and promotes the interests of crofting in Scotland
to secure the future of crofting.
Crofting Land Area Expands by 111 Hectares Over Six Years, Demonstrating Balanced Regulatory Approach
18/03/2025
Crofting Land Area Expands by 111 Hectares Over Six Years, Demonstrating Balanced Regulatory Approach
The Crofting Commission has announced today, Tuesday 18th March 2025, a significant net increase of 111 hectares in crofting land area across the crofting counties since 2019, showcasing the success of a balanced regulatory approach. The net increase in croft land is equivalent to over 140 football pitches.
The data, compiled by the Crofting Commission, reveals a consistent effort to promote the interests of crofting while responsibly managing applications for decrofting. Notably, 2024 saw a substantial increase of 95.4 hectares in crofted land, highlighting a year of significant growth.
"In terms of our responsibility as a regulator, we have to consider applications to take land out of crofting tenure," stated Gary Campbell, CEO of the Crofting Commission. "When these meet a reasonable purpose test, or are for statutory reasons such as for a croft house and garden site, we do approve such applications. However, we also have a statutory duty to promote the interests of crofting and through the approval of the creation of new crofts, we can help fulfil that requirement. As can be seen, by taking a balanced approach, over the past six years we have more than maintained the area of land that is occupied by crofts in the crofting counties."
The detailed figures show the breakdown of changes in crofting land area:
Creation of New Crofts: A total of 428.1 hectares were created since 2019, with a notable 146.8 hectares created in 2024.
Decrofting: While various forms of decrofting occurred (including part croft, croft house sites, and whole crofts), the overall net gain in crofting land demonstrates effective management.
Annual Change: The annual change in crofting land area (in hectares) reflects the dynamic nature of land management, with a significant positive swing in 2024.
“These figures are a testament to the hard work and dedication of crofters and our team,” said Andrew Thin, Chair of the Crofting Commission. “We are committed to supporting the continued growth and prosperity of crofting communities. We will continue to work with Local Authorities and Planning Authorities to ensure that creating new crofts is seen as a positive step for rural communities.”
The data highlights the Crofting Commission's commitment to balancing regulatory responsibilities with the promotion of crofting interests, ensuring the sustainable future of crofting in Scotland.
