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This information applies to Scotland only

What is a croft

A croft is a small agricultural unit which is usually a tenancy, but is sometimes owner-occupied, and which is located in one of the crofting counties or other specially designated areas. It usually consists of a small area of land plus grazing rights in an area of common grazings shared with a number of other crofts. A croft is not the house in which the crofter lives, it is the land which s/he occupies.

The crofting counties are the former counties of Argyll, Inverness, Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland, Caithness, Orkney and Shetland. In 2010, several new crafting areas have been created. These are: Arran, Bute, Greater and Little Cumbrae, Moray and parts of Highland that are not already covered within the traditional crafting counties. If you are in doubt as to whether a particular piece of land falls within this area, you should check with the Crofters' Commission for the address.

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What is a crofter

A crofter is normally the tenant of a croft and pays rent to the landlord of the croft. If you own your own croft, you must live on the croft or you have to find a tenant to occupy the croft.

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What are the differences between crofts and other small agricultural units

The main differences between crofts and other small agricultural tenancies are that:-

• crofters have security of tenure and the right to pass on the tenancy to a member of their family, or to assign (pass on) the tenancy to a non-family member
• crofters may have fair rents fixed by the Land Court, failing agreement with their landlords
• there are special grants available to crofters to help them improve the productivity of the land and to provide housing
• there are special rules which govern the crofters' right to use common grazings.

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How can I become a crofter

You can become a crofter in a number of different ways:-

• being assigned a tenancy by an existing crofter and becoming a tenant; or
• being sublet the croft by the existing registered tenant and becoming a subtenant, which can only be for a limited period of time; or
• buying a croft that is presently owner-occupied and becoming an owner-occupier; or
• getting a tenancy of a vacant croft and becoming a tenant; or
• inheriting a croft. If you are the spouse, civil partner or cohabitee of a crofter who dies you can inherit the tenancy of the whole croft. You should be aware that if you accept the bequest you will assume responsibility for any debts of the deceased as the former tenant of the croft.

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Getting a crofting tenancy

There is a great demand for croft tenancies and very few come onto the market. Those that do are in great demand. Available tenancies are advertised in the property sections of local newspapers such as the Oban Times, Stornoway Gazette, West Highland Free Press, Shetland Times, Press and Journal. Solicitors' offices and estate agents handle such sales and can be approached directly to find out what might be available. You could also make a direct approach to estates within the crofting counties, as they might have a vacant tenancy.

The consent of the Crofters' Commission is required in any change of tenancy of a croft to a person who is not an immediate family member of the current tenant. Their consent is also required for reletting directly from an estate of a vacant croft.

If you are thinking of buying a croft you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.

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How can I buy my croft

Since 1976 tenants have been able to buy their crofts. Technically an owner is not a crofter but the landlord of a croft. However, so long as you live on the croft as the owner, the Commission does not expect the croft to be re-let to a new tenant.

If you want to buy your house site you will need to employ a solicitor. As well as being responsible for your own legal expenses, you may be expected to pay part or all of the landlord's expenses. For the address of the Crofting Law Group, which holds names of solicitors who specialise in crofting matters, see under heading Are there any organisations which can help crofters.

If you wish to buy your croft you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.

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Are there any grants to help crofters

You could be eligible for a wide variety of grants and loans. Some of these are grants which are generally available to all farmers, while others are specifically aimed at crofters. The rules about eligibility are complicated and depend on whether you own the croft or are a tenant or sub-tenant.

If you would like more information about what help may be available your local Citizens Advice Bureau will have more information. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.

The Crofters' Commission, in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Argyll and Bute Council, runs the Highlands and Islands Croft Entrant Scheme to help new entrants make a start in crofting. This scheme endeavours to link potential crofters with those who may be about to give up active crofting.

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Are there any organisations which help crofters

The Crofters' Commission is a government department which administers crofting. Its remit is to develop and regulate crofting, and to promote the interests of crofters.

Crofters' Commission
Castle Wynd
Inverness
Scotland
IV2 3EQ

Tel: 01463 663450
Fax: 01463 711820
Website: www.crofterscommission.org.uk

The Scottish Crofting Federation is a representative body for crofters which provides information about crofting and lobbies government on issues which affect crofters.

The Scottish Crofting Federation
Lochalsh Business Park
Auchtertyre
Kyle of Lochalsh
IV40 8EG

Tel: 01599 566365
E-mail: hq@crofting.org
Website: www.crofting.org

The Crofting Law Group holds details of solicitors who have experience in dealing with crofting issues.

Crofting Law Group
Mr Keith Graham
Scottish Land Court
George House
126 George Street
Edinburgh
EH2 4HH

Tel: 0131 271 4360
Fax: 013 271 4399
E-mail: mailbox@scottish-land-court.org.uk

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