Explore every episode of the podcast Crofting Matters
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidy and Support Changes for Crofting | 25 Sep 2024 | 00:39:35 | |
Support is changing, and although not all details are clear, crofters claiming subsidy need to have specific items and plans in place by next spring. Listen in to hear the essential information you need for next year’s Basic Payment Scheme claim. We simplify one aspect of the new system, which is called the Whole Farm Plan. The WFP is actually made up of 5 different parts, of which 2 need to be in place next year, by the 15th May 2025. We discuss the most sensible and easiest routes for crofters to prepare. The changes have come about as our subsidy system evolves outwith the EU. The new support system is in four Tiers, with the familiar Basic Payment Scheme in Tier 1. The Whole Farm Plan will affect Tier 1 Basic Payment Scheme. We will cover the other Tiers in future podcasts as more details are released and we understand the impact on crofting, so please subscribe to keep up to date. Related FAS Resources Preparing For The Future | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Crofts & Small Farms resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Preparing Small Farms and Crofts for 2025 and Beyond - Events | |||
| Livestock Disease Risks on Crofts | 28 Aug 2024 | 00:47:44 | |
Disease risk in livestock, and biosecurity is something we perhaps don’t consider as much in crofting areas as farmers might in more intensive systems. Crofting tends to be more extensive, with lower densities of stock, but we often share bulls, and graze on common ground. In this episode I’m joined by Kythe MacKenzie, who is a vet with SRUC, and Kate Lamont, who is a researcher, to discuss the practicalities of managing disease risk. Linked FAS Resources Crofting Discussion Groups | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Succession Planning – Crofting | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Crofting Legislation | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) | |||
| Obtaining a Croft | 31 May 2023 | 00:35:02 | |
Getting a croft isn't easy, whether you are new to agriculture or have been working in crofting all your days. In this episode, Siobhan Macdonald and Graham Fraser discuss how to get a croft, types of tenure, what to be aware of and how to keep a croft. We cover:
Linked FAS Resources Crofting Legislation | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Other Useful Resources Register of Crofts | Crofting Commission (scotland.gov.uk) About crofting - Scottish Crofting Federation Woodland Crofts | Supporting Lives & Livelihoods through Managing Woodland | |||
| Selling Stock | 31 Oct 2022 | 00:22:59 | |
Selling livestock this autumn and winter? We have some wise words from Sarah Balfour on what to think about and how to navigate the auction mart system. This is the time of year for sales of breeding and store cattle and sheep. Sarah and Siobhan discuss the current beef and sheep markets and tips on presentation. Siobhan also speaks to John William Gillies of the North Rasaay Sheep Stock Club, who discusses how they batch lambs at the mart, and the popular Portree sale of store calves. For further information, have a look at this webinar which details buyer’s requirements, feed conversion and handy tips: https://www.fas.scot/publication/going-to-market-managing-your-stock-in-preparation-for-selling/ and you might also be interested in this case study, which although not in a crofting area, describes how Nigel Millar sells his AA & BSH store calves to a finisher: https://www.fas.scot/publication/fas-beef-supply-chain-case-study-co-operative-strategy-finishes-cattle-in-the-scottish-borders/ Sarah mentions Agribusiness News, which is a publication with up-to-date monthly market and policy intelligence for farmers and crofters: https://www.fas.scot/rural-business/agribusiness-news/ Linked FAS resources: A Guide to Buying and Selling at the Mart - https://www.fas.scot/downloads/a-guide-to-buying-and-selling-at-the-mart/ Croft & Small Farms: Store Livestock - Adding Value in Presentation - https://www.fas.scot/downloads/croft-small-farms-store-livestock-adding-value-in-presentation/ Small Lambs – A Problem or an Opportunity for Crofters and Smallholders? -https://www.fas.scot/downloads/small-lambs-a-problem-or-an-opportunity-for-crofters-and-smallholders/ | |||
| Buying Stock | 30 Sep 2022 | 00:27:42 | |
If you are a new crofter, or new to buying livestock, we have some wise words from Sarah Balfour on what to think about and how to navigate the auction mart system. This is the time of year for sales of breeding cattle and sheep. Sarah and Siobhan discuss disease risk, how to bid, different terms used, buying in guineas, how the auction mart works, and how to prepare. Linked FAS resources: New Entrants Guide to Buying and Selling at the Mart Practical Guide - https://www.fas.scot/downloads/a-guide-to-buying-and-selling-at-the-mart/ | |||
