The Trust’s agricultural estate comprises 11,700 ha, of which 66% is let (seasonal grazings, traditional leases, limited partnerships), the balance farmed by the Trust. It also owns extensive tracts of open hill land, much of which is grazed by sheep (and, to some extent, cattle) as well as deer. There are also 7,231 ha under crofting tenure, on six estates in the West and North of Scotland, including Fair Isle.

Objectives for managing the Trust’s farmland are set on a property by property basis but are guided by the Grazing Policy (1992), the Farmland Management Policy (1999) and the Crofting Working Party Report (1998). Typically, they will include nature and landscape conservation, and socio-economic considerations (including the need to maintain the economic viability of rural communities).

An increasing number of holdings are managed with the benefit of agri-environment schemes often with the Trust working in partnership with its tenant farmers to develop schemes that will benefit the environment while maintaining the economic viability of the farm. Particular examples of sensitive management include on Iona (for corncrakes), on Fair Isle, at House of Dun and Montrose Basin Local Nature Reserve (for wildfowl), and at Threave, Castle Douglas, again, for wildfowl.

Iona Isle