Annual Notice 

The Crofting Commission is required to give notice to crofters to make an annual declaration regarding their croft, through the Annual Notice. This is a legislative duty, which was implemented as part of the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010.

Crofters are asked to provide information on whether they are complying with their duties.  This will help to establish a clear picture of the current state of crofting, and enable the Commission to build up the evidence base for the value of crofting.  With the information provided, the Commission will be able to better understand and raise issues facing the future of crofting.

Crofters who do not answer their Annual Notice accurately and truthfully are breaking the law by not meeting their duties. We will be checking Annual Notice returns for accuracy and will act if there is a breach of duties or an inaccurate and fraudulent return.

Crofters who ignore the Annual Notice will be reported to the relevant authorities and could end up with a criminal record. We may assume that a croft is vacant and will take steps to let it to someone else, even if it is an owned croft.

More information for crofters who have received an Annual Notice Early Warning letter

General information

As from 2021, Annual Notice returns are completed online. Annual Notice letters are sent by post in January each year. Your letter will contain information which will allow you to complete the return online.   

Crofters can contribute to the future of their crofts and communities by:

• Completing the Annual Notice and providing the Commission with valuable information
• Understanding their responsibilities as a crofter
• Making sure they fulfil the duties of a crofter
• Taking steps to put things right if they are not fulfilling their duties.

Our privacy notice can be viewed at Annual Notice Privacy Notice

It is important to keep your contact details up to date. Check your details on the Register of Crofts  

If you need to update your contact details, please complete our Change of Principal Contact Details form.