| Selecting Breeding Replacements in the Suckler Herd | 31 Aug 2022 | 00:13:38 | |
No matter the size of your herd, choosing the correct suckler replacements is important to ensure yearly, trouble free calvings and avoid nights spent calving or coaxing calves that refuse to suckle! Or worse, pets! | |||
| Crofting Regulation | 29 Jul 2022 | 00:24:33 | |
Crofting regulation, which covers what you can do with your croft land and how, is a tricky subject, full of acronyms and references to various Acts of Parliament. For most crofters, the day-to-day croft work is unaffected by legislation. It’s often only when crofts change that attention to the legislation is needed. In this podcast, we discuss some of the most common scenarios. Is there anything you need to do now or be prepared for? Linked FAS resources: Webpage on succession planning with a succession tool -https://www.fas.scot/succession-planning-crofting/ Webpage with cartoon videos explaining crofting legislation - https://www.fas.scot/rural-business/crofts-small-farms/crofting-legislation/ | |||
| Grazing Management | 30 Jun 2022 | 00:29:27 | |
Growing Grass
How can we make the best use of our grassland? What is the difference between rotational, mob, deferred and set stocking? What are the benefits of liming?
For many crofters, low soil pH and rushes reduce the productivity of grassland. In this episode, Poppy Frater discusses how to control rushes, increase growth of better grasses, reseeding, soil health and fertilisers. | |||
| Bull Management | 31 May 2022 | 00:18:24 | |
With many Crofters across Scotland currently putting their bulls out, it is a good time to consider your current bull management practices. From pre-breeding examinations and diet, to the Crofting Cattle Improvement Scheme, Crofting Matters discusses key points for Crofters to be thinking about with Sarah Balfour. Sarah works out of the SAC Elgin office and is a Beef Consultant for the SAC Livestock Team. As well as running an upland commercial suckler herd, Sarah and her family also have three pedigree herds and produce Limousin, Angus and British Blue bulls. Relevant Resources: | |||
| Routes to Crofting | 31 Jul 2024 | 00:41:13 | |
This episode hears from 2 crofters with two different routes into crofting. In this episode we discuss how they gained their croft, what they found were barriers, and hints and tips for aspiring or new crofters. I’m delighted to be joined by Derek Dick, who is a relatively new crofter in Berneray, and Angus Ferguson, who is an experienced crofter in North Uist. Linked FAS resources: Crofting Discussion Groups | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Succession Planning – Crofting | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Crofting Legislation | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) | |||
| Lessons from Ireland | 28 Jun 2024 | 00:39:48 | |
In this episode we look at what we can learn from the Irish system, where farms are similar to our crofts. A group of crofters are just home from a study tour to Ireland, and we hear from Derek Jamieson who crofts in Unst, Shetland, what he took from this exchange of knowledge. We also hear from Keith Fahy, advisor with Teagasc, explaining the Irish subsidy system and improvements being made to their national flock and herd. Ireland Study Tour with Crofters Crofting in Unst Typical Irish farms Croft tenancies Mart provision in Ireland and Scotland Subsidies in Ireland Agri-environment Schemes The Irish Green Cert Discussion Groups for Crofters Linked FAS resources: https://www.fas.scot/rural-business/crofts-small-farms/crofting-discussion-groups/ | |||
| Crofting Commission Chief Executive | 31 May 2024 | 00:40:38 | |
Gary Campbell is our guest this week. Gary is the new Chief Executive of the Crofting Commission, having just started his role in January this year. With a background working in both the public and private sectors he talks us through his previous roles, his own family crofting story, what he is planning to achieve in his new CE role and his vision for the Crofting Commission. Related FAS Resources: Crofting & Smallholders Guide to Organisations Succession Planning – Crofting | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Crofting Legislation | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) | |||
| Common Grazing Finances: Common Issues | 31 Oct 2023 | 00:39:47 | |
