MSP calls on government to use existing powers to help crofters in legal limbo

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has criticised the Scottish Government and the Crofting Commission for failing to come up with a solution to what he described as a “debacle” affecting crofters who are owner occupiers, including a number in Orkney.

Speaking after the Crofting Commission told owner occupiers who want to de-croft some or all of their croft, or have done already, to seek independent legal advice, Mr McArthur said: “This is an astonishing response from the Crofting Commission and leaves many crofters in Orkney and elsewhere in limbo and potentially out of pocket.

“Ministers and the Crofting Commission cannot be allowed to shrug their shoulders and claim nothing can be done. Simply telling crofters to go off and speak to their lawyer is a wholly inadequate response to a problem that was flagged up to ministers almost six months ago.”

Mr McArthur added: “It has been suggested that, under the 1993 Crofters (Scotland) Act, ministers can compel the commission to act on applications from owner occupiers. Until a longer term solution can be found, ministers must make clear their willingness to use these powers.”