Don’t miss the boat – get on board with rural advice and Calmac schemes

Cath Macdonald urges remote communities to get involved and make their voices heard

News has recently been announced of a National Council of Rural Advisers by Rural Secretary Fergus Ewing.

The aim is that the National Council should “provide advice on the potential implications of Scotland leaving the E U as part of the UK, and making recommendations on future policy and support, with the aim of ensuring a vibrant,sustainable and productive economy”.

The news was warmly welcomed in the rural districts.

Shortly afterwards, Fergus Ewing announced the names of the rural advisers who were to make up this National Council. The reaction was surprise and deep disappointment as there was no crofting representa- tion on it. It was regarded as a snub to the Highlands and Islands that in the 13-strong group of rural development advisers, there was not one individual with any direct experience of crofting, while there were members with experience of large, industrial farms.

When this was raised with the Scottish Government they responded by saying the National Council would seek “the views of a wide variety of stakeholders and representations across rural,coastal and island communities”.

It was intended to reassure all those on the remote, rural edges, facing diverse challenges.

No. It does not reassure. What is needed is crofter representation by someone with real crofting experience, sitting at the top table where