We are at Dornie hall, talking to clerks and committee members about the issues they face when trying to run the common grazing, especially when it comes to finances. Firstly, we talk with Finlay Beaton from the Crofting Commission, about the problems that they deal with and the solutions for clerks. Finlay also has the advantage of having worked with RPID, so also understands the grant and subsidy systems. Arthur Macdonald adds his take from years of running finance training, working with landlords and crofters, and working at the CC. These meetings are continuing around the crofting counties, so if you are a clerk, book on! We cover: Common themes such as monitoring and accounting for funds, who is responsible for the funds; how and who to bring onto your committee; how to set it up; the difference between CG and clubs; vacant crofts Useful Links Finance Forms for Common Grazings | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Appointment of Grazings Committees | Crofting Commission (scotland.gov.uk) Regulated Commons Grazings | Crofting Commission (scotland.gov.uk) Common Grazings Dilemmas | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) | |||
| Subsidy Future & Current Schemes | 29 Sep 2023 | 00:31:28 | |
Don’t miss out on the current schemes which boost income and improve animal and soil health! We discuss the PSF scheme, the future of subsidy, recent changes to the Croft House Grant and what we should all do now to prepare for the 2025 change. We cover: What the term ‘conditionality’ means PSF Animal Health & Welfare Eligibility How to carry out and how to claim Benefits of animal health Soil sampling Carbon audits What do we know so far What is Just Transition What are the Tiers BPS Whole Farm Plan Habitat assessments Grazing shares Beef calf scheme Scoteid My herd stats CHGS changes Top tips to prepare for 2025 – FAS biodiversity audits, carbon audits, psf scheme Related FAS Resources Other Related Resources Preparing for Sustainable Farming Support (ruralpayments.org) Croft House Grant (ruralpayments.org) MyHerdStats Information Guide - ScotEID Library (dozuki.com) | |||
| Succession | 31 Aug 2023 | 00:50:24 | |
Crofting legislation is fairly complicated and its no different when it comes to succession! Brian Inkster, well-known crofting law specialist, takes us through different scenarios and highlights what to watch out for when it comes to passing on a croft. We cover: Terminology such as Executor, Testate and Intestate Wills and witness signatures Procedure for a Straightforward tenancy with a will in place Moveable items Confirmation Docket Splitting a croft to leave to different people Owner occupied crofts Deemed crofts Heritable and moveable | |||
| Tax & VAT for Crofters | 31 Jul 2023 | 00:43:56 | |
It might not sound that interesting, but, especially these days, understanding what you can and should be doing with accounts and tax is important to save unnecessary expense and keep within the law. Margi Campbell, an expert in tax and vat, gives some insight into what crofters can do to improve their finances. It’s a confusing topic, but in this podcast we chat about the different terms, and what they mean in practice for crofters who are self-employed or employed, or vat registered or not. In this episode, we cover: Do crofters need to do tax returns? Is an accountant needed to prepare accounts? What are audited accounts? How much could a set of accounts cost? What is a sole trader, why would you be one, what tax do you pay, can you be vat registered? What are partnerships and Limited companies? What do the terms Incorporated/unincorporated mean? What is the effect of the 5 year rule for hobby farms? What items are tax deductible? Can you offset your income with the cost of buildings, such as a shed? What about smaller kit and tools? The best way to keep records, VAT, MTD, can you keep everything on paper/programme? What is the Herd basis? Who gets taxed through a Sheep Stock Club? Who pays tax from Common Grazing income? What should you do if you are starting up? Top tips FAS Resources: Women in Agriculture, Balivanich: Why Keep Accounts? Bookkeeping and Farm Accounts | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Other Links: You can contact Margi through LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretcampbellinverness Or at www.Saffery.com Also listen to Margi’s story on Episode 6 - Margi Campbell - Women In Wellies | Acast | |||
| Crofting Commission Online Applications | 30 Jun 2023 | 00:20:16 | |
The Crofting Commission has recently started accepting online applications through their website for some of their crofting regulatory applications. In this episode, Siobhan Macdonald and Graham Fraser discuss which applications can now be completed online, how to go about completing them, what the benefits are of doing applications online over paper forms, and where you can access help. Linked FAS resources: https://www.fas.scot/rural-business/crofts-small-farms/crofting-legislation/ External resources: | |||
