Five Decades of the Crofters Commission.

At the point of the fiftieth birthday of the Crofters Commission, participants in crofting are strikingly optimistic. The Scottish Executive's Crofting (Reform) Bill, should embody a vision of this future and should be clear, too, as to the many developmental, social, cultural, agricultural and environmental benefits which an ambitious and forward-looking policy for crofting could offer Scotland as a whole.

Crofting People and Politics has contributions from key figures in the development of crofting and observers of the Highland and Islands economy ­ Brian Wilson, Torquil Crichton, David Ross,  Drew Ratter, Angus MacDonald and Jim Hunter.

Sensitively illustrated with photographs of crofting life.

COVER QUOTE

Ross Finnie - Minister for Environment and Rural Development

Crofting is at a crossroads. The road we choose will decide how well crofting can face the challenges of the twenty first century and whether it can seize the new opportunities presented.

Scotland will be working properly when our rural areas are well populated and economically diverse, and when our precious environmental and cultural heritage are protected. The creation of new crofts can help us realise this vision.

The Highland problem used to be widespread and to be primarily one of chronic depopulation. Things are changing for the better, confidence is returning, but the fortunes of our crofting communities will be a barometer of the true health of the Highlands and Islands, and indeed Scotland.

ISBN: 1 902831 91 8