Wishart speaks at first stage of Crofting Bill
Speaking today (Tuesday 13th January 2026) in the debate on the Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill at Stage 1, Shetland MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat Beatrice Wishart emphasised the importance of crofting to Shetland and the Highlands and Islands, and the need for wider reform.
Ms Wishart, who is the Deputy Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee, noted frustration at the slow pace of changes to crofting law, with the Scottish Government first consulting on a Bill in 2017, nearly 10 years ago.
The Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill makes changes to areas of crofting law, including the enforcement of crofters’ duties, the powers of the Crofting Commission, common grazings, and the Crofting Register, and merges the Scottish Land Court and Lands Tribunal for Scotland.
Speaking during the debate, Ms Wishart said:
“Crofting is of vital importance in my Shetland Islands constituency and across the crofting counties in the Highlands and Islands. Cultural heritage, tradition, community and connection to the land are all important aspects of crofting, which delivers economic and environmental benefits in rural and island areas.
“The Law Society of Scotland has described Scotland’s unique crofting law as developing over time in a piecemeal fashion, and it is generally considered to be a complex and difficult area of the law that may be considered out-dated in many respects.
“Reform of this legal landscape has been slow to emerge.
“A broader review of crofting policy and law to modernise the framework and reduce the intricate and confusing nature of crofting law remains outstanding.
“While not delivering the more fundamental overhaul that is still being called for, the streamlining in this Bill is welcome.”
Commenting after the debate, Ms Wishart said:
“Nearly 10 years after the first consultation, this Bill represents a long-awaited first step in updating crofting law.
“While the Bill makes some needed changes, more work is needed to create a modernised legal framework.
“Crofters must be involved in determining what modern crofting life will look like in the future.
“Crofting is a unique way of life that it is important to value and protect.”