| Matchmaking New and Retiring Crofters (Updated) | 01 Nov 2024 | 00:38:30 | |
Many aspire to having and working a croft, however crofts are difficult to obtain, at least in the more productive and scenic areas. At the same time, retiring crofters sometimes find it hard to give up their business, their source of income and home. The Scottish Land Matching Service is designed to help aspiring new producers, whether crofters or farmers, with advice, guidance, and a database of opportunities. Ian Davidson joins us today to discuss the SLMS role in helping crofts to remain in productive use. Related Resources | |||
| Changes to Improve Welfare of Lambs | 28 May 2025 | 00:26:18 | |
A game changer for sheep on hill grazings? It’s very tricky to castrate and tail lambs within 7 days unless lambs are born inbye. Could two new techniques, that allow castration and tailing up to 3 months of age, not only reduce pain levels in lambs, but allow better and easier management on commons and hills? The all-important intake of colostrum and bonding of ewe and lamb can be disrupted by tailing and castrating. Changing timings, so that one or other is carried out when the lamb is older, perhaps alongside other treatments such as vaccination or worming, reduces mismothering, and could be more efficient. The Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) report on tail docking and castration of lambs (2022) recommends that effective anaesthesia and analgesia should be used routinely for castration and tail docking of lambs, when the methods used are likely to cause significant pain. In recent years new equipment that can reduce the pain associated with tailing and castrating have been developed. Numnuts and Clipfitter are now more widely available and have been shown to have welfare benefits when used for tailing and castrating. In Scotland, the Government has allowed these techniques to be used beyond 7 days of age. Here we discuss the two products: techniques, benefits and drawbacks, costs and practicalities for use with lambs and calves. Subscribe to hear more about the project when we report on crofter’s experiences of using the products.
Related Resources: Watch our webinar recording where we look at how three farmers are using different methods and approaches to tail docking and castration Webinar - Sustainable Sheep Systems - Tail Docking and Castration Technical Note (TN679): Castration and Tail Docking of Lambs Using clipfitter in practice: | |||
| FFIS, CAGS, WFP and Greening for Crofting | 27 Jun 2025 | 00:38:21 | |
The Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) grant scheme is a new scheme in 2025, allowing crofters and farmers to invest to improve business efficiency, nature and climate friendly farming. The FFIS offers flexible capital grants to support investments with tiered levels of funding available. There are other changes affecting crofters, such as a simplified Crofting Agricultural Grants Scheme, which offers grants towards infrastructure; and changes to Greening rules which will affect crofters with more than 15ha of arable land. The Preparing for Sustainable Farming scheme is available this year, for the last time, and can help with the Carbon audit and Soil elements of the Whole Farm Plan. For 2026, the Whole Farm Plan requirements are for 2 elements out of the five choices: Carbon Audit, Animal Health Plan, Biodiversity audit, Soil Analysis and Integrated Pest Management. This episode covers many schemes! For background, have a listen to the previous podcasts on Subsidy and Support Changes for Crofting, and Subsidy Future and Current Schemes, to find out more about the structure of support for the agricultural sector. Related FAS Resources Preparing For The Future | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme (CAGS) | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service | |||
| Croft Diversification - New Enterprises in Uist | 30 Jul 2025 | 00:49:12 | |
Thinking of diversification projects on the croft? Hear from two entrepreneurs who have set up shops, campsites and tours in Uist, and are managing to bring in tourists and have a healthy footfall. They discuss the issues with funding on croftland, ferries, finishing animals, abattoirs, Instagram posts, Scottish Agritourism, and Enterprise agency support. Anne MacLellan runs Balranald Campsite, the Dunes Cabin, a catering business, a new self-service vending machine with fresh veg and fish, and a self-catering cottage and a pod. Lyndsay Robertson and DJ run Long Island Retreats, with a shop of local and islands produce and offer immersive tours of the croft and machair to UK and international travellers. Related FAS Resources https://www.fas.scot/article/diversification-on-a-shoestring/ FAS TV Series 5 Episode 9 - Supporting Crofting with Diversification - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrYYHOqkQbI Other Related Resources Business support from: | |||
