Crofting Matters

Big Projects, Local Communities - Navigating Development Proposals

Hello and welcome to Crofting Matters, hosted by Osla Jamwal Fraser where we discuss topics that matter in crofting. Today we’re speaking with Chartered Surveyor and Se

“Northmavine: from Tradition to Tomorrow”

Hello and welcome to Crofting Matters, hosted by Osla Jamwal Fraser where we discuss topics that matter in crofting. For this series, we are bringing you Crofting Matte

Shetland, From Land to the Sea

Hello and welcome to Crofting Matters, hosted by Osla Jamwal Fraser where we discuss topics that matter in crofting. Over the next few episodes, we will be bringing you

Shetland Black Aets: Preserving an Ancient Land Race, and Heritage Straw Crafts

Hello and welcome to Crofting Matters, hosted by Osla Jamwal Fraser where we discuss topics that matter in crofting. Over the next few episodes, we will be bringing you

A View From Shetland

Hello and welcome to Crofting Matters, hosted by Siobhan Macdonald, and this is the Farm Advisory Service series where we discuss topics that matter in crofting. For th

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 Isl

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 Staffi

Covering the Croft and Common

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 Mutua

Starting up in Crofting

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, small

Breaking the Grass Ceiling - Women in Crofting

Please note: We recorded this episode while out at an event, therefore the audio quality varies throughout. Interviewees: Prof Sally Shorthall Karis Beattie Haley She

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

FFIS, CAGS, WFP and Greening for Crofting

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 clima

Changes to Improve Welfare of Lambs

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 allo

Matchmaking New and Retiring Crofters (Updated)

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

Subsidy and Support Changes for Crofting

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 t

Livestock Disease Risks on Crofts

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

Routes to Crofting

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 hin

Lessons from Ireland

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,

Crofting Commission Chief Executive

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 wor

Common Grazing Finances: Common Issues

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.  Fi