22 January
• Lochinver – Village Hall – 27 January
• Durness – Village Hall – 28 January
• Tongue – Community Hall – 29 January
• Stornoway – Cala Hotel – 3 February
• Tarbert – Community Hall – 4 February
• Lochmaddy – Community Hall – 5 February
• Portree – Community Hall – 10 February
• Lochcarron – Community Hall – 11 February
• Lairg – Community Hall – 12 February
• Kincraig – Community Hall – 26 February

Learn more at www.crofting.scotland.gov.uk/annual-notice-info

17/01/2026

For those in Lochaber and surrounding this might be of interest.

Public Meeting: Crofting Duties & Q&A 🚜🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Are you a crofter in the Fort William area? Do you have questions about your responsibilities or the future of your croft?

We are delighted to announce a public meeting featuring the Chair of the Crofting Commission, Andrew Thin. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear directly from the Commission and get clarity on important issues.

📅 When: Tuesday 20th January

🕖 Time: 7:00pm

📍 Where: Nevis Centre, Fort William

The evening will begin with a short presentation on crofting duties, followed by an open Q&A session specifically for crofters. 🎤

All are welcome to attend! Whether you are a lifelong crofter or just starting out, we would love to see you there. 🤝

14/01/2026

The Scottish Crofting Federation hold great events. Here is news of on e happening in Caithness soon.

Join us in Keiss from 6th - 7th February for two days of practical, forward-looking training designed to help crofters adapt, plan, and thrive.

Whether you’re new to crofting or have years of experience, this interactive course will help you prepare for changes in agricultural policy, explore sustainable practices, and learn from others doing inspiring work on the land.

The programme includes planning sessions, funding advice from the Rural Payments & Inspections Division, and expert talks on topics such as habitat management and woodland creation.

You’ll also visit Sally Crowe’s The Croft 65-acre croft, where regenerative practices, rare livestock, and a thriving local egg and meat business show how crofting with nature can be both sustainable and rewarding.

By the end of the weekend, you’ll have new ideas, fresh connections, and a clear sense of where your croft could be in five years’ time, and how to get there.

Tickets: £50 for SCF members / £80 non-members

More info and to book now via: www.tickettailor.com/events/scottishcroftingfederation/1764764

12/01/2026

Might be of use to some of our page followers

We'd like to draw your attention to the newly announced Small Producers Pilot Fund, delivering capital support to organisations and businesses that work directly with groups of small food and drink producers across Scotland.

The fund aims to boost innovation, strengthen local supply chains, support sustainable production, and sustain jobs in rural communities.

This is a welcome step forward and we hope it marks the start of wider efforts to transform our local food system and help crofters produce and sell more food locally.

💷 £175k available in the HIE region
🕛 Expression of Interest deadline: 12pm, 9 January 2026
🔗 Apply via HIE website

Full details and how to apply via www.hie.co.uk/sppf

09/01/2026

Morag, Kelp Collector.

Loving the variety of the tapestries in the Tapestry Room at Inverness Castle this afternoon. This beautiful one particularly resonated, with its explanatory panel stating ‘crofters gathered seaweed to dig into soil as a fertilizer or to build up ridges for planting, called lazy beds.’

Anyone still doing this? (If not all things come around again, in time!)

08/01/2026

📢 Attention Crofters: Your Annual Notice is Arriving!
It’s that time of year again! 🐑

Please keep an eye out as Annual Notices will begin arriving this week. Whether you are a tenant or an owner-occupier crofter, completing this return is a legal requirement under the Crofters (Scotland) Act.

The good news? It has never been simpler. The process is entirely online, designed to be very quick and easy to navigate. Getting it done early means one less thing on your to-do list as we head into the busier months.

📋 What you need to do:
Check your post for your unique notification.

Head to the official portal to submit your details.

Complete the form as soon as possible to remain compliant.

06/01/2026

We'd like to draw your attention to the newly announced Small Producers Pilot Fund, delivering capital support to organisations and businesses that work directly with groups of small food and drink producers across Scotland.

The fund aims to boost innovation, strengthen local supply chains, support sustainable production, and sustain jobs in rural communities.

This is a welcome step forward and we hope it marks the start of wider efforts to transform our local food system and help crofters produce and sell more food locally.

💷 £175k available in the HIE region
🕛 Expression of Interest deadline: 12pm, 9 January 2026
🔗 Apply via HIE website

Full details and how to apply via www.hie.co.uk/sppf

05/01/2026

Fearann Ionaltraidh
Tha mòran chroitean a’ roinn fearann, a tha aithnichte mar fearann ionaltraidh. Tha na raointean sin deatamach do mhòran choimhearsnachdan croitearachd. Tha sinn a’ toirt seachad stiùireadh air na raointean sin a ruith gu h-èifeachdach agus a’ dèanamh fuasgladh air connspaid. Theirig chun na làraich-lìn againn airson tuilleadh fiosrachaidh mu dheidhinn mar a dhèiligeas tu ri d’ fhearann ionaltraidh.

Common Grazings
Many crofts share common land, known as common grazings. These areas are crucial for many crofting communities. We provide guidance on how to manage these areas effectively and resolve disputes. Head to our website for more information on how to manage your common grazings.