Sirs,
I am not in the least part surprised by the latest fiasco unravelling with regard
to the Crofting Commission. It would now appear that they have broadened their net
of contempt from merely targeting "absentees" to the general peasantry at large.
Indeed it would now appear that they actively support the status and rights of certain
"absentees."
I have practical experience of such contempt myself from August 2000 when the then Crofters Commission conducted an official hearing on my tenancy in West Uig. This was chaired by a commissioner from Acharacle and a clerk from Inverness taking the minutes. The hearing was also attended by about five other people. When it came to light at the hearing that the report prepared by the Scottish Office agricultural officer contained several "inaccuracies" they agreed to back down and outlined to me that no action would be taken.
It was years later that I wondered what ever happened to the minutes or official meeting note from that "hearing." I therefore requested this under freedom of information. The response I received under official Crofting Commission headed paper was "Although a hearing was arranged, when crofters commission staff arrived at the venue they were advised that the hearing was not to go ahead and therefore there was no note."
I will allow your readership to make up their own minds on Crofting Commission policy on "inaccuracies."
Angus Macdonald
Gardeners Cottage
Murieston
Livingston
West Lothian
Letter: Crofting Commission's "contempt" for tenants
29 April 2016