Reflections
This article first appeared in “The Crofter” Magazine published by the Scottish Crofting Federation.
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My time in the crofting world does not (yet!) extend to 40 years, but I am now over the 20 year mark, having started working as summer student at the Crofters Commission in 2004. Being a spring chicken I will leave reflections about the SCU’s early days to others and will instead leave a few thoughts here about my own experience with the organisation which was during its later years as the SCF.
My first permanent job in crofting came in 2006, when I started my legal traineeship at Macleod & MacCallum under the guidance of the late, great Derek Flyn. One of the first pieces of advice he gave me was nothing to do with crofting law; he suggested I get involved with the SCF. By that Derek meant get to know people, learn from them, be useful, try to help people where you can, be generous with your knowledge, volunteer to write articles and give presentations, make friends. With the benefit of hindsight I understand that this was not ‘just’ advice from on how to build a legal career in the world of crofting but also advice on the importance of belonging.
Over the years I have followed his advice. What fun it has been and I have learned a huge amount along the way.
In my view the SCF has never been a more vital part of the tapestry of the crofting world. We are at a watershed moment for the crofting system. The next step, which for me means radical reform of crofting law, we may have to fight for and we need a member organisation which is as fit as a fiddle, full of inspiration and motivated to lead us in that.
Of all the years I have been a member of and involved with the SCF, 2025 is undoubtedly my favourite, for two reasons.
Firstly, ‘my co-lab’ (apologies for those who don’t watch Amandaland….. it’s just too tempting) with SCF on the Croftwork Podcast has been a total joy. If you haven’t listened yet, you must! Every month Donna and I have a conversation with our guest about crofting. So far we have talked to the Chair of the Crofting Commission, a digital consultant, a forester, a Land Commissioner, a retired civil servant, a legal academic and a community development specialist; most of whom are land reform and / or crofting law reform campaigners and many of which are crofters to boot.
Every conversation gives a slightly different perspective and I have thoroughly enjoyed making each and every one. It is important to me, now and again at least, to stop doing the bread and butter work and instead do something simply because I enjoy it, learn from it and because I am challenged by it; the podcast for me does all of those things and more.
Secondly, on a more personal note, I am no longer ‘just’ a professional member of the SCF but am now an almost-crofter. I recently moved with my family to a croft in Rogart, Sutherland and at the time of writing we await a decision on the assignation application which is currently before the Crofting Commission. I am now experiencing the crofting regulatory system in a way which is entirely new to me and I must say it is giving me a whole new perspective on why we need the SCF to advocate specifically for crofters. The crofting system is rapidly becoming an embarrassment to 21st century Scotland and is in desperate need of proper reform.
Thankfully, we have the SCF to help us with that and I look forward to working with Donna and her team in the years ahead.
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Eilidh
The whisky at The Gathering was in plain sight!