A. Documents
- Report of the study tour - EN - FR
B. Description in brief
The tour was organised by the Highland Council (the local authority for the north of Scotland, including some of the islands off the west coast) on behalf of the Scottish Partners and the Scottish Crofting Foundation (a charitable NGO which represents small farmers in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland).
Delegates assembled in Inverness on the evening 4 July and were transported to Skye and Lochalsh where they were accommodated in Kintail Field Centre (National Trust for Scotland owned property) and Glomach Guest House for the nights of 4 and 5 July.
This area was chosen because it suffers from many disadvantages when it comes to agriculture – mountainous ground, poor soils overall, northerly latitude, distance from markets, climate, lack of services – but has reasonably good communications, making it accessible. Tourism is very important in the area providing alternative income sources for farmers but also leading to conflict between the demands of visitors and of the agricultural community.
On 5 July the delegates visited Drumbuie, Duirinish and Plockton to see the types of agriculture that were practised and to discuss development with the local farmers. Some free time allowed a visit to Eilean Donan Castle. In the evening, there was a talk about a local scheme to support traditional farming practices from the estate manager for the National Trust for Scotland (a conservation body who own the land visited earlier on in the day).
On 6 July, the group visited Sconser on Skye to talk to farmers there about their experiences and to hear from the John Muir Trust (a conservation charity) who own the land. The tour ended after discussion of the themes that had emerged over the visits.
