and promotes the interests of crofting in Scotland
to secure the future of crofting.
Crofting Commission Assessors Seminar 2014
17/11/2014
The Crofting Commission is holding their second Assessor seminar on the 19 and 20 November 2014. Attendance at this year’s gathering in Inverness will top the 100 mark, with a great turn-out by Assessors, who cover areas across the length and breadth of the crofting counties and now even represent new areas, such as Moray.
Though local meetings are held with Assessors, the annual seminar is a real opportunity for the whole of the network to get together with Commissioners, staff from the Crofting Commission and staff from the area SGRPID offices, to compare notes and discuss the relevant issues of the day. The main theme of this year’s seminar will looking at how Assessors and the Commission can work together to help secure the future of crofting.
Convener, Susan Walker will Chair the seminar with the Chief Executive, Catriona MacLean, and the Board of Commissioners. The seminar will provide delegates with much food for thought, covering the progress of the Commission over the last two years, practical hands on workshops to provide Assessors with the information and skills to support crofters and discussion groups looking at regulated grazings, the Crofting Census, mentoring new crofters and helping crofters. There will be guest speakers from Glenelg Sheep Stock Club and Scotland’s Rural College. For the first time there will be a marketplace featuring key organisations for Assessors to see what support is available for crofting communities.
There will be plenty of time for discussion on all of the issues raised over the two days of the seminar. For Susan Walker, the event represents an exciting opportunity to engage directly with Assessors, who provide a key link with so many crofting communities. For Convener, Susan Walker, “the enthusiasm of Assessor’s, as evidenced by the tremendous turn-out for the seminar, shows an energy and willingness to engage on crofting issues that means we’re in for a most stimulating two days!”
NOTE TO EDITORS
- The Assessor’s Panel is made up of around 90 volunteers who are actively engaged in crofting or in crofting community development. They are appointed for a 5-year term, on a parish basis.
- Press are invited to take interviews on Thursday 20 November at 12.30pm. Please channel any questions or requests for interviews via Posy MacRae, Campaigns Manager, 01463 663429.
