Scottish Crofting Federation

The Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF), formerly called the Scottish Crofting Foundation (also formerly called the Scottish Crofters Union), is an organisation first established in 1985 for the crofters and crofting communities in the highlands and islands of Scotland. They are the UK’s largest association of small-scale food producers.

The SCF's mission is to safeguard and promote the rights, livelihoods and culture of crofters and their communities. Established and run by crofters themselves, SCF campaigns for crofters and fights for the future of crofting. By actively engaging with agencies and government at local, national and international levels, they have influenced policy on rural, agricultural, social, environmental issues.

SCF

The SCF is a charity dedicated to safeguarding crofting and its cultural heritage. Established and run by crofters, SCF engages with agencies and government at a local, national and international level to influence policy on rural issues including sustaining rural populations, food production and environmental protection. It also provides a network of support to established, new, and aspiring crofters through training, mentoring and sharing of experience.

Members Benefits

Members receive an e-newsletter monthly that keeps you up-to-date with the latest news and policy developments, and also The Crofter magazine quarterly which is full of useful resources and information for crofters; Young crofter members and overseas members receive it as a pdf. (Previous editions of The Crofter magazine are available to view on their website).

• Free dedicated crofting law helpline through crofting specialists Inksters Solicitors and 10% discount on legal fees when instructing Inksters;
• Training opportunities;
• Preferential rates with Marsh Commercial Insurers;
• Member discount with Nofence Grazing technology;
• The opportunity to promote your croft tourism business on the SCF website;
• The opportunity to market your croft produce with the unique ‘Scottish Crofting Produce’ label;
• A wide network of contacts for sharing experiences and sourcing information;
• A skills mentoring service;
• Assistance and guidance for those wanting to enter crofting;
• SCF membership events;

Scottish Crofting Produce mark

The Scottish Crofting Produce mark was introduced in 2008 to identify products produced by a croft or similar small agri-business that is located in Highlands or the Islands of Scotland.

Only those businesses that qualify, and are members of the Scottish Crofting Federation may place the mark on their products.

The SCF states on its web site "The unique Scottish Crofting Produce Mark guarantees quality and authenticity. Crofters produce high-quality meat from stock grazed extensively on heather and grass. Croft-grown vegetables, honey, fruit, crafts and tasty baked goods – all grown or created by our members with love and dedication. By buying Scottish Crofting Produce you are not only getting a high quality product but also supporting a traditional and sustainable way of life which has continuing relevance for the 21st Century."

Scottish Crofting Holidays

On the website members can showcase their holiday cottages and businesses (which are working crofts) where the owners work the land and keep the heritage alive. Many have their own croft produce for sale.

Importance of crofting

Crofting has sustained rural communities in many areas in Western Europe. Crofting provides certain benefits to the local community.

Small-scale eco-friendly systems, as practised by crofters, is an alternative to industrial agriculture.

Much of the UK's High Nature Value farming is found in the crofting areas. Extensive land management methods have created and preserved the habitats of rare species now threatened elsewhere in the UK, and continuing crofting land use is recognised as having an important role in maintaining and increasing biodiversity.

Indigenous people

Crofting helps retain the indigenous population of small-scale food producers. This type of land-based culture is advocated internationally as the sustainable way to produce the world’s food, while supporting a wide variety of wildlife habitats, protecting endangered native species. The SCF has carried out research into the status of crofters as indigenous people.

Young Crofters

SCF classes everyone under 41 years old as young crofters and those members are given a 50% discount on the cost of individual membership.

The SCF (sponsored by The MacRobert Trust) organise The Young Crofter Award. The Award celebrates the achievements of our younger crofters who in all their different ways are creating a future for crofting. Nominations are currently open. The winner is presented with £500, The Euan Macrae Quaich and 1 year free SCF membership.

External links

• Scottish Crofting Federation home page