Minister for Learning Dr Alasdair Allan meets next generation of Scotland’s crofters
Issued by The Soil Association
Crofting Connections, a unique crofting project for children and young people in the Highlands and Islands, will launch its second phase at Plockton High School on Friday (18 January).
The launch event will be addressed by Minister for Learning Dr Alasdair Allan and attended by pupils, teachers, crofters, MSPs and representatives from the Crofting Commission and the Scottish Crofting Federation.
The acclaimed Plockton Music School will be performing a selection of traditional music at the launch event and Margaret Bennett, story-teller, musician and folklorist, patron of Crofting Connections will provide the closing address.
Crofting Connections is a project run by Soil Association Scotland, in partnership with the Scottish Crofting Federation. The project enables children and young people living in crofting communities throughout the Highlands and Islands to learn about crofting past, present and future. It aims to increase children’s and young peoples’ understanding of the connections between crofting, food, health and the environment.
The second phase of Crofting Connections, which is funded by the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Heritage Lottery Fund, will run for three years and extend the geographical coverage of the project in the crofting counties.
Dr Alasdair Allan, Minister for Learning said: "Crofting has had a key role in the development of the Highland economy and its identity over a number of centuries. It’s also a way of life, and it is important that the younger generation learn about how crofting has influenced Highland life as part of a broad education, as well as fostering a potential new generation of crofters for the future.
"Curriculum For Excellence is the perfect framework for delivering this fantastic project and with a food element to it, Crofting Connections will help to ensure that every pupil in Scotland has the opportunity to learn more about the food journey from plough to plate.”
Laura Stewart, Director Soil Association Scotland, said:“In the Year of Natural Scotland, we are delighted to be working with our partners to continue to build on the success of Crofting Connections. We look forward to supporting more young people to learn about the contribution of crofting and the crofting counties to Scotland’s natural heritage. The second phase of this unique project will also help to create stronger partnerships in local communities, between schools and community-owned crofting estates, crofting landlords, social enterprises and local businesses.”
Rachael McCormack, Director of Strengthening Communities with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), said: “Crofting Connections is a very welcome project which will help young people take up crofting opportunities, or return to their communities after college or university. Rural communities across Scotland need to attract and retain people, and it is important to develop new ways to help these places become more resilient and sustainable. Crofting is an intrinsic part of the Highlands and Islands economy, and this initiative will complement HIE's role to support crofting communities.”
Councillor Alasdair Christie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Adult & Children’s Services Committee, said: “We are delighted to be hosting the launch of the second phase of the Crofting Connections programme. The first phase captured the interest and imagination of staff and pupils across a wide range of primary and secondary schools in Highland. The programme introduces pupils to historical, social, cultural and environmental topics in a context that they all recognise and leads them on to inter-disciplinary work that addresses matters such as sustainability, employment, land management and the importance of their cultural heritage. It is a very good programme.”
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