| Breaking the Grass Ceiling - Women in Crofting | 29 Aug 2025 | 00:19:16 | |
Please note: We recorded this episode while out at an event, therefore the audio quality varies throughout. Interviewees: Prof Sally Shorthall Karis Beattie Haley Shepherd The Grass Ceiling is an EU-funded project that helps rural women become leaders in innovation—especially in farming and sustainable rural development. It runs from 2023 to 2025 and supports women across Europe through ‘Living Labs’ where they test ideas, get training, and connect with others. The aim is to help women to drive real change in rural communities—whether it's through eco-tourism, smart farming, or green energy projects. In short: it’s about lifting the “grass ceiling” so women in rural areas can grow, lead, and shape the future. The Scotland Living Lab is based in the Highlands and Islands, working with eight rural women innovators connected to crofting communities. It’s a partnership led by NICRE (National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise) and the Centre for Rural Economy (Newcastle University), in collaboration with the Scottish Crofting Federation. The Lab officially launched with a workshop in Ullapool in June 2023, bringing together women from across the Highlands & Islands. Women share practical rural innovations, such as livestock rearing, croft diversification, wildflower seed sales, water sports ventures, and creative uses for wool. Related Resources Women in Agriculture (FAS.scot) https://www.fas.scot/rural-business/women-in-agriculture/ Glass Ceiling - The Living Lab https://www.grassceiling.eu/living-labs/scotland/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Diversification on a Shoestring https://www.fas.scot/article/diversification-on-a-shoestring/ Croftworks podcast Croftwork Podcasts - Scottish Crofting Federation Business support from https://www.hie.co.uk/ and https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/ | |||
| Starting up in Crofting | 24 Sep 2025 | 00:36:47 | |
Welcome back to Crofting Matters. On today’s episode, Siobhan is joined by Graham Fraser (SAC Lerwick) to discuss an often asked question – how to start up a croft, smallholding or farming business. The Farm Advisory Service has an Advice Line – free to call or email for advice. Every year the team receives lots of questions about starting up a farming business. It can be tricky to get a croft, but tenancies and purchases do come up so if you are looking for an opportunity, then this will help you understand the process when it happens. Graham and Siobhan talk about setting up an agricultural business with particular emphasis on crofting and chat through some of the questions they have received through the advice line. Timestamps: 01.07 Starting up in crofting – things to consider 03.09 Owner occupier, tenancy and assignation explained 05.14 Land that goes with a croft 08.39 Common grazing shares 10.05 The 3 duties of a crofter 12.39 Common grazing responsibilities 13.45 Subsidies and grants that a new crofter could be eligible for 18.13 Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) 19.33 Applying for BPS (Basic payment Scheme) & LFASS (Less Favoured Area Support Scheme) 20.31 Getting a BRN (Business Refence Number) 27.36 Numbers of livestock on a common grazing 29.23 Keeping livestock for the first time 30.56 Getting your own flock/herd number 33.01 Getting registered and set up – the order of events FAS Resources FAS - New Entrants -Getting Started FAS Introduction to crofting - Gaelic FAS -Introduction to crofting - English Other Resources Highlands and Islands Enterprise(business support) Scottish Enterprise(business support) Animaland Plant Health Agency - GOV.UK Preparingfor Sustainable Farming For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot | |||
| Covering the Croft and Common | 29 Oct 2025 | 00:39:19 | |
Insurance for Crofters and Common Grazings. Welcome back to Crofting Matters! In this episode, Siobhan is joined by Jonathan Hogg, a rural insurance expert from NFU Mutual’s Dingwall branch. Johnny has an agricultural background, works in a crofting area and understands the issues that crofters and grazing committees face with access, theft and weather-related incidents. We remove the ambiguity surrounding the need for Public and Employer’s liability cover, and what to do if the bull can outrun humans. We discuss:
FAS Resources https://www.fas.scot/news/common-grazings-and-sheep-stock-clubs-liability/ | |||
| Crofting Through the Seasons : Spring & Summer | 26 Feb 2026 | 00:25:07 | |
