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A crofting meeting in Brodick Hall last Thursday night attracted more than 60 Arran people.
It was the 16th and final meeting of the Committee of Inquiry on Crofting and the only one to take place outside the existing crofting counties.
The people were arranged into workshop groups of six to a table with each table having a member of the committee or the secretariat on hand to advise.
In his introduction, chairman Professor Mark Shucksmith said: ‘We’re here to listen to you. You may want more information about crofting because this isn’t a crofting area.
‘During debates about the Crofting Reform Bill last year there was criticism in Parliament about the changes proposed. The minister withdrew large chunks of the bill and appointed me to head an inquiry.
‘We had our first meeting on 9 May and this is the last. We are trying to establish key issues and will take the summer to analyse the results. After formulating recommendations we will come back to you with our proposals in December or January.
‘At the moment Arran is still outwith the Crofting Counties but the new Act allows new crofts to be created outside the counties. Arran does not have to be designated to have crofts.’
He pointed out that the rule at these meetings was that comments should not be attributed to individuals.
One Shiskine woman said: ‘Most people nearly died when they saw it would be workshops. It was like going back to school.’ A southend farmer said: ‘Crofting would be quite good for me if they can get it right with the landowners.’ A Shiskine farmer said: ‘I think it would be a backward step. I’d rather be a farmer than a crofter.’
A Pirnmill man said: ‘Most of the people are looking for crofting as a lever for housing. The agriculture has nothing to do with it. People are clutching at straws to get land for housing.’
Professor Shucksmith said: ‘I could speak for five hours on this subject. This is the most complicated thing that you could imagine.’
