Crofter training

TWO trainers have been appointed to run the Scottish Crofting Federation’s new two year training programme funded by the Scottish government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Tina Hartley and Lucy Beattie will be based in Ullapool from where they will provide a wide range of courses for aspiring, new and existing crofters and small holders.

The first courses will be held in Skye and Lochbroom with other courses planned across the highlands and western isles this year.

However SCF chief executive Patrick Krause says they hope to run courses throughout the crofting counties, including Shetland, before 2015.

Courses so far include horticulture, lime mortaring and drystane dyking, woodland management and on-croft woodfuel, basic sheep husbandry skills, making the most of your mutton, strained wire and rylock fencing and snaring competence.

“We are now offering more courses and are developing the programme to provide further levels and formats to meet the needs of trainees,” Krause said.

Courses are open to anyone with an interest in developing skills relevant to running a croft or smallholding.

Further information and a programme of courses is available from training@crofting.org or on the website www.crofting.org