The 17 month-long inquiry, chaired by Professor Mark Shucksmith, was described on Monday by Michael Russell MSP, Minister for Environment as “the most significant report on crofting for the past half century.”

For its part, the Trust views the Shucksmith Inquiry’s wide-ranging recommendations as bold and inspirational, for the benefit of crofting and rural communities in Scotland.

The Trust owns six crofting estates including Balmacara, Torridon and Fair Isle, amounting to over 200 registered crofts and with this first-hand knowledge and experience, the charity made several major contributions to the Shucksmith Inquiry. Many of its recommendations, such as reviewing the assignation of crofts, the need for crofters to reside on or near their croft and to work the land, and the review of the individual crofter’s right to buy their croft and associated de-crofting, have been taken on board and included in the committee’s final report.

Iain Turnbull, property manager at Balmacara, is the Trust’s leading authority on crofting issues. He said:

“The report offers a good, clear vision for the future of crofting and has certainly attempted to tackle some of the major issues head on, which is refreshing.

“There are some excellent elements here, including the proposals to devolve responsibility for the governance of crofting to a more local level, encouragement of traditional crofting land uses and possible restrictions on the right to buy land and de-crofting. ”

Shucksmith states that crofting has an important contribution to make towards sustaining a well-populated and well-managed countryside and emphasises the need for crofting to be well-regulated and governed in the public interest. The Trust warmly welcomes this stance, especially the inquiry’s emphasis on crofting communities being in greater control of their own destiny.

Mr Turnbull added:

“This is a much improved vision of crofting as it clearly states the need to have crofts occupied and used for their original purpose. We hope that the Scottish Government moves quickly to achieve this new vision.”

The Trust also welcomes the inquiry’s support for access to affordable housing in crofting areas, encouraging newcomers into crofting and the need to address the shortage of available crofts. Such measures are essential in bringing under-used or un-used crofts back into use.

The Shucksmith committee recommends the abolition of the Crofters' Commission and the creation of a new Federation of Local Crofting Boards that would “regulate crofting in the interests of sustainable crofting communities”. While, this may go some way to help prevent unsustainable development and encourage a balance between individual and wider community rights, the Trust is concerned that the proposed abolition of the Crofters’ Commission may lead to the loss of much valuable knowledge and experience.

If a crofter lives on or near his croft and is working the land, Shucksmith recommends there be no change to the fundamental rights of crofters that have existed for well over a century, such as security of tenure, succession and fair rents. The Trust strongly supports this concept and recommends that all crofts should be occupied by an active resident crofter.

The aim to have all crofts in the hands of resident, active crofters within a generation is an excellent target, set within a realistic timeframe. Accordingly, the Trust is also supportive of the proposal to introduce a ‘residency burden’ to croft house sites from 12 May 2008, a move which would help protect crofts for the future.
 

Chickens were removed from Canna while a project to eradicate rats was underway. As that work draws to an end, the Trust is helping islanders prepare for the return of poultry, providing new chicken coops that are due for delivery today. The first chickens will arrive in the next few weeks.

The project to remove rats began in 2005, after the conservation charity decided it must act to protect Canna’s internationally important seabird colonies. Predation by rats on the eggs and chicks of the ground-nesting seabirds was seriously affecting their population.

It was important that poultry were not on the island while the Trust was trying to eradicate rats as scraps of food left out for the chickens provide rats with a ready food supply, which would have hindered attempts to eradicate them.

Richard Luxmoore, Senior Nature Conservation Adviser, said:

“The return of chickens to the island is only possible now that our work to eradicate rats is coming to an end. We are very grateful to the islanders who have foregone their fresh eggs for the past few years while we undertook this important project to protect Canna’s seabird population. A final monitoring visit is underway now.”

The project to protect Canna’s seabirds, funded by the European LIFE Nature fund and Scottish Natural Heritage, ends later this month. The last confirmed rat sighting was in February 2006 – more than 2 years ago.
 

The centre's ground-breaking hand-held battlefield guides took the top award in the 'Use of Technology' category at the Museums and Heritage Awards for Excellence.

Developed by Inverness-based Zolk-C - specialist providers of technological learning solutions for the tourism and heritage industry - the battlefield guide is the most innovative of its kind currently in existence.

Combining the capabilities of a personal digital assistant (PDA) with satellite technology, the GPS-triggered electronic guide allows Culloden sightseers to experience the bloody battle of Bonnie Prince Charlie via multi-media information, such as video and audio clips and fact-file data.

The hand-held device provides character accounts, archaeological evidence, and real-life sound effects which are triggered automatically as visitors walk across the historic moor to create an interactive experience, which does not detract from the authenticity of the site.

The device also comes equipped with a menu - which changes depending on the visitor’s location on the battlefield - to provide additional options for history enthusiasts.

The Trust's Culloden project co-ordinator and Countryside and Islands Group Manager for the North East and Highlands, Alexander Bennett said:

"This is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved in the Culloden project. We always knew that technology presented a real opportunity to bring the battle to life for our visitors. It has been a great experience working with Zolk-C, as a young and local company, to develop cutting-edge technology that is truly world-leading and adds so much to the visitor's experience here at Culloden."

Zolk-C Director of Business Development Bronwen Robinson, said:

"We are absolutely delighted that our work has been recognised on such a prestigious, national platform. By designing, building, and deploying the new technology, we put a lot of hard work into creating something that has not been done anywhere else in the world. It is truly ground-breaking.

“At the National Trust for Scotland’s Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, our work has already enhanced the route to gaining insight into real Scottish history.”

The £9 million centre has also been shortlisted in this year's Royal Institute of British Architects awards, which are also announced later this month.