In this special two-part edition of Crofting Matters, “Crofting Through the Seasons”, we take you back to Spring/Summer last year, where Ross Mackenzie visited the Staffin Sheepdog Trials, a hugely popular event in Trotternish, on the Isle of Skye. Sheepdog trials are deeply rooted in crofting culture, normally held during the summer months, these trials are a significant part of the identity of crofting over the last century. Also in this episode, Ross joins a group of 30 Crofters who travelled to Wicklow, (south of Dublin) in Ireland last Spring, on the second trip of a Scottish Farm Advisory Service Learning Journey, funded by the Scottish Government, which supported 55 Scottish Crofters (over two trips) to learn about Irish systems, and how Irish farmers make a living from small units. Thanks for listening to this special two-part edition, Crofting Through the Seasons, Spring & Summer. You can find part 2 of Crofting Through The Seasons, Autumn & Winter right now. wherever you normally listen. This episode was hosted and produced by Kerry Hammond and was edited by Kieron Sim as part of Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service, in association with the Scottish Government. For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot | |||
| Crofting Through the Seasons : Autumn & Winter | 03 Mar 2026 | 00:29:10 | |
In this special two-part edition of Crofting Matters, “Crofting Through the Seasons”, we take you back to Autumn & Winter last year, where Kieron Sim visited both the Isle of Skye and the Shetland Isles, to speak with four local crofters about their enterprises, the challenges and benefits of Island Living, and how Seasonality uniquely impacts their businesses throughout Autumn and Winter. On the Isle of Skye, Kieron visits Crofter Phil Knott to talk about his Orchards, and how agroforestry has brought not only biodiversity benefits but also economic benefits to his croft, Kieron also speaks to Aiofe Gould & Jake Sayles about their Croft in Skye, where they finish their own Pork, Hebridean Mutton, use their wool for felt accessories, and utilise seasonal fruit and berries. Kieron then visits the Shetland Isles in Winter, first speaking with Brendon Smith a Crofter from the Southern part of Shetland who breeds, trains and sells sheepdogs, runs a system of Shetland Sheep, produces Mussels and also ensures every sheep that comes to Shetland is run through the community dip. Finally Kieron heads to the Northernmost Isle of Unst in Shetland, to speak with Richard Spence who has Crofted in Unst for his whole life and tells us how the new Saxavord Space Port has changed how he Crofts. Thanks for listening to this special two-part edition, Crofting through The Seasons, Autumn & Winter. You can find part 1 of Crofting Through The Seasons, Spring & Summer right now. wherever you normally listen. This episode was hosted by Kerry Hammond and was produced and edited by Kieron Sim as part of Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service, in association with the Scottish Government.
FAS Resources Crofting Matters - Crofting Through the Seasons: Spring/Summer | FAS https://www.fas.scot/podcast/crofting-matters-crofting-through-the-seasons-spring-summer/ Other Resources SaxaVord - The Place for Space https://saxavord.com/ For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot | |||
| A View From Shetland | 27 May 2026 | 00:40:45 | |
Hello and welcome to Crofting Matters, hosted by Siobhan Macdonald, and this is the Farm Advisory Service series where we discuss topics that matter in crofting. For this episode, we’re heading north to the wild and windswept Shetland isles to explore the unique world of island crofting and the remarkable resilience of Shetland’s crofters. Join Siobhan Macdonald and Osla Jamwal Fraser as they dive into the opportunities and challenges of farming on the archipelago — from the advantages of geographic isolation for maintaining high-health livestock schemes, to the realities of costly transport links and long ferry crossings. With Osla at the helm of the series for 2026, we will uncover some of Shetland’s most fascinating agricultural stories and industries, including its iconic Shetland sheep, world-famous wool, native ponies, and even the surprising rise of spaceports among the islands’ rugged landscapes. This is a journey into innovation, tradition, and life at the edge of the North Sea. Thanks for joining us for this episode of Crofting Matters. If you’d like to find out more about you can find the link in the show notes. This episode was presented by Siobhan Macdonald produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Kieron Sim, in association with the Scottish Government. FAS Resources: Scottish Land Matching Service Shetland Livestock Marketing Group Crofting Commission For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot | |||