Seminar gave a fascinating glimpse into crofting diversification
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From the Croft by Russell Smith
Crofting is a part-time occupation so diversification has always been important.
As more crofters are looking to build businesses on the croft rather than take a job elsewhere, the Scottish Crofting Federation ran an online seminar on agri-tourism.
A good turnout of new and experienced crofters logged on to learn from the successes (and failures) of others.
Fiona, from Skye. talked about the changes in the standards people expect from self-catering and the explosion in the number of places available. She advised on only taking longer lets to reduce the work involved in changeovers.
I talked about small caravan sites – if you can get the site right then initial set-up costs can be kept down and the income is steady if not spectacular.
A big plus is not needing planning permission if you work through recognised organisations such as the Caravan and Motor Home Club. But any tourism venture can be very tying since you have to be there to take bookings and welcome guests every day.
Phil, from Skye, described how they had named their home Wildlife Croft to brand the business. They majored on their own produce and on local wildlife on and around the croft itself.
Robin, from Lochalsh, had taken a semi-derelict croft house used as a feed store and byre, cleaned it out and successfully started letting it – no electricity, no water, no inside toilet.
Over lockdown she had done some renovations but deliberately left it without water or cooking facilities. The back to basics strategy has been successful: but advertising has to be honest so that visitors know what they are coming to.
Liz, from Sutherland, is planning an upmarket development of three tourist cabins. The family’s research included visiting trade shows and showed that going to the top of the market for accommodation and the surrounding environment costs more to set up but should mean higher returns.
Helen on Skye had used volunteers through “Woofing” to develop their croft. Working on organic farms (and other schemes such as Workaway) match you with volunteers who work for you in return for board and lodgings.
She now combines the self-catering accommodation with her own massage therapy and wildlife walks. Peace and quiet is part of the offering for guests.
For me, a couple of themes emerged. One is that crofting has a story to tell about heritage and history as well as links to the land and nature – be that eating local produce, seeing the starry skies, observing bugs through a magnifying glass, living a life without all mod cons.
This story is a draw for tourists to stay with us – and spend money in local shops and restaurants. We crofters need to take the time to tell the story and educate visitors.
The other theme was about looking around at what we have and then developing these assets for the benefit of visitors – this might be the environment or an old building that can be converted or a skill you have.
And the presenters showed this can be done carefully, thoughtfully in a way that doesn’t damage the thing you are trying to promote to the benefit of the crofter and the visitor.
Russell Smith is a Bonar Bridge crofter and director of the Scottish Crofting Foundation.
