What is crofting?

Crofting is a way of renting, owning and using land in Scotland. The social, economic and cultural impacts of crofting strengthen communities in the Highlands and Islands.

• 21,000 crofts
  • 72% rented (tenant)
  • 28% owned
• Covering more than 750,000 hectares of land
• 30,000 people living in crofting households
• Register of crofts

Crofts are small and are usually rented by tenants. Some have buildings or houses, some do not. An average croft is about 5 hectares but can be smaller and sometimes more than 50 hectares.

Crofting has been governed by its own legislation since 1886 and is regulated by the Crofting Commission.