Elected commissioner – 5-year term, started 18 March 2022
Duncan is a working crofter and along with his wife Jane, has a flock of 400 breeding yows and 4 kye, along with an indeterminate number of hens and ducks. He lives on Unst and can see the most northerly tip of Scotland from his home croft.
Duncan has been a Grazing’s Clerk for more than 20 years and you’re much more likely to find him on a common grazing than on Instagram. He trains his own sheepdogs and enjoys fishing as a hobby. Since retiring from the oil industry, he has come to appreciate the time he can now spend trying to grow fruit and vegetables in his Polycrub. “I’ve found that I have a knack and have proven over the years that I’m very good at killing off strawberry plants!”
Remuneration: Commissioner, Crofting Commission
Other roles: None
Contracts: None
Election expenses: None
Houses, land and buildings: Owner occupier of 1 croft, tenant of 5 crofts
Interest in shares and securities: SaxaVord, UK Space Port, shareholder in the common grazing where it is based
Gifts and hospitality: None
Non-financial interests: None
Close family members: None
Initial statement made: 3 April 2022
Last amended: 11 February 2025