Common Grazings Factsheet

What are Common Grazings?
Common Grazings are areas of shared land attached to specific townships.
Often, each croft within the township will hold shares in the common grazings. This creates a communal resource for crofters, and in some cases, even non-crofters who are registered shareholders.
Shareholders enjoy certain rights granted by law, allowing them to:

• Graze livestock on the common land.
• Collect peat and thatch for personal use on their croft.
• Gather seaweed to use on their croft.
• Apply to plant trees on the grazings.
• Potentially utilise the land for certain other purposes.
• Water rights for the watering of livestock.

Can I Create a New Common Grazings?
Yes, you can create a new common grazings, but the land must meet specific criteria. For more information and details on the application process, visit our website or contact our office directly. We also have a helpful factsheet on “Creating a New Common Grazings” available.

Grazings Regulations: Keeping Things Organised
Grazings regulations are a set of rules that outline the management and use of a common grazings.

These regulations detail:

• Who is entitled to use the common grazings, and
• The number and type of livestock each person can graze.
• How a Grazings Committee is appointed
• Other factors related to the common grazings such as management and maintenance

What if There are No Regulations?
If a common grazings doesn’t currently have regulations, the first step is to establish a Grazings Committee and record it with the Crofting Commission.

We offer standard regulations as a guideline, but committees can ask to make changes to fit their specific needs. The finalised regulations are submitted to the Commission for confirmation and can be amended later if necessary.

The Role of a Grazings Committee
Grazings Committees play a crucial role in managing the common grazings. A well-functioning committee helps to:

• Safeguard the future of the common grazings land
• Provide valuable knowledge about crofting in the area
• Foster collaboration and responsible management of the shared resource
• Ensures finances are managed and either received or distributed fairly

How to Set Up a Grazings Committee

1. Hold a Meeting: Invite all shareholders (those with rights to the common grazings) to attend a public meeting.
2. Publicise the Meeting: Advertise the meeting in a local newspaper, including the reason for the meeting, the common grazings’ name, and the date, time, and location.
3. Committee Size: Shareholders decide on the number of committee members.
4. Appoint Committee Leaders: Once the committee is formed, the committee members should appoint a Clerk.
5. Appoint other office bearers: A committee may wish to appoint other office bearers such as a chair person or treasurer.

Financial Assistance and Next Steps
There is financial assistance of up to £500 available to help establish a properly constituted new Grazings Committee. Please contact RPID for more details.

Once the committee is formed:
Fill out the Notification Form and send it to the Crofting Commission, along with a copy of the meeting advertisement.

The Crofting Commission will record the committee for 3 years if we are content that the proper procedures were followed.

Renewing the Committee
Consult the Grazings Regulations for specific procedures regarding re-appointment. The shareholders can choose to re-appoint the existing committee members if desired.

After the meeting, details of the new committee must be submitted to the Commission.

You can download a copy of this factsheet by clicking on the button below: