Crofting Matters

Farm Advisory Service
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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. Our podcast covers a range of topics which help support your farm or croft to be more profitable and sustainable.

  1. A View From Shetland

    May 27

    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 this episode, we’re heading north to the wild and windswept Shetland isles to explore the unique world of island crofting and the remarkable resilience of Shetland’s crofters. Join Siobhan Macdonald and Osla Jamwal Fraser as they dive into the opportunities and challenges of farming on the archipelago — from the advantages of geographic isolation for maintaining high-health livestock schemes, to the realities of costly transport links and long ferry crossings. With Osla at the helm of the series for 2026, we will uncover some of Shetland’s most fascinating agricultural stories and industries, including its iconic Shetland sheep, world-famous wool, native ponies, and even the surprising rise of spaceports among the islands’ rugged landscapes. This is a journey into innovation, tradition, and life at the edge of the North Sea. Thanks for joining us for this episode of Crofting Matters. If you’d like to find out more about you can find the link in the show notes. This episode was presented by Siobhan Macdonald produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Kieron Sim, in association with the Scottish Government. FAS Resources: Scottish Land Matching Service Shetland Livestock Marketing Group Crofting Commission For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    41 min

  2. Mar 3

    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 impacts their businesses throughout Autumn and Winter. On the Isle of Skye, Kieron visits Crofter Phil Knott to talk about his Orchards, and how agroforestry has brought not only biodiversity benefits but also economic benefits to his croft, Kieron also speaks to Aiofe Gould & Jake Sayles about their Croft in Skye, where they finish their own Pork, Hebridean Mutton, use their wool for felt accessories, and utilise seasonal fruit and berries. Kieron then visits the Shetland Isles in Winter, first speaking with Brendon Smith a Crofter from the Southern part of Shetland who breeds, trains and sells sheepdogs, runs a system of Shetland Sheep, produces Mussels and also ensures every sheep that comes to Shetland is run through the community dip. Finally Kieron heads to the Northernmost Isle of Unst in Shetland, to speak with Richard Spence who has Crofted in Unst for his whole life and tells us how the new Saxavord Space Port has changed how he Crofts. Thanks for listening to this special two-part edition, Crofting through The Seasons, Autumn & Winter. You can find part 1 of Crofting Through The Seasons, Spring & Summer right now. wherever you normally listen. This episode was hosted by Kerry Hammond and was produced and edited by Kieron Sim as part of Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service, in association with the Scottish Government. FAS Resources Crofting Matters - Crofting Through the Seasons: Spring/Summer | FAS https://www.fas.scot/podcast/crofting-matters-crofting-through-the-seasons-spring-summer/ Other Resources SaxaVord - The Place for Space https://saxavord.com/ For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    29 min

  3. Feb 26

    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 are a significant part of the identity of crofting over the last century. Also in this episode, Ross joins a group of 30 Crofters who travelled to Wicklow, (south of Dublin) in Ireland last Spring, on the second trip of a Scottish Farm Advisory Service Learning Journey, funded by the Scottish Government, which supported 55 Scottish Crofters (over two trips) to learn about Irish systems, and how Irish farmers make a living from small units. Thanks for listening to this special two-part edition, Crofting Through the Seasons, Spring & Summer. You can find part 2 of Crofting Through The Seasons, Autumn & Winter right now. wherever you normally listen. This episode was hosted and produced by Kerry Hammond and was edited by Kieron Sim as part of Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service, in association with the Scottish Government. For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    25 min

  4. 10/29/2025

    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 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 humans.  We discuss:  Whether a small crofting business needs insurance, and what kind? The need for Public Liability insurance. Livestock – minimising the risk. Wording on signs. When to cover machinery and livestock for theft and loss. Employer’s liability when you may not think of yourself as an employer! Common Grazings and Sheep Stock clubs – cover required.  FAS Resources  https://www.fas.scot/news/common-grazings-and-sheep-stock-clubs-liability/

    39 min

  5. 09/24/2025

    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, 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 understand the process when it happens. Graham and Siobhan talk about setting up an agricultural business with particular emphasis on crofting and chat through some of the questions they have received through the advice line. Timestamps: 01.07   Starting up in crofting – things to consider 03.09   Owner occupier, tenancy and assignation explained 05.14  Land that goes with a croft 08.39  Common grazing shares 10.05    The 3 duties of a crofter 12.39   Common grazing responsibilities 13.45   Subsidies and grants that a new crofter could be eligible for 18.13   Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) 19.33  Applying for BPS (Basic payment Scheme) & LFASS (Less Favoured Area Support Scheme) 20.31  Getting a BRN (Business Refence Number) 27.36   Numbers of livestock on a common grazing 29.23  Keeping livestock for the first time 30.56  Getting your own flock/herd number 33.01   Getting registered and set up – the order of events FAS Resources FAS - New Entrants -Getting Started FAS Introduction to crofting - Gaelic FAS -Introduction to crofting - English Other Resources Highlands and Islands Enterprise(business support) Scottish Enterprise(business support)   CroftingRegister Welcome| Crofting Commission RuralPayments and Services Animaland Plant Health Agency - GOV.UK Preparingfor Sustainable Farming For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    37 min

  6. 08/29/2025

    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 Shepherd The 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 change in rural communities—whether it's through eco-tourism, smart farming, or green energy projects.  In short: it’s about lifting the “grass ceiling” so women in rural areas can grow, lead, and shape the future.  The Scotland Living Lab is based in the Highlands and Islands, working with eight rural women innovators connected to crofting communities. It’s a partnership led by NICRE (National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise) and the Centre for Rural Economy (Newcastle University), in collaboration with the Scottish Crofting Federation.  The Lab officially launched with a workshop in Ullapool in June 2023, bringing together women from across the Highlands & Islands.  Women share practical rural innovations, such as livestock rearing, croft diversification, wildflower seed sales, water sports ventures, and creative uses for wool.   Related Resources Women in Agriculture (FAS.scot) https://www.fas.scot/rural-business/women-in-agriculture/ Glass Ceiling - The Living Lab https://www.grassceiling.eu/living-labs/scotland/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Diversification on a Shoestring https://www.fas.scot/article/diversification-on-a-shoestring/  Croftworks podcast Croftwork Podcasts - Scottish Crofting Federation Business support from https://www.hie.co.uk/  and https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/

    19 min

  7. 07/30/2025

    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 runs Balranald Campsite, the Dunes Cabin, a catering business, a new self-service vending machine with fresh veg and fish, and a self-catering cottage and a pod.  Lyndsay Robertson and DJ run Long Island Retreats, with a shop of local and islands produce and offer immersive tours of the croft and machair to UK and international travellers.   Related FAS Resources https://www.fas.scot/article/diversification-on-a-shoestring/ FAS TV Series 5 Episode 9 - Supporting Crofting with Diversification - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrYYHOqkQbI Other Related Resources Business support from: https://www.hie.co.uk/ https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/

    49 min

  8. 06/27/2025

    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 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 more than 15ha of arable land.   The Preparing for Sustainable Farming scheme is available this year, for the last time, and can help with the Carbon audit and Soil elements of the Whole Farm Plan.  For 2026, the Whole Farm Plan requirements are for 2 elements out of the five choices: Carbon Audit, Animal Health Plan, Biodiversity audit, Soil Analysis and Integrated Pest Management.  This episode covers many schemes!  For background, have a listen to the previous podcasts on Subsidy and Support Changes for Crofting, and Subsidy Future and Current Schemes, to find out more about the structure of support for the agricultural sector.  Related FAS Resources Preparing For The Future | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme (CAGS) | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

    38 min
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About

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. Our podcast covers a range of topics which help support your farm or croft to be more profitable and sustainable.

Information

  • Creator
    Farm Advisory Service
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Farm Advisory Service
  • Show Website
    Crofting Matters