Crofters urged to register land by community applications 30/1/14
Efforts to encourage community applications to the Crofting Register are being stepped
up.
A new post for a dedicated official to get group registrations of crofts is being
established.
The job will be created by Registers of Scotland (RoS).
Technical workshops and meetings will be held in crofting communities and crofters
will also be able to get guidance and support through the registration process by
email and telephone.
Paul Wheelhouse said: “Crofting is an important part of Scotland’s history and culture
but it also has an important role to play in our future. Recognising the importance
of registrations to the administration of crofting communities, I strongly urge crofting
communities to work together, with RoS and other crofting organisations, to submit
group applications to the Crofting Register.
“Establishing an accurate and legal record of all croft land boundaries that are
collectively agreed has many benefits - not least limiting the potential for appeal
and allowing those crofters who have registered to avoid expensive disputes over
boundaries in future.
“The Scottish Government provided financial support for the establishment of the
Crofting Register during its first year operating on a voluntary basis, and we are
continuing funding to step up efforts to encourage community applications.
“This work will be taken forward, and jointly funded, by Registers of Scotland with
the support of the Crofting Commission and builds on the valuable work undertaken
by the Scottish Crofting Federation’s community mapping project during the first
year of the Crofting Register.”