and promotes the interests of crofting in Scotland
to secure the future of crofting.
Counting the contribution to the future of crofting - The Crofting Census
17/11/2014
At the end of October the Crofting Commission undertook an unprecedented data gathering exercise across the crofting community with over 18,000 Crofting Census forms sent out.
Crofters are legally obliged to complete the census forms and return them to the Crofting Commission before the end of the three month completion deadline on 16 January 2015.
The Crofting Census forms have been well received with many crofters seeing the benefit to providing the information and helping to establish a clear picture of the current state of crofting. The Commission has already received over 3000 completed forms from across the crofting counties.
The Census has provided crofters with the opportunity to gain a better understanding of their responsibilities in fulfilling their duties. This has resulted in some crofters being encouraged to look at their current situation and consider the options available to them to utilise their land more effectively. The Census, and supporting Guidance Notes, highlight various possibilities available to crofters in complying with their duties.
The Commission has set up a dedicated helpline, 01463 663404, and the Census team are on hand to support crofters in completing their Census forms and to answer any questions they may have.
The annual Crofting Census will allow the Commission to gather an evidence base which will grow year on year, helping to develop the case for crofting. The Census allows crofters to contribute to shaping the future of their crofting community.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “If we are to ensure the best policies are developed to guarantee a sustainable, prosperous and exciting future for our crofting and crofters, it is essential we have as accurate an understanding of the current profile of crofting and crofters’ wellbeing.
“I welcome the action in gathering this information from crofters across the country. The data taken from this exercise will contribute towards optimising Scottish Government crofting policies and the work of the Crofting Commission in effectively regulating crofting and delivering a bright future for crofting for generations to come – something we all want to see.”
